Pennsylvania State Education Association

Week of 4-21-2025

Inside this issue

• Oppose Trump admin. vouchers and attacks on USDOE
• Breakdown of Trump’s latest education-related Executive Orders
• PSEA member accomplishes tree-climbing goal, wins award
• PSEA Member Spotlight: Brittney Ehrenzeller
• Member Benefits spotlight: Voluntary Vision plan

On March 20, President Trump signed an executive order to begin shutting down the U.S. Department of Education, which would put $1.6 billion in federal funding to Pennsylvania public schools at risk and put nearly 7,000 jobs in Pennsylvania public schools in jeopardy.

And, on Jan. 29, he signed another executive order directing the U.S. Department of Education to “issue guidance regarding how states can use federal funding formula funds to support K-12 educational choice initiatives.”

The educational opportunities for every student, particularly those 7.5 million students with IEPs, are now at risk. TOGETHER, we can fight for our students, our schools, and our professions.

Contact your U.S. representative RIGHT NOW and tell them to OPPOSE any effort to SHUTTER the U.S. Department of Education or implement tuition voucher programs. 

Click the link below to find out how:

On April 23, President Trump issued seven new Executive Orders aimed at the education community. We’ve prepared a short synopsis of each EO below. We’ll keep you updated with any developments on these and any other federal attempts to affect our industry.

14277: Emphasizes the existing statutory requirements for higher education institutions to report any funding above $250,000 from foreign sources.

14278: States that higher education accreditor groups must not require any diversity, equity, and inclusion standards when reviewing institutions for accreditation.

14279: The White House seeks to bolster Historically Black Colleges and Universities by increasing the role of private foundations in fiscal planning and professional development.

14280: Directs the Secretaries of Labor, Commerce, and Education to review existing federal workforce development programs and submit a report identifying, in part, (1) potential realignment of resources to address workforce needs, (2) ineffective workforce development and education programs, (3) opportunities for the upskilling of incumbent workers, including AI use. The EO also seeks to expand registered apprenticeships to new industries.

14281: Claims that many existing school discipline policies violate federal civil rights laws against racial discrimination because they take disparate impact discrimination into consideration. The Order directs the Secretary of Education to ensure compliance with the Trump Administration’s interpretation of the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

14282: The Trump Administration claims that disparate-impact liability, which was established by the Supreme Court in 1971, violates the Constitution and federal civil rights laws. The EO directs agencies to take steps to eliminate the use of disparate impact liability in the federal government.

14283: The goal of the EO is to promote AI literacy and proficiency through education. The EO establishes a White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education and directs the task force to take steps to integrate AI learning in K-12 schools as well as provide training and professional development to educators.

Penn State Alumni Board President Eric Carlson (left) presents Van Wagner with "Penn State Elm trees" print.

In the Nov. 2023 issue of Voice, we wrote about Van Wagner’s attempt to climb the highest tree in all 67 of Pennsylvania’s counties. We’re pleased to announce that Wagner, an agriculture teacher in the Danville Area School District, has done it!

Click here to read about what Wagner hoped to accomplish through his personal tree-climbing challenge.

In addition to his tree-climbing accomplishment, Wagner was also recently given the Outstanding Alumni Award for 2025 from the Penn State Forest Resources & Ecosystem Science and Management Alumni Group.

Congratulations on both fronts, Van!

The PSEA Voluntary Vision Plan offers low monthly payments, great frame and contact lenses allowances, exam coverage, fitting fee coverage for contact lenses, and the choice of 12-month or 24-month coverage. The plan is available to all PSEA members and eligible dependents to age 26. Enrollment opens the first of each month.

The 12-month plan highlights include a $300 frame allowance or $150 contact lenses allowance with monthly premiums of only $12 for single coverage, $24 for two-party, and $35 for family coverage.

The 24-month plan highlights include a $300 frame allowance or $175 contact lenses allowance with monthly premiums of only $8 for single coverage, $16 for two-party, and $23 for family coverage.

For more information on the vision program please visit https://pseahwf.org/voluntary_vision/ or call the PSEA Health & Welfare Fund at 800-944-7732 ext. 7024.