Pennsylvania State Education Association

Week of 7-14-2025

Inside this issue

• PA House passes pro-public education state budget bill
• Judicial retentions: Why your vote matters
• PSEA Podcast: Inside the classroom program that talked to astronauts in space
• PEARL & Center for Professional Learning – summer series
• Member Benefits spotlight: TruHearing

Finally some good news.

On Monday, the state House of Representatives approved a state budget plan that includes much-needed funding increases for K-12 public education, higher education, and student teacher stipends.

Here's what you need to know:

• House Bill 1330, the state budget bill, passed the state House by a vote of 105 to 97.
• The bill is now in the state Senate, where senators are deciding what to do next.
• The budget bill the state House passed includes the state’s next payment in the multiyear plan to fix Pennsylvania's unconstitutional public school funding system and a much-needed funding increase for the new student teacher stipend program.

Thank you to everyone who contaced their lawmakers to ask them to support HB 1330. It's thanks to you that these pro-public education bills continue to get passed. 

As always, we'll keep you updated as this bill moves ahead.

The 2025 retention elections will shape the future of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which has issued rulings with wide-reaching implications for the commonwealth.

Three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices are up for retention: Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht. Together, these justices have contributed to landmark decisions that directly affect the daily lives of Pennsylvanians and educators.

These elections will determine how the court addresses issues that impact the daily lives of Pennsylvanians:

• The quality of public education
• How our elections are run
• What happens at our workplaces
• Our online privacy rights
• Even the air we breathe and the water we drink

The decisions made by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court shape the daily lives of its residents. With three justices up for retention in 2025, the outcome of these elections will have long-term implications for the rights, protections, and opportunities of everyday Pennsylvanians for years to come.

Aaron and Jeff are joined by Allen Lombardozzi and Elaine LaFuria, two STEM teachers from the Harbor Creek School District. They share the story behind Advanced Technologies Group, a student program powered by HAM radio, science, and sheer curiosity. From building antennas to speaking directly with astronauts aboard the International Space Station, their students are putting STEM to good use.

PEARL

Visit the new, improved PEARL today and choose from more than 95 asynchronous courses available for Act 48 credit and Chapter 14 verification.

You can find multiple courses that interest you in any of these tracks: 

• Book Studies
• Educational Equity
• Pedagogy
• Policy
• Pupil Services
• Special Populations
• Technology in Education
• SEL & Wellness

Webinars

• Your AI Assistant: Using AI in Planning & Preparation
  • July 29, 10-11.30 a.m.
• Educator Evaluation: Navigating the Policy
  • July 31, 7-8 p.m.
• AI in Education Today: Moving Forward After All the Hype Settles
  • Aug. 5, 10-11:30 a.m.

Book Discussions

• The Body Keeps the Score
  • Aug. 7, 10-11:30 a.m.

Postgraduate Credits

Earn postgraduate credits from PennWest University for $70 each!

More than 150 postgraduate credits are available across a wide range of teaching and learning topics.

These postgraduate credits (micro-credentials) can count toward the 24 credits required for a Level II certificate and also may count toward salary advancement.*

For support professionals, these courses may meet Chapter 14 requirements.**

*Check your contract to determine if you can apply standalone postgraduate credits for column movement.
**Seek approval from your employer prior to completing hours to apply toward Chapter 14 requirements.

PSEA members and their families are eligible for discounts on hearing care and benefits through TruHearing. PSEA provides you and your extended family members a hearing program through TruHearing that includes a free annual hearing exam and substantial savings on the top-of-the-line hearing aids and professional care.

Program benefits include:

• FREE enrollment, NO premiums
• Free annual hearing screening for you and your extended family
• Access to a nationwide network of nearly 7,200 hearing locations
• Reduction on the price of most hearing aids offered
• Low price guarantee on all styles of hearing aids from major brands
• 60-day money back trial period for exchanges and returns
• 3-year repair warranty
• 3-year loss and damage coverage
• 3 years of hearing aid cleanings and checkup services
• 2 years of free batteries with every hearing aid purchase
• No-interest financing available
• Extended warranties available to purchase for current hearing aids