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Bill

HB 2659

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, establishing the Advanced Teaching Roles and Evidence-based Strategic Staffing Program; and imposing powers and duties on the Department of Education.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Heather Boyd and 9 co-sponsors

Creates Advanced Teaching Roles and an Evidence-based Strategic Staffing Program to guide hiring, placement, and leadership roles in PA public schools.

Referred to Education
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2659

Overview

HB 2659 (Session 2025-2026, Pennsylvania) proposes amendments to the Public School Code of 1949 to establish the Advanced Teaching Roles and Evidence-based Strategic Staffing Program. The bill would create a framework for advanced teaching roles, support evidence-based staffing decisions, and assign related duties to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). A range of house sponsors supports the measure.

Purpose and intent

  • Create an Advanced Teaching Roles program intended to elevate teaching practices, career pathways, and leadership within public schools.
  • Establish an Evidence-based Strategic Staffing Program to guide hiring, placement, and deployment of teachers using data and proven staffing practices.
  • Align staffing and professional roles with student outcomes, equity, and school needs across districts.

Key provisions and changes

  • Advanced Teaching Roles:
    • Establish formal roles beyond traditional classroom teaching (e.g., master teachers, instructional coaches, leadership track roles) with defined responsibilities, qualifications, and compensation expectations.
    • Create criteria for eligibility, promotion pathways, and evaluation standards for these advanced roles.
  • Evidence-based Strategic Staffing Program:
    • Require the PDE to develop and implement a statewide framework for staffing that relies on data-driven decisions, including forecasting demand, placement, and retention strategies.
    • Emphasize alignment of staffing with student needs, subject-area demands, and instructional quality.
    • Potentially authorize districts to use targeted approaches to recruit, retain, and deploy teachers where shortages or high-need gaps exist.
  • Department of Education duties:
    • PDE would establish program guidelines, performance metrics, and monitoring procedures.
    • PDE would provide guidance, training, and resources to school districts on implementing advanced roles and staffing strategies.
    • PDE may develop reporting and accountability requirements to assess impact on teacher effectiveness and student outcomes.
  • Funding and implementation:
    • The bill may authorize funding mechanisms or pilot programs to support implementation (details would be in the bill’s text).
    • Timeline for rollout, pilot districts, and state-wide adoption would be specified (again, exact dates contingent on the bill text).

Who would be affected

  • Public school districts and charter schools in Pennsylvania implementing the program.
  • Teachers and other instructional staff who may participate in advanced teaching roles or benefit from improved staffing decisions.
  • School administrators responsible for staffing, professional development, and instructional leadership.
  • PDE, which would administer the program, set standards, collect data, and publish guidance.
  • Students, through anticipated impacts on instructional quality, teacher support, and classroom stability.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill was referred to the Education Committee on 2026-06-22.
  • Upon committee action, the bill would proceed through standard legislative steps (amendments, floor votes, etc.) for potential enactment.
  • The exact implementation timeline (pilot phase, full rollout, and fiscal year budgeting) would be detailed in the bill’s provisions or accompanying fiscal notes.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Positive expectations: clearer career pathways for teachers, enhanced instructional leadership, data-informed staffing, and potential improvements in teacher retention and student outcomes.
  • Considerations: funding adequacy, equity across districts (urban vs. rural), and the definition of “advanced roles” to avoid unintended disparities.
  • Oversight: ongoing PDE oversight and district accountability metrics to monitor effectiveness and ensure fiscal responsibility.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to focus on particular audiences (parents, educators, policymakers) or pull out specific elements once the bill’s full text is available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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