An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions, for Keystone Exams and graduation requirements and for special provisions applicable to the Keystone Exams, graduation requirements and alternative competency assessment; in district superintendents and assistant district superintendents, further providing for performance review; in professional employees, further providing for definitions; in pupils and attendance, further providing for assisting students experiencing education instability; in E-chievement Program, further providing for definitions; and, in educational tax credits, further providing for definitions.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Borowski and 6 co-sponsors

Pennsylvania education bill modifies graduation requirements, exam standards, superintendent evaluations, and tax credits through definitional and procedural changes across the state's K-12 system.

Referred to Education

Legislative bill overview

HB 727 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code across multiple areas including Keystone Exam requirements, graduation standards, superintendent performance reviews, student stability provisions, and educational tax credit definitions. The bill makes broad definitional and procedural updates to the state's K-12 education framework without specifying exact changes in this summary.

Why is this important

These amendments affect how Pennsylvania students graduate, how teachers and administrators are evaluated, and how the state's education tax credit programs operate. Changes to Keystone Exams and graduation requirements directly impact what diplomas require; updates to superintendent performance reviews and student stability provisions affect district operations and vulnerable student support systems.

Potential points of contention

Keystone Exam modifications - Any changes to graduation-required exams generate debate between those prioritizing standardized accountability and those concerned about limiting alternative pathways

Definition changes - Broad definitional updates in multiple sections lack transparency about specific intent; stakeholders may disagree on how definitions affect eligibility or requirements

Superintendent evaluation standards - Changes to performance review criteria could shift district leadership accountability in ways some view as strengthening or weakening oversight