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SB 1341

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for community-engaged schools; establishing the Community-Engaged School for Success Pilot Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Education.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Camera Bartolotta and 5 co-sponsors

Establishes a community-engaged school framework and a pilot program to boost family, community partnerships, and integrated supports to improve student outcomes.

Referred to Education
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1341

Overview

SB 1341 (Session 2025-2026, Pennsylvania) proposes amendments to the Public School Code of 1949 to foster community engagement in schools. It introduces the concept of community-engaged schools, creates a pilot program called the Community-Engaged School for Success Pilot Program, and assigns duties to the Department of Education to implement and oversee these provisions. The bill has multiple co-sponsors and was referred to the House Education Committee as of May 20, 2026.

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a framework for integrating community engagement into public schools.
  • Create a formal pilot program to test and refine practices that connect schools with families, local organizations, and community stakeholders.
  • Build capacity within schools to improve student outcomes through collaborative, place-based approaches.

Key Provisions

  • Definition and Authorization: Establishes the concept of a “community-engaged school” within the Public School Code and authorizes the Department of Education to implement the pilot program across participating districts.
  • Community-Engaged School for Success Pilot Program:
    • Designates a statewide or multi-district pilot to demonstrate and evaluate strategies that increase family and community involvement, wraparound supports, and school-community partnerships.
    • Likely includes eligibility criteria for participating schools/districts, duration of the pilot, and evaluation metrics.
  • Roles for the Department of Education:
    • Develop guidelines, standards, and best practices for community engagement in schools.
    • Monitor, support, and assess pilot sites; collect data on outcomes and program effectiveness.
    • Provide training, resources, and technical assistance to schools implementing community-engaged practices.
  • Program Components (typical elements, based on similar initiatives):
    • Partnerships with local organizations, employers, and institutions of higher education.
    • Expanded family engagement activities and two-way communication channels.
    • Integrated student supports (social, emotional, mental health, and academic supports).
    • Community-informed school planning and decision-making processes.
    • Measurement of outcomes such as attendance, achievement, behavior, graduation rates, and student well-being.
  • Reporting and Evaluation:
    • Requirements for reporting progress and outcomes to the General Assembly or Department.
    • Data-driven assessment to determine scalability or expansion beyond the pilot.

Affected Parties

  • Students and Families: Potentially increased access to supports and enhanced family engagement in school decisions.
  • Public School Districts and Schools: Participants in the pilot; may implement new community partnerships and supports.
  • Department of Education: Responsible for administration, guidance, monitoring, and evaluation of the pilot.
  • Community Partners: Local organizations, employers, colleges, and service providers that collaborate with schools.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Initiation: The bill envisions the establishment of a pilot program, with specific sites to be selected by the Department of Education.
  • Duration: A defined pilot period (e.g., multiple years) during which implementation and outcomes are evaluated.
  • Evaluation: Regular collection and analysis of data to assess effectiveness and inform potential expansion.
  • Reporting: Periodic reporting requirements to state legislators on progress, challenges, and results.
  • Authority and Compliance: Guidelines established by the Department to ensure consistency across participating districts.

Potential Impacts

  • Could strengthen school-community collaboration and wraparound supports.
  • May improve student engagement, attendance, and academic outcomes through integrated services.
  • Provides a pathway for scaling evidence-based community engagement practices if the pilot demonstrates success.
  • Encourages districts to formalize partnerships with community organizations and stakeholders.

Notes

  • The exact statutory language (definitions, eligibility criteria, and evaluation metrics) will determine the precise scope and implementation details.
  • As of the latest action, the bill has been referred to the Education Committee for consideration.

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

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