Education equity still dividing policymakers

(Sep 29, 2023)

Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Allentown, said the new formula must recognize “the fundamental understanding that all kids are not exactly the same.” Read more

 

Kutztown University Hosts Informative Legislative Breakfast to Strengthen Higher Education

(Sep 27, 2023)

“We need to ensure that the next generation of students have opportunities to advance themselves,” said Schweyer. “They could achieve great things if we just invest in them.” Read more

 

Pa. House Democrats renew call for end to blockade on state-related university aid

(Sep 26, 2023)

House Education Committee Chairman Peter Schweyer, (D-Lehigh), told the Capital-Star that he would be open to discussing with Republicans some of their genuine and long held concerns about making the universities more accountable through performance-based budgeting and requiring them to disclose certain metrics. Read more

 

Lawmakers look for answers to fix Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional school funding system

(Sep 17, 2023)

“What we learned was, what – candidly – advocates like me have been saying for a long time, is that we have been short-changing our families, we’ve been short-changing our kids,” Rep. Schweyer said. Read more

 

"Do more with less": Why PA school districts continue to struggle with funding despite unfair ruling

(Sep 15, 2023)

"What we've done over the years is immoral, ineffective and unconstitutional," Rep. Peter Schweyer, chair of the Pennsylvania House Education Committee, said. "We have the chance to start turning that ship around." Read more

 

Lawmakers grapple with fixing Pa.’s unconstitutional school funding system

(Sep 14, 2023)

“Before we continue down this conversation of ‘historic funding, historic funding, historic funding’ let’s look at history just a little bit closer and understand we’re playing catch-up on a decade-plus, if not longer, of education cuts,” Rep. Schweyer said Read more

 

Schweyer: Let's Make Things Right for Funding Education

(Sep 13, 2023)

Pa. House Education Committee Chairman Rep. Peter Schweyer joined colleagues from both the state House and Senate to hear testimony from education advocates and experts in the first of a series of Basic Education Funding Commission (BEFC) hearings. The BEFC conducts these hearings every 5 years to hear the needs of our schools and what they can do to improve our education system. Read more

 

Testifiers emphasize school repairs, upgrades to provide safe, quality education for students

(Sep 13, 2023)

ALLENTOWN, Sept. 12 – Testifiers detailed the critical importance of adequate funding for school districts to address building repairs, upgrades and maintenance to keep students and faculty safe during a Basic Education Funding Commission hearing today. “Mother Nature helped prove the need is right now for school building funding with the oppressive heat wave last week,” said Schweyer, Majority Chairman of the PA House Education Committee (D-Lehigh). “Many school districts across PA closed or adjusted to virtual learning during the extreme heat because there was no air conditioning or means to protect students and staff from the excessive temperatures. Our children have waited long enough and should not have to continue to learn in substandard conditions.” The hearing was hosted by Schweyer and state Sen. Nick Miller at the Allentown School District Administration Building and included testimony from the superintendents of the Allentown, Bethlehem and Salisbury school districts as well as other education advocates to discuss the impacts of classroom environments on students’ abilities to learn. "I am glad the BEFC began the hearings right here in Allentown. As a former school board member, education has long been a passion of mine. My district includes 10 school districts, ranging from rural to suburban to urban, across the Lehigh Valley, all with unique needs we are addressing,” said Miller, D-Lehigh. “Listening to Read more

 

At Allentown hearing, Lehigh Valley superintendents say local schools facing dire straits. $6.2 billion might be needed to fix problem across Pa.

(Sep 12, 2023)

“I actually think the basic education formula needs to include a consideration for the age and deficiencies of buildings,” Schweyer said. “School districts that have old, beat-up buildings should get additional funding in the basic education formula.” Read more

 

Lehigh Valley school officials, education advocates ask for funding fairness in legislative hearing

(Sep 12, 2023)

State House Education Committee Chairman Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, pointed to Parkland School District’s wealthier tax base, which includes warehouses and Dorney Park. He said the district is also the fourth-largest district statewide. Read more

 

Lehigh Valley's poorest students wait for funding as lawmakers continue fight over school vouchers

(Sep 12, 2023)

House Education Committee Chair Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, said the fiscal code, which directs how money in the budget is spent, showed the Senate was playing politics instead of negotiating in good faith. Read more

 

Schweyer Set to Tour PA to Address School Funding

(Sep 11, 2023)

Pa. state Rep. Peter Schweyer, Chairman of the House Education Committee, joined House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jordan Harris to announce a statewide tour to discuss and find solutions to adequately fund public education across the commonwealth. Schweyer says the disproportionate funding over the years is immoral, ineffective and unconstitutional and must finally be addressed. Read more

 

Work begins on finding a Pa. school funding formula that passes constitutional muster

(Sep 11, 2023)

Rep. Schweyer, who is also a member of the funding commission, said he sees their hearings as adding “more datapoints and more expert testimony to what the Basic Education Funding Commission is doing to add to what the court case said.” Read more

 

Bill to open Allentown NIZ financial records passes Pa. state Senate

(Sep 01, 2023)

Rep. Schweyer said the NIZ works for the city and is a model for renewal in other cities. “The single biggest reason why this works is because Allentown was uniquely situated to make a powerful economic development tool work,” he said. Read more

 

Schweyer’s office to hold monthly veterans outreach Sept. 15

(Aug 31, 2023)

ALLENTOWN, Aug. 31 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, is alerting local veterans that his monthly support program will be held on Friday, Sept. 15 at his district office in Allentown. A representative from the American Legion will be available for appointments at Schweyer’s district office, 1501 Lehigh St., Suite 206. Appointments are available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service officer will be available to assist veterans and their families with benefits and services available to them. The representative also will be available to discuss pensions and other compensation, as well as education, health care and death benefits. Legion membership is not required; however, anyone interested in speaking with the adviser should schedule appointments by contacting Schweyer’s office at 610-791-6270. Read more

 

'Prepared for the Workforce of Tomorrow': Gov. Shapiro Highlights New Investments During Allentown Visit

(Aug 31, 2023)

Attendees and speakers included Robert Smith, EASCTC Executive Training Director, Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr., and State Reps. Peter Schweyer, Mike Schlossberg, Josh Siegel, and Steve Samuelson. Read more

 

Schweyer Celebrates Investment in Pennsylvanians

(Aug 30, 2023)

Pa. state Rep. Pete Schweyer stands with Governor Josh Shapiro to highlight an almost $30 million investment in workforce training and apprenticeship programming. Schweyer says programs like these prepare more Pennsylvanians to realize the American dream, earning while they learn the skills to secure a high quality, family sustaining job. Read more

 

Gov. Shapiro touts funding for trade work, workforce education at Allentown technical college

(Aug 30, 2023)

Schweyer, who lives only a quarter mile from the campus, championed the efforts of organizations like the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical College to provide students with an option to earn a good living doing vital jobs they enjoy. Read more

 

Need a job? Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro comes to Allentown to promote apprenticeships

(Aug 30, 2023)

State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, said the education received at a joint apprentice training center can help build a good, middle-class life. Read more

 

State public education funding’s teachable moment

(Aug 28, 2023)

State Rep. Peter Schweyer, a Democrat from Lehigh County, said that although prioritization of funds should ultimately be decided by school districts themselves, funding for facilities is certainly a good place to start. Read more

 

Education equity still dividing policymakers
Sep 29, 2023

Kutztown University Hosts Informative Legislative Breakfast to Strengthen Higher Education
Sep 27, 2023

Pa. House Democrats renew call for end to blockade on state-related university aid
Sep 26, 2023

Lawmakers look for answers to fix Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional school funding system
Sep 17, 2023

"Do more with less": Why PA school districts continue to struggle with funding despite unfair ruling
Sep 15, 2023

Lawmakers grapple with fixing Pa.’s unconstitutional school funding system
Sep 14, 2023

Schweyer: Let's Make Things Right for Funding Education
Sep 13, 2023

Testifiers emphasize school repairs, upgrades to provide safe, quality education for students
Sep 13, 2023

At Allentown hearing, Lehigh Valley superintendents say local schools facing dire straits. $6.2 billion might be needed to fix problem across Pa.
Sep 12, 2023

Lehigh Valley school officials, education advocates ask for funding fairness in legislative hearing
Sep 12, 2023

Lehigh Valley's poorest students wait for funding as lawmakers continue fight over school vouchers
Sep 12, 2023

Schweyer Set to Tour PA to Address School Funding
Sep 11, 2023

Work begins on finding a Pa. school funding formula that passes constitutional muster
Sep 11, 2023

Bill to open Allentown NIZ financial records passes Pa. state Senate
Sep 01, 2023

Schweyer’s office to hold monthly veterans outreach Sept. 15
Aug 31, 2023

'Prepared for the Workforce of Tomorrow': Gov. Shapiro Highlights New Investments During Allentown Visit
Aug 31, 2023

Schweyer Celebrates Investment in Pennsylvanians
Aug 30, 2023

Gov. Shapiro touts funding for trade work, workforce education at Allentown technical college
Aug 30, 2023

Need a job? Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro comes to Allentown to promote apprenticeships
Aug 30, 2023

State public education funding’s teachable moment
Aug 28, 2023