House Education Committee Chair Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, said the push for vouchers could blow up current budget negotiations. The current scheme under consideration is "lifeline scholarships," which he strongly opposes. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Peter Schweyer, Chair of the House Education Committee, comments on House passage of his legislation to fund improvements in the commonwealth's school buildings through new construction and maintenance work such as the removal of toxic substances and upgraded accessibility. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 27 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer today announced his bill to establish a grant program for schools to make critical upgrades and repairs passed the full House Monday evening. “ The average age of public schools in Pennsylvania is roughly 70 years old and many are in need of repairs and upgrades to ensure students and staff have safe and comfortable learning environment s ,” said Schweyer, D-Lehigh. “I am pleased to see bipartisan support for this bill as this would benefit schools across the commonwealth in urban, suburban and rural communities.” According to Schweyer, HB 1408 would establish the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program. It would provide funding for schools to make necessary and essential improvements to existing school buildings, such as roof repairs, updating or installation of HVAC systems and lead and asbestos remediation. School districts, intermediate units and career and technical schools would be able to apply for grants of up to 75% of their project’s costs with a cap at $5 million. Added Schweyer, “The current school construction program, PlanCon, focuses on new building and major construction projects, it does not help school districts pay for basic maintenance, routine upgrades or to clean up harmful environmental hazards. This bill would make sure students only have to worry about learning in their classroom.” Schweyer said the legislation now moves to the Senate Read more
Committee Chairman Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Allentown, referred to the bill as a “magical unicorn” given its unanimous support from teachers unions, the Department of Education, school administrators, and the legislature. Read more
State Rep. Pete Schweyer (D., Lehigh), who chairs his chamber’s Education Committee, told Spotlight PA that he “fundamentally” opposes lifeline scholarships and believes it would be a mistake to route state money into public school alternatives when the courts have said the public school system itself needs funding. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 21 – The PA House Education Committee, chaired by state Rep. Peter Schweyer, today advanced two bills which would make critical investments for school improvements and address substitute teacher shortages. “Many Pennsylvania students do not have access to adequate schools, including classrooms that are too hot in the spring and freezing cold in the winter, buildings which have leaky roofs and some cases, facilities are making students and staff sick with mold and asbestos,” said Schweyer, D-Lehigh. “We can and must do better for our students. Under my bill, a grant program would be created which would support school districts with much needed infrastructure maintenance which the current school construction program does not cover.” According to Schweyer, the House Education Committee approved the following bills at today’s meeting: HB 1408 – would establish the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program for schools to make improvements, such as roof repairs, HVAC systems, and asbestos remediation. HB 27 – would extend the Act 91 provisions on substitute teachers for another year to allow school districts to hire annuitants if an emergency or shortage exists, an increase of the number of days or hours per school year substitute teachers may serve and temporary substitute teacher certification for assignments longer than 20 consecutive days. Added Schweyer, “The teacher shortage Read more
"It's about time that the commonwealth starts investing in this,” Education Committee Chairperson Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, who is the bill’s prime sponsor, said. Read more
Said Schweyer: “There are schools across the state that have mold, lead paint, asbestos, don’t have access to internet, are not accessible to students in wheelchairs or have other special needs and – it’s about time the commonwealth starts investing in this.” Read more
“We know we’re going to need to invest a significant number in education as a result of the lawsuit in the next, you know, X number of budgets,” said state Rep. Peter Schweyer (D., Lehigh), who chairs the House Education Committee. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Peter Schweyer, Chair of the House Education Committee, says the quality of a school building has a direct impact on a child's ability to learn. Schweyer is fighting to secure additional funding in this year's state budget to end toxic schools across Pennsylvania. Read more
“The quality of that building will have a dramatic and direct impact on that child’s ability to learn,” Schweyer said. “It’s really hard to teach things like computer literacy if you don’t have the internet. It’s really hard to teach a health class when the air that our children breathe is toxic.” Read more
Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, chair of the House Education Committee, reminded everyone that school buildings are learning environments. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 12 – The PA House Education Committee, chaired by state Rep. Peter Schweyer, today advanced three bills which provide support for Pennsylvania students and educators. “Many students in Pennsylvania begin their higher education studies at area community colleges before transferring to a traditional four-year college or university,” said Schweyer, D-Lehigh. “This legislation would ensure students who earn their associate degree are able to transfer to four-year schools as a Junior.” According to Schweyer, the House Education Committee approved the following bills at today’s meeting: HB 897 – would make it easier for PA students to transfer credits from an accredited community college to a four-year PASSHE school. HB 1331 – would provide PA student teachers a cost-of-living stipend helps them learn and earn as they prepare to build the next generation. SB 84 – would protect teachers’ right to Freedom of Religious Expression. Added Schweyer, “We’re also continuing to address the teacher shortage crisis which continues to impact Pennsylvania students. Recruiting and retaining quality teachers is a high priority. We shouldn’t be asking student teachers to have to dig into their own pockets to pay to learn to teach. “Right now, a teacher who wears a cross, Star of David, crescent, or any symbol or garb which professes their faith are subjected to year-long Read more
The House Education Committee headed by Rep. Schweyer voted 20-1 to send the full chamber a bill providing up to $15,000 as a stipend for student teachers and $2,500 for teachers who serve as mentors to aspiring educators. Read more
The two chairmen of the House Education Committee, Peter Schweyer (D-Lehigh) and Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton) share their thoughts on the budget process. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 6 – Legislation which would eliminate barriers to educator certification for immigrants in Pennsylvania advanced in the PA House Education Committee, Majority Chairman Peter Schweyer announced today. “Pennsylvania is facing an immense teacher shortage crisis and school districts across the commonwealth need every tool possible to find and retain qualified educators to teach our students,” said Schweyer, D-Lehigh. “Right now, immigrants in Pennsylvania who have the visas to work in the United States cannot apply for educator certification. This bill would allow prospective teachers with valid immigrant visas, work visas or employment authorization to apply for certification.” According to Schweyer, under House Bill 1067 , the Public School Code would be amended so department certified or permitted teachers who hold a valid immigrant visa, work visa, or valid employment authorization document which allows them to work in the United States would be eligible to apply for educator certification to teach in public schools in Pennsylvania. State Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, the bill’s prime sponsor, said her legislation would create new avenues of opportunity for qualified and trained immigrants. “Pennsylvania’s lack of teachers is worsening, but qualified immigrants can help with this teaching crisis,” said Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks. “Employers are struggling to fill vacancies; we need to Read more
“We've done a pretty good job of supporting conservation here on the local level,” state Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, said. “We've done a lot, but there's always more that we can do.” Read more
ALLENTOWN, June 2 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, is alerting local veterans that in observation of the Juneteenth holiday, on Friday, June 16, his monthly support program will be held the following Friday, June 23 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
Listen to what our friends & neighbors had to say about the issues that matter in the Lehigh Valley. Read more
Attendees included Afterschool Caucus member Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, and House Education Chairman Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh. Read more
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