Pennsylvania SB 254: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for the STEM Grant Program; and making an appropriation.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 205
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 254
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MASTRIANO, BARTOLOTTA, FONTANA, LAUGHLIN,
PENNYCUICK AND BOSCOLA, FEBRUARY 13, 2025
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 13, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," providing for the STEM Grant Program;
and making an appropriation.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an
article to read:
ARTICLE XV-O
STEM GRANT PROGRAM
Section 1501-O. Scope of article.
This article relates to the STEM Grant Program.
Section 1502-O. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Education of the
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Commonwealth.
"Nonpublic school." A nonprofit organization, charter
school, cyber charter school, private school or a nonprofit
school, other than a public school, in this Commonwealth where a
resident of this Commonwealth may legally fulfill the compulsory
school attendance requirements of this act and which meets the
requirements of 42 U.S.C. Ch. 21 Subch. V (relating to federally
assisted programs).
"Program." The STEM Grant Program under section 1503-O.
"Secretary." The Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth.
"STEM." Science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
"STEM subject." A class for which the instruction relates to
the topics of science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
Section 1503-O. Administrations.
(a) Selection of administrator.--Within 30 days of the
effective date of this subsection, the department shall issue a
request for applications for an intermediate unit to administer
the program.
(b) Applications.--The selected administrator shall develop
an application process for the program consistent with the
provisions of section 1504-O(a).
(c) Notification.--The selected administrator shall annually
notify all educators employed by the school districts or
nonpublic schools within this Commonwealth of the program and
shall submit a list of all eligible educators who express
interest in participating in the program to the department by
January 15 of each year. The secretary shall post the list on
the department's publicly accessible Internet website by January
30 of each year.
(d) Awards.--The selected administrator shall be responsible
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for the distribution of awards as provided for under section
1505-O.
(e) Fees.--The selected administrator shall utilize no more
than 5% of the total appropriation for the program for
administrative costs associated with this article.
Section 1504-O. Application and acceptance.
(a) Application.--A nonpublic school that elects to
participate in the program shall submit an application to the
secretary in a manner and on a form as determined by the
secretary. The secretary shall establish the application
deadlines for each school year. An application shall include the
following:
(1) The names of the public and nonpublic school and
eligible educators from each that shall form a STEM
partnership under the program.
(2) A statement from the nonpublic school and the
eligible educator that the eligible educator shall teach at
the nonpublic school during hours when the educator has no
conflicting public school duties.
(3) The proposed schedule and grades to be taught by the
eligible educator at the nonpublic school.
(4) The number of students, based on enrollment
projections, who will receive instruction from the eligible
educator under the proposed schedule at the nonpublic school.
(5) A certification from the nonpublic school that the
eligible educator shall provide only secular instruction at
the nonpublic school.
(6) Any other information specified by the secretary.
(b) Notification.--Upon receiving an application under
subsection (a), the secretary shall, within 10 business days of
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receipt of the application, notify the school district where the
educator is employed of the partnership between the nonpublic
school and the educator and shall detail the proposed schedule
and grades to be taught by the educator at the nonpublic school.
Section 1505-O. Grant awards.
(a) Award.--The secretary shall award grants under the
program based on review of the applications and subject to the
limit of money appropriated or otherwise made available for the
program. Grant money for approved app