Pennsylvania SB 839: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for media literacy education.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 913
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 839
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MUTH, TARTAGLIONE, HUGHES, FONTANA, HAYWOOD,
SANTARSIERO, KANE AND KEARNEY, JUNE 6, 2025
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, JUNE 6, 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," in terms and courses of study,
providing for media literacy education.
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 a
section to read:
Section 1556. Media Literacy Education.--(a) The Department
of Education, in consultation with the State Board of Education,
shall develop, within twelve (12) months of the effective date
of this section, an age-appropriate model curriculum for
students in kindergarten through grade twelve for media literacy
instruction. Beginning with the school year that commences after
the effective date of this section, a school district shall
incorporate into the school curriculum a component regarding
media literacy.
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(b) The curriculum may include, but need not be limited to:
(1) developing critical thinking skills;
(2) understanding how media messages shape culture and
society;
(3) identifying target-marketing strategies;
(4) naming techniques of persuasion used;
(5) recognizing bias and misinformation;
(6) discovering parts of a story that are not being told;
and
(7) evaluating media messages based on personal experiences,
skills, beliefs and values.
(c) The Department of Education shall make the curriculum, a
list of resources and other available material on media literacy
available on its publicly accessible Internet website.
(d) The Department of Education shall ensure that approved
media literacy training opportunities are made available for use
in professional development programs for teachers.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20250SB0839PN0913 - 2 -
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