Committee Passes Rhoades Measures

HARRISBURG – Earlier today, the Senate Education Committee passed three important measures, all authored by Senator James J. Rhoades ( R-29), designed to assist school districts in their quest to fulfill the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB.

Senate Bill 146, Senate Bill 147 and Senate Bill 148 all passed the committee by a unanimous vote.

"The federal NCLB act sets high standards for our schools, teachers and students," said Senator James J. Rhoades (R-29). "As the prime sponsor of these important state Senate bills, I felt it was imperative that the Commonwealth continues to find ways to provide the resources and support schools need to help students meet and even exceed federal goals."

Rhoades explained Senate Bill 146 directs intermediate units to coordinate academic improvement programs for school districts with a school or schools on the state warning list. In addition, the legislation establishes academic improvement teams for school districts needing additional assistance.

Senate Bill 147 would require the Department of Education to provide technical assistance to schools that have not met state academic performance targets or that have been identified for school improvement or corrective action.

The senator went on to say that Senate Bill 148 identifies continuing professional education options that will assist teachers in improving the academic performance of students in subject areas and demographic subgroups in which the school entity did not meet academic performance targets.

"Pennsylvania remains committed to utilizing all of our available resources to help our schools comply with the NCLB act," said Rhoades. "These bills target state assistance to where it is needed."