Pennsylvania State Education Association

February is Career and Technical Education Month! Shoutout to all of the incredible CTE professionals who teach Pennsylvania's students the necessary skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the trades and professions that inspire them. 💙⚙️

RIP Education Dept.? Not quite. Trump struggles in bid to kill agency The White House is continuing its efforts to dismantle the Education Department, but Congress just fully funded it.

"Congress' annual appropriations bills, which Trump signed into law Feb. 3, fully retained spending for many of the department's programs, funding things like special education and afterschool activities."

https://bit.ly/4knLbVI

NEA's February Read Across America books amplify and celebrate Black voices and stories to help students explore how reading can be a path to personal and collective freedom.

Learn more about this month's selections: https://bit.ly/4pM7RA5

Governor’s budget backs $15 wage, boosts PA school funding Gov. Josh Shapiro's new budget proposal for 2026 and 2027 includes almost $700 million more for Pennsylvania public schools. The budget also calls for increasing Pennsylvania's minimum wage from $7.25

Paraprofessional Kirstie Stayduhar "attended the governor's budget address and she praised the plan. She said she believes higher wages would help with retention, demonstrate the importance of school support staff, and make these jobs more appealing," https://bit.ly/46H5NTc?

Officials, Erie families speak on PA bill banning phones in school A bill passed in the Pennsylvania Senate on February 4 would greenlight public schools to ban phones, and it prompted different perspectives in the community. Senate Bill 1014 would implement a bel...

“Cellphones are something that we, as active educators, see in our classrooms every single day," PSEA VP Jeff Ney said. They “provide distractions to our students." A ban "from bell-to-bell, we believe, is going to increase the educ. of all students…”
https://bit.ly/3LYqpiW

'A no-brainer': Pa. Senate approves statewide bell-to-bell ban on student cellphone use Lawmakers voted 46-1 on Senate Bill 1014, bipartisan legislation that would require public schools to adopt "bell-to-bell" policies restricting student use of smartphones and other internet-connected ...

PSEA praised the Senate’s action, saying educators have long warned about the toll unrestricted phone use takes on classrooms.

“Mobile devices disrupt classroom lessons, distract students from learning, & facilitate cyberbullying," PSEA VP Jeff Ney said.

https://bit.ly/4rC021p

Advocates urge cost-of-living raises for retired PA teachers Retired teachers in Pennsylvania have not seen cost-of-living adjustments on their pensions since 2002 and some advocates are looking to change that. Advocates said that with no retirement benefit ...

Pre-Act 9 retirees haven't gotten a pension cost-of-living raise since 2002..

Since then, the "cost of food; that’s increased 88%. The cost of housing has gone up 85%, and medical care has risen 111%,” said Jeff Ney, vice president of PSEA.

https://bit.ly/4qZJWi1

"I am so glad that Gov. Shapiro has proposed to increase the min. wage in Pa.," said paraprofessional/PSEA member Kirstie Stayduhar, who attend the guv's budget address Tuesday, where he proposed raising the wage in PA $7.25 -->$15 an hour.

Read more👇
https://www.psea.org/GovernorsFY2026-27Budget

Feb. 2-6 marks #EdRisingWeek. 🎓 Ed. Rising in Pennsylvania continues to grow, with more than 430 students, 40 teacher leaders, and 25 school districts participating to help restore the educator pipeline. Learn more about our program: www.psea.org/educatorsrising

During a press conference on Feb. 4, PSEA Vice President Jeff Ney commended state Sens. Robinson, Santarsiero, and Hughes for leading a bipartisan coalition to restrict student use of mobile devices during the school day. Senate Bill 1014 passed the Senate Feb. 3 by a vote 46-1.

Local lawmakers’ reactions to Shapiro budget plan mixed During his annual budget address Tuesday before members of the state House and Senate, Gov. Josh Shapiro called on lawmakers to build on the progress Pennsylvania has made over the past three years wi...

“Here at our school, I feel like if we raised support professional pay, we could get more people to want to be working in the school district,” said paraprofessional Kirstie Stayduhar. “We would have more paraprofessionals ... more support staff.”

https://bit.ly/46qmXEr

Gov. Josh Shapiro has worked with legislators of both parties to secure more than $2.1B in new funding to help public school students across Pa. The budget he proposed Tuesday will put that figure at nearly $3 billion.

Read more 👇
https://www.psea.org/GovernorsFY2026-27Budget

NEA President Becky Pringle (@neapresident.bsky.social) returns to "Duty Free Lunch" for a powerful and personal conversation about attacks on educators, the future of public education, and Pennsylvania's outsized role in protecting democracy.

🎧 Listen to this episode at www.psea.org/podcast

During his budget address today, Gov. Shapiro proposed increasing the minimum wage in PA from $7.25 to $15 an hour.

Kirstie Stayduhar, a paraprofessional earning less than $15 an hour, attended the governor’s budget address.

Read more about Kirstie ⤵️
https://www.psea.org/GovernorsFY2026-27Budget

PSEA President Aaron Chapin hailed the Governor's proposed FY 2026-27 state budget for continuing bold investments in Pa. public school students, including an overall increase of nearly $700 million in key funding for public schools.

Read more ⤵️
https://psea.org/GovernorsFY2026-27Budget

Governor Shapiro pushes for school cell phone ban Could banning cell phones improve student focus and safety? Governor Shapiro pushes for a school-wide ban. What do you think about staying connected vs. staying focused?

Last week Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a social media post that he supports a bell-to-bell classroom cell phone ban.

PSEA agrees.

“Being able to limit what kind of distractions there are in a classroom just creates a better, well-rounded student," PSEA VP Jeff Ney told FOX43.

https://bit.ly/4kgV1c0

It’s #NationalSchoolCounselingWeek! We’re proud to join the American School Counselor Association in recognizing the critical role school counselors play in supporting EVERY student in Pennsylvania. When our students are supported, there’s no limit to their success. 💛 #NSCW26

This #BlackHistoryMonth, PSEA honors and celebrates the remarkable achievements and rich history of the Black community, whose contributions have profoundly shaped our nation.

Shapiro calls for cellphone ban in Pennsylvania schools HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) -- Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) called on state legislators to pass a cellphone ban in Pennsylvania schools. Bipartisan lawmakers introduced legislation back in October that wo...

Gov. Josh Shapiro called on legislators to pass a cellphone ban in Pa. schools.

“Students need to spend time focused on learning, on socializing with their peers..." he said on social media.

https://www.abc27.com/pennsylvania-politics/shapiro-calls-for-cellphone-ban-in-pennsylvania-schools/

Opinion by a Bethlehem Area teacher: Schools need help in the battle for students’ attention Opinion: Teachers aren’t up against daydreams anymore. We are battling algorithms.

“It is unreasonable to expect teenagers to have the kind of willpower necessary to resist the temptation of the notification. It may even be immoral to put them in that position. We need strong legislation to contend with cell phones." https://bit.ly/3ZzvtgG

Congrats to 2025 PA TOY Leon Smith for being named a finalist for 2026 National TOY! 🎉#PSEAProud

Leon previously joined our podcast to discuss his work, the challenges public education is currently facing, and how we can rebuild the profession. Listen: https://bit.ly/3ZB9t54

Ridley High School teacher to appear on TV’s ‘Trivial Pursuit’ Plus, Girl Scout Cookies go on sale this week, with one new flavor; foundations partner for competitive grantmaking cycle, with applications due by Feb. 19; the Delaware County Press Club’s n…

"Richard Terpstra, an English teacher at Ridley High School and longtime adviser of the school’s Delco Hi-Q academic quiz team, will be featured on an upcoming episode of “Trivial Pursuit" airing 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, on The CW." https://bit.ly/45bnART

It’s elementary: Restrict use of mobile devices at school Limiting students’ access to cell phones and similar tech is crucial to their development.

“Establishing a consistent, statewide expectation that public schools must restrict the possession and use of mobile devices for all students is desperately needed." https://bit.ly/3Z2qBjV

Graphic promoting a webinar titled “Understanding Antisemitism,” a joint JCPA and National Education Association event marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The background shows an empty classroom with desks and windows. Text includes “WEBINAR,” “January 27 | 7:00 PM ET,” and logos for the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and the National Education Association.

Jan 27 Webinar: @neatoday.bsky.social & JCPA will come together on International Holocaust Remembrance Day for a critical webinar on understanding antisemitism and the growing threat it poses to students, educators, and all of our communities.

Join the conversation: nea-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

On #InternationalHolocaustRemembranceDay, we remember the millions of victims of the Holocaust and honor the survivors by uplifting their stories and experiences, ensuring this dark past is never forgotten.

Pittsburgh Public Schools launches new teacher apprenticeship program The district plans to launch a new on-the-job credentialing program for paraprofessionals interested in becoming certified teachers next school year.

"Pittsburgh Public Schools is working to bolster its teacher pipeline from multiple ends. The district plans to launch a new on-the-job credentialing program for paraprofessionals interested in becoming certified teachers next school year." https://bit.ly/4pSCLqt

NEA, JCPA to partner for International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemoration | NEA On January 27, 2026, the National Education Association (NEA) and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) will partner to co-host a virtual event commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance...

We invite you to join NEA and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs for a virtual event commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. Register: https://bit.ly/4622Egv.

Highlands teachers seal 5-year, early-bird contract Highlands School District teachers locked up a five-year contract that awards them a 3.5% average salary increase each year through 2030. The school board on Tuesday approved the contract with the Hig...

“...Our members are happy to have the collective bargaining agreement settled so that we can solely focus on our work in the classroom.” https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/highlands-teachers-seal-5-year-early-bird-contract/

Last night, I was heartened to join parents, students, and community members for Color of Change's webinar on voucher schemes.

We discussed the dangers of vouchers—and how we can all come together to resist them.

NEA joins #ICEOutSchools campaign, urging solidarity with immigrants on January 23 by wearing blue and sharing supportive messages. Includes social media hashtag ICEOutSchools and a call to declare schools, churches, and hospitals as protected spaces.

Wear blue tomorrow, January 23, as a visible sign that we stand together—across state lines and across communities—in support of safe, welcoming public schools where children can learn without fear. #ICEOutSchools