In speaking to school leaders throughout my district, and from my first-hand observations as a member of a school board, I am keenly aware of how mandates impact our public schools. Compliance with these well-intentioned mandates can be costly, time consuming, and may not impact the quality of the students’ education. 
 
To provide public schools flexibility and relief from unnecessary mandates, I will be reintroducing SB 569 from last session. The legislation will reinstitute a mandate waiver program similar to the program that operated from 2000 to 2010. Sponsors last session were Senators Phillips-Hill, Dush, Langerholc, Argall, Hutchinson, Rothman, Aument, and Baker.
   
The legislation will allow public schools in the Commonwealth to apply to the Department of Education for a waiver of many state-imposed mandates.  PDE can approve a waiver, if the public school can prove that its instructional program will improve or the school will operate in a more effective, efficient, or economical manner.  The application will require supporting data showing the benefits to the waiver.  
  
Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation to give public schools the flexibility they need to educate Pennsylvania’s students effectively and efficiently.   

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0193: P.L.30, No.14