Pennsylvania State Education Association

Week of 4-7-2025

Inside this issue

• Gov. Shapiro opposes illegal U.S. DOE actions
• PA House passes COLA bill for retired educators
• Upcoming judicial elections matter
• How will the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education affect you and your students?
• PSEA Member Spotlight: Kaylin Shewmake
• Member Benefits spotlight: PSEA Visa Signature card

This week, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration took decisive action to oppose the U.S. Department of Education’s efforts to penalize school entities for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and deny 116 school entities more than $185 million in American Rescue Plan funds that Congress has appropriated.

DEI programs

On April 3, the U.S. Department of Education directed states to sign a document affirming that their school entities are not using “illegal DEI practices,” and threatened federal funding if they did not sign. On April 9, the Pennsylvania Department of Education refused, sent this letter to U.S. DOE, and made it clear to Pennsylvania’s public schools that they are in full compliance with federal law and that “no further action is required.”

American Rescue Plan funds

On March 29, the U.S. Department of Education rescinded approval for more than $185 million in American Rescue Plan funds that 116 school districts were entitled to receive. These funds were appropriated by Congress and are intended to help school entities address COVID-19 pandemic issues. As a result, Gov. Shapiro joined 16 other states and Washington, D.C., in a lawsuit challenging the department’s authority to freeze these funds.

You can view the Governor’s press release on this legal action on his website. 

We will fight back

Many of the U.S. Department of Education’s recent actions and orders are deeply troubling. PSEA is monitoring these issues closely and taking action to fight back. We’re grateful that Gov. Shapiro and his team are joining us in this fight and speaking out for our schools, our students, and our members.

On April 9, the state House passed House Bill 411, which represents a significant step toward delivering long-overdue pension relief to more than 40,000 retired educators and support professionals.

These retirees, many now in their 80s, left the classroom before Act 9 was passed in 2001. This caused them to miss out on a 25 percent pension boost and spend the next 20-plus years without a cost-of-living (COLA) adjustment.

With the average pension under $20,000 and inflation driving up the cost of food, housing, and health care, many are struggling to get by. HB 411 aims to correct this decades-old injustice by providing a COLA to those who served Pennsylvania’s schools but were left behind.

“It’s way past time to deliver a cost-of-living adjustment for tens of thousands of retired educators, school support staff, and state employees who haven’t gotten a raise in their pensions in more than two decades,” said PSEA President Aaron Chapin.

PSEA is calling on the Senate and Gov. Shapiro to include this COLA in the FY 2025-26 state budget. That would be the fastest way to get it done and deliver long-overdue relief to these dedicated public servants.

This year, two PSEA-recommended statewide judicial candidates are running for election in the May 20 Primary Election. In the Nov. 4 General Election, five PACE-recommended statewide judicial candidates are running for retention. All these PACE-recommended candidates are pro-public education justices and judges who have delivered rulings that protect fair school funding, workers’ rights, secure elections, and the right to vote.

So, PSEA, please vote “YES” to retain.

Voting in judicial elections is crucial for the future of public education. Judges make decisions that directly impact school funding, curriculum standards, and students’ rights. By electing judges who prioritize equitable and quality education, you help ensure that all students have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.

Your vote influences the legal framework that shapes our schools and communities.

Also on the Primary and General Election ballots this year are key school board races that can have an equally critical impact on your school community.

For a full list of PSEA-PACE recommendations in the May 20 Primary and Nov. 4 General Elections, visit SchoolHouseBallot.com

Last April, student teachers across Pennsylvania hovered over their keyboards ready to jump at the chance to land a student teacher stipend. More than 3,000 applicants applied for just 750 total stipends in that first batch.

One of those initial lucky recipients was Kaylin Shewmake, a senior at Penn State who is doing her student teaching at the Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District. She is also the Student PSEA Central Region president.

The student teacher stipend has been a huge help to student teachers like Kaylin, and a key win for all PSEA members who advocated strongly for it. It’s one of the many ways this Association’s membership looks out for each other.

Click on the thumbnail above to hear Kaylin talk about what receiving that stipend means to her and what she hopes to see others gain from the program.

PSEA has partnered with Commerce Bank to bring members the PSEA Visa Signature credit card offer. With this card, members can earn cash back rewards with every purchase, with no point cap or opt-in required.

• Earn 3 percent cash back on Streaming, Cable, and ride-sharing services
• Earn 2 percent cash back on gas and restaurants
• Earn 1 percent cash back on all other purchases

Enroll in the toggle feature and add more flexibility to your PSEA Visa Signature credit card. With the toggle feature, you can:

• Choose to Pay Now by a specific category or purchase amount,
• Choose to Pay Later by a specific category or purchase amount or unwind a transaction.

Check it out and get the card that rewards you and supports Pennsylvania educators with every purchase.