Allowing parents to hold back their child from being promoted to the next grade in 2021-22 due to learning loss during the covid-19 pandemic is now on track for consideration by the full Pennsylvania Senate.
The Senate Education Committee voted unanimously to advance this legislation that also gives parents of students with special needs who may have reached 21 years of age on or after the issuance of the proclamation of disaster emergency the option of extending their enrollment in school for another year.
The bill, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, R-Centre County, grows out of concerns expressed by parents who are worried about how the pandemic and changes in how education was delivered during the pandemic affected their child’s education and created learning gaps.
“The pandemic has taught us that every child learns differently,” Corman said in a statement. “Some students struggle with homebound education. Given the circumstances, it makes sense to give parents a stronger say in whether their kids should advance to the next grade level or repeat a grade to make up for learning loss during the pandemic.”
Currently, the decision to hold a student back is made solely by a child’s school and teacher.
By extending enrollment in special education for an extra year, it will prevent students with special needs who aged out of the public education system at age 21 from missing out on specialized attention they need as they prepare to live and thrive in their community.
“The pandemic has created challenges for all students but the impacts are much more severe for students with special educational needs,” Corman said. “Allowing these students an extra year of learning could make a world of difference.”
The ARC of Centre County CEO Becky Cunningham supports the measure, saying it will help to address the disruption caused by the pandemic in the transition process for students with intellectual or developmental disability nearing the end stage of their education.
“Extra time on this transitional bridge will only help those we support to reach their potential as successful and responsible community members,” Cunningham said.
Similar legislation passed the House of Representatives last year by a vote of 197-5 but that bill died in the Senate due to inaction.
