Senator Ward, J
HARRISBURG – In a significant step toward expanding education access and reforming outcomes in the state’s most challenged schools, the Senate Education Committee today advanced the bipartisan scholarship legislation sponsored by Sens. Judy Ward (R-30) and Anthony Williams (D-8).
Senate Bill 10, also known as the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS) scholarship program, would establish scholarship accounts for eligible students, allowing them to pursue educational opportunities outside of their assigned public school if that school ranks in the bottom 15% statewide based on academic performance. The program would be administered by the Pennsylvania State Treasury and funded through appropriations, grants, donations or other contributions from public and private sources.
“I am proud to join with my colleagues to stand up for children and their future by passing the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success scholarship program out of the Senate Education Committee,” said Ward. “This program will empower parents to make the decisions that are best for their child and ensure all children in the commonwealth have the chance at a quality education that fits their needs.”
Scholarships would range in value based on a student’s grade level and needs:
Eligible students must live within the attendance boundary of one of the lowest performing 15% of public schools and come from households earning less than 250% of the federal poverty level. Funds in a student’s PASS account could be used for tuition, school-related fees or special education services at a nonpublic school.
The need for additional educational options is underscored by troubling statewide assessment results. According to the 2024 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), 72% of eighth-grade students in public schools are not proficient in math and 48% are not proficient in language arts. In the bottom 15% of public schools, only 7% of high school students and 10% of elementary students are proficient in math. In 18 of these schools, not a single student is proficient in either reading or math.
Support for scholarship programs like PASS is strong among Pennsylvania voters. According to a recent poll from the American Federation for Children, 71% of Pennsylvanians support scholarships for primarily low-income students to attend schools that better meet their needs.
Gov. Josh Shapiro has also expressed support for a similar scholarship program, stating, “I’m for fully funding public education. I’m for making sure we give parents the ability [to] put their kids in the best situation for them to be able to succeed. And I’m for making sure we add scholarships like lifeline scholarships to make sure that that’s additive to their educations. That it gives them other opportunities – to be able to help them achieve success.”
Senate Bill 10 now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
Video: Ward’s remarks on Senate Bill 10 during today’s Education Committee.
CONTACT:
Nathan Akers; 717-787-2421
