PA Senate Advances Voucher Bill to Boost School Choice Options

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee on Tuesday advanced Senate Bill 10, creating the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS) Scholarship Program to expand school choice for students in low-achieving public schools. The measure passed 8-3, with Democratic Sen. Anthony H. Williams joining Republicans in support.[3][6] Eligible students — Pennsylvania residents without high school diplomas attending low-performing schools — could receive scholarships starting in the 2026-27 school year: $2,500 for half-day kindergarten, $5,000 for full-day K-8, $10,000 for grades 9-12, and $15,000 for those with special needs.[3] Proponents, including Sen. Doug Mastriano, who introduced a related bill for Education Savings Accounts, argue the program empowers parents to choose private schools, tutoring, homeschooling, or specialized programs, building on existing options like charter and cyber schools.[7] The initiative revives voucher debates, similar to last year's failed efforts and the 2023 Lifeline Scholarships proposal, amid a national push reflected in federal bills backed by PA Republicans like Reps. Mike Kelly, Guy Reschenthaler, and Dan Meuser.[5][6] Opposition from groups like the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) and ACLU-PA is fierce, labeling it an unconstitutional attack on public education that siphons resources. PSEA President Rich Askey called similar House Bill 2169 a 'terrible' policy diverting $144 million from needy districts.[8][9] This comes as the state addresses a 2023 Commonwealth Court ruling on unconstitutional funding, with Gov. Josh Shapiro's 2026-27 budget proposing $8.3 billion for basic education — up $50 million — plus $526 million in adequacy supplements and cyber charter reforms saving $75 million annually.[1][2][4]