| The Senate Education Committee approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Jake Corman to extend a provision of the state’s Empowerment Act that allows school districts to apply for waivers from certain mandates. Under the Bill the sunset date for the Mandate Waiver Program will be removed, allowing the program to continue past the scheduled ending date of June 30. The Mandate Waiver Program allows school districts, intermediate units & vocational-technical schools to apply for waivers from certain requirements in the Public School Code. To be eligible for a waiver, school entities must have their application approved by the Department of Education & show the waiver will allow them to improve their instructional programs or operate in a more efficient or economical manner. |