PDE issues new BEC on assisting students experiencing education instability
The PA Department of Education (PDE) released guidance under a new Basic Education Circular (BEC) regarding provisions under the School Code under Act 1 and Act 55 of 2002 intended to help keep students who are either experiencing homelessness or are in foster care on track to graduate high school.
Act 1 promotes timely high school graduation and facilitates equal access to academics and extracurricular activities and the removal of systemic barriers for students who experience education instability as defined by the legislation. School entities are required to fulfill the mandates of Act 1 to ensure that, beginning with the 2021-22 school year and continuing in all subsequent years, eligible students are able to access a diploma at their current school entity, secure a diploma from their prior school entity, or obtain a Keystone Diploma. Act 55 allows Keystone Diplomas to be retroactively awarded to students who would have been eligible for graduation through this process in the 2021-22 school year.
Click here to read the BEC on Assisting Students Experiencing Educational Instability.