Staats Bill to Give Students Greater Access to Transfer Policy Information Wins Unanimous House Approval

March 19, 2019

HARRISBURG – By a unanimous vote today, the House advanced legislation sponsored by Rep. Craig Staats (R-Bucks), which aims to save high school and college students time and money by providing them with information on the transfer policies of educational institutions.

House Bill 265 would expand an existing online database, maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), to allow students to plan where courses, programs, certificates and diplomas transfer among public schools and institutions of higher education.

“Numerous students and their families have told me they spend thousands of dollars on coursework and materials only to learn that it will not transfer to other institutions,” said Staats. “House Bill 265 would expand the information available to students on the transfer policies between public schools and colleges and universities. This would enable them to make informed decisions before committing their time and precious resources.”

Under current law, PDE maintains an electronic database and portal that displays articulation agreements entered into by community colleges, institutions in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and other institutions that choose to participate. Staats’ bill would require all public schools – including school districts, intermediate units, vocational-technical schools, charter schools and cyber charter schools – as well as Northern Pennsylvania Regional College, state-related institutions, and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, to submit articulation agreements to PDE for inclusion in the searchable database.

“I introduced the same legislation last session, which won overwhelming approval in the House, but the Senate failed to bring the measure up for a vote. I am hoping for a better result this time,” Staats said. House Bill 265 is part of an eight-bill package to address education and workforce needs in the Commonwealth. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Representative Craig Staats
145th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Donna Pinkham
717.260.6452
dpinkham@pahousegop.com 
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