Pennsylvania Lawmakers Discuss School Policies at Budget Hearing

Education Secretary Carrie Rowe addresses cell phone bans, literacy scores, and school infrastructure funding

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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At a Pennsylvania state budget hearing, Education Secretary Carrie Rowe discussed a range of education-related topics with lawmakers, including plans to help schools implement a cell phone ban, efforts to improve student literacy rates, and funding for school infrastructure projects. Lawmakers from both parties questioned Rowe on these issues as part of the ongoing budget negotiations.

Why it matters

Education spending is a major part of Pennsylvania's state budget, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the roughly $50 billion budget. The discussions at this hearing reflect the priorities and concerns of lawmakers as they work to finalize the state's education funding plan for the upcoming fiscal year.

The details

Rowe told lawmakers that her department is preparing guidance to help schools adopt a 'bell-to-bell, no-cell-phone policy' for students, though details on implementation still need to be worked out. Lawmakers also pressed Rowe on efforts to improve literacy rates, which have dropped since the COVID-19 pandemic, and on funding for school infrastructure projects, with some legislators arguing the state's education funding formula needs to be reformed.

  • The Senate passed a bipartisan cell phone ban bill on February 3, 2026.
  • The House's next voting session is scheduled for March 23, 2026.

The players

Carrie Rowe

Pennsylvania's Education Secretary, who appeared before the Senate panel to discuss the governor's proposed education budget.

Josh Shapiro

The Democratic governor of Pennsylvania, who is seeking a second term and has proposed increasing education spending in the state.

Devlin Robinson

A Republican state senator who introduced a bipartisan cell phone ban bill that passed the Senate.

Lynda Schlegel Culver

The Republican chair of the Senate Education Committee, who expressed concerns about funding for literacy programs.

Scott Martin

The Republican chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, who raised questions about the state's education funding formula.

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What they’re saying

“Can they have it with them, but not on? Does it have to be in a particular bag? Is it need to be kept at the office? Can they have it on the bus? If they have it on the bus, could it be on?”

— Carrie Rowe, Education Secretary (witf.org)

“We're talking about coaching for teachers so that when they are implementing structured literacy, and they have questions, they have experts that are present.”

— Carrie Rowe, Education Secretary (witf.org)

“I think there is a better way we can achieve that word 'equity,'”

— Scott Martin, Senate Appropriations Chair (witf.org)

What’s next

The House Education Committee has not yet scheduled a vote on the cell phone ban bill, but the House's next voting session is scheduled for March 23, 2026.

The takeaway

The budget hearing highlighted the ongoing debates around education policy in Pennsylvania, with lawmakers from both parties raising concerns about issues like cell phone use in schools, student literacy, and the state's education funding formula. As the budget process continues, these discussions will likely shape the final education spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year.