Senate Education Committee Approves Bipartisan PASS Scholarships

Harrisburg, Pa., May 6, 2025—Today, the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee approved legislation to establish Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS) Scholarships. Similar to the popular Lifeline Scholarship proposal, PASS would provide educational options to students in chronically failing schools.

Senate Bill (SB)10, sponsored by long-time school choice advocate state Sen. Judy Ward, will save more than 15,000 students from the state’s lowest-performing schools by offering scholarships that students can apply toward tuition at a school that best fits their needs.

The committee, led by Chairman Lynda Culver, voted (8-3) to advance Lifeline/PASS Scholarships to the Senate floor. Democrat Sen. Anthony Williams, a cosponsor of the bill, joined Republicans to advance SB 10, once again setting politics aside to put students first over entrenched interests.

The bill’s passage marks a significant step toward educational opportunity ahead of the state budget process—and support for the cause is only growing. Today, hundreds of students and parents from across the state rallied on the steps of the Pennsylvania Capitol, advocating for more educational options for families.

Support for school choice remains strong. A recent poll, conducted by the Ragnar Research Partners, shows 70 percent of Pennsylvania voters support a state bill to “expand school choice through scholarships.”

Andrew Lewis, President and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, issued the following statement:

“Pennsylvania’s education crisis is worsening. Student achievement is stagnant. More than 200,000 of our most vulnerable students are left in failing schools with no recourse. Tens of thousands of families remain on scholarship waiting lists, demanding more opportunities for school choice. Continuing massive spending increases without reform is not an option. We desperately need a new approach—which is what bills like Lifeline/PASS offer.

“Every child in Pennsylvania deserves access to an excellent education, regardless of their zip code. Lifeline/PASS provides a long-overdue solution for students and parents who have longed for meaningful educational alternatives. It’s time to stop funding failure and start funding our students’ futures—they have waited long enough.”

Kevin Kane, director of legislative strategy for the Commonwealth Foundation, added:

“Once again, Senate Republicans are leading the charge to save Pennsylvania students from chronically failing schools. We’re especially grateful to Senate leadership, bill champion state Sen. Judy Ward, and Chairman Lynda Culver for continuing the fight to provide quality educational options for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable students.

“Now we will see if Gov. Josh Shapiro will honor his word to offer every ‘child of God’ in Pennsylvania a high-quality education. This upcoming budget fight offers Shapiro a chance to finally make good on his empty campaign promise—which left thousands of students to languish in failing, violent schools since he abandoned them in 2022.

“This isn’t about politics or slogans—it’s about real kids who need real solutions. Governor Shapiro must rise to the moment and support PASS before more students fall through the cracks.”

Commonwealth Foundation experts are available for comment. Please contact Giana DePaul at gmd@commonwealthfoundation.org or (215) 859-0384 to schedule.

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