Gleim, Scialabba, D’Orsie Prevent Harmful Academic Standard Additions

Six of eight suggested edits to K-12 education curriculum approved by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission

Harrisburg, PA - The Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) has approved six important edits to its education standards, thanks to a joint letter from Reps. Barb Gleim (R-Cumberland), Stephenie Scialabba (R-Butler), and Joe D'Orsie (R-Manchester) that pointed out deficiencies, miscalculations and falsehoods in K-12 education curricula.

The approved edits span several subjects, from economic standards to teamwork and collaboration, to elementary career education instruction. Among the most drastic standards in need of correction were price controls being listed as an example of promoting free markets, considering labor unions as non-political non-government organizations and inserting social emotional learning (SEL) language into elementary education material.

"It was surprising to see economic misconceptions inserted into curriculum that will be shaping young minds across the Commonwealth," said D'Orsie. "Certain objective truths exist in the study of money and markets particularly, and to see very political language promoting government spending and the redistribution of wealth was troubling."

As members of the House Education Committee, Gleim, Scialabba and D'Orsie were given a window to submit edits to the packet of standards changes before the IRRC convened to consider and eventually approve or disapprove material. Of the eight suggestions made by the trio, six were approved by the IRRC.

"It can't be overstated how important it was to catch these problems," said Scialabba. "Our constituents rely on us to be the watchdogs of short-sighted and even sometimes nefarious acts from our government departments. This is a big win for parents and students in Pennsylvania."

"Ensuring students are presented with the facts and encouraged and enabled to use their own deductive reasoning skills is paramount to producing smart, independent thinkers upon graduation," said Gleim. "We need to stop 'agendizing' education, which is what we are ultimately trying to accomplish. And, thankfully, the IRRC agreed with many of our points."

Representative Barbara Gleim, 199th District
Representative Stephenie Scialabba, 12th District
Representative Joe D'Orsie, 47th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contacts:
Rep. Gleim: Tricia Lehman, [email protected], 717.772.9840
Rep. Scialabba: Nate Temple, [email protected], 717.260.6396
Rep. D'Orsie: Melissa Fox, [email protected], 717.260.6522

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