Matthew Stem, the deputy secretary for elementary and secondary education at the Pennsylvania Department of Education from 2015 to 2021, continued his testimony throughout the day on Wednesday, after testifying all day on Tuesday. Stem was the top official in charge of K-12 education for Pennsylvania and was asked to provide testimony on a wide range of topics.
We will provide a more detailed account following the conclusion of Stem’s testimony and cross-examination, which could occur on Thursday.
News outlets including the Philadelphia Inquirer have reported on Stem’s testimony.
Petitioners’ direct examination of Stem, conducted by attorney Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg of the Public Interest Law Center, concluded at around 11 a.m. today. Stem was asked about charter school funding and the performance of cyber charter schools. Stem also testified about the effect of school funding on the ability of Pennsylvania public schools to achieve the goals set for them by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and about the educational impacts of disparities in facilities, including HVAC systems, and technology—two resources that became particularly important in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stem was then examined by attorneys for the executive respondents (the Department of Education and the governor) and for Senator Corman. An attorney for Senator Corman asked Stem about career and technical education in Pennsylvania and the development of state assessment tests, among other topics.
Senator Corman’s attorney will continue his cross-examination tomorrow morning. He will be followed by attorneys for Speaker Cutler. Petitioners will then have an opportunity to ask additional questions of Stem.
On deck as a witness after Stem is the superintendent of the Greater Johnstown School District, Amy Arcurio. Greater Johnstown will be the second of the six petitioner districts to put forward witnesses at trial.