News

Pennsylvania Education Department launches phone line for pep talks and encouragement

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has introduced “You’ve Got a Friend in Pennsylvania,” an automated phone line designed to deliver pep talks, jokes and words of encouragement from students… Read More

Student homelessness hits suburban schools in central PA as housing costs skyrocket

In a wider eight-county central PA region, the number of homeless students receiving services is rising across the board, said Sonia Pitzi, Region 3 Coordinator of Education for Children &… Read More

13 things to know about the PA budget and other bills passed by lawmakers in December

It may have taken a few more months than usual, but Pennsylvania’s state budget is finally complete after a flurry of legislative action from lawmakers to end the year. Click… Read More

Pennsylvania’s budget impasse ends as legislature agrees to boost child care tax credit, fund public defense

Pennsylvania’s budget impasse ended Wednesday after the divided state legislature agreed to send millions of dollars to community colleges and libraries, fund public legal defense, and create a student teacher… Read More

Gov. Shapiro signs remainder of budget

Progress has been made at the State Capitol as Governor Josh Shapiro signs several major bipartisan bills, tying up the final loose ends for the delayed 2023-2024 budget. Shapiro worked… Read More

Here’s how the Feds are spending $277M for academic recovery

Evidence-based reading instruction and professional development for math teachers are among the priorities the U.S. Department of Education is supporting with its latest round of grants focused on piloting and… Read More

How do students overcome barriers to learning like hunger, homelessness?

Homelessness, food insecurity, exposure to violence and access to healthcare – all barriers to young people learning in school. Kids living in poverty is behind many of these challenges. These… Read More

New PSSA results show some scores are rebounding, but kids are still behind

After plummeting during the pandemic, the latest Pennsylvania standardized test scores show signs of progress: Year over year, math scores are up. Click here for full article. (Subscription may be… Read More

New report details lack of internet, resources at rural PA school districts

Students attending rural school districts across Pennsylvania often grapple with limited internet access and are offered fewer school-based resources such as psychologists and counselors, according to a new report released… Read More

PA Senate committee advances bill strengthening penalty for school swatting

Pennsylvania state senators showed bipartisan support for a bill proposing to add a felony penalty for threatening violence on a school in the wake of a series of swatting incidents… Read More