Commentary: PA Has More to Do on School Funding Fairness
Pennsylvania needs to take a crash course in school funding fairness. That’s one conclusion drawn from the 2016 National Report Card (NRC), which gave the Keystone State a “D” for… Read More
News
Some School Districts Leery as Pennsylvania Law Lets Students Carry, Inject Own Insulin
New state legislation allows diabetic students to manage their own care during school, but not all public school officials are ready to jump into the program. Click here for… Read More
Pennsylvania Schools See Increase in Unsolved Bomb Threats
Data from the Pennsylvania Department of Education shows an increase in unsolved bomb threats in its public schools over the last three academic years, but a general decrease in terroristic… Read More
‘Demand is Still There’: New State Law Expands Pool of Available Substitute Teachers
In 2015, approximately 6,000 people pursued teacher certification in Pennsylvania, down from 16,000 just three years earlier. The need for substitute teachers, however, hasn’t lessened at all, experts say. Click here… Read More
State Lawmakers Focus on After School Programs
A newly formed legislative panel wants to ensure that what students learn while in school doesn’t get lost once the bell rings. The bipartisan Legislative After School Caucus is made up… Read More
Seeking Accountability, States Revise Charter School Laws
Accountability now appears to be the issue that states, charter authorizers (such as local school boards), and even advocates are still grappling with. The stakes — both in terms of… Read More
Pennsylvania’s Fiscal Situation Sees Good, Bad News
The New York-based Moody’s credit rating agency is upgrading the battered rating of a state program that helps school districts get more favorable loan terms by giving a guarantee to… Read More
Opinion: Unbalanced Pennsylvania Budget Shows Need for Long-Term Reforms
If you had to get a loan to pay your bills, would you say your family budget is balanced? Or even consider yourself in good financial shape? Sadly, that’s exactly… Read More
The Pay Gap for Teachers is Growing, New Study Finds
At a time when regional teacher shortages and high turnover rates are rife in school systems, a new report by the Economic Policy Institute may offer some explanation: The gap… Read More
School Officials Sound Off on New Funding Formula
A new funding formula used to allocate state education dollars based on the need of a district is a step in the right direction, say several area school officials.Click here… Read More