department-of-education
Millions of Pennsylvanians eligible for federal student loan relief, Wolf admin says
In Pennsylvania, where student loan debt ranks among the highest in the nation, 1,717,300 borrowers are eligible for debt relief, including 988,800 who are eligible for $20,000 in debt relief, and 731,000 who will have their federal loans completely forgiven, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Wolf admin. encourages parents, guardians to update immunizations for children ahead of school year
A COVID-19 vaccine is not required for children to attend school, but state officials said Monday that the Wolf administration encourages the vaccine for children five years of age and older.
Pa. reports lower performance on standardized tests
The federal Every Student Succeeds Act mandates the annual standardized tests.
Are GOP lawmakers pushing ban on transgender athletes ignoring gender inequities at home districts?
Last spring, state Rep. Barbara Gleim, R-Cumberland, introduced HB 972 or the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” touting it as a way to “protect” women’s sports, despite the absence of any scientific evidence that cisgender athletes would be displaced by, or outperformed, by transgender athletes.
As school begins, state officials offer optional vaccination, testing initiatives to districts
Speaking to reporters Monday, state officials unveiled a plan for schools to work with vaccine providers to offer on-site vaccination clinics, and a plan for optional classroom testing. The initiatives are the result of partnerships between the Wolf administration, Concentric by Ginkgo Bioworks and vaccine providers statewide.
Feds issue year-long extension of free food for school students
The U.S. Department of Agriculture this week issued a year-long extension of a waiver program that lets schools send free food home with students. Originally set to expire this September, the program will now be in effect through June 2022.
What’s in a name? Seven top state officials lead under ‘acting’ label; await Senate confirmation
In order to remove the “acting” label from their titles, the seven state officials will need to be confirmed by the state Senate by a two-thirds majority.
Biden picks former public school teacher as secretary of Education
By Ariana Figueroa WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday formally introduced his nominee for secretary of Education—Miguel Cardona, a veteran of public schools and the third Latino selected for the Cabinet. “We knew we needed an education secretary who truly understands what it’s been like for educators, administrators, families, caregivers and students this past year,” Biden […]
Pa. Education Secretary Rivera announces departure while schools scramble for fall plans
The turnover comes as public schools across the state scramble to finalize fall reopening plans amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The news was first reported by the Associated Press. Rivera will remain in his current position until October, the AP confirmed.
Wolf says ‘widespread’ school closure rumor is false
“I want to be clear: I am not closing school buildings or cancelling classes,” Wolf tweeted Friday afternoon.
A look at the 2020-2021 stopgap budget: How Pa. is paying for prisons and COVID-19 relief | The Numbers Racket
For the most part, the funding in the $25.8 billion stopgap budget will remain at the same level as the 2019-2020, but there are a few areas where the budgets differ.
School safety, county block grants and Head Start: How Pa. is spending that $2.6B in CARES Act Money | The Numbers Racket
Here’s how the first half shakes out by state agency and department: