education-issues

Lawmakers look for answers to fix Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional school funding system

BY: - September 17, 2023

Leaders in Pennsylvania school districts, large and small, are forced to make unthinkable decisions as they work within crumbling buildings, triage educational resources and improvise a social safety net, state officials heard this week. Educators, public school advocates, a student and an economist laid bare the depth and breadth of the commonwealth’s school funding shortfall […]

COMMENTARY

For the mothers the pandemic has left behind

BY: - August 8, 2023

Moms are tired. Bone-tired. That’s the word that comes up again and again whenever I talk to other mothers these days. No matter how strong you think you are, the last few years have taken a crushing toll. Everyone bears the scars of the pandemic in different ways. But there have been so many other […]

Car insurance premiums based on job, education can ding low-wage workers

BY: - June 29, 2023

‘What does your education, occupation and income have to do with how you drive?’ one driver asked

Pennsylvania House passes eight bipartisan bills in productive return to session

BY: - April 28, 2023

Pennsylvania House lawmakers passed eight bipartisan bills, including four with unanimous approval, in the lower chamber’s return to session this week after a nearly two-month hiatus.  With a narrow one-vote majority for the first time in more than a decade, House committees also cued up a blizzard of bills on Democratic policy priorities, such as […]

The Pa. House reconvenes on Monday; Here’s what lawmakers have on the table

BY: - April 23, 2023

One initiative with strong support on both sides of the aisle could test House Democrats' and Senate Republicans' willingness to collaborate.

Black borrowers hold a disproportionate share of student loan debt, and many likely were recipients of Pell Grants.

Black student loan borrowers at risk as U.S. Supreme Court weighs forgiveness plan

BY: - February 27, 2023

Black borrowers hold a disproportionate share of student loan debt, and many likely were recipients of Pell Grants.

Pennsylvania Capitol Building. May 24, 2022. Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

Pa. Legislative Black Caucus decries racist video at Philly Catholic school; Students expelled

BY: - February 14, 2023

"Our students are mirroring the political vitriol and uncivil discourse displayed by adults," the caucus said in a statement.

COMMENTARY
Svante Paabo Wins Nobel Prize For Neanderthal Genome Decoding

Still think everything is awful? Here are three reasons for hope | John L. Micek

BY: - October 4, 2022

The Nobel Prizes awarded this week are a welcome reminder of the transformative power of knowledge.

GOP opposition to proposed Wolf regs on carbon pricing; charter schools could shape coming months

BY: and - April 7, 2022

Wolf, who has long called for charter school reform and a raise to the minimum wage, celebrated the commission’s decision, pushing back against accusations from Republicans by telling the commission the regulations are not outside of its jurisdiction.

In final year, Wolf touts multi-billion surplus; but projections depict gloomy fiscal future

BY: - January 20, 2022

This sign of economic strength, Wolf said, was a direct result of his “progressive” policy agenda, which has resulted in $2.8 billion more in education spending, lower prison populations, and more government funding for economic development and health care.

Wolf vetoes school curriculum bill; signs nine others, including broadband authority, into law

BY: - December 22, 2021

State law already requires public schools to allow parents and guardians access to their child’s curriculum, academic standards, instructional materials, and assessment techniques by request.

Curriculum transparency bill heads to Wolf’s desk, who opposes it

BY: and - December 15, 2021

The Republican-controlled Pennsylvania House voted along party lines 112-88 Wednesday to approve the legislation, authored by state Rep. Andrew Lewis, R-Dauphin.