education-issues
Pa. House GOP splits, votes down vouchers for closed schools, mask requirements
The conflicts at play in Sonney’s amendment and DelRosso’s underlying bill — between public and private education, and how to respond to the pandemic — join one long running debate with a more current flash point.
Philly schools superintendent William Hite is leaving
“As I continue to serve the students, families and staff of the School District of Philadelphia throughout this next year, I do so with deep pride and humility,” Hite said.
House Republicans punt on school masks vote after returning early to address it
But a little more than a day later, and the answer from the caucus was “let’s talk later,” as the chamber tabled nine similar but distinct amendments to create exemptions in or completely repeal Wolf’s order.
To block school mask order, House GOP appeals to arcane committee
Majority House Republicans have asked an obscure state regulatory oversight committee to review the Wolf administration’s school mask mandate. In a 15-5 vote on Tuesday, the GOP-controlled House Health Committee’s lawmakers approved a six-page letter laying out their legal objections to the order. It goes on to request that the Commonwealth Joint Committee on Documents […]
Student loan debt is crushing Americans: 4 essential reads | Analysis
What practical effect will debt relief have, not only on individual borrowers but society and the economy as a whole?
As masked kids return to class, Pa. House plots early return to challenge Wolf order
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is coming back early from its summer recess to challenge the Wolf administration’s new school mask mandate. The move by the Republican-controlled lower chamber is the latest legislative challenge to Gov. Tom Wolf’s health orders. The lower chamber scheduled four new session days for next week and the week after, […]
Capital-Star Q+A: Pa. is sick and needs a doctor, says GOP Gov. candidate Nche Zama
"I realized that Pennsylvania is dying. And if Pennsylvania’s dying, it is very much in need of a cardiac surgeon for heart surgery."
In change of heart, Wolf admin uses health powers to order K-12 mask mandate in Pa.
The move is a reversal from Wolf's earlier stance. The Democratic governor had said earlier this month that it was up to school districts to mandate masks.
Pa. GOP candidate says he’ll bring ‘strong men’ to intimidate pro-mask school boards
Steve Lynch, a personal trainer who is running for Northampton County executive, made the threat during a rally in Harrisburg on Sunday night.
Wolf vetoes bill banning Pa. primary schools, colleges from requiring COVID vaccines
The bill also would prevent any public entity from checking someone’s COVID-19 vaccination status, such as a school district requiring teachers or students to be vaccinated. Such requirements are colloquially known as “vaccine passports.”
State higher ed system board backs plan to consolidate six universities to two
(*This story was updated at 5:05 p.m. on Wednesday, 4/28/21 with additional comment from PASSHE and APSCUF, and additional information on the timeline for implementing the consolidation.) Facing sagging enrollment and stagnant state investment, Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education’s governing board moved Wednesday to consolidate six of its 14 schools in western and northern […]
Pa. teachers to pay more in retirement contributions as pension fund backtracks on faulty investment data
That would average out to $180 extra dollars out of each teacher's paycheck, but the exact amount will depend on each teacher’s salary, which can vary widely between school districts.