education-reform
Politics or Practice: What shape will post-pandemic education reform take? | Opinion
At both the school and parent levels, decisions may be affected more by politics than by what will provide the best education.
Students flocked to cyber-charter schools this year. So did district revenue and federal relief funds
Like brick and mortar charter schools, cyber-charters are funded by contributions from public school districts. Districts pay the online schools an annual rate for each of their students who opt to enroll in one.
Pa. Senate education leaders need to give local taxpayers a break on cyber-charter costs | Opinion
Pennsylvania’s antiquated Charter School Law sets the ground rules for payments to cyber-charters and school districts are getting gouged.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos heads for the exits, leaving a legacy of turmoil
In four years in office, U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos failed to broaden her appeal beyond the moment she won a wild Senate confirmation fight by the closest of margins. She didn’t even try.
State to consider two new cyber charter schools amidst enrollment boom
This is the first time since 2015 that state regulators have been asked to consider more than one in a single year.
Should Pa. convert $500M in CARES Act cash into education grants for families? A proposal has advocates split on familiar lines
Pa. is sitting on $1 billion in unspent federal Cares Act funds, some believe the state should convert it into cash payments for parents.
Failed Philly cyber charter application highlights weaknesses in state law, observer says
The Virtual Preparatory Academy of Philadelphia Cyber Charter School fell short on every standard Pennsylvania uses to evaluate cyber charter schools, including support among parents and students, long-term financial planning, and proof that its students would meet state educational standards, according to a Jan. 27 memo from the state Department of Education.
School closings can hit rural communities hard — without any benefit | Opinion
Often schools close out of a belief that taking this step will save money and help students. Whether or not those benefits materialize, there are downsides for the locals.
What’s holding up appointments on this powerful state education board?
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh taxpayers have been paying for tens of thousands of dollars in legal bills in still-unsettled dispute.
Pa. teachers have it wrong: Turzai’s Harrisburg vouchers bill will help kids | Opinion
Harrisburg students have suffered for years in inadequate schools. Marooning them without choices won't help them.
Tuition vouchers will do more harm to Harrisburg’s recovering schools than good | Opinion
It couldn’t come at a worst time — just as the recovery process is starting to work in Harrisburg.
Turzai’s vouchers bill is on deck in the Pa. House next week. Let’s send it to the back of the class | Opinion
Under Turzai's leadership, the Pennsylvania Legislature has been willfully and deliberately ignoring the state’s historic gross inequity in school funding.