education
With months left in tenure, Wolf admin official looking to make most of the time that’s left
On Wednesday, Smith led a roundtable discussion with the agency’s Parent Panel Advisory Council, a group of parents from across the commonwealth who have first-hand experience parenting children affected by substance use and substance use disorders, and who make recommendations to DDAP regarding support services.
Pa’s K-12 school nurses treat more than scrapes and bruises. And they’re asking lawmakers for help
One per 1,500. That’s the nurse-to-student ratio for K-12 schools in Pennsylvania — one of a handful of states to set staffing requirements in the law. Karla Coffman, a nurse in the York Suburban School District, is about 250 students away from reaching that threshold as the certified school nurse for the high school and […]
Pa. House committee advances bill excluding transgender athletes from women’s sports teams
HB 972, also known as the “Protect Women’s Sports Act,” would bar transgender athletes from participating in sports consistent with their gender identities. It passed through the committee Tuesday morning in a 15-9 vote.
With a little more than a month to apply, Pa. officials remind students, families to submit FAFSA
Students and families have until May 1 to apply.
Staffing shortage, COVID-19, politics take toll on Pennsylvania teachers
For years, Pennsylvania has seen a decline in graduates entering the education field. Now, some teachers are considering leaving the profession sooner than they initially planned.
In final budget address, Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf announces $43.7B spending proposal
“We are no longer digging out of a hole. We’re ready to build,” Wolf, who vowed to leave Pennsylvania with a budget surplus at the end of his term, said during a joint session of the House and Senate.
‘This is not sustainable’: Pa. educators detail staffing shortage, urge legislative relief
Before the pandemic, there was already a growing staffing shortage, especially among classroom substitutes, and COVID-19 has only exacerbated educational challenges.
Pa. Democrats unveil $3.75B education spending blueprint ahead of budget season
The proposal would use $2.75 billion out of the general fund and $1 billion from unspent federal American Rescue Plan funds allocated to Pennsylvania last year.
Senate committee advances bill to increase tax credit caps for scholarship funds
Opponents argue the legislation will hurt public schools and lead to higher taxes. Democrats on the committee opposed it.
Years-old lawsuit challenging Pa. school funding heads to trial
The trial, expected to span two months in Commonwealth Court, revolves around the formula used to fund Pennsylvania public schools.
Senate panel advances bill that would require Pa. schools to post curriculum, book titles online
Democrats on the 11-member panel, four in total, unanimously opposed the proposal.
‘Higher education is a partnership’: Pa. State System approves $550M request to help with redesign
If Gov. Tom Wolf and the Legislature grant the $550 million, the State System could also refrain from raising tuition another year.