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Pennsylvania

News, analysis, and opinion about K-12 education in Pennsylvania
Students arrive for classes at Taylor Allderdice High School in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh on Jan. 23, 2024.
Students arrive for classes at Taylor Allderdice High School in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh on Jan. 23, 2024. As part of a recent court settlement, Pennsylvania will no longer require school districts to follow its set of guidelines that sought to confront racial and cultural biases in education.
Gene J. Puskar/AP
States A State Changed Anti-Bias Guidelines for Teachers After a Lawsuit. Will Others?
The lawsuit filed by a conservative law firm took issue with state guidelines on examining biases and diversifying curriculum.
Brooke Schultz, November 21, 2024
5 min read
Students in the Moonshot Program research and create a presentation on Walt Disney and Elon Musk during class at California Area Elementary School in Coal Center, Pa., on May 16, 2024.
Students in the Moonshot Program research and create a presentation on Walt Disney and Elon Musk during class at California Area Elementary School in Coal Center, Pa., on May 16, 2024.
Jaclyn Borowski/°ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳
Personalized Learning Video VIDEO: Inside a Competency-Based Learning Program Without Grades
This district's competency-based program gives students greater autonomy over their education, providing feedback rather than grades.
Jaclyn Borowski & Alyson Klein, October 10, 2024
1:35
Young people protesting with signs.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
School Climate & Safety Opinion How One Big City District Is Addressing the Middle East Conflict
Partnerships are helping the Philadelphia schools better support all students and staff, writes Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr.
Tony B. Watlington Sr., October 10, 2024
4 min read
From left, Amora Grillo, Mia Naughton, Ally Neil, work on a project in the Moonshot Program at California New Area Elementary School in Coal Center, Pa., on May 16, 2024.
From left, Amora Grillo, Mia Naughton, and Ally Neil work on a project in the Moonshot Program at California Area Elementary School in Coal Center, Pa., on May 16, 2024.
Jaclyn Borowski/°ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳
Personalized Learning Inside One District's Experiment With Competency-Based Education
It’s tough to discern what grades and subjects are being taught in the Moonshot classroom. And that's part of the point.
Alyson Klein, September 16, 2024
14 min read
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to members of the American Federation of Teachers at their annual conference in Houston on July 25, 2024.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to members of the American Federation of Teachers at their annual conference in Houston on July 25.
Annie Mulligan for °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳
Federal Kamala Harris' Potential VP Picks: Where They Stand on Education
Some of the contenders for the No. 2 spot on the Democratic ticket have extensive K-12 records.
Libby Stanford, July 29, 2024
11 min read
Photo of a diverse group of elementary children swimming with floats in a swimming pool with their Black male instructor behind them watching.
E+
Student Well-Being How School Districts Nationwide Can Build Water Safety for Students
Take a look at how these districts help prepare students for the water by providing water safety and swim lessons for their students.
Isaiah Hayes, July 24, 2024
5 min read
cellphone distraction policy bans in schools static
Laura Baker/°ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳ via canva
Ed-Tech Policy Tracker Which States Ban or Restrict Cellphones in Schools?
See which states are requiring cellphone restrictions or bans in schools.
1 min read
Family Setup brings the Apple Watch experience to the entire family, including kids and older adults.
Teachers say smartwatches, like the Apple Watches pictured here, are a growing distraction in class.
Business Wire via AP
Ed-Tech Policy Smartwatches: The Next Challenge for School Cellphone Policies
A growing number of schools are implementing stringent cellphone policies. But how many include smartwatches?
Elizabeth Heubeck, June 25, 2024
4 min read
Teacher helping adult special-needs student with computer.
iStock
Special Education Who's Eligible for Special Education Services? Schools Struggle to Keep Up
Many states now require schools to offer special education services to students until they turn 22. Costs and logistics can be daunting.
9 min read
Jay-Z arrives at the premiere of "The Book of Clarence" on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Jay-Z is putting his weight behind an effort to fund private school vouchers in Philadelphia. The entertainment mogul’s Roc Nation announced it is funding a campaign in June 2024 to drum up support for the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success.
Jay-Z arrives at the premiere of "The Book of Clarence" on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Jay-Z is putting his weight behind an effort to fund private school vouchers in Philadelphia. The entertainment mogul’s Roc Nation announced it is funding an outreach campaign to drum up support for the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success.
Richard Shotwell/Invision via AP
School Choice & Charters Why Jay-Z Is a Key Figure in the School Voucher Debate
Jay-Z's backing of school vouchers in Pennsylvania has public education advocates worried it will divert funds.
Brooke Schultz, June 11, 2024
6 min read
Photograph of hygienic tampons and a sanitary pad on a blue background.
iStock/Getty
Equity & Diversity More Schools Stock Tampons and Pads, But Access Is Still a Problem
Period products are becoming more commonplace in schools. But there are gaps in funding—and in access, a barrier for lower-income students.
Brooke Schultz, June 10, 2024
7 min read
Older student facing the city, younger version is being swept away.
Nicole Xu for °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳
Special Education From Our Research Center What Happens for High Schoolers Who Need More Than 4 Years?
Districts work to serve older students longer than four years to plan for a changing career world.
Sarah D. Sparks, May 13, 2024
6 min read
Lunch hour at the St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West in Albertville, Minn.
Students share a laugh together during lunch hour at the St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West in Albertville, Minn.
Courtesy of Lynn Jennissen
School & District Management How Principals Use the Lunch Hour to Target Student Apathy
School leaders want to trigger the connection between good food, fun, and rewards.
Olina Banerji, April 12, 2024
5 min read
Conceptual of file folders and a label that says myths.
SinArtCreative/iStock/Getty
School & District Management Principals Would Like You to Know They Don't Just Sit in Their Offices
Top misconceptions about a principal's job are about their visibility and connection to their schools.
Olina Banerji, December 18, 2023
4 min read