Pennsylvania

News, analysis, and opinion about K-12 education in Pennsylvania
A student arrives at Morrisville Middle/Senior High School.
Mason Wargo, 17, a student at Morrisville Middle/Senior High School, stands in the hallway in the school in Morrisville, Pa., on Nov. 13, 2025. Wargo was concerned about how a legislative impasse that resulted in a much-delayed state budget would affect his ability to graduate this year.
Rachel Wisniewski for Education Week
Budget & Finance A School District Almost Had to Close Mid-Year. What Happened?
A school district's close call with financial despair offers a reminder that school funding is perennially precarious.
Mark Lieberman, November 21, 2025
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14 min read
Pennsylvania Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-Allegheny, is pictured during a confirmation hearing for acting
Pennsylvania state Sen. Lindsey Williams, a Democrat, is pictured during an education committee hearing on Aug. 12, 2025. Williams is preparing legislation that would create a state-level office of civil rights to investigate potential civil rights violations in schools. Williams is introducing the measure in response to the U.S. Department of Education's slashing of its own office for civil rights.
Courtesy of Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus
Federal Trump’s Ed. Dept. Slashed Civil Rights Enforcement. How States Are Responding
Could a shift in civil rights enforcement be the next example of "returning education to the states?"
Brooke Schultz, November 7, 2025
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6 min read
This photo provided by the Carlisle Indian School Digital Resource Center shows the 1892 student body of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School assembled on the school grounds in Carlisle, Pa.
This photo provided by the Carlisle Indian School Digital Resource Center shows the 1892 student body of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School assembled on the school grounds in Carlisle, Pa.
John N. Choate/AP
Equity & Diversity Remains, Stories of Native American Students Are Being Reclaimed From a Cemetery
Records offer a glimpse into their experiences at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania.
The Associated Press, November 7, 2025
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7 min read
Democrat Jay Jones speaks on stage at an election night watch party for Democrat Abigail Spanberger after Jones was declared the winner of the Virginia attorney general's race Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Richmond, Va.
Democrat Jay Jones speaks on stage after he was declared the winner of the Virginia attorney general's race Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Richmond, Va. As attorney general, Jones could join multistate coalitions of Democratic state attorneys general suing the Trump administration over its education policies.
AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough
States 4 Education-Related Takeaways From This Week's Elections
How results from Tuesday could affect K-12 schools, and the trajectory of Trump's education policies.
Brooke Schultz, November 5, 2025
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5 min read
Worshippers pray at the Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple in Frisco, Texas, on Oct. 22, 2022. Worshippers celebrated Dhanteras, which is the first night of the Hindu holiday Diwali.
Worshippers pray at the Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple in Frisco, Texas, on Oct. 22, 2022, the first night of the Hindu holiday Diwali. More districts are putting Diwali and other non-Christian holidays on school calendars as populations of Asian students increase.
Andy Jacobsohn/AP
Families & the Community As Schools Grow More Culturally Diverse, Calendar Planning Gets More Complicated
Districts have added holidays like Diwali to their calendars to reflect demographic shifts in enrollment.
Evie Blad, October 14, 2025
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6 min read
Dan Yarnick inspects produce at Yarnick's Farm in Indiana, Pa., on June 4, 2025. The farm is one of a number of local providers who partnered with Pittsburgh Public Schools to provide students with fresh fruits and veggies.
Dan Yarnick inspects produce at Yarnick's Farm in Indiana, Pa., on June 4, 2025. The farm is one of a number of local providers who partnered with Pittsburgh Public Schools to provide students with fresh fruits and vegetables. These types of partnerships are in jeopardy with the cancellation of the Local Food for Schools program.
Nate Smallwood for Education Week
School & District Management No More Fresh Fruits and Veggies: Schools Grapple With Loss of Federal Funding
The Local Food to Schools program, which was canceled by the Trump administration, helped schools get fresh, local produce.
Olina Banerji, June 5, 2025
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7 min read
Image of pep rally gear with "2-4-6-8"
DigitalVision Vectors
Mathematics Q&A How This Teacher Makes Math a Team Sport—and Gets Kids Excited to Participate
Fifth grade teacher Michaela Sicuranza helped lead her Title I school to a math championship. Here's how she gets kids excited about math.
Sarah D. Sparks, June 2, 2025
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5 min read
NTOY Thumb BS
Teaching Profession Video How the National Teacher of the Year Puts Students First
The 2025 National Teacher of the Year shares what she believes makes a good teacher, and how she brings that to her classroom.
Kaylee Domzalski, May 2, 2025
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2:21
Ashlie Crosson, English teacher at Mifflin County, Pa., High School, has been named National Teacher of the Year.
Ashley Crosson, an English teacher at Mifflin County, Pa., High School, has been named National Teacher of the Year.
Courtesy of Brett Sims
Teaching Profession The New Teacher of the Year Shares Her Secrets for an Engaging English Class
Pennsylvania English teacher Ashlie Crosson helps students connect to global issues.
Sarah D. Sparks, April 29, 2025
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3 min read
Grading and assessment SR
Robert Neubecker for Education Week
Assessment Why Some Schools Are Ditching Class Rank and Weighted GPAs
Educators wonder whether it is time to revisit class rank and weighted GPAs.
Alyson Klein, April 14, 2025
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8 min read
The 2025 National Teacher of the Year Finalists, from left: Ashlie Crosson, Janet Damon, and Jazzmyne Townsend. Mikaela Saelua, of American Samoa, is the fourth finalist.
The 2025 National Teacher of the Year Finalists, from left: Ashlie Crosson, Janet Damon, and Jazzmyne Townsend. Mikaela Saelua, of American Samoa, is the fourth finalist.
Courtesy photos
Teaching Profession The National Teacher of the Year Finalists Spotlight Literacy's Power
The four 2025 Teacher of the Year finalists highlight literacy’s power to engage students and shape lifelong readers.
Sarah D. Sparks, February 12, 2025
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7 min read
School kids placing putting phones away during class
Dobrila Vignjevic/E+
Ed-Tech Policy What Schools Look Like Without the Cellphone Distraction
Student behavior has improved and disciplinary referrals have gone down, administrators say.
Olina Banerji, February 4, 2025
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7 min read
The School District of Philadelphia headquarters are shown in Philadelphia on July 23, 2024.
The School District of Philadelphia headquarters are shown in Philadelphia on July 23, 2024. The district is embarking on a yearlong process to assess which of its smaller schools may need to close.
Matt Rourke/AP
School & District Management As It Closes Schools, This District Wants to Avoid the Mistakes of the Past
The district wants to move slowly and not make closure decisions based on enrollment alone.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, January 24, 2025
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7 min read
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
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5 min read
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