Pennsylvania

News, analysis, and opinion about K-12 education in Pennsylvania
A panel on risky behaviors and district challenges kicks off at the National Conference on Education in Nashville, Tenn. on Feb. 12, 2026. At the podium is Ashley Dawson, senior project coordinator of children's programs at AASA. At the table, from left: Michael Vuckovich, superintendent of the Windber Area school district; Korie Duryea, the district's special education director; and Jessica Shuster, the director of education.
School officials from Windber, Pa., discussed their fight against student vaping and gambling in a Feb. 12, 2026, panel at the National Conference on Education in Nashville, Tenn. At the table are, from left, Superintendent Michael Vuckovich; Korie Duryea, the district's special education director; and Jessica Shuster, the director of education. Ashley Dawson, senior project coordinator of children's programs at AASA, The School Superintendents Association and conference host, is at the podium.
Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
Student Well-Being & Movement How a District Used Data to Fight Students' Gambling and Vaping
School officials figured out when kids faced the most pressure and worked from there.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, February 12, 2026
•
3 min read
A 1st grader stands in front of the TV screen that streamed a Q&A from the International Space Station students and NASA astronaut Chris Williams.
Owen, a 1st grader at Trumbauersville Elementary School in Quakertown, Pa., stands in front of the TV screen that streamed a Q&A from the International Space Station between Pennsylvania elementary students and NASA astronaut Chris Williams on Feb. 5, 2026. Experts say these kinds of real-world STEM experiences can spark students' interest in the field.
Photo courtesy of Trumbauersville Elementary School
Science Talking to Astronauts, and Other Ways to Get Kids Excited About STEM
Educators need to look beyond standard curricula to expose students to real-world STEM experiences.
Elizabeth Heubeck, February 12, 2026
•
4 min read
Superintendent Mary Catherine Reljac walks around the exhibition hall of the National Conference on Education in Nashville, on Feb. 12, 2026. Reljac is the superintendent for Fox Chapel Area School District in Pennsylvania.
Mary Catherine Reljac walks around the exhibition hall of the National Conference on Education in Nashville on Feb. 12, 2026. Reljac, the superintendent for Fox Chapel Area school district in Pennsylvania, is working to combat chronic absenteeism through data analysis and tailored student support.
Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
Student Absenteeism Q&A Solving Chronic Absenteeism Isn't 'One-Size-Fits-All,' This Leader Says
Proactive, sensitive communication with families can make a big difference.
Jennifer Vilcarino, February 12, 2026
•
7 min read
The 2023 National Teacher of the Year award for Rebecka Peterson is displayed during a ceremony honoring the Council of Chief State School Officers' 2023 Teachers of the Year in the Rose Garden of the White House, Monday, April 24, 2023, in Washington.
The Council of Chief State School Officers will announce the 2026 National Teacher of the Year award later this spring. The crystal apple award is pictured in this photo from 2023.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Teaching Profession The Nation's Top 5 Teachers in 2026 Focus on Community, Place-Based Education
This year's top teachers bring their communities into the classroom, and vice versa.
Sarah D. Sparks, January 30, 2026
•
7 min read
Two teachers having conversation in office.
iStock
Recruitment & Retention Inside One State's Bold Plan to Keep Special Education Teachers
Pennsylvania's training and mentoring program works to retain teachers serving students with disabilities.
Sarah D. Sparks, December 19, 2025
•
6 min read
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
•
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
•
6 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
•
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
•
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
•
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
•
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
•
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
•
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
•
8 min read
Load More ▼