Pennsylvania
News, analysis, and opinion about K-12 education in Pennsylvania
Assessment
Pennsylvania Seeks Broader Approach in Deciding Who Qualifies as ‘Gifted’
Pennsylvania is in the process of adopting new state regulations that could expand services for gifted students to many who might have been missed.
Federal
In Pa. Primary, AFT Hits the Streets
For a $600-a-week stipend plus parking and meals, 14 retired teachers and other school employees are doing nuts-and-bolts campaign work for Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Education Funding
School Spending Boost, Revised Funding Formula Pressed in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell reserved one of the few increases in his proposed fiscal 2009 budget for education, saying it is important to funnel money into a new, fairer school funding formula.
College & Workforce Readiness
Pennsylvania Board Approves New Exit Requirements
Districts will now be able to offer four ways for students to prove their academic proficiency.
Education Funding
Pennsylvania Lawmakers Eyeing Cost of School Finance Revamp
A study requested by the legislature said the state would need to spend $2,500 more per child than it now spends to deliver a quality education.
School & District Management
Study Finds Need for Sharp School Spending Hike in Pa.
The state must increase spending by nearly 27 percent in order to reach its goal of bringing all students to proficiency in math and reading by 2014.
Student Well-Being & Movement
Proposal Seeks Health-Insurance Savings
Pennsylvania Gov. Rendell is proposing to bring all school employees under one insurance plan, rather than have individual school districts continue to provide their own.
Equity & Diversity
An Anchor in a Shifting Stream
The changing face of America's migrant-student population means lower enrollment for a popular program—and new questions as Congrss weighs its renewal.
Education Funding
Pennsylvania Budget Funds $75 Million Pre-K Program
After lagging behind other states on preschool education for years, Pennsylvania has taken a large step toward expanding access to such programs.
States
State of the States
Keystone State to Weigh Hikes for Preschool and High School
Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell has proposed a $9.3 billion pre-K-12 education budget, a 5.8 percent hike from the amount spent in fiscal 2007.
School & District Management
Governor Wages Battle for Control of Pa. District
The governor's chief of staff is appointed to the control board of one of the state's worst-performing school districts.
School & District Management
Project Eyes Diverse Data Sets for Insight On Children
Researchers who study children and schooling are often constrained by the data sets they use. School district data, for instance, yield valuable information on students’ ages, their achievement history, and their educational placements, but they don’t tell the whole story.
School & District Management
Where Big-City Schools Meet ‘Microsoft Smarts’
A gleaming white building on the edge of a blighted West Philadelphia neighborhood, the $62 million school garnered wide attention when it opened this month, in part because of its technological bells and whistles. Those futuristic features include a tablet personal computer for each student, interactive digital whiteboards, a supercharged wireless network, customized educational software, and digital “smart cards” to open lockers and pay for meals—all making possible a virtually paperless environment.
School & District Management
Help for the Summer
The demand for summer employees and the concerns of families have helped fuel a successful backlash in some states against school starting dates that have been getting earlier.