Newsroom

The latest education-related news from PSBA and other sources

Five top technology trends in special education

Fueled by technological advances, changing state policies, and a continued push from advocates, ed-tech companies and researchers are crafting new tools and strategies to better serve students with disabilities. Education Week, Dec. 10, 2018 (Subscription may be required… More

More than a quarter of schools could be flagged as in need of improvement under ESSA, experts say

Now that the Every Student Succeeds Act has been officially in place for a whole school year, states are beginning to release their lists of schools that need extra help. And there's a particular group of schools that experts are watching closely: Additional Targeted Schools. Education Week, Dec. 9, 2018 (Subscription may be required… More

Pennsylvania court: School bus video of altercation can be a public record

A Pennsylvania court has ruled that some school bus video can be considered public under the state’s Right-to-Know Law in a 2016 case. Allentown Morning Call, Dec… More

Act 44 of 2018: School safety and security

Quick summary: Act 44 of 2018 was Senate Bill 1142, printer’s number 1911, in the 2017-18 legislative session. It was introduced on April 20, 2018, and approved by the on Senate June 6… More

Act 5 of 2017: Pension reform

Quick Summary: Act 5 of 2017 was Senate Bill 1, printer’s number 902 in the 2017-18 legislative session. It was introduced on May 18, 2017, approved by the Senate on June 5, 2017, and by the House of Representatives on June 8, 2017. It was signed into law by the governor on June 12, 2017… More

Summary of Act 158 of 2018: Changes to high school graduation requirements

Quick summary: Act 158 of 2018 was Senate Bill 1095, printer’s number 1994 in the 2017-18 legislative session. It was introduced on April 6, 2018, approved by the Senate June 21, 2018, and by the House of Representatives on Oct. 9, 2018. It was signed into law Oct. 24, 2018… More

School spending is up, and other key takeaways from latest federal data

Despite a growing chorus of teachers and public school advocates complaining about America's spending on its public schools, spending actually increased 2.9% between fiscal year 2015 and 2016, according to a report released Thursday by the National Center for Education Statistics. Education Week, Dec. 6, 2018 (Subscription may be required… More

Ed Department to erase debts of teachers, fix troubled grant program

The Education Department released a plan Sunday to help these teachers who have been wrongly hit with debts, sometimes totaling tens of thousands of dollars, because of a troubled federal grant program. NPR, Dec… More

Drug epidemic changing family dynamics

One of the benefits of being a grandparent, so it’s said, is you can spoil your grandchildren and then send them home to their parents… More

Spike in vaping by teens triggers community education, FDA action

Schools are revisiting policies and initiating community education forums to warn youth and parents of the addictive nature of vaping and other dangers. Recent FDA action intends to restrict retail sales of flavored juices, commonly used among youth who vape. Bucks County Courier, Dec… More