Newsroom

Is Christopher Columbus a hero? Schools grapple with how to teach a complicated legacy

Around the region and across the country, social studies education varies widely, said Eric Shed, a Harvard University lecturer whose work with teachers includes exploring how to challenge popular Columbus narratives. Philadelphia Inquirer, Oct… More

Scarnati encourages students to participate in competition

Sen. Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway, is encouraging local middle and high school students to share their perspectives on improving school safety by participating in the second annual “Talk To Your State Senator” statewide video competition. Bradford Era, Oct… More

Fetterman, Bartos, in race for PA lieutenant governor, take aim at the top of the tickets

In what was a cordial but lively debate, Pennsylvania lieutenant governor candidates Jeff Bartos and John Fetterman used their stage time Saturday at WPXI’s studios to levy attacks at the men sitting atop each other’s tickets. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Oct. 6, 2018 PSBA will host Fetterman and Bartos at the EdPAC Reception on Oct… More

State education department awards $1.75M grant for deaf, blind student services

Education Secretary Pedro Rivera announced that Pennsylvania will receive a $1.75 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to improve services to students who are deaf and blind. WJAC Channel 6, Oct… More

A recording studio for every student: Teaching music class in the digital era

Teachers say tech tools give young students more creative freedom in music classes, and offer older students who haven’t participated in band or choir an entry point into the subject… More

Is professional writing the missing link in high school English classes?

While employers and educators have been working to infuse more career and technical content into K-12 curricula, studies show some of the most common writing tasks in the work world never find their way into high school English courses, and modern students may be less likely than those in previous generations to learn professional writing… More

Two-thirds of Philly kids can’t read at grade level. Can a library in a barbershop change that?

Two-thirds of all Philadelphia third graders cannot read at grade level, a marker researchers say can be a make-or-break for whether students succeed in school or make it to 12th grade graduation… More

America has changed its tune on teachers

For years, teachers continually heard the message that they were the root of problems in schools. But in a matter of months, the public narrative has shifted: The nation is increasingly concerned about teachers' low salaries and challenging working conditions. Education Week, Oct. 1, 2018 (Subscription may be required… More

Schools see ‘incredible progress’ on internet connectivity, report says

More than 44 million students now learn in classrooms with high-speed internet connections, up from just 4 million five years ago, according to a new analysis by the nonprofit broadband advocacy group EducationSuperHighway. Education Week, Oct. 2, 2018 (Subscription may be required… More

Firms sell school ‘hardening’ as mass shooting solution

Since the school shooting in Florida last February, security firms and nonprofit groups linked to the industry have persuaded lawmakers to elevate the often-costly “hardening” of schools over other measures that researchers and educators say are proven to reduce violence, an Associated Press investigation shows. Associated Press, Oct… More