Newsroom

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

Staff email addresses removed from district websites to improve cybersecurity

Citing growing concerns about phishing scams and potential hacks of their computer networks, some school district technology leaders have decided to remove staff email addresses from their official websites, a move that some experts warn could frustrate parents. Education Week, Dec. 5, 2018 (Subscription may be required… More

House lawmakers seek federal money for more school police officers

The School Resource Officer Act, introduced by Rep. Paul Mitchell, R-Mich., would authorize $300 million in funding for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants, compared to current appropriations of $225 million, and require 30% of COPS hiring funds to pay for school resource officers' salaries and benefits… More

Report: Philly schools lose more to corporate handouts than any other big city

In Pennsylvania, local tax breaks take an unusually large toll. Most public schools are almost entirely dependent on property taxes and in this state, an unusually high portion of that funding – about 56% statewide – emanates from local governments, as opposed to the state or federal government. WHYY, Dec… More

Student safety: Should U.S. adopt stiffer penalties for breaking bus laws?

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the penalties of driving around a stopped school bus in Pennsylvania include a $250 fine, five points on your driving record, and a 65-day license suspension. WJAC, Dec… More