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Report says PA public schools lag academically but are safer than most nationally

WalletHub analyzed 29 different metrics and ranked each state from best to worst. Pennsylvania public school systems ranked 27th overall out of 51. The study included the District of Columbia. PennLive, Aug… More

Wolf signs bill to aid foster care students

Gov. Tom Wolf signed the Fostering Independence Through Education Act on June 28, which waives tuition for youth who were in foster care at age 16 or older, including those adopted. Beginning in the fall of 2020, all colleges and universities will be required to offer tuition waivers for eligible students… More

National News: FCC to consider allowing families without WiFi to apply for E-Rate

A Government Accountability Office report released this week suggests the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will explore the cost of making the E-Rate program available to the homes of families with students who do not have wireless internet, according to EdScoop. Education Dive, Aug… More

Education Excellence Fair

Discover innovative and exemplary initiatives in PA public schools at the Education Excellence Fair! A favorite event at the PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference, the fair will be held outside the exhibit hall on Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 17, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m… More

Pennsylvania Education Innovation Awards

Presented by PSBA, CM Cares and CM Regent Insurance Company Presented annually as a part of the Pennsylvania Public Education Foundation dinner, the awards seek to recognize innovative leadership in public schools through three categories: Innovative Board Award – recognizing a school board, career and technical center board or intermediate unit board that has adopted… More

Cameras, counselors and yoga — how PA schools spent an unprecedented flood of safety and security cash

Through a Right-to-Know request, one organization obtained summaries of what 231 districts, charter schools and technical schools plan to purchase with their safe schools grants. The summaries provide insight into how school districts have adjusted priorities – and they shed light on how the modern, fortified school building looks and feels. WHYY, Aug… More

PDE sets deadline for flexible day applications

Yesterday the PA Department of Education (PDE) released information about the Flexible Instructional Day (FID) program under Act 64 of 2019. For the 2019-20 school year, applications and instructional exemplars are due to PDE by Sept. 1, 2019. Schools will receive notification that its application has been accepted or denied no later than Nov. 1, 2019… More

Video EDition: New legislation affects PA schools’ policy requirements

In this installment, PSBA policy experts outline omnibus School Code amendments under Act 16 and discuss Act 18, which has a significant impact on school board policy related to safety and security… More

National News: Don’t call them test companies: How the College Board and ACT have shifted focus

These days the leaders of the College Board, which runs the SAT, have been making a surprising argument—that colleges and parents should stop taking the scores of its signature test so seriously… More

Gov. Wolf announces millions in funding to fix environmental hazards in Philly schools

Gov. Tom Wolf announced the state would spend $4.3 million to help remove lead paint from Philadelphia public schools. The governor said the spending was spurred by Toxic City, the Inquirer series that detailed health threats posed to children by lead paint, asbestos, and other issues present inside many Philadelphia schools… More