Newsroom

There’s a national mental health crisis and this local high school wants to fight it

One in four children in America have experienced a significant traumatic event, but there’s a dearth of mental health supports available. In the Lehigh Valley, there’s a three-month wait for children to obtain psychological services outside of school; the wait for psychiatrists is even longer, according to the district… More

Pennsylvania to invest $10 million to support early childhood educators in career development

Governor Tom Wolf announced today that his administration will make a $10 million investment in Pennsylvania’s children through a workforce development program that will help early childhood workers gain valuable credentials and advance their professional careers. MyChesoCo… More

Nominate a district program for the Magna Awards

Nominations are now being accepted through October 31 for the 2020 Magna Awards — a national recognition program that honors school board best practices and innovative programs that advance student learning and promote equity in education… More

Ellis H. Katz Esq. honored at School Law Workshop

More than 100 solicitors attended yesterday's School Law Workshop at Hotel Hershey for legal updates and professional development. At the event, the PA School Board Solicitors Association’s (PSBSA) President's Award for Distinguished Career Achievement in School Law was awarded to Ellis H. Katz Esq… More

PA cyber charter bill aims to partner with, not compete with districts

A new bill would aim to alleviate the tension between cyber charters and school districts in Pennsylvania by allowing the entities to partner with each other — while still preserving the option of school choice… More

Do student-athletes need EKG tests? Potential new PA law aims to inform parents

A new bill aims to give student-athletes and their families more information to prevent future tragedies, and organizations and lawmakers will be rallying in support of it next week… More

Updates to Required School Director Training

The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed two acts amending the PA School Code,  Act 55 of 2017 and Act 18 of 2019. These acts mandate that school board directors complete training programs, direct who can provide this training and detail how districts and school directors will be held accountable… More

Rise in special education needs causes Pennsylvania officials to rethink funding formula

Pennsylvania's Special Education Funding Commission was created by Act 3 of 2012. After a series of meetings in 2013, the commission developed a funding formula that gave schools districts deemed to have the greatest need additional dollars The commission has been reconstituted to review the formula… More

Grant opportunities available for school gardens, STEM

Annie’s Homegrown’s Grants for Gardens deadline is November 1. Grants include $3,000 for new school garden programs and $5000 for expansion of existing school garden programs in K-12 schools that need tools, seeds or other supplies. The Pennsylvania Governor’s STEM Competition is open now and accepting team registrations through November 1… More

Soaring school lunch debts driving Pennsylvania districts to collection agencies

Nationally, 75% of school districts that responded to a 2019 School Nutrition Association survey reported unpaid lunch debt at the end of the 2017-18 school year. Districts often try to contact parents about unpaid debt through letters and phone calls, but when they have little response, they look at alternatives… More