Newsroom

Pennsylvania eyes statewide school threats reporting system

Pennsylvania’s Senate advanced legislation on Wednesday to set up a state-administered program to take anonymous reports of dangerous activities or threats of violence in schools, as lawmakers explore improvements to school safety spurred by February’s school shooting in Florida that killed 17 people… More

Wolf plans to sign mandated student civics knowledge test

Governor Tom Wolf plans to sign a new law requiring Pennsylvania students to take a test of civics knowledge, although they don't need it to graduate. Wolf's office announced his plans hours after the state House on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly for the bill that mandates a locally developed test of U.S. history, government and civics… More

Back Mental-Health Support, Don’t Arm Teachers, School-Safety Panel Told

Pennsylvania’s Senate advanced legislation on Wednesday to set up a state-administered program to take anonymous reports of dangerous activities or threats of violence in schools, as lawmakers explore improvements to school safety spurred by February’s school shooting in Florida that killed 17 people… More

Transportation Forum seeks applications for Steering Committee,

Members of the Transportation Forum who are interested in becoming leaders of the forum are encouraged to submit an application by July 29, 11:59 p.m. There are a total of five open Steering Committee positions (3 two-year seats; 2 one-year seats) all of which begin serving Jan. 1, 2019… More

PSBA calls on the General Assembly to pay its fair share for public education funding

The Pennsylvania School Boards Association is pleased to announce its participation in the PA Schools Work campaign that was launched today during a news conference at the State Capitol… More

Feinberg Opinion: Why have Republicans in the Legislature declared war on public education?

Instead of taking steps to provide Pennsylvania students with adequate resources for a “thorough and efficient” public education, as guaranteed in the state constitution, the General Assembly continues to focus on school privatization measures that divert already scarce tax dollars to unaccountable private and religious schools (EITC/OSTC tax credit programs and education savings account vouchers)… More

Pa. students would need ‘perfect score’ on civics test, Senate bill says

To become a United States citizen, each applicant must take a citizenship test about their knowledge of America's history, democracy and freedoms. Members of the state Senate want students to take that same test – and earn a perfect score… More

PA auditor general to review spending, lack of transparency on Keystone Exams

State Sen. Andy Dinniman has welcomed news that Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale will consider questions regarding the transparency of state contracts related to standardized testing and the Keystone Exams… More

With deadline looming, redistricting overhaul attempts are scattershot

On Tuesday, a state House bill that would overhaul congressional map-drawing was assigned to an unusual committee — circumventing a different panel where such proposals have repeatedly been struck down… More

School safety panel will not look at guns, Betsy DeVos says

The federal school safety commission set up after the deadly shooting at a Florida high school will not examine the role of guns in school violence, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said Tuesday… More