Education category, Page 54
Religious schools may face another hurdle to state tuition
AUGUSTA, Maine — Religious schools got what they wanted when the Supreme Court allowed them to participate in a state tuition program. But the state attorney general said the ruling will be for naught unless the schools are willing to abide by the same antidiscrimination law as other private schools...
As Pa. teacher shortage looms, legislators consider bill to smooth out-of-state certification
As local school districts scramble to find teachers and substitute teachers, a bill that would make it easier for out-of-state educators to work in Pennsylvania has received unanimous support from lawmakers thus far. State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Washington, is co-sponsoring the bill, which now awaits House and gubernatorial approval. “This...
New West Jefferson Hills superintendent to lead alma mater
You really can go home again. Janet Sardon sat in the library at Thomas Jefferson High School on a recent Friday morning. She recalled her days as a student in the district. “I can remember that time of my life walking into (then) Pleasant Hills Elementary and my days in...
Pa. Senate votes to block charter school regulations from taking effect
The Pennsylvania Senate on Wednesday passed a concurrent resolution that would block Gov. Tom Wolf’s regulatory changes to the state’s charter school law from taking effect. By a 30-20 near party-line vote, the chamber approved the House-passed disapproval resolution which now goes to the governor who is expected to veto...
Pa. state university system adopts enrollment-based formula for distributing state dollars
The stakes over state investment in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education got higher on Wednesday with the approval of a new enrollment-driven formula for allocating dollars to the system’s soon-to-be 10 universities. The system’s governing board on Wednesday unanimously voted to implement a funding distribution formula that at the...
Penn-Trafford video class brings home a half-dozen student Emmy awardsVideo
Video production students at Penn-Trafford High School are finishing the year with a bang. Students from the class brought home National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences High School Student Production awards in six different categories in the Mid-Atlantic region on Thursday, including winning “Best Newscast” four of the past...
Hempfield lawmaker’s bill targets Pitt, Penn State funding
Tuition funding for Pennsylvania students could be turned on its head in the coming years. On Wednesday, State Rep. Eric Nelson, R-Hempfield, introduced a bill that aims to redirect funds from Pitt, Penn State and Temple University to in-state students at all universities, private colleges, community colleges and technical schools...
Pittsburgh business, community leaders publicly support Pitt funding
Over 100 regional business and community leaders have thrown their weight behind the University of Pittsburgh as Republican support for the school’s state funding is in jeopardy. Pitt shared 12 letters this week urging lawmakers to follow precedent and approve the university’s 2022-23 nonpreferred appropriation bill, which would give the...
Security measures heightened, discussed in Western Pa. districts after Texas school shooting
Knowing just how much the deadliest elementary school shooting since Sandy Hook in 2012 was likely to affect unnerved parents and children throughout Western Pennsylvania, local school officials took a proactive approach Wednesday to reassuring worried students and their families. Greensburg Salem School Districts posted a video message on its...
Career fair will connect Hempfield students, employers
Upperclassmen at Hempfield Area High School looking to enter the workforce after graduation will have an opportunity to connect with local businesses during a job fair this week. The Spartan Connections Career Fair featuring about 50 local businesses is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday in the high...
Magazine gives Alle-Kiski Valley’s high schools wildly varied grades; Pitt prof says stats don’t tell whole story
Five of the Alle-Kiski Valley’s high schools ranked in the top 25% of the best high schools in the state, according to a recent U.S. News & World Report, and three are ranked in the bottom quarter. Freeport Area High School ranked among the Valley’s highest in the state at...
2 Alle-Kiski Valley educators win top awards for excellence in education
Students from Julie Erb’s kindergarten class at Martin Elementary School in New Kensington are looking forward to a special party Friday to honor their teacher. Erb is one of two Alle-Kiski Valley educators who received statewide recognition this week for excellence in academics. The Education Partnership named Erb its Elementary...
Shults Ford owner awards $5,000 scholarships to Steel Valley High School students
When Richard Bazzy’s children were born, he opened bank accounts for them. He deposited $50 per week for 20 years. “I wanted them to have the money to be able to go to college or technical school or whatever school they wanted,” said Bazzy, president and owner of Shults Ford...
Community input sought in Pittsburgh Public Schools superintendent search
The Pittsburgh Board of Public Education is asking for as much community input as possible during its national search to select a permanent superintendent to lead Pittsburgh Public Schools, the region’s largest school district. The board is holding several upcoming community forums to gather input from residents and interested parties....
Hampton ranks in top 2.2% of Pennsylvania high schools
Hampton High School has been ranked 15th out of 676 high schools in Pennsylvania in the 2022 Best High Schools rankings released April 26 by U.S. News & World Report. The high school also ranked fourth in the Pittsburgh region out of 132 high schools. In this year’s rankings, Hampton...
Bots to brawl during high school robotics competition at California University
Robots will fight it out gladiator-style during the 17th annual BotsIQ high school robotics competition this weekend at California University of Pennsylvania. Students from 41 regional high schools will bring their 15-pound bots to the brawl on Friday and Saturday, according to a BotsIQ news release. The teams have spent...
Teachers at Urban Pathways K-5 vote to unionize
This week, educators and staff members at Urban Pathways K-5 Charter School in Downtown Pittsburgh voted 15-7 in favor of organizing a labor union under the Alliance of Charter School Employees AFT Local 6056, a branch of the American Federation of Teachers of Pennsylvania. According to AFT, the 15-7 vote...
Steelers running back Najee Harris teams with Kellogg’s to help young athletes get in the game
Najee Harris was “GRRREAT” on Thursday. The Steelers star running back teamed with Tony the Tiger, mascot for Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes cereal, for Mission Tiger at Pittsburgh Public Greenfield Elementary School. Students thought they were going outside just for a pep rally. Once on the field, they cheered and waved...
During Pittsburgh seminar, FDA chief lays misinformation battle on doorsteps of universities, health systems
The head of the Food and Drug Administration called on academic and health systems such as the University of Pittsburgh to take a stance in the battle against misinformation, calling it the “problem of our time.” The call for action from Dr. Robert Califf, FDA commissioner, came during a virtual...
Fox Chapel Area High School students earn top honors at STEM contest at Heinz Field
A team of Fox Chapel Area High School freshmen have a plan for the future of Heinz Field. It doesn’t involve adding seats to the rotundas of the North Shore stadium. Nor does it follow scouting analysis of college players for the upcoming NFL draft. Instead, students Arnim Kuchhal, Varad...
St. Vincent policy reins in speakers, approval process needed
Responding to the controversy over a conservative speaker’s comments about race and privilege, Saint Vincent College has unveiled a new policy requiring all speakers sponsored by its academic centers to be approved by the college president and top leadership. “The hurtful, divisive statements were a stark contrast to our mission,”...
Policy’s gender definition at center of debate for Highlands School Board
The question of what constitutes gender could be front and center at the next Highlands School Board meeting. On Tuesday, board members will consider approval of an education equity policy that at least two members have voiced concern about. The aim of the proposed policy is to remove educational barriers...
Shaler grad wins Fulbright Scholarship to teach in Canary Islands
A 2018 graduate of Shaler Area High School has won a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship for teaching in the Canary Islands. Gabrielle Girton, 21, is a senior at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, where she is majoring in environmental science. She lived in Shaler while attending high school and currently...
Saint Vincent College responds to racism claims following weekend lecture
Saint Vincent College this week denounced racism in the aftermath of a symposium held on the Unity campus last weekend that drew criticism of comments from a speaker who suggested Vice President Kamala Harris ascended to her job only because she is Black. Nine lectures were part of a two-day...
Pa. board passes 4th year of state universities’ tuition freeze
HARRISBURG — Students at Pennsylvania’s state-owned universities won’t see tuition increase next year under a unanimous vote Thursday by the the system’s board. The State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors passed what will be the fourth year of flat tuition, as the struggling system hopes the Legislature will...
