Education category, Page 55
Proposal would create formal partnership between Pittsburgh, school district
Legislation introduced to Pittsburgh City Council would form an official partnership between the city and Pittsburgh Public Schools in an effort to address the learning gap resulting from the covid-19 pandemic and the pre-existing racial achievement gap in the city’s schools. The legislation explains that the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission...
Talk of race, sex in schools divides Americans, poll shows
WASHINGTON — Americans are deeply divided over how much children in K-12 schools should be taught about racism and sexuality, according to a new poll released as Republicans across the country aim to make parental involvement in education a central campaign theme this election year. Overall, Americans lean slightly toward...
Chatham University study shows positive results when students spend time in sensory garden
“A breath of fresh air” is more than just a saying. There is some proof that being outside has positive effects on people. For Carlee Domke, a second-year occupational therapy doctorate student at Chatham University in Shadyside, part of the experiential curriculum includes visiting the school’s sensory garden. “When I...
University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Patrick Gallagher to step down
After nine years of leading the University of Pittsburgh, Patrick Gallagher announced Thursday that he intends to step down as chancellor in the summer of 2023. “Serving as chancellor at one of the greatest public research universities in the nation is deeply fulfilling and rewarding,” wrote Gallagher in a message...
Greenfield man charged after police say he tried to force way into Pittsburgh Public Schools offices
A man from Pittsburgh’s Greenfield neighborhood is accused of forcing his way into Pittsburgh Public Schools’ administrative building in Oakland on Monday. Kevin McSwiggen, 40, faces two counts of aggravated assault after police said he injured two school police officers during a scuffle in which the officers were trying to...
Region’s school districts leading the way in opportunities for female superintendents
Women long have played a central role in education, but they often are left out of central administration. Women make up up 3 in 4 public school teachers nationwide but account for only about 1 in 4 superintendents, both in Pennsylvania and nationwide. Still, there have been inroads over the...
Female superintendent salaries near parity with male counterparts
Male superintendents may outnumber their female counterparts 3-1, but the gender pay gap is nearly nonexistent. Female superintendents make about 96% of what male superintendents make, according to a study released recently by the AASA, the School Superintendents Association. That’s significantly higher than the average for all women in all...
Carnegie Mellon to build Moonshot command center to monitor space missions
Anyone old enough to remember those static shots of the men in button-down shirts and ties sitting in front of computer screens during NASA’s Mercury and Apollo endeavors likely understands the importance of having a mission control for space flights. Carnegie Mellon University certainly does. That’s why the school is...
Fewer applications for college financial aid could signal continued dip in higher ed enrollments
The number of high school students applying for state and federal college aid has continued to decline across Pennsylvania, state leaders said, nixing hopes that figures would begin to rebound. Applications for the FAFSA — short for Free Application for Federal Student Aid — were down by about 30,000 by...
Quaker Valley officials approve variety of high school upgrades
Quaker Valley High School will receive some upgrades at the end of the school year while the school board moves forward with plans to replace it. The school board recently approved several contracts for work there. The upper asphalt drives and parking lot will be paved and restriped by Bedford-based...
State aid combats sexual assault, harassment by raising awareness
State-funded programs to combat sexual harassment and violence on campus through education is paying dividends, state education officials were told Friday at Seton Hill University in Greensburg. The programs are raising awareness through plays, speakers, activities, workshops and frank discussions, according to Seton Hill officials. In a 45-minute roundtable discussion,...
Debate continues about teaching ‘Persepolis’ at Franklin Regional schools
Franklin Regional School Board members, administrators and parents on Wednesday continued their discussion about the district’s decision to pause the teaching of “Persepolis,” Marjane Satrapi’s award-winning graphic novel, in the ninth grade honors English class. District officials said earlier this month that the school board’s curriculum committee wanted to make...
Book challenges are becoming more frequent, driven in part by social media
The time, thought and effort that English teachers and librarians put into their work is not random, says Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director for the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. “They have college degrees, they care very deeply about the work they do, and to suggest that the objections of...
Pittsburgh’s proposed 1% tax on college tuition, medical bills met with opposition
A proposal to impose a 1% tax on college tuition and medical bills in Pittsburgh is facing opposition and potential legal problems. Councilman Ricky Burgess introduced the measure Tuesday. Students seeking higher education in colleges, universities and advanced technical schools would be assessed a 1% tax on their tuition before...
Pittsburgh Councilman Ricky Burgess proposes 1% tax on higher-ed students, medical patients
A proposal introduced to Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday would impose a 1% tax on people seeking higher education and receiving medical care in the city, with the proceeds going toward a new fund for repairing the city’s aging infrastructure. “The strongest part of our economy is the educational and...
Quaker Valley teacher Dado named Pennsylvania STEM Ambassador
Matt Dado, technology and engineering teacher at Quaker Valley High School, has been accepted as one of 19 ambassadors in the Pennsylvania STEM Ambassador Program. The program aims to shape the future of STEM education in the commonwealth by targeting vital policy conversations to legislative leadership in the areas of...
New Kensington-Arnold looking for monitors to help with substitute shortage
New Kensington-Arnold School District is seeking classroom monitors to help with a shortage of substitute teachers, Superintendent Chris Sefcheck said. Gov. Tom Wolf signed Act 91 into law in December to address the staffing shortage. Under the pilot program, monitors are allowed to oversee classrooms but not allowed to instruct...
Career and Technology Center promotional show visits Greensburg Salem School Board
Emily Miller disassembled a car engine without getting her hands dirty while Brian Conway tried his skills at welding without creating sparks. The two Greensburg Salem School Board members were among district officials this weekwho sampled virtual skill simulations that are part of the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center...
Pennsylvania student scores fell, delayed test results show
Student scores on Pennsylvania standardized tests fell sharply last year in most categories, although state education officials cautioned the numbers were so distorted by pandemic conditions that they are of limited use for comparison to previous years — particularly regarding statewide trends. The Education Department on Friday released results of...
Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield universities to merge into Commonwealth University
HARRISBURG — Three state-owned universities in Pennsylvania will soon be known as the consolidated Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania after a vote by the State System Board of Governors on Wednesday. The board voted unanimously to make the change involving Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield universities, although those previous names will...
Talks at home, school can help children process Ukraine war images, information
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been dubbed the TikTok war by some, as videos of the violence have surfaced across that and other social media platforms favored by many of today’s youths. “It makes it more real for them, not just some distant event,” said Jaime Rininger, who teaches geography...
IUP cleared for fall tuition break, drops mask mandate for most buildings
Indiana University of Pennsylvania has been approved to offer a tuition break next fall to Pennsylvania residents. IUP officials also dropped a mask mandate for most areas on its main campus, in accordance with the latest guidance on covid-19 precautions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Pennsylvania...
Bill to require Holocaust lessons in Nebraska schools advances
LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska public schools would have to teach lessons about the Holocaust and other episodes of genocide under a bill advanced by lawmakers on Tuesday. Lawmakers gave the measure initial approval on a 44-0 vote, despite some questions about which specific moments in history could be defined as...
Greensburg Salem High School pageant is back with ‘Secret Agents’ theme
Ten seniors at Greensburg Salem High School are on a mission to capture the title of “Mr. GS 2022” when the popular annual pageant returns. “Secret Agents” is the theme for the event, which is sponsored by the Student Council Association and raises money toward activities including homecoming, the spring...
PHEAA to trim its workforce by 43 employees
The state’s student financial agency on Thursday advised 43 employees who work in its information technology area that March 11 will be their last day on the job. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency officials cited the decision to transition out of its role as a federal student loan servicer...
