Pittsburgh will use youth 'violence interrupters' as mediators. What does that mean?

WESA 6/25 12:02A Jeremy Scott

Initiatives that Pittsburgh Public Schools has been undertaking to curb school violence seem to be paying off. Officials have reported at 23% reduction in disciplinary events this past school year from the 2023-2024 school year, and this summer...

Democrats want to make Pa.’s $680 million school choice program more accountable

WESA 6/23 11:33P Jillian Forstadt

The state tax credit is mirrored by President Donald Trump’s new federal education tax credit, which will offer similar tax relief to individuals donating to eligible school scholarship organizations.

Pittsburgh Public Schools poised to adopt new purchasing policies after city controller’s urging

WESA 6/16 11:31P Jillian Forstadt

The district is considering policy changes that would require administrators to solicit multiple bids when contracting for professional services, materials and supplies.

'Violence interrupters' to be deployed to Pittsburgh pools this summer, per youth safety leaders

WESA 6/15 11:32P Jillian Forstadt

Outreach workers, community "violence interrupters" and public safety officials will be on hand at every city pool this summer, according to City of Pittsburgh STOP the Violence coordinator Ian Reynolds.

Pittsburgh Public kicks off period of transition and mourning for families at closing schools

WESA 6/14 11:33P Jillian Forstadt

For many PPS families and staff, the school board’s decision to close schools last month has set off a period of grief and transition.

How a Pittsburgh nonprofit and Penn State are reviving the art of butchery

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Education) 6/14 10:00P By Sono Motoyama / Pittsburgh Po

Pa. cyber charter schools say bill to have students on camera should also apply to public schools

WESA 6/11 8:35A Jillian Forstadt

Cyber charter school leaders say the new measure should be equally applied to traditional public schools, arguing that abuse and harm aren’t unique to students enrolled in virtual classes.

These teachers around Pittsburgh had highs and lows in their first years. Here's why they're coming...

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Education) 6/11 12:00A By Megan Tomasic / Pittsburgh Po

House bill would require Pa. cyber charter students to be on camera during live instruction

WESA 6/10 6:04A Jillian Forstadt

Members of the House Education Committee voted to advance legislation that would require cyber students to be on camera at all times during live virtual instruction.

State House panel approves bill to provide paid leave for teachers injured by students or parents

WESA 6/8 11:30P Peter Hall | Pennsylvania Capita

Some public school teachers assaulted or injured at work would be eligible for up to a year of paid leave under legislation now up for consideration in the state House.

New survey finds Allegheny County is a bright spot for summer learning opportunities

WESA 6/3 12:11A Jillian Forstadt

Two in five Allegheny County kids whose parents want to enroll them in summer programs are missing out, according to new data from the national Afterschool Alliance.

Hacky Sack is back, and surging in popularity among Pittsburgh teens

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Education) 6/1 10:00P By Anya Sostek / Pittsburgh Post

While more Pennsylvania students are completing teacher prep programs, educator shortages persist

WESA 5/31 11:32P Jillian Forstadt

The number of students completing teacher preparation programs in Pennsylvania has modestly increased since 2019, but those gains aren’t spread equally across the state.

What’s next for Pittsburgh Public Schools after school closure and consolidation plan was approved?

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Education) 5/31 12:00A By Megan Tomasic / Pittsburgh Po

PPS Summer B.O.O.S.T. didn’t improve test scores. Experts say summer learning matters anyway.

WESA 5/25 11:31P Jillian Forstadt

An independent evaluation of the program found that, compared to students who did not attend B.O.O.S.T. at all, there was no significant impact on reading or math scores.