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K-12
GOP leaders want to pilot private school vouchers in Harrisburg
The law itself would only apply to parents in Harrisburg. But one of Pa.’s most powerful legislators calls it a “pilot” program for school vouchers.
5 years ago
Alleged gunman, victim among 6 charged after game shooting
Six men have been charged after a shooting at a New Jersey high school football game that critically wounded a 10-year-old boy and sent players and the crowd fleeing in panic.
5 years ago
Philly school knew about toxic lead in drinking water but kept parents in the dark
Recent testing uncovered high lead levels in the water at Mastery Frederick Douglass Elementary. Parents say they should have been told sooner.
5 years ago
Listen 4:34‘Revolutionary’ principal goes all-in on quest for more black teachers
As the son of Black Panthers, Sharif El-Mekki grew up in West Philadelphia enraged at the injustice he saw all around him, including in education.
5 years ago
Experts worry active shooter drills in schools could be traumatic for students
A regular drumbeat of mass shootings in the U.S. has ramped up pressure on education and law enforcement officials to do all they can to prevent the next attack.
5 years ago
Supporters of arming teachers in classrooms claim victory in board election
The school board election in Tamaqua was framed as a referendum on its controversial gun policy, which would be a first in the state.
5 years ago
Anger, confusion reign at North Philly school plagued by asbestos
District officials thought they had a plan to deal with exposed asbestos at a North Philly school — until parents rose up against it.
5 years ago
Pa. quietly reverses ‘lunch shaming’ ban as school district debt grows
Language within this year’s school code bill allows districts to withhold hot meals from students who accrue more than $50 in lunch debt.
5 years ago
Listen 3:24Pa. state commission postpones vote on controversial school mascot
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission will decide whether the Neshaminy School District can continue calling some of its sports teams “The Redskins.”
5 years ago
Giving schools — and students — the tools they need In the fight to save the planet
If you want to get students fired up about climate change, poop is a good place to start.
5 years ago
‘When they see you, they see themselves’: Newark’s male teachers of color
School district superintendent’s plan prioritizes recruiting and retaining more black and Latino male educators
5 years ago
Going to school in Kensington amid drug crisis: ‘We need to be beacons of hope’
Schools in Kensington strive to be safe havens from violence and drug use, while also helping kids deal with the emotional trauma they carry inside.
5 years ago
Listen 4:47Are cyber charters a way to ‘hide’ from child welfare scrutiny? Some Pa. superintendents say yes
Superintendents say vulnerable children in Pa. lose critical links to the outside world and caring adults when their parents enroll them in cyber charters.
5 years ago
Listen 5:32Newark schools are short dozens of teachers, leading to bigger classes, more substitutes
Despite job fairs and ads in other cities, Newark still has a teacher shortfall, and some students are being taught by substitutes year-round.
5 years ago
Asbestos that closed Philly high schools exposed deep rifts
The fiasco that resulted in 1,000 students from two Philly high schools being out of class for three weeks exposed parents' anxieties about the safety of their schools.
Air Date: October 15, 2019
Listen 16:52