Originally published Feb. 18, 2021 for The PLS Reporter. The second full semester of school in a pandemic is underway, and nationwide the debate over whether or not learning should occur in person has heated up once again. Unlike in the fall, COVID-19 cases are significantly higher, and while vaccine distribution is ongoing, in most […]
Report of inequitable CARES distribution highlights bigger school finance problems, advocates say
Originally published Dec. 8, 2020 for The PLS Reporter. On the heels of a PA Schools Work report last week that concluded that Pennsylvania has failed to keep up with the rising costs of special education, comes a new report which found that poor school districts received less emergency CARES money compared to their wealthy counterparts. The […]
MAP: School is back in for Pennsylvania students. Find your district’s reopening plan here.
Originally published Aug. 27, 2020 for The PLS Reporter. Thousands of Pennsylvania public school students started classes this week, and thousands more will go back to school in the coming weeks amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Local education agencies spent the summer months preparing for the fall semester, as policymakers and stakeholders continue to argue […]
As under-enrollment trend continues, AISD searches for ways to keep kids and money in district
Originally published August 2, 2018 for the Austin Monitor The Austin Independent School District’s enrollment numbers are predicted to continue their downward trend in the coming school year, affecting long-term district decisions regarding budgeting and other financial policy. According to the most recent demographic study, the district will lose an estimated 4,266 students by 2026. […]
AISD shows progress despite state falling short of educational goals
Originally published August 1, 2018 for the Austin Monitor According to a recent white paper from the outcomes working group at the Texas Education Agency, Texas is falling short of Gov. Greg Abbott’s “60×30 Goal.” The goal’s intent is that by 2030, 60 percent of Texan adults aged 25-34 will possess a postsecondary degree. So […]