The NAEP 2024 national report card on schools is out. I wish I didn’t have to write this column. I wish that there was good news to report on public schools in Pennsylvania. But wishes aren’t reality. Tragically, the scores are that bad. Here are the lowlights. Only 41 percent […]
Beth Ann Rosica: Despite federal order, Pennsylvania may continue to allow boys to compete in girls’ sports
Pennsylvania is signaling it may not comply with President Trump’s recent executive order aimed at preventing boys from playing in girl’s sports, according to a statement sent to a local school district. Trump signed the “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order earlier this month, surrounded by elated female […]
Beth Ann Rosica: Shapiro boasts of education improvements while most students are not proficient in math
The state of Pennsylvania spent $16.8 billion last year to fund public education, and the return on investment is abysmal. In 2024, 53 percent of students were proficient in reading and writing, while only 40 percent were proficient in math. Last year, we conducted an in-depth analysis of fourteen school […]
Local scientist and women’s advocate is a guest as Trump signs order outlawing boys in girls sports
Shannon Grady, a world class triathlete, sports scientist, and Delco native, advocated keeping boys and men out of girls and women’s sports long before it was the mainstream view. She appeared on a local TV program in 2021 and explained that Biden’s executive order was in direct conflict with Title […]
School choice left off the table in Shapiro’s budget proposal
(The Center Square) – Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget address was optimistic about the prospects of the state’s divided legislature coming together for another year, citing last year’s reimagining of public school funding as supporting evidence. Education remains one of the highest ticket items in this year’s budget. Notably absent from […]
Guy Ciarrocchi: Shapiro saw his shadow — two more years of progressive politics!
Pennsylvanians must prepare for a long, cold winter.
By Guy Ciarrocchi
Rep. Jason Ortitay: Pennsylvania’s approach to literacy needs to change
Over the past decade, Pennsylvania has increased education spending by 51 percent, now spending about $20,900 per student. Despite this, fourth-grade reading scores have steadily dropped, showing that more money isn’t fixing the problem. This should concern everyone who cares about our kids’ future. I believe we need to rethink […]
Katie Hetherington Cunfer: Making the case for school facilities funding
In 2024, Governor Josh Shapiro and the General Assembly awarded $250 million in public school facilities funding to nearly 300 school districts and career and technical schools. These funds, provided in the form of competitive, matching grants under the Public School Facilities Improvement Grant (PSFIG) and the Public Schools Environmental […]
Beth Ann Rosica: Pennsylvania agency ignores Trump’s executive order on two sexes
One of President Trump’s first executive orders has quickly put hundreds of school districts across the commonwealth in a legal quandary over gender designations, as the newly signed order is in direct conflict with state regulations. Titled, Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal […]
Award for Philly schools superintendent sparks controversy following antisemitism failures
Allegations of antisemitism in the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) erupted after the October 7, 2023, attacks against Israel, but the district’s actions and a subsequent investigation don’t show a culture that’s improving. I reported in May about extensive accusations from students, parents, and teachers within the district. When Superintendent […]