NEW: Just who operates classrooms within Allegheny County Jail could soon change, as education officials review new corrective orders from Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Special Education. The state's report confirms all of Education Law Center's allegations. wesa.fm/education/2024…

Jay-Z funding events to garner support for school vouchers…definitely was not on my PA budget season bingo card

For those not following PA school funding debates, this is the same voucher legislation mostly Republicans have been pushing since last year, previously vetoed by Gov. Shapiro, stalling the budget for months. AKA “lifeline scholarships.” Anyone know where they got $300M?

During tonight’s Pgh Public Schools board meeting, consultants with Education Resource Strategies are updating board members on the ongoing facilities utilization study. As part of that effort, each board member will hold a community town hall in their district:

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Update from Allegheny Co. Department of Human Services on Second Avenue Commons fire: - "We anticipate a timeline of potentially several months before the entire building is fit for occupancy again" (though hopeful some sections can reopen sooner)

The need to improve youth literacy rates is proving a rare area of bipartisan agreement in the Pa. capitol. But it’s unclear whether lawmakers will put up the $$$ to fund a new literacy program with just two weeks left before the June 30 budget deadline. lancasteronline.com/news/politics/…

A finding of bad faith by the Office of Open Records is very unusual. Read more about this one here: wesa.fm/politics-gover… 90.5 WESA

School leaders at New Kensington-Arnold School District spent nearly 80% of their largest COVID aid package on facilities -- specifically ventilation. The Pittsburgh suburb is among the many high-poverty districts to do so, per Kalyn Belsha Chalkbeat chalkbeat.org/2024/07/01/hig…

School voucher advocates said Arizona's program wouldn’t cost the public + might even save taxpayers money. Arizona this year: Faces "a $1.4 billion budget shortfall, much of which was a result of the new voucher spending." A must-read via Eli Hager: propublica.org/article/arizon…

In Sto-Rox, community groups are addressing gun violence as a matter of public health wesa.fm/identity-commu… Jillian Forstadt

New federal protections for LGBTQ+ students went into effect Thursday, though whether they are enforceable in some 118 Pennsylvania schools remains unclear. At Seneca Valley School District north of PGH, school officials anticipate using 2 sets of rules wesa.fm/education/2024…

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I'll be on 90.5 WESA this afternoon to share more about last night's PPS school closure proposal. In the meantime, what concerns do you have about the future of Pittsburgh schools? We're collecting your questions to answer them over the coming weeks. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…

ICYMI: lajja and I were on City Cast Pittsburgh to discuss why consultants for Pittsburgh Public Schools are proposing to close 16 schools. Thanks to City Cast for having us, and take a listen to hear more about all of the changes under consideration. pittsburgh.citycast.fm/podcasts/why-1…

Why is PPS moving away from K-8 schools? What's a "neighborhood magnet"? When are the community input sessions? lajja and Jillian Forstadt gathered your questions and got answers publicsource.org/pps-ers-facili…

Many lingering questions about the district's future remain as Pgh Public Schools students start school today. lajja and I sat down with Education Resource Strategies -- the firm shaping the district's school closure proposal -- to answer your questions. wesa.fm/education/2024…