News Digest :: August 9, 2022

Legislature Schwank calls for panel to review Berks election report findings (readingeagle.com) Philadelphia youth call for tighter firearms restrictions, increased funding to combat gun violence – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com) Philadelphia...

Senator John I. Kane Announces Free Naloxone Community Training

Chester, PA − August 8, 2022 − Individuals, businesses, community organizations, restaurant, hospitality employees, construction professionals and others interested in learning how to properly administer Naloxone to those experiencing a drug overdose can attend a free...

News Digest :: August 8, 2022

Legislature Families, lawmakers fear ‘devastating impact’ of First Hospital shutdown | Times Leader Experts: First Hospital closure a potential catastrophe | Times Leader Medical marijuana user evicted from public housing | News | thetimes-tribune.com What the Kansas...

News Digest :: August 5, 2022

Legislature Hughes and El-Mekki: Building a Better Student-to-Teacher Pipeline Can Ease Staffing Crisis (broadandliberty.com) Critics call water quality bill moving through Pa. legislature a back door to privatization · Spotlight PA Gov. Tom Wolf celebrated a historic...

Comitta: Nearly $1 Million in Environmental Education Grants Available

West Chester, Pa (August 4, 2022) – Chester County schools, colleges, businesses, nonprofit groups, and environmental organizations can apply to receive some of the $900,000 in total state grant funding available for environmental education projects, state Senator...

Building a Better Student-to-Teacher Pipeline Can Ease Staffing Crisis

Op-ed By Senator Vincent Hughes and Sharif El-Mekki

A decade ago, Pennsylvania certified 20,000 new teachers.  Last year, that number was down to 6,000.  Chronic understaffing, along with underfunding, is driving increased burnout and shorter teaching careers.

That loss of teachers is particularly concerning among communities of color which make up 37 percent of the student body, but only 7 percent of teachers.

Simply put, Pennsylvania’s teacher workforce is not keeping up with a rapidly diversifying student body, leading to a classroom experience that is less than ideal for both the teacher and the student.