Education – Page 18 – Broke in Philly

Cheyney to use COVID stimulus funds to erase unpaid student bills

August 10, 2021

Cheyney University, the nation’s oldest historically Black college, has announced that it will erase unpaid student bills since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The southeastern Pennsylvania university said on its Facebook page Friday that in light of the hardships students and their families have experienced, it will forgive student balances from the spring 2020, fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters. | From: WHYY (Read more.)

Philadelphia: No vaccine mandate for city, transit or school employees

August 6, 2021

As government agencies nationwide begin mandating their employees amid coronavirus case surges, Philadelphia officials have no such plans in place — for now.

Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration confirmed it will not yet mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for the city’s 26,800 employees. And no mandates exist for SEPTA’s 9,000-member workforce or the school district’s 18,000 workers, officials confirmed. | From: Billy Penn (Read more.)

More should be done for Black male students in college, educators say

August 3, 2021

Survey reveals Black male students have experienced the most challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. | From: Chalkbeat Philadelphia (Read more.)

Penn. court to allow evidence of racial disparities in funding case

August 3, 2021

With the trial date looming for a landmark school funding case in Pennsylvania, a Commonwealth Court judge ruled Wednesday that attorneys can present some evidence that disparate funding for school districts across the state has a negative impact on Black and Latino students. | From: Chalkbeat Philadelphia (Read more.)

All Philly public schools to have gender neutral bathrooms

July 30, 2021

Starting in the 2021-2022 school year, which begins August 31, every building in the Philadelphia School District will have at least one single-stall gender-neutral bathroom. | From: Philadelphia Gay News (Read more.)

North Philly’s Tree House Books to add after school programs, other events ahead of the new school year

July 29, 2021

Tree House Books in North Philadelphia has been donating books to children for over 15 years, leading them on the path to literacy. However, in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, its library had to close under government ruling.

The decision was painful, but the closure led them to create a mobile library called, Words on Wheels, which has since become a smash hit for Philly youth

With the pandemic slowing down (for now), Michael Brix, the executive director at Tree House Books, is planning a major comeback with the potential for an even brighter future for the program. | From: AL DÍA (Read more.)

Educators say teaching about race could be at stake in governor’s race

July 29, 2021

Pennsylvania is poised to become another battleground in the growing fight over teaching race and racism in public schools. | From: Chalkbeat Philadelphia (Read more.)

Biden’s child tax credit will spread wealth. But 13K Philly kids stand to miss out

July 28, 2021

The Advanced Child Tax Credit, along with other expanded tax benefits in the American Rescue Plan Act, could reduce child poverty by one-third in Philadelphia, and deep child poverty by one-half, according to City estimates. In total, 75,000 people could rise out of poverty due to the tax credits, which function more like a direct stimulus payment. | From: WHYY (Read more.)

Pennsylvania districts should use federal stimulus to improve teacher racial diversity, educators say

July 28, 2021

A coalition of educators and advocates urged school districts across Pennsylvania on Tuesday to use federal stimulus money on initiatives to boost racial diversity among the state’s teaching ranks. | From: Chalkbeat Philadelphia (Read more.)

Philadelphia school officials face community questions over school start time upheaval

July 27, 2021

Officials cite a bus driver shortage as a major factor; most students transported by the district attend charter and private schools. | From: Chalkbeat Philadelphia (Read more.)