In a landmark school funding case, a Commonwealth Court judge ruled Tuesday that Pennsylvania is in violation of its state constitution. The decision comes after a lawsuit was filed nearly a decade ago by districts, parents and advocates who argued the system based on property tax values unfairly disadvantages poorer communities in Pennsylvania, resulting in achievement gaps that are among the worst in the United States.
Science Leadership Academy's project-based model has been lauded by national education magazines, Superintendent William Hite and even President Obama. A $620,000 Dell grant aims to help the school show the way to other teachers.
Comedian Kevin Hart, rapper Meek Mill and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin will donate $7 million in scholarship funds to support low-income students at 60 private and parochial schools in the Philadelphia area, primarily in North Philly and South Philly. The funds also will provide at-home technology such as laptops, tablets and WiFi connections. The donation does not support students in the School District of Philadelphia, which continues to face longstanding funding challenges.