EDUCATION

May 07 2026EDUCATION

Worcester Schools Shut Three Programs Due to Budget Cuts

Worcester Public Schools will shut down three special education programs next month as part of a cost-cutting move. The affected programs serve students with unique learning needs, including those with individualized education plans and newcomers still learning English after late or disrupted school

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May 06 2026EDUCATION

Tax Rise Plan Aims to Patch School Budget Gap

The Tyrone Area School District is looking at a 4. 9% hike in the state Act 1 Index to close a projected $1. 2 million shortfall for the 2026‑27 school year. This move would bring in roughly $491, 000 more money and cut the deficit to about $740, 000. State lawmakers have added only modest amounts

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May 06 2026EDUCATION

Big Tech Money Fuels USC’s AI Push—But Can Universities Keep Up?

A $200 million donation from a Silicon Valley investor and Nvidia board member is reshaping USC’s future, but the move also highlights a growing divide in higher education. The gift will rename the School of Advanced Computing, fund AI research across disciplines, and help recruit top talent—but cri

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May 06 2026EDUCATION

Florida schools test a different take on U. S. history for college credit

Florida is rolling out a new history course this fall, one that skips the traditional AP U. S. history route. Instead of using the College Board’s well-known program, the state created its own version called FACT U. S. History. The goal? To give students another way to earn college credit while avoi

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May 06 2026EDUCATION

Smartphones in Class: Do Language Students Really Need Them This Much?

A recent study looked at how often third-year English students in a Chinese university used their phones. They tracked app usage for two weeks and asked students about their habits. The results showed that students spent over 2, 500 hours combined on apps like WeChat and Douyin. Surprisingly, most s

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May 05 2026EDUCATION

Neighbors, No-Nonsense: A Lesson in Sharing and Boundaries

A local resident posted extra topsoil for free on a community board, hoping to help a neighbor in need. When the neighbor collected all of it, she later returned with a business card from a landscaping company and demanded that the donor pay for the service, claiming the soil was too heavy to spread

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May 05 2026EDUCATION

A Surprise Award for a Chicago School Leader

Leo High School’s principal, Dr. Shaka Rawls, was handed one of Illinois’ most prestigious teaching prizes during a surprise school assembly. The event was kept hush‑hush until the moment of recognition, allowing students and staff to experience the excitement firsthand. Rawls, an alumnus of Leo,

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May 05 2026EDUCATION

Behind the scenes: When substitute teachers go above and beyond

The recent awards for substitute educators Esther Yardumian-Smyth and Celia Effrig show that recognizing everyday heroes isn’t just about grand gestures—it’s about seeing the quiet power of persistence. While full-time teachers often get the spotlight, these two winners prove that substitute roles c

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May 05 2026EDUCATION

Local students shine as they announce next steps after high school

Friday wasn’t just a normal school day for many students in Berks County. A special gathering at the Miller Center for the Arts turned the spotlight on young adults who are about to leave high school and start new journeys. Instead of walking out empty-handed, these career and technology students wa

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May 05 2026EDUCATION

A Quiet Corner on Campus for Mental Health Support

Baton Rouge Community College just opened a new mental health hub called The Safe Space. It’s a spot where students can take a break from stress, talk to counselors, or just relax. The college turned an old student life office into this welcoming area, complete with a meditation room and cozy pods f

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