4/16
Primary Education
How teachers can talk about violence at the Capitol
Sigal Ben-Porath outlines a strategy for discussing the historic events with students according to grade and knowledge levels, focusing on the facts of what happened and why it matters.
Penn pledges $100 million to the School District of Philadelphia
The contribution represents an unprecedented commitment to the City and its public schoolchildren, and is the largest private contribution to the School District in its history.
A role model for the changing face of science
Jennifer Stimpson, a chemist, teacher, and recent alumna of the Graduate School of Education’s mid-career program, was named an IF/THEN ambassador. The initiative aims to empower women in STEM to inspire the next generation of learners.
Talking to your kids about the election
Penn GSE’s Caroline Watts offers advice on how to realistically support children during uncertainty. “Don't try to pretend there isn’t uncertainty in the country,” she says. “Be reassuring. No matter what is happening in the outside world, you will take care of the family.”
Creating a positive home environment, and other tips for uncertain times
Experts at Penn GSE share ways to help parents and teachers care for their students and their own mental wellness during the pandemic.
Three educators celebrated at Penn GSE as winners of the McGraw Prize in Education
In the first celebration of the McGraw Prize in Education since the Graduate School of Education became its home, President Amy Gutmann said this year’s three winners are among the “great minds devoted to improving education through innovation."
To build community this fall, think of your class as a team
Before COVID-19, it was easier for teachers to build community within their class. How can teachers do that meeting virtually?
Children’s literature as ‘seed work’
Penn GSE’s Ebony Elizabeth Thomas discusses the importance of more diverse books for kids and the challenges that continue to stifle early anti-racist learning. She also shares a curated list of recommended books for youth catered to this particular moment.
The joys and trials of defending a dissertation virtually
When most aspects of university life moved online because of COVID-19, so, too, did the thesis defense for Ph.D. candidates. Despite some challenges, the shift had unexpected benefits.
How do you homeschool kids? The pandemic has lots of parents asking
Penn GSE’s Ameena Ghaffar-Kucher’s new podcast offers guidance on juggling work and homeschooling, and how to focus on what kids and parents truly need during the pandemic.
In the News
Sandra Day O’Connor and the promise of civic education
Jonathan Zimmerman of the Graduate School of Education writes that teaching schoolchildren about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship might be the only way to heal our polarized society.
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Schools in poorer neighborhoods struggle to keep teachers. How offering them more money and power might help
Richard Ingersoll of the Graduate School of Education says that giving educators more authority at their workplace makes them feel like respected professionals.
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Lego, martial arts and dance classes: How one school tackled school absenteeism
A 2022 Penn study found a return of three dollars for every dollar invested in City Connects, a pilot project that links students with support for basic needs and enrichment activities.
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How gross inequalities in institutional wealth distort the higher education ecosystem and shortchange the vast majority of middle- and lower-income undergraduates
Penn is noted for its pledge to contribute $100 million over 10 years to renovate decrepit Philadelphia schools, potentially assisting a more diverse student body.
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New Mexico can turn the tide by increasing classroom time
A study co-authored by economists at Penn found that a longer school year showed an “extremely robust” association with higher student achievement.
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Africana studies can save education—and the world
Ismael Jimenez of the Graduate School of Education writes that "Africana studies is an interdisciplinary field concerned with the study of Black people and history, but it also represents a foundational building block of a more just world."
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