4/22
Secondary Education
The best books for young readers of 2020
The sixth annual list of books, chosen by Penn GSE’s Humanizing Stories team, highlights stories of love, joy, loss, strength, and resilience.
Penn scholars record lectures for AP students
Lecturers and staff contributed video lectures that aid AP students in their ongoing studies during the pandemic.
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.
Penn Engineering and Steppingstone Scholars launch a STEM equity and innovation lab
Penn Engineering and Steppingstone will begin developing a new blended AP Computer Science course for the fall 2021 semester, in which engineering students will create online content modules to supplement high school classroom instruction.
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."
First-of-its-kind virtual summer design studio for high school students
In a unique partnership, Penn Praxis Design fellows led Fresh Air Everywhere, an intensive seven-week program providing teens with an introduction to design and architecture.
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?
In the News
American Education Week: Philly schools highlight initiatives to motivate, inspire students
Faculty from Penn recently taught students at Henry C. Lea Elementary School in West Philadelphia for the second year in a row.
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Drilling into a model of a skull: a ‘cool’ taste of doctoring for Philly high schoolers
The “Pipeline Plus” summer program at Penn Medicine, run by the Netter Center for Community Partnerships, is designed to teach Philadelphia high school students about careers in the health sciences.
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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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Texas has taken over the Houston school district. Educational outcomes have not always improved in other states that have done so
Jonathan Supovitz of the Graduate School of Education says that there’s evidence in both directions on the question of whether state takeover of individual districts can improve student learning.
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