Latest news with #Commonwealth
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Indicators 2025: Understanding and addressing Pennsylvania's achievement gaps
Jun. 28—WILKES-BARRE — Jill Avery-Stoss, president of The Institute, said gaps in academic achievement are widely recognized and have complex causes. "They arise from a combination of personal, systemic, and structural factors," Avery-Stoss said. "They also result from disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The Institute's Education and Workforce Development Task Force recently completed a study exploring the achievement gap — the trending disparity in academic performance across different student populations. It suggests that some students have fewer chances to succeed in school than others. Avery-Stoss said achievement gaps are most evident when comparing various groups, such as boys and girls, students from lower-income and higher-income households, and individuals of different racial or ethnic backgrounds. Such comparisons must also be considered carefully because people rarely fit neatly into one category. Avery-Stoss stated that overall access to education across the Commonwealth is considered above average compared to national benchmarks. Still, the achievement gaps between Pennsylvania student groups are among the country's largest. In some cases, gaps may occur in schools with fewer resources than other schools. In other cases, however, gaps emerge among students who attend the same schools. "The pandemic also contributed to the issue," Avery-Stoss said. "Students lost a great deal of learning time — particularly in math and reading — and many faced the additional challenge of limited internet access. They also took fewer tests, which complicates understanding about how much help is needed and where it is needed most." The Pennsylvania Department of Education published a research brief with Mathematica to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young learners in the state. The study explored academic proficiency rates among students in grades five through eight, using a predictive model to adjust for factors such as assessment participation rates, test administration timing, and instructional modes. The findings show that in math and language arts, grade six seems to have experienced the highest predicted impact from the pandemic, and the predicted pandemic impacts were consistently larger in math. The numbers in math proficiency impact range from a loss of 12 to 15 percentage points. In English language arts, the numbers range from a loss of 7 to 12 percentage points. The brief also found that students from vulnerable backgrounds and in fully remote learning environments had lower assessment participation rates compared to their peers, and that the overall academic proficiency across the state was reduced in 2021 due to the pandemic. Negative academic impacts were evident across most student groups, and even more so for vulnerable groups that had lower proficiency rates prior to the pandemic. Avery-Stoss said that although the academic environment plays a key role in student outcomes, research shows that education alone is not the primary cause of the achievement gap. Solutions must extend beyond traditional schooling and require coordination between policymakers, educators, and communities to tackle structural, economic, and historical inequities. "Recommendations for closing the achievement gap involve access to high-quality preschool programs, culturally responsive teaching, inclusive curriculum, establishment of community partnerships and programs, and data-driven policy change," Avery-Stoss said. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Mega Millions jackpot Virginia winner: Where was the $348 million ticket sold. First details on winner out
A Mega Millions ticket purchased in Northumberland County, Virginia, hit the jackpot in this week's drawing, securing an estimated $348 million, the largest lottery prize ever won in the Commonwealth. The Virginia Lottery confirmed the ticket matched all six numbers and Mega Ball, marking the state's 10th Mega Millions jackpot since 2002. Mega Millions lottery's winning ticket was sold in Virginia(Unsplash) The ticket was purchased at E & C VA, a convenience store located at 14878 Northumberland Highway in Burgess, Northumberland County, a rural area near the Chesapeake Bay. Read More: Elephants form a living umbrella to protect caretaker from rain: 'She sees me as one of her own' The store will receive a $50,000 retailer bonus for selling the winning ticket, which was bought before the Friday, June 27 drawing, though the exact purchase date is unconfirmed. First details on the winner Generally winners of these lotteries are not identified. They have 180 days to claim their prize. The winner can either take the full amount, before taxes, in annual payments over 30 years or take a one-time cash option, which is estimated close to $160 million before taxes. Read More: Woman left shivering in ice bath, Malaysian firm slammed for extreme team-bonding challenge The Virginia Lottery allows winners to remain anonymous, as the state is one of 11 permitting this for prizes over $10 million. Where is the Mega Millions lottery played? The Mega Millions lottery is played in 45 states, the District of Columbia and US Virgin Islands. List of states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Herald Sun
9 hours ago
- Business
- Herald Sun
Allan government holding $400m from Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution
The Allan government is sitting on hundreds of millions of dollars desperately needed for roads, parks, libraries and swimming pools in Melbourne's outer suburbs. Landowners and developers in the city's booming growth areas have coughed up more than $1.4 billion to fund desperately needed local infrastructure. But the state government is banking more than $230 million, despite pleas from councils to fund key projects. Melbourne's west is handing over almost as much as the north and south corridors combined but being snubbed on hundreds of millions of dollars worth of projects. The levy – known as the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution – has been collected by councils from developers of new housing estates since 2010 to help fund local schools, services and recreational spaces. It is then pooled by the state government who decides when and where it is allocated across seven areas, including Melton, Mitchell and Casey. Despite desperate calls for funding to fix crumbling roads, new sporting fields and public transport services, figures showed just 72.4 per cent had been committed to projects as of March — leaving a $396 million gap. Top contributor, Melton, had only had 51.2 per cent of the funds it had raised committed to local projects, according to the data — the lowest commitment rate. Northern Melbourne – Mitchell, Hume and Whittlesea – were also being short changed, raising $130 million more than what had been committed to local projects. Melbourne's southeast – Casey and Cardinia – are punching above their weight, with almost all of the funds collected flowing back to local projects. A government spokesman claimed the publicly available figures were outdated and that the gap had decreased from $396 million to $234 million, with a total of $1.2 billion committed. However, he refused to provide the data. The most recent projects funded under GAIC have been the $60 million spent on the Ison Road Overpass in Werribee, $35 million towards a new school in Cobblebank, and more than $150 million for new bus services across Melbourne. Property Council of Australia Victorian executive director Cath Evans said communities in Melbourne's west were waiting too long to see the benefits of GAIC funding. 'The purpose of the levy is to deliver timely infrastructure to support population growth — but delays in spending mean families are moving into new suburbs without the roads, schools and health facilities they urgently need,' she said. City of Melton Mayor Steve Abboushi called on the state government to commit to a 'guaranteed percentage of funding and associated transparency' to help fund pools, libraries and active transport. He urged the government to match a $15 million Commonwealth commitment to the new Plumpton Aquatic and Leisure Centre. 'As one of the fastest growing areas in Australia, we need urgent investment in transport infrastructure including additional train stations, bus services, and investment in associated infrastructure in public transport such as carparking,' he said. Wingate Director of Research Andrew Perkins said while the intent behind GAIC was strong, delivery needed to 'keep pace' with growth to ensure communities get the infrastructure they need when they need it. Opposition planning infrastructure spokesman Richard Riordan said greenfield developers were 'beyond frustrated' as he accused government of stockpiling the funds to help offset the budget. It comes as furious Point Cook residents lashed Wyndham Council after they decided to spend $24 million in separate developer contributions in other parts of the LGA. Point Cook resident Dwayne Kelly, who started a petition, said the decision had caused an 'uproar among Point Cook residents' who had been calling for new sporting facilities.
Kuwait Times
12 hours ago
- General
- Kuwait Times
Norman Foster to design Queen Elizabeth II memorial
A handout picture released by Foster Partners on June 24, 2025 shows an artist's impression of a sculpture depicting Britain's late Queen Elizabeth II riding a horse as part of the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial to be designed by renowned British architect Norman Foster in St James's Park next to Buckingham Palace.--AFP photos Renowned UK architect Norman Foster has won a competition to design Britain's national memorial to the late Queen Elizabeth II. Famed for designs that have fused technology and nature and transformed modern cityscapes, Foster, 90, said the opportunity was an 'honor and a privilege'. The memorial will include a statue of the queen, a keen horsewoman, on horseback and another of her arm in arm with her late husband Prince Philip. Elizabeth, Britain's longest serving monarch, died in September 2022 aged 96 after more than 70 years on the throne. She was succeeded by her eldest son, who became King Charles III. The memorial in St James's Park next to Buckingham Palace will also include a glass bridge inspired by the queen's wedding tiara. A handout picture shows an artist's impression of a sculpture depicting Britain's late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. 'At the heart of our masterplan is a translucent bridge symbolic of her majesty as a unifying force, bringing together nations, countries, the Commonwealth, charities and the armed forces,' Foster said in a statement. Foster has been shaping urban landscapes since the 1960s and won the Pritzker Prize, the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in architecture, in 1999. His statement projects include Apple's giant ring-shaped headquarters in California, London's Wembley Stadium and Millennium Bridge, and Berlin's Reichstag. Foster was personally appointed to the Order of Merit by the Queen in 1997, an elite group of no more than 24 people honored for their contribution to the arts, learning, literature and science. The final plans for the memorial will be unveiled next year.--AFP A handout picture shows an artist's impression of a glass bridge inspired by the wedding tiara of Britain's late Queen Elizabeth II.
West Australian
13 hours ago
- West Australian
Leaving Violence Program made permanent as trial helps 100,000 people flee intimate partner violence
A trial program that has helped more than 100,000 people leave violent partners will become a permanent fixture from Tuesday. The Leaving Violence Program will give victim-survivors access to up to $5000 in financial support, and will be available to those who are planning to leave or have recently left a violent intimate partner relationship. It builds on the success of the Federal Government's two-year Escaping Violence Payment trial, which saw more than 100,000 people access the payment. 'We want women fleeing violence to know that financial support is available,' Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said. One of many who accessed the trial was a woman who fled a former relationship after noticing behaviours she described as becoming progressively more controlling. She fled her ex-partner after he assaulted her, and then threatened to kill her if she went to the police, driving to a new city in the middle of the night with her cat. Fearing for her safety, the woman slept in her car for several days. It wasn't until she was dropping her cat off to a carer that she was told about the EVP trial. Her application was accepted. Once engaged with the service, the woman was supported in seeking help from her GP, finding new accommodation and managing her finances with assistance of the payment. The trial has helped tens of thousands of other women secure accommodation, pay rent, buy food and other household goods, as well as school uniforms and supplies. Ms Plibersek said making the program permanent will help women feel supported to safely leave violent relationships. 'People often ask, 'Why doesn't she leave?' What we should ask is, 'Where would she go?' and 'What help is available?',' Ms Plibersek said. Economic insecurity is a key barrier to people leaving violent partners. The Australian Bureau of Statistics' 2021-22 Personal Safety Survey estimates more than a quarter of Australian women have experienced violence, emotional abuse or economic abuse by a cohabiting partner. Of those women, almost one in five experienced economic abuse. The new National Partnership Agreement on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses 2025 will also begin on Tuesday. Delivered with State and Territory governments, the renewed partnership will deliver more than $700 million in new, matched investments from the Commonwealth, States and Territories. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) MensLine Australia 1300 789 978
