Education in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has many places where children and adults can learn, including 500 public school districts, thousands of private schools, and many colleges and universities. These schools help people gain knowledge and skills for their future.

In Pennsylvania, children must go to school from the age of 8 until they turn 17, or until they finish high school, whichever comes first. This rule ensures that most children receive a good education.

In 2018, many high school students in Pennsylvania graduated. Also, many people in the state go on to earn a bachelor’s degree or higher. This shows how important education is in Pennsylvania.

Primary and secondary education

See also: List of school districts in Pennsylvania and List of high schools in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has 500 public school districts. These include elementary, middle, and high schools. Each school has a principal who works with a superintendent chosen by the local school board.

Students in Pennsylvania go to school from age 8 until they turn 17 or graduate from high school, whichever comes first. In 2018, about 90% of high school students graduated. The state spends a lot of money on education, and students often do well on tests compared to other states. There are also many private schools that families can choose to send their children to.

Governance

Many rules and programs for schools and colleges are managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This department is led by a secretary of education, who is chosen by the governor and approved by the Pennsylvania State Senate.

The State Board of Education helps control schools and colleges in the state. It decides when to create new school districts or change their borders, and it manages money from the government for education. The board has 22 members, with some chosen by the governor and others who are part of the state government. The current leader of the board is Joe Torsella. The state has 29 areas that help support its 500 public school districts and many other schools.

Higher education

See also: List of colleges and universities in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has many colleges and universities. It is a top place in the United States for students from other states to go to college. Many well-known private colleges and public community colleges are found across the state.

The state supports three main groups of higher education schools: the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, and 14 community colleges.

History

The history of education in Pennsylvania shows more children going to school over time. Records from the 1700s and 1800s show this change.

Before the Civil War, most children learned at home or in private schools. Public schools began in the late 1800s. The Pennsylvania Department of Education started in 1834. The State Board of Education began in 1963.

German subculture

Further information: Pennsylvania Dutch

In the 1700s, German language schools were important in Pennsylvania. Benjamin Franklin helped start free schools for German students. The first German college in the United States, Franklin College (later Franklin and Marshall College), was founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1787.

Higher education

The University of Pennsylvania, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740, is one of the oldest colleges in America. Lincoln University, founded in 1854 and later named for President Abraham Lincoln, was the first university to offer arts and sciences to African-American students.