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, about 90% of high school students in Pennsylvania graduated. Also, many people in the state go on to earn a bachelor’s degree or higher. By 2009, almost 88% of adults aged 25 or older had at least a high school diploma. 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, with many different kinds of schools such as elementary, middle, and high schools. Each school is led by 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 where families can choose to send their children.

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 is the main group that helps control schools and colleges in the state. It has many jobs, like deciding when to create new school districts or change their borders, and managing 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 one of the top states in the United States for students from other states to attend college. Many well-known private colleges and public community colleges can be found throughout 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 a steady increase in schooling for children over time. Records from the 1700s and 1800s show that more children were going to school instead of being taught at home.

Before the Civil War, most children were educated at private schools or at home. Public schools started to appear in the late 1800s. The Pennsylvania Department of Education was created in 1834, and the State Board of Education was established 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 the fourth-oldest institution of higher learning in America. Lincoln University, founded in 1854 and later named for President Abraham Lincoln, was the nation's first historically black university to offer arts and sciences education and degrees to African-American students.