Penn GSE News Archive

Amid the aftermath of pandemic-induced disruptions, college students are grappling with significant challenges in mastering basic math skills, a consequence of the shift to remote schooling. These setbacks have left a particularly pronounced impact on vulnerable student groups, says Dean Strunk.

The project's first 3-year degree pilot recently launched at the University of Minnesota Rochester, one of more than a dozen colleges and universities planning similar programs with the project. The idea of a 3-year bachelor’s degree is on track to become ubiquitous, Zemsky says.

Mark Ziegler-Thayer started out as a part-time kindergarten teacher’s assistant. The experience changed their life. Two master’s degrees later, they are now working to effect change at the national level in a prestigious, two-year Presidential Management Fellows program, where they hope to increase access to high-quality and equitable education for all students.

The Netter Center and Penn GSE are testing out a new approach based on feedback from teachers, families, and students. The 6-week pilot replaces traditional course blocks with round-robin stations and eschews technology, with each classroom led by a team of five educators.

Three southern California school districts joined the program in 2022–23 as K–12 leaders navigate unprecedented external pressure. Founded in 1943 and until now concentrated in the Northeast, the Center helps superintendents and leaders work collaboratively to identify professional challenges, share best practices, and provide development opportunities.