THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY CLYMER, READSHAW, AUMENT, BRENNAN, D. COSTA, P. COSTA, DAVIS, DiGIROLAMO, EVERETT, GEORGE, HELM, HENNESSEY, KORTZ, LONGIETTI, MAJOR, MALONEY, MILLARD, MILLER, MIRABITO, MURT, O'NEILL, PASHINSKI, PICKETT, RAPP, RAVENSTAHL, ROCK, ROEBUCK, ROSS, SAYLOR, M. SMITH, SONNEY, STABACK, SWANGER AND GEIST, JUNE 21, 2012

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, JUNE 21, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Honoring the 100th anniversary of Pittsburgh Public Schools in

the City of Pittsburgh.

WHEREAS, Pittsburgh Public Schools was founded in 1911,

bringing 61 separate and independent school districts under the

direction of one newly appointed 15-member board to better serve

the City of Pittsburgh's children and families; and

WHEREAS, During the 2011-2012 school year, Pittsburgh Public

Schools celebrates its 100th anniversary; and 

WHEREAS, More than 26,000 students are educated in grades

Pre-K through 12, and more than 5,500 individuals are employed;

and

WHEREAS, Pittsburgh Public Schools achieved Adequate Yearly

Progress as a school district for the second time in three years

in 2011; and 

WHEREAS, Pittsburgh Public Schools was ranked 7th in the

nation among public school systems in large United States cities

in the GreatSchools Best Cities to Live and Learn 2010 report;

and

WHEREAS, In 2009, Pittsburgh Public Schools was awarded $80

million in competitive grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates

Foundation and the Federal Department of Education's Teacher

Incentive Fund program to support its Empowering Effective

Teachers plan; and

WHEREAS, Pittsburgh Public Schools is taking giant steps

forward to assure that there is an effective teacher in every

classroom, every day; and 

WHEREAS, Pittsburgh Public Schools believes that through its

Empowering Effective Teachers work, more than 80% of its

students will complete a four-year college or work force

certification; and 

WHEREAS, Pittsburgh Public Schools students have access to

the largest Promise scholarship program in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Three thousand two hundred Pittsburgh Public Schools

students have received Pittsburgh Promise® scholarships to

attend either a technical/trade school that offers a two-year

degree and any college or university in this Commonwealth,

regardless of income; and

WHEREAS, More than 600 of Pittsburgh Public Schools students

will be in the inaugural class of Pittsburgh Promise scholars

that will graduate from a four-year college or two-year work

force certification program during the 2011-2012 school year;

and 

WHEREAS, Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Linda

S. Lane is leading the way to build a sustainable district to

ensure that City of Pittsburgh children can continue to be

prepared to achieve academic excellence and strength of

character so they have the opportunity to excel in all aspects

of life; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the 100th

anniversary of Pittsburgh Public Schools; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to

Pittsburgh Public Schools, 341 South Bellefield Ave., Pittsburgh

PA 15213.