Tyrell Mann-Barnes is a senior biology student ready to start pursuing med school. He’s from a low-income family in Philadelphia and the first generation that went to college. His other siblings went to school for athletic scholarships, but that wasn’t an option for him. His cousins didn’t even apply because college is expensive. He knew college would change his life, so he found a way. 

He became student body president and a resident assistant for three years. His positions led to decreased tuition and covered his room and food costs.

“I would have been a housing and food insecure student [otherwise],” he said. 

Although he’s happy with his accomplishments, he doesn’t want other students to struggle like he did. At a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing Thursday, he said the PA Promise Plan may be a step in the right direction. 

The tragic repeat of school shooting headlines moved the Pennsylvania legislature to act this year, to the tune of $60 million extra school safety funding.

But with the budget signed and the distribution system — through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency — set, state Republicans have turned to finding out what else they can do.

From social media bullying to school safety surveys to arming trained school personnel, all were discussed Wednesday at Cedar Crest High School in Lebanon as the Senate Republican Policy Committee held its third roundtable on keeping pupils protected.

It all started one month ago in the waning days of budget season, with a meeting between advocates and the governor’s staff and some off-the-cuff remarks at a Philadelphia press conference.

But as the calendar turns to August, a controversy over the state’s school funding formula has held on as a campaign cudgel and legislative worry, as accusations of intimidation and collusion resound.

Gov. Tom Wolf and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney spoke about the importance of investing in early childhood education Tuesday at an education advocacy conference in Philadelphia