Educators

Eula M. Cousins, 110, a pioneering black social worker and educator who lived to be one of the oldest Americans, died Wednesday, Jan. 30, at the Cathedral Village retirement community in Philadelphia's Andorra section. Despite her age, Mrs. Cousins, an avid reader, remained sharp-minded and quick-witted, able to discuss any contemporary issue in detail. "She was one of the most dynamic individuals I have ever met," said Acel Moore, associate editor emeritus of The Inquirer, who was a longtime friend.

The proposed state budget unveiled by Gov. Corbett would allow for some increase in basic education aid, more funding for early childhood education, and a new block grant program that hinges on privatizing alcohol sales. "My budget works to provide our public schools with enrichment funding to help them achieve academic excellence at all grade levels," Corbett said in his address. Legislative Democrats, union leaders, and some education advocates said the new spending plan would not undo the damage done by previous cuts - nearly $1 billion two years ago. Some accused the governor of using education to try to unload the State Store system and get pension reform.

The proposed state budget unveiled by Gov. Corbett would allow for some increase in basic education aid, more funding for early childhood education and a new block grant program that hinges on privatizing alcohol sales. "My budget works to provide our public schools with enrichment funding to help them achieve academic excellence at all grade levels," Corbett said in his public address. Legislature Democrats, union leaders and some education advocates said the new spending plan would not undo the damage done by previous cuts - nearly $1 billion two years ago. Some accused the governor of using education to try to unload the state store system and get pension reform.

SHORTLY AFTER 3 o'clock on a Thursday afternoon, two girls sit at a table doing their homework in a building that for nearly 40 years was a popular corner bar in Strawberry Mansion. Over the next 10 to 15 minutes, about a dozen more children, most of them boys ages 8 to 13, come bustling through the door in groups of twos and threes. "Hi, Mr. Kev," they say to Kevin Upshur, founder of the Strawberry Mansion Community Learning Center. "You got your homework?" Upshur asks. "Sit down and get your homework done.

Joe Becton put on his half top hat and straightened his bow tie, tugged at the lapels of his morning jacket, and strode through the lobby of the Independence Visitor Center. "Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus!" His voice filled the room. Park rangers grinned. Tourists stared. "Steal away, steal away home, I ain't got long to stay here," he sang, walking into the center's theater followed by a small crowd. For the next hour, he led the group through a whirlwind history of the Underground Railroad, punctuated every few minutes by a traditional song or spiritual.

WASHINGTON - Thousands of people, many holding signs with names of gun violence victims and messages such as "Ban Assault Weapons Now," joined a rally for gun control on Saturday, marching from the Capitol to the Washington Monument. Leading the crowd were marchers with "We Are Sandy Hook" signs, paying tribute to victims of the December school shooting in Newtown, Conn. Washington Mayor Vincent Gray and other city officials marched alongside them. The crowd stretched for at least two blocks along Constitution Avenue.

The Reading School District is cutting its ties with an embattled alternative-education firm in Bala Cynwyd. Reading's school board voted unanimously Wednesday night to terminate a $1.1 million contract with Delaware Valley High School to operate a disciplinary school for troubled students as of Feb. 6. "We are acting in the best interest of our students," the district said in a statement Thursday. "We have a transition plan in place for our alternative education services, and that will be communicated to our parents and students.

WASHINGTON - Breaking new ground, the U.S. Education Department is telling schools they must include students with disabilities in sports programs or provide equal alternative options. The directive, reminiscent of the Title IX expansion of athletic opportunities for women, could bring sweeping changes to school budgets and locker rooms for years to come. Schools would be required to make "reasonable modifications" for students with disabilities or create parallel athletic programs that have comparable standing to mainstream programs.

Gov. Corbett said Wednesday that he would not slash funding in his forthcoming budget for basic education or the four state-related universities, although he cautioned that could change if there was no legislative giveback on one of his priorities: reining in public-employee pension costs. "This is the driver," Corbett said of tackling what his administration has called Pennsylvania's pension crisis. "We are going to present a budget based on some assumptions, and based upon getting some reforms done.