House Ed Committee Hearings in Philly Wed. July 27 and Thurs. July 28

Below are the agendas for the PA House Education Committee hearings on July 27-28, 2011, which will be held from 10:00 AM-3:30 PM in the first floor of 1810 Liacouras Walk at Temple University. 

The chairman has asked that testimony be focused on some or all of the following areas:

The majority of Pennsylvania’s children are, and will continue to be, educated within the public school districts.  However for approximately 5% of our children, the traditional public school system is not meeting their needs or addressing the concerns of their parents. 

What are the issues facing the traditional public schools that create problems for parents and children?

Are these issues regional and/or statewide?

What educational options currently exist for our parents to ensure their child is receiving an education that provides them with a solid foundation in order to live up to their potential?

An educational option available in other states is vouchers.   In some areas of the State, this could prove to be a viable alternative for our children and their parents. Should vouchers be a part of providing educational alternatives to those children who are not being served within the traditional public school framework? Why or why not?

Should this option be limited to certain schools with certain problems?  What are those problems?   Can and should a voucher program be statewide?

What mechanisms should be included within such an open system that ensures accountability yet is cost effective and allows the schools to fulfill their stated mission?    

Recognizing that charter schools are a viable option within the State’s public educational system:

Are they successful?  How do they address the issues of truancy, drop outs, parental involvement?

How can successful models be transferred to other public schools, including the flexibility currently available to charter schools?

How can the system of charter schools be improved?

July 27, 2011

10:00-10:15     Introductions

10:15-11:00     School Reform Commission-Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Lee Nunery

11:00-11:45     Mayor Nutter-Dr. Lori Shorr

11:45-12:30     Philadelphia Student Union-Baseerah Watson, Education Law Center-Baruch Kintisch , The Arc-Philadelphia- Bonnie Squires, Youth United for Change-Fred Ginyard

12:30-1:15       Lunch

1:15-1:45         Unite PA-Sharon Cherubin and Don Adams

1:45-2:15         Philadelphia Archdiocese-Sister Edward Quinn, IHM and Mr. Jason M. Budd

2:15-2:45         Freedom Works

2:45-3:30         Students First Dawn Chavous, Raymond Zaborney

July 28, 2011

10:00-10:15     Introductions

10:15-11:00     Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, Jerry T. Jordan

11:00-11:30     Keystone State Education Coalition, Larry Feinberg

11:30-12:00     National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP),

Dr. Joan Duvall-Flynn

12:00-12:30     PA Association of School Business Officials (PASBO), Jack A. Myers,

Director of Business Operations, Bensalem Township School District

12:30-1:15       Lunch

1:15-2:00         PA Coalition of Charter Schools (PCCS), Lawrence Jones

2:00-2:45         Chester Community Charter School, Steven Lee

2:45-3:30         Mastery Charter Schools, Bob O'Donnell