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Analysis: It's back to school vouchers in Pennsylvania

Gov. Tom Corbett is poised to unveil education reform plans, but observers say he will have a fight on his hands.

By John L. Micek, Call Harrisburg Bureau

11:18 p.m. EDT, October 9, 2011

HARRISBURG— — It was only a few months ago that private school kids, some in ties and smart shirts, others in tartan skirts, filled the Capitol nearly every day to call on lawmakers to pass legislation that would radically reshape the way Pennsylvania delivers and regulates public education.

"My school, my choice," the signs read. The students sang. Teachers and administrators with big voices proclaimed. Money — lots of it — was spent.

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-pa-school-choice-players-20111009,0,2918152.story

 

Gov. Tom Corbett puts vouchers, charters as second priorities to Marcellus Shale drilling

Published: Sunday, October 09, 2011, 11:15 AM

BY JAN MURPHY AND CHARLES THOMPSON, The Patriot-News
This week, Gov. Tom Corbett makes his push to expand educational choices for students. 
Corbett will unveil the first phase of his school reform agenda on Tuesday. He aims to see Pennsylvania join the growing list of states that offer taxpayer-funded vouchers to parents to send their children to a school of their choice. 
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/10/gov_tom_corbett_puts_vouchers.html

What Works: Study on Early Childhood Education Indicates Significant Long-Term Effects

Posted by Kate Welch on October 7, 2011 at 5:13pm in Early Childhood Education and Early Intervention

Findings released Wednesday by the Penn State Prevention Research Center for the Promotion of Healthy Development indicate that early childhood education has a significant and lasting impact. In a study conducted over the last decade, researchers followed 250 students in the Harrisburg Preschool Program for at-risk children and assessed their literacy and math scores over the subsequent years.

http://paschooltalk.org/forum/topics/study-on-early-childhood-education-indicates-significant-long-ter

On Tuesday the Governor is expected to kick off efforts to implement a voucher plan and expanded charter schools.  These initiatives could take another billion dollars out of public education.  If you are in southeastern PA and would like to help shape state education policy instead of simply reacting to it after the fact here's your chance.  RSVP for this legislative forum on October 13^th and bring other public education stakeholders with you.

PA PASS (Parent Advocates for Public Education to Achieve Student Success)

Public Education Advocacy in Delaware County:

Public School Parents Legislative Forum in Delaware County

Thursday October 13^th 7:00 – 10:00 pm

Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 N. Lansdowne Ave. Drexel Hill

Moderated by the League of Women Voters
We've invited ALL state senators and representatives from Delco including Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi and House Appropriations Chairman Bill Adolph- Please call your legislators today and let them know that you hope to see them there.  Please ask attendees to RSVP in advance at delcolegislativeforum.eventbrite.com   If you are interested in helping out please contact Marian Rucci, Delco PA PASS County Coordinator at .rucci.papass@live.com

Inflating the Classroom Software Report Card

By TRIP GABRIEL and MATT RICHTEL

Published: October 8, 2011

The Web site of Carnegie Learning, a company started by scientists at Carnegie Mellon University that sells classroom software, trumpets this promise: "Revolutionary Math Curricula. Revolutionary Results."

The pitch has sounded seductive to thousands of schools across the country for more than a decade. But a review by the United States Department of Education last year would suggest a much less alluring come-on: Undistinguished math curricula. Unproven results.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/09/technology/a-classroom-software-boom-but-mixed-results-despite-the-hype.html?pagewanted=1&hpw

NY Group Urges More Money to Aid Poor in School

New York Times By WINNIE HU, Published: October 9, 2011

New York State already outspends the rest of the nation on education, and a group of education experts at Teachers College at Columbia University is calling for it to spend even more.

At a conference on Tuesday, the Campaign for Educational Equity, an institute of the college, will make the case that the state, which spends an average of $18,126 annually per student, should also pay for an array of support services outside the classroom that would cost an additional $4,750 annually for every poor student, or millions more every year.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/10/education/10equity.html?_r=1&src=rechp

Why I Send My Children to Public Schools

Commentary Posted by EducationViews.org on October 10, 2011

Robert Niles – My two children, ages 14 and 11, attend their local public schools, and have since kindergarten. Why do I send my children to public schools?

http://educationviews.org/2011/10/10/why-i-send-my-children-to-public-schools/