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No Vouchers for You!
Independence Hall Tea Party Association Opposes Voucher Bill SB1
When your goal is to get rid of "government schools", SB1 just won't do…
http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.blogspot.com/2011/11/no-vouchers-for-you-independence-hall.html
Speaking of "our failing government schools",,,,,
367 School Districts Placed on the College Board's 2nd Annual AP District Honor Roll for Significant Gains in Advanced Placement Access and Student Performance
College Board Press Release 11/01/2011
NEW YORK — A total of 367 school districts across the U.S. and Canada are being honored by the College Board by being placed on the Second Annual AP Honor Roll for simultaneously increasing access to Advanced Placement® course work while maintaining or increasing the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP Exams.
http://press.collegeboard.org/releases/2011/367-school-districts-placed-college-boards-2nd-annual-ap-district-honor-roll-significant-gai
Thirty-four Pennsylvania school districts are on the list; fourteen achieved honor roll status for both academic years 2011 and 2012.
To see the PA list: http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.blogspot.com/2011/11/pennsylvanias-failing-public-schools.html
Here the complete national list: AP 2nd Annual Honor Roll (PDF 1.43 MB)
Here's a related link from last May: "Pennsylvania's Failing Public Schools" 2011 National AP Achievement List from the College Board
Note from a public school parent
Got this from an elementary school parent yesterday along with her request for a "Support Public Schools, Stop Budget Cuts, Say NO to Vouchers" lawn sign. This morning I received an email from the PTO at this school asking for 100 lawn signs…LAF
"I hate to admit, but I usually don't head to the polls for the local elections. But I was wondering if you could tell me if there is anyone running who is in support of helping the public schools that could use our support. I'd be happy to cast a vote for anyone who is willing to stand up to Washington and fight for our school system and rid us of budget cuts. I grew up in Catholic school and only until I moved to Havertown did I get first hand knowledge of the great things that come from public schools. That's why we moved here, for the schools, as most do. And we love it, my kids love it. But even they see the changes, the take backs and the lack of "fun" that school is becoming. We need to preserve what we have and continue to make strides for the future, not let the government push us backwards. So any info on the candidates you can give would be greatly appreciated."
We're hearing that PA House members are looking forward to consideration of the Piccola/Williams Voucher Bill SB1 with all the gusto and anticipation usually reserved for root canal work. Perhaps that is why Senator Piccola chose to attack PSBA, the messenger for 4500 locally elected volunteer officials who overwhelmingly oppose this legislation. House members think SB1 is toxic - and they are correct. Vouchers will not help our kids, our schools or our pocketbooks. They are an excuse to privatize public education for the benefit of other adults.
Sen. Piccola: Why does PSBA oppose what's good for public education?
Published: Wednesday, November 02, 2011, 5:23 AM
By Sen. Jeffrey Piccola
My grandmother used to have a saying about hypocrites. She would say, "That is the pot calling the kettle black." This was back in the day before stainless steel cookware existed. This phrase is most relevant to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association these days.
My grandmother used to have a saying about hypocrites. She would say, "That is the pot calling the kettle black." This was back in the day before stainless steel cookware existed. This phrase is most relevant to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association these days.
http://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2011/11/sen_piccola_why_does_psba_oppo.html
Senator Fontana:"I represent all 260,000 residents of my district and the majority of those who contacted me on this issue are opposed to SB 1. On the day of the vote, I had received 922 communications from constituents in the district – e-mails, faxes, phone calls, letters and visits. Of those, only 265, or 28 percent, asked me to vote in favor of this legislation. The majority of those individuals are teachers or administrators in parochial schools, or are parents of students who attend parochial schools.
Of the 82 percent who opposed the bill, the biggest issue was that they do not want their tax dollars being used to support private and parochial schools. They also expressed concern with the inability of the state to address real education reform"
EITC, Cyber & Charter School Reform and School Vouchers
Dormont-Brookline Patch November 2, 2011 6:00am
Sen. Wayne Fontana weighs in on charter school reform and tax credits for educational improvement.
This past week, Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) was put before the full Senate for a vote. It passed on Oct. 26, by a vote of 27-22. I voted no.
http://dormont-brookline.patch.com/articles/eitc-cyber-charter-school-reform-and-school-vouchers
Testimony and Video from the Senate Education Committee's November 1st Public Hearing on Special Education Funding & Accountability
Related bills are HB704 and SB1115
http://piccola.org/education/2011/110111/agenda.htm
Fight Against Bullying Moves to Congress
Education Week By Nirvi Shah
Published Online: November 1, 2011
Nearly every state has its own laws addressing bullying, but now federal lawmakers are weighing legislation to protect students from bullying and harassment that would apply to every school and district in the country and could also add an explicit layer of protection for students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/11/02/10bully.h31.html?tkn=OLVFvBm%2Bu8pNCIUMnCOCymZTnV%2B46BP6xs9d&cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS1
Use Education Voters PA website to contact your PA State Representatives asking them to oppose taxpayer funded vouchers:
For more info/background - PSBA's Tuition Voucher Issue Page
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