Daily postings
from the Keystone State Education Coalition now reach more than 1500
Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors, administrators,
legislators, members of the press and a broad array of education advocacy
organizations via emails, website, Facebook and Twitter.
Follow us
on Twitter at @lfeinberg
Monday March 26th: Last day to register to vote in
the April 24th PA Primary Election
You do have the power to change the direction of
education policy in Pennsylvania
The
last day to REGISTER before the primary is March 26 , 2012. Make sure that you, your family, friends,
neighbors and co-workers are all registered to vote in the April 24th
Pennsylvania Primary. Ask your incumbent
state representative and state senator for their positions on public
education. Let them know how important
these issues are to you. Forward this
reminder to any and all public education stakeholders.
Montgomery County
By JENNY DeHUFF jdehuff@timesherald.com
WHITEMARSH — Four local lawmakers from the
Commonwealth traded ideas during a special legislative forum on education and
the governor’s budget issues at Colonial
Elementary School
Agreeing on ‘philosophical differences’ from the
standpoint of the state budget, state representatives Kate Harper (R-61st of
Montgomery County) and Mike Gerber (D-148th of Montgomery County) and state
senators Daylin Leach (D-17th of Montgomery and Delaware counties) and Vincent
Hughes (D-7th of Montgomery and Philadelphia counties) gave their explanations
of the education cuts in Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget.
http://www.timesherald.com/article/20120320/NEWS01/120329938/-1/news&pager=full_story
“Burnett said the district is spending (a
total of) $26,000 for 16 students enrolled in 48 courses through Brandywine Virtual Academy
School director Larry Feinberg called attention
to the difference between that figure and what the district pays for students
to attend other cyber charter schools-- $28,000 per special education student
and $9,360 per regular education student.
“I want the public to understand those numbers.
One of the concerns with cyber charters is they’re getting a lot of money from
school districts,” while “costs to deliver quality services is significantly
less than what they are charging. This bears that out,” said Feinberg.”
Published: Wednesday, March 21, 2012
HAVERFORD TWP. — School officials were briefed
last week on the district’s “blended school program,” currently providing
online learning opportunities for Haverford students.
Director of Pupil Services Valerie Burnett said officials began noticing in 2008-09 that students were leaving the district for emerging cyber charter schools. The development caused concern, partly because the district must reimburse cyber charters to the tune of $9,360 per regular education student, and $28,000 per special education student, annually.
Director of Pupil Services Valerie Burnett said officials began noticing in 2008-09 that students were leaving the district for emerging cyber charter schools. The development caused concern, partly because the district must reimburse cyber charters to the tune of $9,360 per regular education student, and $28,000 per special education student, annually.
http://www.mainlinemedianews.com/articles/2012/03/21/main_line_times/news/doc4f69d5b0595e8901637935.txt?viewmode=fullstory
Brandywine Virtual
Academy
Deputy Auditor General testifies before House Education
Committee
Charter school funding
formula under review in Pa.
WHYY Newsworks By Mary Wilson March 20, 2012
State House lawmakers
are looking into reforming laws that govern Pennsylvania
http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/35655-charter-school-funding-formula-under-review-in-pa-
Money at center of New Hope
District probes finances of school, management company. A decision on New Hope
By ANGIE MASON York Daily Record/Sunday News Updated: 03/18/2012
York, PA - The York City School Board will
soon wrap up hearings about the fate of a charter school and hundreds of
students, as well as whether millions of dollars will continue to flow to New
Hope Academy Charter School or remain in the school district.
http://www.ydr.com/ci_20197565/money-at-center-new-hope-charter-renewal-hearings
Education supporters hosting mock
bake sale to draw attention to budget cuts
Public Opinion Online BY MORGAN YOUNG, 03/20/2012 05:25:34 PM EDT
SHIPPENSBURG
-- Area parents are hoping to bring awareness to the impact of Gov. Tom
Corbett's proposed budget cuts to public education one cookie at a time.
There are 20 days left
until parents and community groups opposing the governor's proposed budget host
their second annual state-wide mock bake sale to protesting funding cuts to
public education. The budget stagnates funding to state public school districts
and forecasts an $82 million cut in state funding for Shippensburg University
and the 13 other universities in the state system.
http://www.publicopiniononline.com/ci_20215673/education-supporters-hosting-mock-bake-sale-draw-attention?IADID=Search-www.publicopiniononline.com-www.publicopiniononline.com
The website for the event is: http://pastatewidebakesaleforpubliceducation.wordpress.com/
What Works Clearinghouse
A central
and trusted source of scientific evidence of what works in education.
The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) was established in 2002
by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES) to
provide educators, policymakers, researchers, and the public with a central and
trusted source of scientific evidence of what works in education. To
subscribe to WWC email updates, visit http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/contactus.aspx to send us an
email. Please select “Other” as the subject and type in “Subscribe” in the
message box.
whatworks.ed.gov
WHAT WORKS?
“When I see studies like Fryer’s, I wonder what kinds of
academic gains would be realized if, instead of spending $166 per student on
cash payouts, those funds were provided to teachers and schools to do more of
what my colleagues often spend their own time and money doing (and what our
administrators work overtime trying to squeeze school funds to pay for). Like:
* Having reluctant
readers choose books of their own which we then purchase for them.
* Buying multiple copies
of books students want to use in a student-led independent discussion group.
* Supplying all
classrooms with a collection of high-interest books.
* Having a well-stocked
school library and flexible librarian.
* Training teachers in
effective, engaging literacy strategies, including free voluntary reading.
* Having counselors spend
enormous amounts of time tracking down ways students can get needed eyeglasses,
medical check-ups, and dental work done.
* Providing computers and
home internet access to immigrant families to use for language development.
* Going on field trips to
neighborhood libraries and other enriching destinations.
None of these kinds of efforts come with the baggage of
extrinsic motivation programs.”
Bribing
students: Another ‘magical solution’ that doesn’t work
This was written by Larry Ferlazzo, who
teaches English and Social Studies at Luther
Burbank High
School in Sacramento ,
California
By Larry Ferlazzo
This use of “magical solutions”
that end up making things worse is a hallmark of many school reform efforts — value-added measurementteacher
evaluation, the parent trigger, and merit pay proposals are just a few that come to mind.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/bribing-students-another-magical-solution-that-doesnt-work/2012/03/15/gIQArzE9NS_blog.html
Religious Fundamentalism and Public Schools
Although the presidential election is still
seven months away, voters are already hearing arguments in support of allowing
religion in public schools. "The labor behind the initiatives may be
local, but the ideas, the money, and the legal firepower that make them
possible are national," as Katherine Stewart makes clear in The
Good News Club(Public Affairs, 2012).
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/walt_gardners_reality_check/2012/03/religious_fundamentalism_and_public_schools.html
Has your board considered this draft resolution yet?
PSBA Sample Board
Resolution regarding the budget
Please consider bringing this sample resolution to
the members of your board.
http://www.psba.org/issues-advocacy/issues-research/state-budget/Budget_resolution-02212012.doc
Panel: Unpacking the PA School Budget: What
Does This Mean for Me?
March 29, 2012 from 5:30pm
to 8pm at Arcadia University
Website or Map: http://www.arcadia.edu/direct…
Website or Map: http://www.arcadia.edu/direct…
Join us for a panel discussion that
will delve into details of the Commonwealth's School Budget as announced by the
Governor in February 2012. This event will
tell you how the budget will affect your schools, community, and children.
Host: Dr. Bruce Campbell,
Coordinator, Educational Leadership Master's Program, Arcadia University
Moderator: Baruch Kintisch, Director
of Policy Advocacy and Senior Staff Attorney, Education Law
Center
Panelists:
Christopher McGinley, Superintendent,Lower Merion
School District
Christopher McGinley, Superintendent,
Art Haywood, President, Board of
Commissioners, Cheltenham Township
Nofre Vaquer, Director, ARC of Philadelphia
Hiram Rivera, Executive Director, Philadelphia Student Union
Dale Mezzacappa, Contributing Editor, Philadelphia Public School Notebook
Dan Hardy, Contributing Editor, Philadelphia Inquirer
Please RSVP by March 12 to dressm@arcadia.edu
Nofre Vaquer, Director, ARC of Philadelphia
Hiram Rivera, Executive Director, Philadelphia Student Union
Dale Mezzacappa, Contributing Editor, Philadelphia Public School Notebook
Dan Hardy, Contributing Editor, Philadelphia Inquirer
Please RSVP by March 12 to dressm@arcadia.edu
Education Voters PA –
Take action on the Governor’s Budget
The Governor’s proposal starts the process,
but it isn’t all decided: our legislators can play an important role in
standing up for our priorities. Last year, public outcry helped prevent
nearly $300 million in additional cuts. We heard from the Governor, and
we know where he stands. Now,
we need to ask our legislators: what is your position on supporting our
schools?
PSBA officer applications due by March 31
PSBA Website 3/12/2012
Candidates seeking election to PSBA officer posts in 2013 must file an
expression of interest for the office desired to be interviewed by the PSBA
Nominating Committee. Deadline for filing is March 31. For more info and forms:
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