Friday, April 6, 2012

In PA, more than 400 articles since January 23rd detailing budget cuts, program cuts, staffing cuts and tax increases being discussed by local school districts


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.

These daily emails are archived at http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org
Follow us on Twitter at @lfeinberg

Please note that the Allegheny County Legislative Forum scheduled for next Thursday, April 12th at North Hills High School has been cancelled due to a number of scheduling conflicts 

 

Big Voucher Money is playing a role in the race for state representative in West Philly.

Students First and Jim Roebuck

City School Stories Blog April 4, 2012

Notes from the Field, Submitted by Frank Murphy on April 4, 2012

During this electoral primary season, I have paid little attention to anything other than the hype surrounding the Republican presidential nomination race. Then last week I read this article in the City Paper that describes a “big money pro voucher group’s” attack on Pennsylvania House Representative James Roebuck. A second article also appearing in the City Paper, detailed additional attacks on Representative Roebuck that were initiated by a mysterious third party group. This group, Public Education Excellence claims Roebuck is responsible for just about everything that is wrong with public education in Philadelphia and in Pennsylvania.

http://cityschoolstories.com/2012/04/04/students-first-and-jim-roebuck/

 

Posted: Fri, Apr. 6, 2012, 3:01 AM

So, who's behind those bold-face fliers?

BY CHRIS BRENNAN Philadelphia Daily News Staff Writer

Fliers in West Phila. assail Roebuck

THE FLIERS have been landing in mailboxes since last week in West Philly's 188th state House District, attacking Rep. James Roebuck for the many problems in the city's public schools.

One flier gives Roebuck failing grades on school dropouts, violence, overcrowded classrooms and alleged cheating on standardized tests. Another notes that he has been in office for 25 years but "failed to fight to educate" the city's children.

Roebuck calls it dirty politics and accuses a fellow West Philly politician, state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, of engineering the attacks.

Roebuck, ranking Democrat on the House Education Committee, says he is responsible for thwarting a push by Williams for voucher legislation allowing tax dollars to be used for private-school tuition.

"His fingerprints are all over it," Roebuck said of the fliers.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20120406_So__who_s_behind_those_bold-face_fliers_.html?viewAll=y

 

STATEWIDE PRESS COVERAGE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGETS
Here are more than 400 articles since January 23rd detailing budget cuts, program cuts, staffing cuts and tax increases being discussed by local school districts
The PA House Democratic Caucus has been tracking daily press coverage on school district budgets statewide:

http://www.pahouse.com/school_funding_2011cuts.asp?utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=http%3a%2f%2fwww.pahouse.com%2fschool_funding_2011cuts.asp&utm_campaign=Crisis+in+Public+Education

 

No decision reached in Chester Upland SD funding talk

By JOHN KOPP jkopp@delcotimes.com; @DT_JohnKopp
Representatives from the Chester Upland School District and the Pennsylvania Department of Education continued to search for a funding solution that would keep Chester Upland schools open through June.
The two sides participated in a conference call Wednesday, but no decision was finalized, though one was not expected.

http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2012/04/05/news/doc4f7d07bb58db0501162190.txt?viewmode=fullstory

 

April 5 2012
Tell your Elected Officials Not to Cut Education Funding!
In February, President Obama released his $3.8 trillion fiscal year budget proposal for 2013. In March, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) released the FY 2013 House Budget Resolution, which comparatively aims to cut spending by $5 trillion dollars.
This is just the beginning of the long and complex process of passing a federal budget for the upcoming year.Let your elected officials know that education must be fully funded in your local, state, and federal budgets! Give Kids Good Schools will be tracking developments in the federal budget process, and we will be watching to see how each proposal affects education.
You can find out how our nation’s children would be affected in the analyses of the President's budget proposal and the House’s proposal that First Focus has done. You can also visit the Give Kids Good SchoolsTop 10 Questions to Ask Elected Officials page to see how you can talk to your elected officials about the importance of education in your budget. 
Thank you for all you do to Give Kids Good Schools!

 

A Parent Guide to the Broad Foundation’s training programs and education policies

Parents Across America

The Edythe and Eli Broad Foundation engages in venture philanthropy in four areas: education, medical research, contemporary art, and civic projects in Los Angeles. The foundation was established in 1999 by billionaire Eli Broad (b. 1933) who made his fortune in real estate and the insurance business.

This summary is designed to help parents and other concerned citizens better understand the Broad Foundation’s role in training new superintendents and other “reform” activities, and how the foundation leverages its wealth to impose a top-down, corporate-style business model on our public schools. It is time for communities to become aware of how this major force works.

http://parentsacrossamerica.org/2011/04/a-guide-to-the-broad-foundations-training-programs-and-policies/

 

Stand Up for Public Education!
East Penn Education Forum on April 25th 7:00 – 9:00 pm
What’s at Stake?  Discover how high-stakes testing and funding cuts are impacting our kids and schools.
Hosted by: East Penn Invested Citizens (EPIC), Salisbury Parent Advisory, Allentown Parent Groups and a coalition of Lehigh Valley Parents
Where: East Penn Administration Building School Board Meeting Room, 800 Pine Street, Emmaus

Stand Up for Public Education!
Wed., April 11, 2012 7:00 pm Town Hall Meeting on Education at Bucknell University
Meeting with legislators from Columbia, Northumberland, Montour, Snyder & Union counties
Where: The Forum, Room 272, Elaine Langone Center Bucknell University 701 Moore Avenue Lewisburg, PA 17837
7 p.m. – School directors and administrators meet with legislators (PSBA Legislative Meeting)
7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Meeting on Education – Please invite your PTO/PTA and other parent/ community groups to join us!  The purpose of the 7 p.m. meeting is for school directors and administrators to discuss the impact of the governor’s 2011-12 budget proposal on their school districts. At 7:30 p.m., the meeting will be open to all interested parents and other members of the community who would like to come out in support of their public schools and ask their legislators to take their message back to Harrisburg.
Please RSVP By April 4, to Kathy Swope, PSBA Region 6 director, at (570) 523-3336 or email swope@ptd.net

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


PA Partnerships for Children – Take action on the Governor’s Budget
The governor’s budget plan cuts funding for proven programs like Child Care Works, Keystone STARS and the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program, Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts and the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program. These are among the most cost-effective investments we can make in education.  Gov. Corbett’s budget plan also runs counter to a pledge he made when he ran for governor in 2010. He acknowledged the benefits of early childhood education and promised to increase funding to double the number of children who would benefit from early learning opportunities.
We need your help to tell lawmakers: if you cut these programs – you close the door to early learning! Click here to tell your state legislators to fund early childhood education programs at the same level they approved for this year’s budget.

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?

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