PA Secretary of Education Announces $1.64 Million in Career and Technical Education Equipment Grants

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PA Department of Education Press Release Date: 01/15/2013 
Secretary of Education Announces $1.64 Million in Career and Technical Education Equipment Grants 
Harrisburg – Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis today announced that 31 grants, totaling $1.64 million, have been awarded to 25 career and technical education programs through the Career and Technical Education Equipment Grant program.

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=7234&PageID=1005857&mode=2&contentid=http://pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/cop_hhs/pde/single_web/no_workflow_requried/news_and_media/articles/secretary_of_education_announces__1_64_million_in_career_and_technical_education_equipment_grants.html

Philly Superintendent Hite reiterates plan to skeptics

The Notebook by David Limm on Jan 15 2013

Follow the evidence. It was a common refrain from Superintendent William Hite at Monday’s School Reform Commission meeting, which was meant to clarify the community’s understanding of the nuts and bolts of Hite's school-reform blueprint.

Before a relatively small audience of 50 or so, Hite said he wanted to make crystal clear how the District plans to achieve the two-pronged goal of raising academic achievement at all schools while bringing the District back from the brink of insolvency. Each of the strategies and action points outlined in the plan, he said, would provide concrete and data-supported evidence for stakeholders to measure the District’s success.

“This is about doing what works and doing it well,” Hite said. “We are going to follow the evidence.”

http://thenotebook.org/blog/135507/superintendent-hite-reiterates-plan-skeptics

Northgate teacher layoffs defended as way to preserve district

TribLive By Rick Wills January 16, 2013, 12:01 a.m.
Necessary but unpopular staff cuts could help tiny Northgate School District survive, its superintendent said on Tuesday.

The school board voted to eliminate 23 teaching positions and 10 teachers aides because enrollment dropped from 1,644 students, taught by 110 teachers during the 1995-96 school year, to 1,211 students with 115 teachers this year.

Read more: http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/3299665-74/district-districts-students#ixzz2I8InzfRX 

Pennsylvania Governor‘s School for the Sciences will return to Carnegie Mellon University this summer
TribLive By Rachel Weaver  January 15, 2013, 6:00 p.m.
After a hiatus because of state budget cuts, the Pennsylvania Governor‘s School for the Sciences will return to Carnegie Mellon University this summer.

Read more: http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/3301970-74/program-cuts-pennsylvania#ixzz2I8JrovW9 

U.S. scores on international PISA test lowered by sampling error: report

Washington Post Answer Sheet Blog by Valerie Strauss on January 15, 2013 at 1:22 pm

A sampling error in the U.S. administration of the most recent international test known as PISA resulted in average scores being lower than they should have been, according to a new report that questions just how much these international exams reveal about American public education.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/01/15/u-s-scores-on-international-test-lowered-by-sampling-error-report/

More Seattle teachers refuse to give MAP standardized test

By Kate Burgess Q13 FOX News reporter

SEATTLE — There’s a fight over testing in Seattle Public Schools.

Teachers at Seattle’s Garfield High School announced Thursday that they will refuse to administer a standardized test that students in other high schools across the district take in January. Now, some teachers at Ballard High School and teachers at the Orca K-through-8 school are joining Garfield High School educators in refusing to administer the Measure of Academic Progress, or MAP, standardized test, given to evaluate student progress and skill in reading and math.

Read more at http://q13fox.com/2013/01/15/more-teachers-refuse-to-give-map-standardized-test/#BuHpQtBHVUs56qhJ.99 

Are You Familiar with the Committee for Education Funding?

The Committee for Education Funding (CEF) is a coalition that was founded in 1969 with the goal of achieving adequate federal financial support for our nation’s educational system. The coalition is voluntary, nonprofit and nonpartisan. CEF members include educational associations, institutions, agencies, and organizations whose interests range from preschool to postgraduate education in both public and private systems.

The purpose of CEF is to provide members of the general public and government officials with information enabling them to better assess the need for funding of federal education programs. CEF takes positions on federal education funding issues that represent a consensus of its membership and then communicates those positions to federal government officials and Members of Congress.

http://cef.org/who-we-are/

Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center

SAVE THE DATE: 2013 Pennsylvania Budget Summit Feb. 21st

Many Pennsylvanians have sent a clear message to Harrisburg in recent months: The state budget cuts of the past two years were too deep. It is time to once again invest in classrooms and communities.  Next month, Governor Tom Corbett will unveil his 2013-14 budget proposal. Join the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center for an in-depth look at the Governor's proposal and an update on the federal budget -- and what they mean for communities and families across Pennsylvania.

2013 Pennsylvania Budget Summit

Thursday, February 21, 2013, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hilton Harrisburg, 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA

Registration is free and lunch is included.
REGISTER TO ATTEND

EPLC 2013 REGIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES

The Education Policy and Leadership Center, with the Cooperation of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) and Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO), will conduct A Series of Regional Full-Day Workshops for 2013 Pennsylvania School Board Candidates.  Registration is $45 and includes coffee/donuts, lunch, and materials.  

Philadelphia Region Saturday, February 2, 2013 – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, 1605 W. Main Street, Norristown, PA 19403

Harrisburg Region Saturday, February 9, 2013– 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Pennsylvania School Boards Association Headquarters, 400 Bent Creek Boulevard, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

Pittsburgh Region Saturday, February 23, 2013 – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Doubletree Hotel Pittsburgh/Monroeville, 101 Mall Blvd., Monroeville, PA 15146

To register, please click here.

2013 PSBA Leadership Symposium on Advocacy and Issues
April 6, 2013 The Penn Stater Convention Center Hotel; State College, PA
Strategic leadership, school budgeting and advocacy are key issues facing today's school district leaders. For your school district to truly thrive, leaders must maintain a solid understanding of these three functions. Attend the 2013 PSBA Leadership Symposium on Advocacy and Issues to ensure you have the skills you need to take your district to the next level.

Register now

e> to ensure you have the skills you need to take your district to the next level.

Register now