Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup For January 21, 2013

Daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now reach more than 1800 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors, administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher leaders, education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 education advocacy organizations via emails, website, Facebook and Twitter.

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Keystone State Education Coalition:

Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup

For January 21, 2013

Martin Luther King: ‘Intelligence is not enough’

Washington Post Answer Sheet Blog by Valerie Strauss on January 20, 2013

Martin Luther King Jr., was prescient on a lot of things, including education. Here are some things he wrote decades ago that sound contemporary.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/01/20/martin-luther-king-intelligence-is-not-enough/

Obama's Education Policy: What Will Be the Legacy of His Second Term?

Huffington Post by Maria Voles Ferguson  Posted: 01/18/2013 12:13 am

Executive Director, Center on Education Policy (CEP), George Washington University

In 2002, when the Elementary and Secondary Education Act was amended as No Child Left Behind (NCLB) under then-President George W. Bush, few would have predicted that in the 10 years to follow, NCLB would become a household name, both vilified and praised.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maria-voles-ferguson/obama-education-policy-second-term_b_2499352.html

Weekend PA Ed Policy Roundup 01/19/13: Pure PA Political Poetry

Weekend postings: pension crisis LTE, special ed hearings, PA Newsmakers talks Common Core and Keystones, Philly’s Penn Alexander, RFA reports….

http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.blogspot.com/2013/01/pa-ed-policy-roundup-011913-pure-pa.html

Receiver Joe Watkins tabs community group to help Chester Upland turnaround

Delco Times By JOHN KOPP jkopp@delcotimes.com @DT_JohnKopp January 19, 2013

Chester Upland School District Receiver Joseph Watkins established a Community Partnership Team aimed at better connecting him to the community while he oversees the implementation of the district’s financial and academic recovery plan.
The 14-member team includes school board members, business leaders, higher education administrators and pastors, among others. The panel held its first meeting Wednesday.
Watkins said forming the Community Partnership Team was important because it gives him an avenue to provide progress updates on his recovery plan and to gain community feedback.

http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2013/01/19/news/doc50fa22742aea4404946821.txt?viewmode=fullstory

Thank You School Board (Yes, You Read that Right)

Digital Notebook Blog by Evan Brandt January 20, 2013

So given the hard time the media generally gives government institutions, you might think that as a journalist, I probably have a pretty low opinion of elected officials.  That's true in specific cases I suppose, but in actuality, I have a lot of respect for people in public office.
It can't be easy. After all, for starters, they have to deal with nosy jerks like me all the time.
This being January, it is School Board Appreciation Month and the best time I can think of to make that clear.

http://evan-brandt.blogspot.com/2013/01/thank-you-school-board-yes-you-read.html

Old way failed; give Hite a shot

Inquirer letter to the Editor by Carole Haas Gravagno and Cathy M. Weiss January 20, 2013

Carole Haas Gravagno is chair of the Stoneleigh Foundation. Cathy M. Weiss is executive director of the foundation.

Earlier this month, Philadelphia School District Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. released his "Action Plan 1.0." The plan highlights the challenges facing the district, focuses on priorities moving forward, and puts forth two primary goals: improving academic outcomes for students and ensuring the district's financial viability.  While there have been, and will continue to be, differences of opinion on how to reach those goals, it is time for Philadelphia's leaders to come off the sidelines and help Hite's vision become reality. Whether you are a business, political, or community leader, you must know that there is no more defining issue for our city than the quality of education offered to all of our children.

http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20130120_Old_way_failed__give_Hite_a_shot.html

One Small Step to New Standards, One Giant Leap of Logic 

Common Core: Education Without Representation Blog By Alyson Williams January 19, 2013

Did the people get the chance to debate the pros and cons of accepting a national curriculum?

http://whatiscommoncore.wordpress.com/2013/01/19/one-small-step-to-new-standards-one-giant-leap-of-logic/

Schmitz Park Elementary School in Seattle joins in support of Garfield High School teachers.

Seattle Education Blog January 20, 2013; tweeted by Yong Zhao

The staff of Schmitz Park, by a unanimous vote, joins in its support of Garfield High and all other schools and individuals around the district that boycott the MAP test. We agree with Garfield’s position about the harmful, ineffective, and wasteful nature of the MAP test and its deleterious impact on instructional time and consequently student achievement. 

http://seattleducation2010.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/schmitz-park-elementary-school-in-seattle-joins-in-support-of-garfield-high-school-teachers/

"The explosive growth in the state pension payments means every other part of the budget has less money," said Abdon Pallasch, Quinn's budget spokesman. "The pain's going to get worse and worse every year before we fix this pension problem."

Illinois Gov. Quinn predicts $400 million less for education in next budget

Growth in pension payments will siphon off money throughout blueprint

January 16, 2013|By Ray Long, Chicago Tribune reporter

SPRINGFIELD — — Gov. Pat Quinn's administration is projecting a $400 million reduction in education spending in the next budget after the state failed to rein in government worker pension costs.  If that holds up, the governor would unveil a financial blueprint that would result in state education funding going down for the third consecutive year. The move also would be part of a broad-based, across-the-board slice made throughout most of state government. Among major exceptions would be health care spending for the poor, which is expected to rise after cuts last year, and public safety, an area projected to be mostly flat after the recent closure of two prisons, according to new preliminary figures.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-01-16/news/ct-met-quinn-budget-0116-20130116_1_pension-costs-pension-reform-pension-problem

Welcoming new faces to PSBA's Board of Directors

PSBA website by Dr. Marcela Diaz Myers, 2013 PSBA President, Lower Dauphin SD

As 2013 PSBA president I am excited to introduce the new officers, region directors and department representatives to the 2013 PSBA Board of Directors, as well as our Interim Executive Director. They add incredibly valuable talents, experiences and perspectives to our association governance. We encourage members to take time to get to know them and share their own perspectives.

https://www.psba.org/about/psba/board-of-directors/index_new2013.asp

Education Policy and Leadership Center

EPLC Education Notebook Friday, January 18, 2013

Read it here

Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children

Capitol Watch for Children January 2013

An update on state and federal policies affecting Pennsylvania’s children

http://www.papartnerships.org/publication_files/capitol-watch-jan-2013.pdf

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