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For February 18, 2013
SPECIAL EDITION EPLC Education Notebook Monday, February 11, 2013
EPLC: Summary of
Governor Corbett's Proposed 2013-2014 Education Budget
Letters: A defense of Corbett school
spending
Patriot News Letters to the
Editor by Tim Eller February 17, 2013
TIM ELLER, Press Secretary, Pennsylvania
Dept. of Education, Harrisburg
onFebruary 17, 2013 at 12:00 AM , updated February 17,
2013 at 12:06 AM
on
Pennsylvania State Education Association President Mike Crossey seems
unable to recognize the advancements promised by Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed
budget and, instead, retreats to the discredited claim that the governor “cut”
basic education by $1 billion.
Op-ed: Gov. Corbett needs to change
his budget priorities
Patriot-News
Op-Ed by Jim Burn on February 18, 2013
Jim Burn is the chairman of the Pennsylvania
Democratic Party
Earlier this month Governor Tom Corbett released his 2013-2014 budget
proposal and for the third time he has revealed that his priorities are
not in line with the needs of Pennsylvania
“Also dampening enthusiasm for the increase
in basic education aid is a $10,143 cut in state funding for special education,
a cut which comes on top of five years with no increase.
The special education cut was made to fund an
increase in the state’s special education contingency fund, but since Pottstown already extracts the maximum allowed from that
fund, “other districts will be able to access additional money, but we lose
$10,000.”
Corbett’s budget plan takes it
easier on local schools
Pottstown Mercury By Evan Brandt ebrandt@pottsmerc.com
02/16/13
11:50 pm
The annual budget dance began in earnest, as it always does, with the governor’s budget presentation in February. In it, Corbett proposed a $90 million increase in state funding for the “basic education subsidy” line, the backbone of state education funding and the largess portion.
The annual budget dance began in earnest, as it always does, with the governor’s budget presentation in February. In it, Corbett proposed a $90 million increase in state funding for the “basic education subsidy” line, the backbone of state education funding and the largess portion.
However, several key elements of his plan — pensions and the selling of
state liquor stores — are an open question in Harrisburg
Pittsburgh Public Schools
superintendent Linda Lane
Increasing student achievement tops Linda Lane
By Eleanor Chute / Pittsburgh February
18, 2013 12:06 am
This is what Pittsburgh Public Schools superintendent Linda Lane
"But I don't always see that."
Inquirer Editorial: Hite right to
adjust plans
POSTED: Sunday, February 17, 2013 , 3:01
AM
Philadelphians have gotten used to rallying to save public schools
targeted for closure - typically to no avail.
In the face of the latest round of proposed closings, they made the
familiar arguments that some of the 37 schools on the list should not be. Only
this time, someone at the top listened.
In a refreshing and welcome change of leadership style for the district,
Superintendent William R. Hite has shown flexibility and a willingness to
embrace alternative proposals.
“The key here, though, is it will need legislative approval,” she said.
“But the governor’s budget does not include funding PSERS at the current
levels. The cut is already out of his budget, so something has to give.”
Wallingford-Swarthmore plays waiting
game on budget
Published: Monday, February 18, 2013
Delco Times By NEIL A. SHEEHAN Times Correspondent
NETHER PROVIDENCE — Like other school districts throughout the state,
Wallingford-Swarthmore will remain in wait-and-see mode when it comes to one of
its largest line items: Employee pension costs.
Gov. Tom Corbett, during his yearly budget address on Feb. 5, proposed
structural changes to the state Public School Employees Retirement System
(PSERS). If the legislature endorses the plan, significant costs looming for
districts could be reduced to more manageable levels.
“..between 2005 and
2011….Pennsylvania has experienced a 15.5 percent increase in children living
in poverty”
When reading, writing and arithmetic
collide with poverty
When poverty hits at home, it also hits at school. For a child with few resources at home,
attending school - in mind and body - can be difficult. What if there was no dinner last night or
breakfast this morning? What if Mom's job made bedtime late? What happens when
conditions at home make it hard to focus on school work? What if, in winter,
there are only shorts to wear?
These are just some of the issues an increasing number of children face
as they walk into their classrooms each day.
All but one school district in Franklin
County saw a significant increase
between 2005 and 2011 in the number of students who live in poverty, according
to data
compiled by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania from the Pennsylvania Department
of Education and U.S. Census Bureau.
Super payout for school
superintendent
When Candis Finan, Ed.D., retired as Delaware Valley
That's on top of annual payments for unused vacation, sick and personal
days since 1998, bringing her total payout to more than $800,000. Dr. Finan, who spent 14 years as
superintendent and 13 years as assistant superintendent of the Pike County
Reading, math, respect and
accountability: charter school works intensively with tough students
WHYY Newsworks by Maiken Scott February 18, 2013
Download
Audio File » (runtime 4:16)
Disruptive classroom behavior, truancy, a fight with a fellow student or
a teacher; these offenses typically earn a student suspension or even expulsion
from school. One Philadelphia
10 GOP lawmakers forgo their Pa.
By Brad
Bumsted State Capitol
Reporter Pittsburgh
Tribune-Review
Published: Monday,February 18, 2013 , 12:01 a.m.
HARRISBURG — With Pennsylvania facing a state pension crisis, at least 10 Republican lawmakers are refusing pensions that could mean giving up tens of thousands of dollars in retirement, records show.
Published: Monday,
HARRISBURG — With Pennsylvania facing a state pension crisis, at least 10 Republican lawmakers are refusing pensions that could mean giving up tens of thousands of dollars in retirement, records show.
Students urged to finish GED;
changes due in 2014
Philly.com by CAROLYN THOMPSON , The Associated Press February 17, 2013 , 11:53 AM
How charter schools choose desirable
students
Charter schools are always public schools. They never charge tuition, and
they accept any student who wants to attend. Charter laws require that students
are admitted by a random lottery drawing in cases too many students want to
enroll in a single charter school. Charter schools must also meet the state and
federal academic requirements that apply to all public schools.
A new
story about charter schools admissions by Stephanie Simon at Reuters
details how the reality of admissions at many charter schools is far different
from the above rhetoric.
“All the parents in the village
want their children to go to college, because only knowledge changes your
fate,” Mrs. Cao said.”
In China
New York Times By KEITH BRADSHER Published: February 16, 2013
HANJING, China
Many families in the West sacrifice to put their children through
school, saving for college educations
that they hope will lead to a better life. Few efforts can compare with the
heavy financial burden that millions of lower-income Chinese parents now endure
as they push their children to obtain as much education as possible.
Schools Ask: Gifted or Just
Well-Prepared?
New York Times By JENNY ANDERSON Published: February 17, 2013
When the New York City Education
Department announced that it was changing part of its admissions exam
for its gifted
and talented programs last year, in part to combat the influence of
test preparation companies, one of those companies posted the news with links
to guides and practice tests for the new assessment. The day that Pearson, a company that designs
assessments, announced that it was changing an exam used by many New York City
If you did not know what to make of it — and who would? — why not stop
by?
Education Policy and Leadership
Center
SUBJECT: Governor Corbett's Proposed
Education Budget for 2013-2014
"Southeastern Region Breakfast Series" Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Continental Breakfast - 8:00 a.m. Program - 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel - 201 North 17th St. , Philadelphia ,
PA 19103
SPEAKERS: An Overview of the Proposed 2013-2014 State Budget
and Education Issues Will Be Provided By:
Sharon Ward, The Pennsylvania Budget and
Policy Center
Ron Cowell, The Education Policy and Leadership
Center
State and Regional
Perspectives Will Be Provided By:
Mark B. Miller, School Director,Centennial School District
Mark B. Miller, School Director,
Joe Otto, Chief Operations Officer, William Penn
School District
Michael Churchill, Of Counsel, Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia
Dr. Stephen D. Butz , Superintendent, Southeast Delco
School District
Dr. Stephen D. Butz
While there is no
registration fee, seating is limited and an RSVP is required.
SAVE THE DATE: 2013 Pennsylvania
Budget Summit
Many Pennsylvanians have
sent a clear message to Harrisburg 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.
HiltonHarrisburg , 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg , PA
Hilton
EPLC 2013 REGIONAL WORKSHOPS
FOR SCHOOL
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.
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
Doubletree Hotel Pittsburgh/Monroeville, 101 Mall Blvd., Monroeville, PA 15146
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.
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.
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