Daily
postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now reach more than 1900
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 regulatory agencies, professional associations and education
advocacy organizations via emails, website, Facebook and Twitter.
The Keystone State Education Coalition is
pleased to be listed among the friends and allies of The Network for Public
Education. Are you a
member?
These daily
emails are archived at http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org
Follow us on Twitter at @lfeinberg
..the only
PA cyber that made AYP for 6 of the past 7 years is the only one that was
founded by, and is governed by professional educators
PA cybercharters avg cost of $10,145
was $3,500 more than national average of $6,500.
PA charters spent avg $13,411
per student, about $3K more than national average of $10K.
Fixing PA’s Charter School
Are you familiar with Community
Schools? This Sunday special edition
provides a good introduction……
PA Ed Policy Roundup Cinco de Mayo Special Edition: Community
Schools: real reform without vouchers, charters, tax credits or closing
neighborhood schools
Here’s our weekend postings from
Saturday…….
As Ms. Rile notes below, the 21st
Century Cyber Charter School is the only PA cyber that made AYP for 6 of the
past 7 years. Coincidentally, it is the
only one that was founded by and is governed by professional educators –
superintendents from school districts in Bucks, Montgomery ,
Chester and Delaware Counties
21ST Century reportedly
has a $3 million fund balance of excess tuition that it would like to refund to
sending school districts but is unable to because of restrictions in Pennsylvania
Virtual shout-out for cyber schools
They're not for everyone. But they can be excellent for the right
students.
Philly.com Opinion by Karen
Rile POSTED: Sunday, May 5, 2013 , 3:01 AM
Karen Rile teaches creative
writing at the University
of Pennsylvania
I get shocked faces whenever I
reveal that two of my daughters graduated from a Pennsylvania
In defense
of the Common Core
Post-Gazette Opinion by Joan
Benso and David Patti May
5, 2013 12:21 am
Joan Benso is president and CEO of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania
Almost a decade ago, governors from across the country got together to have a long-overdue discussion about why so many students were graduating from high school ill-prepared for college. The business community was sounding the alarm about good-paying jobs going unfilled because high school graduates lacked basic math and reading skills, as well as good work habits.
Almost a decade ago, governors from across the country got together to have a long-overdue discussion about why so many students were graduating from high school ill-prepared for college. The business community was sounding the alarm about good-paying jobs going unfilled because high school graduates lacked basic math and reading skills, as well as good work habits.
Common
Core academic standards igniting controversy
By Sara K. Satullo | The Express-Times
on May 05, 2013
Fourth grade for many years
didn't look the same in a Phillipsburg classroom as it
did in a Bethlehemclassroom. Students could move either way across the Delaware River and find themselves covering old ground or
behind. That's changing with the
implementation of theCommon Core State Standards Initiative that
lay out what students are expected to know and be able to do at each grade
level.
Philly pols' empty rhetoric leaves city's
kids behind
WHYY Newsworks Editorial By Chris
Satullo May 5,
2013
If they ever make hypocrisy an
Olympic sport, I think Philadelphia City Council has a real shot at the gold. It's budget hearing time in Council chambers.
So last week William Hite, the new
city
This little public chat had a
special edge this year. All spring, Council members have been styling and
profiling on Twitter, wailing about the district's decision to close 23
schools. "What will become of my old alma mater?" they
lament.
And they demand to know who
allowed this sorry state of affairs to develop. Apparently, Council offices,
while lavishly endowed with staff and slush funds, do not come equipped with
mirrors.
'Speciality' courses may be cut to focus on
basics in high-achieving Lower Merion schools
WHYY Newsworks By Kevin
McCorry, @bykevinmccorry May 6, 2013
It's well known that when
school districts come up against budget shortfalls, some of the first things to
go are specialty classes including art, music, and gym. But a proposal by the Lower
Merion school district would reduce time for these specialty
classes despite being very financially secure.
Military
charter high school plan in the works for Bethlehem
By Sara K. Satullo | The Express-Times
on May 05, 2013
A military charter high school
could open in Bethlehem
Organizers plan to apply to
the Bethlehem Area School District for
a charter for the Advanced
Military Aerospace
Science Academy United States
This NYT article fails to mention that this project is specifically for
Teach for America
With an
Old Factory, Philadelphia
New York Times By JON
HURDLE Published: May
4, 2013
New Housing for TFA, Subsidized by Your Tax
Dollars
Diane Ravitch’s Blog By dianerav May 5,
2013 //
The New York Times reports
today about construction of new apartments in Philadelphia
But not for any teacher. Not
for the teachers who live in the community. Not for veteran teachers who have
put their hearts into the community schools for 10-20 years. They already have
a place to live. No, these are
below-market apartments built for Teach for America
There is a similar project for
TFA in Baltimore and Newark
A smaller Pa.
HARRISBURG, Pa.—A crush of
high-profile issues that Republicans who control the Pennsylvania Capitol have
pledged to tackle this summer will converge almost at once, but the path to
accomplishing those goals faces the least certain landscape since Gov. Tom
Corbett took office.
That's because the June 30 end
of the Legislature's long spring session will be the first test of the Senate
Republicans' smallest majority in nearly two decades after losing three open
seats to Democrats in the November election.
Still, that smaller majority may give Senate Republicans—who are
generally viewed as less aligned with Corbett on the major issues than House
Republicans—a stronger hand in driving final compromises.
Now, if just three members of
the Senate GOP refuse their support for a bill favored by Corbett or House
Republicans, it may become necessary to secure support from Democrats.
And Democrats hope they will
benefit as a result.
“Sister John Mary said the issue was a top priority of Harrisburg Bishop
Joseph P. McFadden, chairman of the U.S.
bishops' Committee on Catholic Education, who died May 2 while attending a
meeting of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania
Catholic
News Service: School-choice movement
gains slow but steady momentum
By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service WASHINGTON LETTER May-3-2013
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- School-choice initiatives -- akin to the quiet students in the back of a classroom -- have kept a relatively low profile in recent years while steadily working their way to the front.The movement was given a big boost in late March when the Indiana Supreme Court upheld one of the country's most comprehensive school-choice programs. The state court backed a 2002 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said that because school vouchers primarily benefit families, they could not be viewed as an unconstitutional state support for religion.
Currently, there are 30 school-choice programs in 17 states and theDistrict of Columbia Milwaukee ,
followed close behind by similar programs in Ohio
and Florida
By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service WASHINGTON LETTER May-3-2013
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- School-choice initiatives -- akin to the quiet students in the back of a classroom -- have kept a relatively low profile in recent years while steadily working their way to the front.The movement was given a big boost in late March when the Indiana Supreme Court upheld one of the country's most comprehensive school-choice programs. The state court backed a 2002 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said that because school vouchers primarily benefit families, they could not be viewed as an unconstitutional state support for religion.
Currently, there are 30 school-choice programs in 17 states and the
Knade, Crossley to discuss pensions on PCN
Call-In Program Wednesday, May 8 at 7 p.m. on PCN.
PSBA 5/3/2013
Stuart Knade, PSBA interim
executive director, will join Mike Crossey, president of PA State Education
Association, to discuss pension reform in the Commonwealth -- Wednesday, May 8
at 7 p.m. on PCN. Viewers may call (877)
PA6-5001 with questions during the program. Check your local listings for
station information.
How Public Education Is Funded - EPLC
"Focus on Education" TV Program
Wednesday, May 8 at 9 p.m. on PCN.
Education
Policy and Leadership
Center May 3, 2013
Next Wednesday, May 8, tune in
to the next episode of EPLC's "Focus on Education" series,which
will cover How Public Education Is Funded In Pennsylvania and
air at 9:00 p.m. on PCN television. The
panel will include:
- Ron Cowell, President of The Education Policy and
- Corinna Vecsey Wilson, PCN Host of the "Focus on
Education" programs;
- Joe Bard, Executive Director of the
- Dr. Paula Hess, Former Senior Education Advisor,
- Laura Cowburn, Past President of the
EPLC and PA Cable Network (PCN)
have partnered for a monthly program focusing on education issues in Pennsylvania
"Focus on
Education" will be broadcast on PCN at 9:00 p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday
of every month, now through June, and then again this fall in September through
December.
To learn more, visit PCN's "Focus on Education" web page.
Panel: Striking Back on High Stakes Testing
hosted by Rethinking Schools
Panel Discussion Hosted by
Rethinking Schools
Arch Street United Methodist Church 55 North Broad Street , Philadelphia
Wednesday, May
15, 2013 4:30pm until 6:00pm
Join CUNY Professor Michelle
Fine and Rethinking
Schools
Space limited! RSVP: parentsunitedphila@gmail.com
Info and directions: https://www.facebook.com/events/459048834184078/
Looking for PA Governor's School for the
Arts Alumni
For over 35 years, the
Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts was a robust summer program that
provided over 10,000 students state-wide with extraordinary opportunities to
develop their artistic talents, intellects, self-confidence, and leadership.
Unfortunately, for budget reasons, state officials ended the program a few
years ago. The Education Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC)'s 2012 Arts and
Education Policy Report recommended the school be reestablished and the
Pennsylvania Arts Education Network is now urging that the Governor's School
for the Arts be restored.
To support this effort, we
would like to create a comprehensive list of alumni who attended the School.
This list would be an important voice in supporting the reopening of the
Governor's School for the Arts, and arts education in Pennsylvania
If you, or someone you know attended the Pennsylvania
PSBA Bylaws amendment proposals due May 15
PSBA
website 2/15/2013
As stated in Article XII,
proposals for amending the PSBA Bylaws must be submitted "in writing,
mailed first class and postmarked or marked received at PSBA headquarters prior
to May 15 of each year." Proposals
should be addressed to the Bylaws Committee Chair or the Executive Director and
sent to PSBA headquarters by the May 15, 2013, deadline.
The procedures for submitting
proposed bylaws changes are outlined in Article XII and can be found online atwww.psba.org/about/psba/2013_psba_bylaws.pdf.
Search underway for PSBA Executive Director
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA)
is a nonprofit statewide association of public school boards, pledged to the
highest ideals of local lay leadership for the public schools of the
commonwealth. Founded in 1895, PSBA has a rich history as the first
school boards' association established in the United States Pennsylvania
Search
by Diversified Search, 1990 M St NW, Suite 570Washington , DC
Superintendents, Business Managers, School
Board Members, Union Leaders, Any Others interested in PSERS and wanting to
learn more about Pension Reform . . .
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 Registration:
6:30 p.m. Presentation: 7:00 p.m.
Allegheny Intermediate Unit 475 East Waterfront Drive Homestead , PA 15120
Jeffery B. Clay, Executive
Director for the Pennsylvania Schools Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS)
will present on the topic of pension reform. Mr. Clay’s presentation will
review the increases in retirement contributions and the Governor’s proposal on
pension reform. As one concerned about public education, we are sure that
you will find this meeting enlightening and a valuable investment of your time.
In order to accommodate those
attending and prepare the necessary materials for the meeting, please
register using the following link: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/6252177431 by May 7, 2013 .
If you have any questions
regarding the registration process, please contact Janet Galaski at 412.394.5753 or janet.galaski@aiu3.net.
NAACP 2013
Conference on the State of Education in Pennsylvania
A Call for Equitable and
Adequate Funding for Pennsylvania
Media Area Branch NAACP Saturday, May 11, 2013 9:00 am – 2:30 pm (8:30 am registration)
Marcus Foster Student Union 2nd
floor, Cheyney University of PA, Delaware County Campus
Information and registration
at: http://www.naacpmediabranch.org/2013_conference.html
Sign Up
Today for PILCOP Special Ed CLE Trainings
Spots are filling up for the
final two trainings in our 2012-2013 Know Your Child’s Rights series with
seminars on ADAAA, Pro Se Parents and Settlement Agreements.
For seminar details and
registration: http://pilcop.org/sign-up-today-for-special-ed-cle-trainings/
Turning the Page for Change
celebration, June
11, 2013
Please join us for the Notebook’s annual Turning the Page for
Change celebration on June 11, 2013 , from 4:30 - 7 p.m. at the University of The Arts 320 S. Broad Street
PA Charter Schools: $4 billion taxpayer dollars with no real oversight
Keystone State May 2,
2013 )
Charter schools - public funding without public scrutiny; Proposed
statewide authorization and direct payment would further diminish
accountability and oversight for public tax dollars
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�#m . � � i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Charter schools - public funding without public scrutiny; Proposed
statewide authorization and direct payment would further diminish
accountability and oversight for public tax dollars
Follow us on Twitter at @lfeinberg
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