Daily postings from the Keystone State Education
Coalition now reach more than 2650 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school
directors, administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers,
Governor's staff, 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
These daily emails are archived at http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org
Follow us on Twitter at @lfeinberg
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?
NSBAC’s Friends of Public Education: New
national grassroots public education network launches (are you a member?)
Friends of Public
Education, a new national grassroots network launched by the National School
Boards Action
Center
Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee Public hearing
on Keystone Exams
Monday, August 26, 2013 ,
9:30 AM , Tredyffrin-Easttown School
District
Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee Public
hearing on Common Core
Thursday, August 29, 2013 ,
9:30 AM Capitol, Hearing
Room 1, North Office Bldg.
Thrive by Five Washington
Voters rank
investments in early education as the second most important priority for the
federal government, trumping tax cuts. An overwhelming percentage (86 percent)
support work that gives children a strong start in school and life, a new
poll found. Voters’ support for
high-quality preschool, home visiting and child care is both broad and deep.
Three out of five Republicans said they support President Barack Obama’s plan
to expand and improve all three, according to the poll released by the First
Five Years Fund. More than 80 percent of Democrats support the proposal.
“The money
will pay for reading coaches, professional development of teachers and to help
identify students needing help with their reading abilities.”
NM allocates $15M to
improve early reading
Education
Week SANTA FE , N.M. August 7, 2013
Deborah Stipek: Benefits
of preschool are clearly documented
By
Deborah Stipek Special to the San Jose
Deborah
J. Stipek, Ph.D., is a professor of education at Stanford University
POSTED:
08/06/2013
12:01:00 PM PDT | UPDATED: ABOUT 22 HOURS AGO
Opponents
of President Barack Obama's plan to increase access to quality preschool can
criticize studies to support their political agenda, but science is on the side
of advocates. Research demonstrating the benefits of preschool is strong and
consistent.
Critics
select a few studies out of the more than 100 conducted in the U.S.
“Acting
Secretary of Education William Harner, who attended the hearing, said he is
familiar with all of the issues raised by the local school officials because he
faced the same issues as superintendent of the Cumberland Valley
School District
By Mary
Niederberger / Pittsburgh August
8, 2013 12:15 am
New Castle
Area superintendent John Sarandrea understands the frustration of trying to
find money in aschool district budget for special
education costs that aren't covered by the state special education
subsidy. He also understands the
frustration of parents of special needs students who want the best possible
educational program for their children.
Mr.
Sarandrea is the father of two special needs sons, one who has cerebral
palsy and one who is severely mentally retarded. The annual bill to
educate his sons is about $75,000, he told members of the state Special
Education Funding Formula Commission that met Wednesday at the University of Pittsburgh Student Union
Distressed Districts: Harrisburg
By John L. Micek | jmicek@pennlive.com
on August 07,
2013 at 11:10 AM
The
teachers Harrisburg
Harrisburg teachers resign as union agrees to pay
cuts
By Emily Previti | epreviti@pennlive.com
on August 06,
2013 at 8:35 PM
“Gov. Tom
Corbett's former Education
Secretary Ronald Tomalis was reportedly among the finalists. He had served as a
board of governors member by virtue of his secretary's position but
relinquished that job on May 31 and is the governor's special advisor on higher education issues. He has declined comment since his name was
linked to the search.”
By Bill
Schackner and Karen Langley / Pittsburgh
The board
overseeing Pennsylvania
Should the state really control all education
funding?
Pocono
Record Opinion By Merlyn Clarke August 07, 2013
Merlyn
Clarke is a retired East Stroudsburg University
political science professor who now serves on the Stroudsburg Area
School District
Pennsylvania
Tax Cyber Coalition, the group that is promoting House and Senate Bill 76, the
Property Tax Independence Act, refer to school board members as "a small
band"»essentially unaccountable to the taxpayer" that has raised
taxes without taxpayer approval. (See http://www.ptcc.us/solution.htm.)
Their legislation would cut this "band" out of the revenue loop and
instead entrust the billions of dollars currently collected and spent locally
to state legislators. The legislation would accomplish this by eliminating the
property tax and replacing it with enhanced sales and income taxes levied and
spent by the state.
It's fair
to ask how a different "band" — state legislators, who often hail
from uncontested, gerrymandered districts — might manage this money.
The ALEC Pennsylvania Capitol: As I See It
By Patriot-News Op-Ed By Jodi Hirsh on August 06, 2013
Jodi Hirsh is the Pennsylvania American Way Pittsburgh
Corporations
do not dream, laugh, hope, or cry, but in Pennsylvania
“What's
undeniable is that students who attend full-day kindergarten get off to a
better start in their education.”
Kindergarten is an unfortunate casualty of tight
times at mid-state school districts: Editorial
By Patriot-News Editorial Board
on August 07,
2013 at 10:55 AM
Tough
economic times and tight state funding are preventing many young children in Pennsylvania
As
PennLive’s Barbara Miller reports in the series, “Cuts in Kindergarten,” East Pennsboro and Steelton-Highspire districts slashed
kindergarten back to a half-day program this year.
View full sizeGetting ready for another year of teaching
kindergarten.Joe Hermitt, PennLive.com
That’s
despite the well-established payoff to full-day kindergarten. As Joan Benso,
with PA Partnerships for Children notes, “Literature tells us children who
attend full-day kindergarten programs do better academically. It helps close
the readiness gap for children who don’t enter school ready to do math or
reading.”
Ed Law Center to seek U.S.
Martha
Woodall, Inquirer Staff Writer POSTED: Wednesday, August 7, 2013 , 1:08 AM
The
Education Law Center of Pennsylvania is expected to ask the U.S. Department of
Justice on Wednesday to conduct a civil rights investigation into the placement
of Pennsylvania
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20130807_Center_to_seek_U_S__probe_into_alternative_education.html#ZrXqWuBQYLizKEsT.99
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20130807_Center_to_seek_U_S__probe_into_alternative_education.html#ZrXqWuBQYLizKEsT.99
Free program will help Philly students get ready for
school
REGINA
MEDINA, Daily News Staff Writer medinar@phillynews.com, 215-854-5985 POSTED:
Wednesday, August
7, 2013 , 12:16 AM
DISTRICT SCHOOLS are set to open Sept. 9, but a coalition of groups has
coordinated an effort to go "back to school" on Monday. The Save Our
Skills reading program, organized by state Sen. Vincent Hughes' office and the
Free Library of Philadelphia, will be offered for free to the city's first- through
third-graders. Hughes said the initiative fills a need ahead of a challenging
school year. "It's the biggest issue outside of funding, the skills that
are lost from June to September," Hughes said.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20130807_Free_program_will_help_Philly_students_get_ready_for_school.html#CZouUB0GJVTfb1ps.99
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20130807_Free_program_will_help_Philly_students_get_ready_for_school.html#CZouUB0GJVTfb1ps.99
Philly student makes
case for increased school funding
Martha Woodall, Inquirer Staff Writer LAST UPDATED: Wednesday,August 7, 2013 , 1:08 AM POSTED: Tuesday, August 6, 2013 , 5:35 PM
Martha Woodall, Inquirer Staff Writer LAST UPDATED: Wednesday,
Tauheed
Baukman couldn't imagine what his high school would be like under the Philadelphia School District Parkway Center City
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20130807_Student_makes_the_case_for_increased_school_funding.html#1kODTO3bMe7mPfeS.99
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20130807_Student_makes_the_case_for_increased_school_funding.html#1kODTO3bMe7mPfeS.99
Budget cuts jeopardize
Young Playwrights programs in Philly area schools
by thenotebook by Sameer Rao on Aug 07 2013 Posted in Latest news
Philadelphia
Young Playwrights is widely championed by education advocates, teachers,
principals, and school administrators alike for providing high-quality arts
literacy options to many area schools without formal theatre programs.
But District austerity measures have thrown the future of its Philadelphia School District facing a $304 million shortfall,
individual school budgets have withered, decimating District funding for
arts and music education. As the rescue package for Philadelphia
New Member Appointed to the Board of Directors of
advocacy group
Mark B. Miller, PSBA
First Vice President and Co-chairman of the Keystone State Education Coalition
appointed to board of the Network for Public Education
Warminster
Patch Posted by Michelle
Bisacquino , August 07, 2013 at 04:17 PM
Network for
Public Education (http://www.networkforpubliceducation.org) President, Diane
Ravitch, along with co-founder, Anthony Cody, announced the addition of Mark B
Miller, among four new members to the Board of Directors. NPE is a national
organization built with the most highly qualified leaders in the struggle to
protect public education from privatization and special interest groups counter
to the best interests of all children. By creating alliances with grassroots
groups across the country, NPE leverages the strength of numbers to bring about
positive change to the nation’s education landscape.
Pottsgrove principal’s
radio program at crossroads of education, religion
In addition
to having just taken the reins as principal at Pottsgrove High School
Delco Times By Lois Puglinesi Delco Times Correspondent Published: Tuesday, August 06, 2013
Haverford
School Board directors approved a grant with Delaware County Sandy Hook
Elementary School
Whoops - Sent this out
yesterday without the link attached……
“Kaplan points out that people should also
consider the larger implications of the citywide bare bones budget cutting:
“Schools make neighborhoods viable, so we need to ask, what is the position of Philadelphia
This summer, Kaplan and
Argerakis awaited June 30 fiscal deadline with strained nerves;
unfortunately, their fears were confirmed, more staff members were let go and
after-school programs will be entirely slashed.”
Livin’ On Prayers and Passion: A South Philly school
makes music despite obstacles
WXPN The Key August
2, 2013 | 11:15 AM |
By Madeleine
Kruhly
Located in
a high-need section of South Philadelphia, the Andrew Jackson
Public School
That was,
until the arrival of Chris Argerakis. He has since introduced drumsticks and
guitar picks, rooting rock in Andrew
Jackson’s curriculum. Joining
the teaching staff five years ago, Argerakis has acted to build a program to
provide a practical music education. He does so in spite of a shoestring budget
from the School District : $100 for the year.
Politico Morning Edition August 7, 2013 : Harkin, Murray
Back to
preschool during recess - Out today: Common Core headaches - New resource on
Title IX - First-ever district waiver for NCLB
By LIBBY A. NELSON | 08/07/13 6:25 AM EDT
With
lots of help from Caitlin Emma, Nirvi Shah and Stephanie Simon
Under New Standards, Students See Sharp Decline in
Test Scores
New York
Times By JAVIER C. HERNÁNDEZ Published:
August 7, 2013
The number
of New York students passing reading and math exams dropped drastically this
year, education officials reported on
Wednesday, unsettling parents, principals and teachers, and posing new
challenges to a national effort to toughen academic standards. In New
York City
The exams
were some of the first in the nation to be aligned with a more rigorous set of
standards known as Common Core,
which emphasize deep analysis and creative problem-solving. Last year, under an
easier test, 47 percent of city students passed in English, and 60 percent in
math.
Politico By STEPHANIE SIMON |
8/7/13 2:27 PM EDT
The
political fight over the Common Core academic standards rolling out in schools
nationwide this fall is sure to intensify after New York
Fewer than
a third of students in public schools passed the new tests, officials reported.
And, in a twist that could roil education policy, some highly touted charter
schools flopped particularly badly.
…..The poor
results for KIPP, Democracy Prep and other renowned charters suggest that “we
have to be more careful about claims of miracle schools,” said Michael
Petrilli, an education analyst at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute.
While many
educators and politicians praised New
York
“The
decision about where to set the passing mark is a judgment call,” said Diane
Ravitch, a former assistant secretary of education under President George H.W.
Bush. Setting it so high guaranteed low pass rates and “adds to the phony
narrative about ‘failing schools,’” Ravitch said.
Based on
other measures, including national standardized tests and high school dropout
rates, Ravitch argues that schools are performing better than ever before and
that popular reforms including more testing, more charter schools and more
vouchers to help families pay for private schools are not needed.
Children who are
disadvantaged by a disability, poverty, or in a minority group may not have the
same “access” to charter schools as those without
Law Offices
of Bonnie Z. Yates by Rosa K. Hirji August 6, 2013
Scott B., a
14 year old student with a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD) was dismissed from his charter school by letter from the
principal for bringing a knife to school and showing it to another
student. There was no hearing, and no finding to support the decision by
the charter school’s Board of Trustees in the one-sentence dismissal
letter. On June
14, 2013 , the California Court of Appeal[1] upheld the dismissal and ruled that charter schools are
exempt from California
- See more
at: http://www.bonniezyates.com/blogs/articles/court-rules-charter-schools-can-dismiss-student-without-due/#sthash.j5sn8Dw8.HlikQPOJ.dpuf
Gates pours millions in
new grants to change teaching profession
The Gates
Foundation is spending millions of dollars in new grants that will further its
already vast and controversial influence on public education. After spending
hundreds of millions of dollars to to develop teacher assessment systems, it is
putting many millions more into that issue, as well as into the creation of new
online “adaptive” courses, the implementation of the Common Core standards, and
more.
No moon: Perseid meteor
shower set to put on a great show before dawn August 12
You can expect to see up to 100 “shooting stars” per hour when 2013’s
best meteor shower peaks before dawn August 12.
Astronomy By Richard Talcott — Published: May 27, 2013
Save the Date: Diane Ravitch will be
speaking in Philly at the Main Branch of the Philadelphia 7:30
pm ..
Diane Ravitch | Reign
of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America's
Public Schools
When: Tuesday,September 17,
2013 at 7:30PM
Where: Central Library
Cost: $15 General Admission, $7 Students
Ticket and Subscription Packages
Tickets on sale here at 10:00 a.m. onAugust 23, 2013
When: Tuesday,
Where: Central Library
Cost: $15 General Admission, $7 Students
Ticket and Subscription Packages
Tickets on sale here at 10:00 a.m. on
Yinzers - Save the Date: Diane
Ravitch will be speaking in Pittsburgh on September 16th at 6:00 pm at Temple Sinai
The lecture is
being hosted by Great Public Schools (GPS) Pittsburgh, which is a new coalition
of community, faith, and labor organizations consisting of Action United, One
Pittsburgh, PA Interfaith Impact Network, Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers,
SEIU, and Yinzercation. Co-sponsors for
the event include the University of Pittsburgh School of Education, the PA State
Education Association, Temple Sinai , and First
Unitarian Church
of Pittsburgh
Join the National School Boards
Action Center
Participate
in a voluntary network to urge your U.S.
Representatives and Senators to support federal legislation on Capitol Hill
that is critical to providing high quality education to America
PILCOP 2013 Symposium on Equality: Privatization
This year’s
day-long Symposium will be held on Thursday, September 12th and will explore
the debate over privatizing government services such as healthcare, land
management and education. The Symposium
on Equality annually convenes thought leaders and outstanding advocates
to engage in meaningful discussion and exploration of the day’s most
pressing civil rights and social issues. This year’s event will foster
conversation, collaboration and exploration of the debate over privatizing
government services such as healthcare, land management and education.
PILCOP Know Your Child’s Rights! 2013-2014 Special
Education Seminars
The Law Center Law Center
This year’s
topics include Tips for Going Back to School; Psychological Testing, IEEs and
Evaluations; School Records; Children with Autism; Transition Services;
Children with Emotional Needs; Discipline and Bullying; Charter Schools;
Children with Dyslexia; Extended School Year; Assistive Technology;
Discrimination and Compensatory Education; and, Settlements. See below for
descriptions and schedules of each session.
PSBA is accepting applications to fill vacancies in NSBA's grassroots
advocacy program. Deadline to apply is Sept. 6.
PSBA members: Influence
public education policy at the federal level; join NSBA's Federal Relations
Network
The
National School Boards Association is seeking school directors interested in
filling vacancies for the remainder of the 2013-14 term of the Federal
Relations Network. The FRN is NSBA's grassroots advocacy program that provides
the opportunity for school board members from every congressional district in
the country who are committed to public education to get involved in federal
advocacy. For more than 40 years, school board members have been lobbying for
public education on Capitol Hill as one unified voice through this program. If
you are a school director and willing to carry the public education message to Washington , D.C.
PSBA members will elect officers
electronically for the first time in 2013
PSBA 7/8/2013
Beginning
in 2013, PSBA members will follow a completely new election process which will
be done electronically during the month of September. The changes will have
several benefits, including greater membership engagement and no more absentee
ballot process.
Below is a
quick Q&A related to the voting process this year, with more details to
come in future issues of School Leader News and at
www.psba.org. More information on the overall governance changes can be found
in the February 2013 issue of the PSBA Bulletin:
Electing PSBA Officers:
2014 PSBA Slate of Candidates
Details on each candidate, including
bios, statements, photos and video are online now
PSBA Website Posted 8/5/2013
The 2014 PSBA Slate of Candidates is being officially published to the
members of the association. Details on each candidate, including bios,
statements, photos and video are online at http://www.psba.org/elections/.
October 15-18, 2013 | Hershey Lodge & Convention Center
Important change this year: Delegate Assembly (replaces the
Legislative Policy Council) will be Tuesday Oct. 15 from 1 – 4:30 p.m.
The
PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference is the largest gathering of elected
officials in Pennsylvania
Registration:
https://www.psba.org/workshops/?workshop=17
The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, State College , PA
The state
conference is PAESSP’s premier professional development event for principals,
assistant principals and other educational leaders. Attending will enable you
to connect with fellow educators while learning from speakers and presenters
who are respected experts in educational leadership.
Featuring
Keynote Speakers: Charlotte Danielson, Dr. Todd Whitaker, Will Richardson &
David Andrews, Esq. (Legal Update).
"They
don't feel they should be subject to this law, or, candidly, subject to
you," Mutchler told senators on the state government committee, which is
considering legislation to amend the five-year-old law. "They are a cancer
on the otherwise healthy right-to- know-law."
By Amy Worden, Inquirer Harrisburg
PA Charter Schools: $4
billion taxpayer dollars with no real oversight
Charter schools - public funding without public scrutiny
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