Daily postings from the Keystone State
Education Coalition now reach more than 3250 Pennsylvania education
policymakers – school directors, administrators, legislators, legislative and
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These daily emails are archived and
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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?
Keystone State Education Coalition
PA charter school funding debate no closer to resolution
Did you catch our weekend posting?
PA Ed Policy Roundup for March 29, 2014: Does this sound
like "thorough and efficient" to you?
Trib
Live By Megan
Harris Published: Sunday, March 30, 2014, 9:10 p.m.
The contract that ousted PA Cyber Charter School founder Nick Trombetta brokered with its curriculum provider remains in place months after prosecutors indicted the former school chief on 11 counts of mail fraud, bribery, tax conspiracy and filing false tax returns. Lawmakers pointed to the Trombetta case as a high-profile opportunity to overhaul the charter school laws passed in the early-Internet days of 1997 and address criticisms that cyber schools pocket too much money compared to their operational costs. While legislation sits in limbo, many educators agree no one has hard data on how much money cyber schools should receive.
The contract that ousted PA Cyber Charter School founder Nick Trombetta brokered with its curriculum provider remains in place months after prosecutors indicted the former school chief on 11 counts of mail fraud, bribery, tax conspiracy and filing false tax returns. Lawmakers pointed to the Trombetta case as a high-profile opportunity to overhaul the charter school laws passed in the early-Internet days of 1997 and address criticisms that cyber schools pocket too much money compared to their operational costs. While legislation sits in limbo, many educators agree no one has hard data on how much money cyber schools should receive.
Schools follow strict rules in
administering PSSA
Students at one Bethlehem
By Adam Clark, Of The Morning Call 9:47
p.m. EDT, March 30, 2014
It's 9
a.m. on a Wednesday morning and Jodi Frankelli is alone behind a locked door
inside Governor Wolf Elementary School
With
one entrance from the hallway and another from the main office, this space is
usually a conference room for Frankelli and her teachers. Today, it's a vault. Four signs, on the
fronts and backs of each door, warn teachers to stay away.
Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-pssa-testing-atmosphere-20140330,0,1783387.story#ixzz2xX4a6GjR
"On average, school
districts pay $14,750 per student who leaves a district to enroll in a cyber
school, regardless of whether they require regular or special education
services. These payments far exceed actual costs to cyber programs, which don't
face the capital, operational, and other expenses borne by traditional public
schools. This funding system ignores the fact that costs to districts (e.g.,
staffing classrooms, heating and cooling buildings, maintaining grounds)
continue when an individual student attends a cyber charter school."
Public
schools need fair funding formula
Stacey L. Marten is the president of the Board of School
Directors for the School District
of Lancaster
This is in response to
the letter to the editor, "Cuts in cyber school funding are opposed,"
dated March 7. As a public school
district, the School District
of Lancaster
We open our school
doors each day to the most diverse student body in our area, and arguably, one
of the most diverse in the commonwealth. We pride ourselves not only on our
diversity, but on the vast programs and opportunities that are readily
available for all students who fill our classrooms.
Study: Pa.
BEAVER, Pa. (AP) — Imagine Pennsylvania students not being taught about
the Revolutionary War, the Great Depression or World War II. Sounds unbelievable, right? But, according to a new Southern Poverty Law
Center (SPLC) study of state teaching standards, that's exactly the case with
the civil rights movement. In
"Teaching the Movement 2014: The State of Civil Rights Education in the United States ,"
the SPLC graded states on what they "expected teachers to teach and
students to learn." Pennsylvania,
while receiving praise for linking resources and materials to standards as a
guide for teachers, still received a D, as did 13 other states, including
neighboring Ohio.
Pittsburgh Public Schools
officials cautious despite surplus
Some expect district to be broke by 2017
By Eleanor Chute / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette March 30, 2014 11:47 PM
When 2013 began,
Pittsburgh Public Schools expected to run an operating deficit of $9.8 million,
but by November things were looking up. Instead
of a deficit, an operating surplus of $2.7 million was predicted. By early
March, the estimate grew to a surplus of $10.2 million. When the year-end numbers for 2013 were
released last week after an additional round of earned income tax revenue was
received, the surplus was $20.8 million.
Now the question is: What does the surplus mean for a district that
expects to run out of money in 2017?
"The new 2014-2018
investment plan, which was unveiled last month and will take effect July 1,
will expand education funding but limit that support to programs assisting
children who attend 22 "priority" elementary and middle schools in Allentown , Bethlehem , Easton and Bangor. The overarching goal is to increase by 50 percent the
number of third-graders regionwide reading at grade level by 2022."
New
United Way
Some nonprofits
feel left out as top fundraiser targets early education.
By Sam Kennedy, Of The
Morning Call 9:35 p.m. EDT, March 29, 2014
The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley is
launching a new investment plan that narrows its focus to 22 hand-picked,
mostly urban elementary schools, creating some winners and some losers among
recipients. Though some nonprofits that
stand to lose grant money say they have been caught unawares, the United Way
describes the change as an incremental step in a transformation that began more
than a decade ago. "We are using
the investment plan to sharpen our approach," said David Lewis, president
of the United Way
of the Greater Lehigh Valley. "How can we have the greatest impact in the Lehigh Valley
In years past, the United Way — the
region's preeminent charitable fundraising organization — dispersed education
funding to partnering nonprofits throughout the Lehigh Valley
Notebook editorial: Nightmare
scenario
the notebook editorial
April 2014 print edition
Spring has arrived – and
with it the recurring nightmare: the School District
again confronting a catastrophic budget situation. Superintendent William Hite
said he needs $440 million in new revenue to operate schools at an adequate
level next fall. The first $200 million of that figure will merely head off
another round of cuts. That’s because the current budget was balanced using
one-time funds and because costs for pensions, benefits, and charters climb
each year.
So far, just a fraction
of the money needed to avert more cuts is committed. Gov. Corbett’s proposed
budget increases education spending but steers much of the new money to less
needy districts. His proposal disregards the dire plight of Philadelphia and other struggling systems.
But it will be a heavy lift to get the legislature to alter that plan. Many
advocates are turning their attention to electing a new governor committed to
addressing the state’s gross school funding inequities.
Network
for Public Education Endorses Daylin Leach for Congress in Pennsylvania
Diane Ravitch's Blog By dianeravitch March
29, 2014 //
The Network for Public
Education has endorsed Daylin Leach for the U.S. Congress. Daylin Leach is running for the 13th
Congressional district in Pennsylvania . He is a strong supporter of public education,
and we need him in Congress. I urge you
to send whatever you can to help Daylin Leach get elected.
A national honor for Philadelphia
MICHAEL MATZA, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER Monday, March 31, 2014, 1:07 AM
Spend a few hours with
Helen Gym, Philadelphia 's famously feisty
community organizer, and you see a rabble-rouser on the run, dashing from a
TEDx talk rehearsal at Temple
University
Teacher indecency can get
lost in state's system, Trib analysis reveals
By Kari Andren and Kate
Wilcox Published: Saturday, March 29, 2014, 9:00 p.m.
When Tracy A. Bergen stepped before aColumbia
County Central Columbia High School Bergen 's
problems in Susquehanna Community School District ,
about 100 miles north of Bloomsburg. “It
was like talking to the CIA,” he said. “If you know something I should know, I
think you have a moral obligation to tell me that.”
When Tracy A. Bergen stepped before a
"On this week’s Moyers & Company, Diane
Ravitch tells Bill Moyers, ”I think what’s at stake is the future of
American public education. I believe it is one of the foundation stones of our
democracy: So an attack on public education is an attack on democracy.”
Public Schools for Sale
Moyers & Company March
28, 2014
Public education is
becoming big business as bankers, hedge fund managers and private equity
investors are entering what they consider to be an “emerging market.” As Rupert Murdoch put it after purchasing an education
technology company, “When it comes to K through 12 education, we see a $500
billion sector in the US
alone.” Education historian Diane
Ravitch says the privatization of public education has to stop. As assistant
secretary of education under President George H.W. Bush, she was an advocate of
school choice and charter schools; under George W. Bush, she supported the No
Child Left Behind initiative. But after careful investigation, she changed her
mind, and has become, according to Salon, “the nation’s highest
profile opponent” of charter-based education.
HOW THE TEXAS
ONE MOM’S IRE BECOMES A CAUSE
In the battle that
undid testing in Texas , a grass-roots group
formed in Austin
played an indispensable role
The Dallas
Morning News By
Jeffrey Weiss | Staff Writer March 2014
When Texas
public school students start their STAAR tests this week, they’ll face a far
different testing and accountability system than was set at the beginning of
the prior school year.
For 13 legislative
sessions across 34 years, every time Texas
passed laws about school testing, the numbers and stakes had grown. That ended
in 2013, when a series of laws passed that not only demanded changes in
testing, but also challenged the legitimacy of the test-based accountability
system. All without a single dissenting vote.
That enormous shift in
attitude is still raising echoes nationally. And as legislators prepare for the
next session, they’re discussing ways to further reduce the number and
influence of tests.
How did that happen?
This is the story of how the Texas
testing bubble popped.
"The underlying question
remains: How did a privately managed school franchise that serves a tiny
portion of New York
New
York Schools: The Roar of the Charters
In his speech at Riverside Church
De Blasio decided he
could not win this war. The other side had too much money and proved it could
drive down his poll numbers. He said that the charter schools could help public
schools, but in reality, charter schools could learn a few things from the
public schools, like how to teach children with disabilities and
second-language English learners. Contrary to popular myth, the charter schools
are more racially segregated than public schools and have performed no better
than the public schools on the most recent state tests. But what they have
behind them is vast resources, and de Blasio capitulated.
How Does PISA
Yong Zhao's Blog 29 MARCH 2014 262 NO COMMENT
Part 4
China’s poorest beat our best pupils—The Telegraph (UK),
2-17-2014
Children of Shanghai cleaners better at math than kids of Israeli lawyers—Haaretz (Israel), 2-19-2014
Cleaners’ children in China beat kids of US, UK professionals at maths: study—NDTV (India), 2-18-2014
Children of Chinese janitors outscore wealthy Canadians in global exams—The Globe and Mail(Canada), 2-19- 2014
Children of Shanghai cleaners better at math than kids of Israeli lawyers—Haaretz (Israel), 2-19-2014
Cleaners’ children in China beat kids of US, UK professionals at maths: study—NDTV (India), 2-18-2014
Children of Chinese janitors outscore wealthy Canadians in global exams—The Globe and Mail(Canada), 2-19- 2014
These are some of the most recent sensational headlines
generated by PISA
with a 4-page report entitledDo parents’ occupations have an impact on student performance released
in February 2014. These headlines exemplify the secret of PISA ’s great success as a masterful
illusionist: effective misdirection of attention by exploiting human instinct
for competition.
From the start, the entire PISA enterprise has been designed to
capitalize on the intense nationalistic concern for global competitiveness by
inducing strong emotional responses from the unsuspecting public, gullible
politicians, and sensation-seeking media. Virtually all PISA products, particularly its signature
product—the league tables, are intended to show winners and losers, in not only
educational policies and practices of the past, but more important, in capacity
for global competition in the future. While this approach has made PISA an extremely
successful global enterprise, it has misled the world down a path of
self-destruction, resulting in irrational policies and practices that are more
likely to squander precious resources and opportunities than enhancing capacity
for future prosperity.
The Pennsylvania PTA 105th annual
statewide convention April 4-6, 2014, at the Radisson Valley Forge/King of Prussia
Pennsylvania PTA Harrisburg,
Pa. March 21, 2014
Delegates from local PTA
units, councils, and regions throughout the state will gather to give direction
to the State PTA on issues of resolutions, bylaws, and timely topics being
addressed around education and child advocacy. The convention format will include a Diversity
Leadership Conference, a Town Hall Meeting on Suicide Awareness and Prevention,
twenty (20) workshops on timely issues, networking time with other delegates,
an exhibit hall, a Reflections Gallery showcasing student artwork, and the
opportunity to hear keynote speakers and representatives from the National PTA
and other statewide partnering organizations from Pennsylvania. Complete
details for registration may be obtained at the Pennsylvania PTA website at
www.papta.org.
Education Debate - Pittsburgh, April 8
by Yinzercation
March 20, 2014
Please mark your calendars now
and plan to be a part of this event:
Democratic candidates for
Governor of Pennsylvania
Tuesday, April 8th atPittsburgh 6-12 515 N. Highland Ave. , Pittsburgh
PA 15206
Tuesday, April 8th at
Sign up for weekly Testing
Resistance & Reform News and Updates!
Fairtest - The National Center for Fair and Open Testing
PSBA
nominations for offices now open!
Deadline April 30th
PSBA Leadership Development Committee seeks strong leaders for the association
Members interested in becoming the next leaders of PSBA are encouraged to complete an Application for Nomination no later than April 30. As a member-driven association, the Leadership Development Committee (LDC) is seeking nominees with strong skills in leadership and communication, and who have vision for PSBA. Complete details on the nomination process, links to the Application for Nomination form, and scheduled dates for nominee interviews can be found online by clicking here.
PSBA Leadership Development Committee seeks strong leaders for the association
Members interested in becoming the next leaders of PSBA are encouraged to complete an Application for Nomination no later than April 30. As a member-driven association, the Leadership Development Committee (LDC) is seeking nominees with strong skills in leadership and communication, and who have vision for PSBA. Complete details on the nomination process, links to the Application for Nomination form, and scheduled dates for nominee interviews can be found online by clicking here.
How the Business Community Can Lead on
Early Education
Economy
League of Greater Philadelphia
Join
business and community leaders to learn about how you can help make sure every
child arrives in kindergarten ready to succeed. On April 29th, the Economy
League of Greater Philadelphia and the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and
Southern New Jersey will host a forum featuring business leaders from around
the country talking about why they’re focused on early childhood education and
how they have moved the needle on improving quality and access in their states.
Featured
Speakers
- Jack Brennan, Chairman Emeritus of The
Vanguard Group
- Phil Peterson, Partner, Aon Hewitt and
Co-Chair of America’s Edge/Ready Nation
- And more to be announced!
- Date & Time Tuesday, April
29, 2014 | 5-7 PM
Registration begins at 5 PM;
program from 5:30 to 7:00 PM
- Location Federal Reserve Bank of
Philadelphia
10 North Independence Mall West Philadelphia,
PA 19106
Registration:
http://worldclassgreaterphila.org/worldclasscouncilforum
PILCOP Special Education Seminars 2014
Schedule
Public
Interest Law Center of Philadelphia
Tuesday, April 29th,
12-4 p.m.
Wednesday, May 14th,
1-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
2014 PA Gubernatorial Candidate Plans for Education
and Arts/Culture in PA
Education Policy and Leadership Center
Below is an alphabetical list of the 2014
Gubernatorial Candidates and links to information about their plans, if
elected, for education and arts/culture in Pennsylvania. This list will be updated, as more
information becomes available.
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