Daily postings from the Keystone State
Education Coalition now reach more than 3250 Pennsylvania education
policymakers – school directors, administrators, legislators, legislative and
congressional staffers, Governor's staff, current/former PA Secretaries of
Education, 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 and
searchable 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?
Keystone State Education Coalition
Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup
for April 23, 2014:
Deadline for PSBA officer nominations is
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.
"Pollster G. Terry Madonna said that the positive
responses to his February survey came from both sides of the aisle. "It's rare that you find this kind of
consensus in a highly polarized political environment," he said. "Education now probably ranks as the
single most important issue that the voters of our state think state officials
ought to deal with."
Voters agree: Pennsylvania
needs a school funding formula
Lancaster
Online By KARA NEWHOUSE
| Staff Writer Posted: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 4:31 pm
Pennsylvania
doesn't have a reliable school funding formula, and voters want one, according
to a new public opinion poll. Almost
three quarters of Pennsylvania voters said they "strongly favor" or
"somewhat favor" using a school funding formula to ensure fair
distribution of public dollars in a survey by Terry Madonna Opinion Research.
Survey: Voters see link between education and economic development
By
Eleanor Chute / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette April 22, 2014 1:13 PM
A
statewide survey released today shows most registered voters believe public
schools have an impact on economic development and should get more state money,
using a fair funding formula.
The
education findings from the Terry Madonna Opinion Research Spring 2014 Omnibus
Survey were released during a telephone press conference that included leaders
of the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials, Pennsylvania
Association of Rural and Small Schools, Pennsylvania Association of School
Administrators, Pennsylvania School Boards Association, and the Central
Pennsylvania Education Coalition. Leaders
of the organizations used the results to bolster their arguments for more state
money and a predictable and equitable funding formula.
In a
news release, Jim Buckheit, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association
of School Administrators, said, "While our state's year-over-year job
growth sits among the weakest states and the state's contribution to public
education funding is below the national average, Pennsylvanians are making
connections that state officials so far have missed."
STATEWIDE SURVEY SHOWS CONNECTIONS
BETWEEN EDUCATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND NEED FOR CHANGE IN STATE SUPPORT
FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Public Opinion Describes Disconnect Between Current Policies
and Pennsylvania
Press
Release PASBO, PARSS, PSBA, PASA, CPEC -
HARRISBURG (April 22, 2014)
At a time when the state’s economy is struggling to pick up steam, Pennsylvanians are making strong connections between public education, state funding and economic development according to a new statewide public opinion poll released today. “While our state’s year‐over‐year job growth sits among the weakest states and the state’s contribution to public education funding is below the national average, Pennsylvanians are making connections that state officials have so far missed,” said Jim Buckheit, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA). “Strong public schools are critical to a
strong economy and the investments our state makes should strengthen every community.”
Does a grim budget picture
mean Republicans are reconsidering drillers' tax?: Tuesday Morning Coffee
By on
April 22, 2014 at 8:35 AM
Good Tuesday Morning,
Fellow Seekers.
It's no secret that
legislative Democrats want to slap an extraction tax on Pennsylvania 's booming natural gas industry. But
an increasingly bleak state budget picture has some Republicans reconsidering
their longstanding opposition to such a levy. The top Republicans on the budget-writing House and Senate Appropriations Committees are now saying that an extraction tax
could be a part of June's final budget document, The Associated Press reports. That's a major pivot from the
near-doctrinal opposition in Republican ranks to adding Pennsylvania to the ranks of states that tax
natural gas at the wellhead. The
multinational industry has been a lightning rod since it arrived in Pennsylvania five years
ago, and raising taxes on it would be preferable to cutting aid to schools or
the poor, some Republicans say.
Reporting Back on Community Schools
After
our fantastic gubernatorial candidate Education Debate two weeks ago, some people
did not get much sleep. Early the next morning, over thirty people went to
Cincinnati, Ohio for a national conference on community schools. Pittsburgh
sent the largest delegation, which included school board members, district
administration, representatives from the Mayor’s office and City Council,
parents, teachers, foundation officials, faith leaders, and community members.
Now
this group is ready to report back what they learned. Want to find out more
about community schools and what they might look like for Pittsburgh? Many of
us really wanted to go to the conference but could not – so this is our
chance to hear all about it and be a part of the discussion. Please come!
Tuesday, April 29, 2014: 6PM
Community Empowerment Association
7120 Kelly St. , Pittsburgh 15208
Community Empowerment Association
NSBA develops guide for
school boards on boosting student success through community partnerships
NSBA School Board News Today Alexis Rice April 22nd, 2014
A new guide released today details how school board members can
build partnerships to secure a high-quality education, from early learning to
graduation, for students in their districts. “Partnerships,
Not Pushouts: A Guide for School Board Members on Community Partnerships for
Student Success,” demonstrates how school boards can work with other
community partners to provide seamless services and engage community members to
improve their schools.
About 75 received letter
saying they could lose jobs without union concessions.
By
Jacqueline Palochko, Of The Morning Call 9:28 p.m. EDT, April 22, 2014
More
than 70 Easton Area School District
Teachers
union President Jena Brodhead and Superintendent John Reinhart both said
Tuesday afternoon that about 75 teachers received letters last Thursday about
their positions. Reinhart said the letter stated that the position each person
occupies could be affected by the 2014-15 budget. "It was a courtesy letter sent to those
who might, due to seniority and certification, be forced to vacate their
positions," he said in an email statement. "It was sent now because
we are quickly approaching a deadline for adopting a budget."
"Raises in pension costs and
the increased cost for cyber- and charter schools were two leading factors in
the overall increase in spending in the proposed budget, Haberl said."
By on April 22, 2014 at
9:37 PM, updated April 22, 2014 at 9:38 PM
The Pen Argyl Area School District introduced its preliminary 2014-15
budget at tonight's meeting in front of one resident, media members and other
district employees. The projected $27.3
million budget calls for a possible 2.7 increase in real estate taxes,
according to Pen Argyl Superintendent William
Haberl. That increase would mean a
$63 increase per year in school real estate taxes for a home in the district
assessed at $50,000, Haberl said. The average tax bill would be $2,426 under
the proposed budget, he said.
"This difficult decision was
made with substantial evidence that this school is not serving the needs of
students and their families," said Superintendent William Hite in a
statement. "We require better student outcomes from a public institution
that was granted a charter to educate children. We must use all of our
resources towards supporting students in academic success."
District wants to close down
Walter Palmer charter school as of July
the
notebook on Apr 22 2014
Posted in Latest news
by Dale Mezzacappa for the Notebook and Kevin McCorry for NewsWorks
The charter
school office of the School District is recommending that Walter D. Palmer Leadership
Learning Partners Charter School be shut down after the end of this school
year. A six-page District memo cites problems including declining test scores, a $3
million general fund deficit, and failure of its associated foundation to
maintain its nonprofit status. A 1,300-student
K-12 school with two campuses, Palmer is one of the oldest and
largest charters in the city. It has been in an ongoing battle with the
District over the school's practice of enrolling
students over its approved
enrollment cap of 675. The
recommendation will be presented to the School Reform Commission at its
Thursday meeting.
Hite urges end of Palmer Charter School
MARTHA
WOODALL, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER POSTED: Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 2:32
PM
The
Philadelphia School District wants the School Reform Commission to revoke the
charter of Walter D. Palmer Leadership Learning Partners Charter School,
alleging poor academic performance, financial problems and billing for students
not enrolled. At its Thursday meeting,
the SRC will be asked to suspend payments to the school as of July 1 and begin
revocation proceedings for the K-12 school, which has campuses in Northern
Liberties and Frankford.
Read
more at http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20140423_Hite_urges_end_of_Palmer_Charter_School.html#fyqvK0XSqZtuVGsS.99
"Philadelphia
Khepera is seeking renewal of its
charter with the School District of Philadelphia, just as the school district
rolls out tough new standards that increase accountability of the charter
schools it authorizes. Statewide, charter schools have come under scrutiny in
the wake of investigations into questionable practices or criminal activity in
connection with charter schools and cyber charter school programs."
UNION FOR KHEPERA CHARTER
AUTHORIZES CALL FOR STRIKE
Philly Trib Written by Wilford
Shamlin III April 21, 2014
Frustrated by stalled
negotiations between school officials, a union representing teachers at Khepera Charter
School in Mount Airy
Khepera is an
African-American centered academy serving 450 students on two campuses, one for
grades K-5 at 6610 Anderson St. ,
and another for middle school students and offices at 144 W. Carpenter Lane . Teachers continue
to work under a collective bargaining agreement that expired Dec. 31, 2012 but
remains in force. The teachers union has agreed to extend the contract three
times. The last extension was approved in August.
"Philadelphia
Teachers' union, supporters
seek fall ballot question on abolishing SRC
by Dale
Mezzacappa on Apr 22 2014
Posted in Latest news
The Philadelphia
Federation of Teachers and the Philadelphia Coalition Advocating for Public
Schools are seeking a resolution from City Council and a non-binding
referendum on the November ballot calling for the School Reform Commission
to be disbanded and the District returned to local control. The PFT and PCAPS held a press conference
Tuesday to announce the results ofan
informal survey of about
3,000 parents and residents that found overwhelming support for replacing the
SRC with a local school board that is either elected or appointed by the mayor.
DN Editorial: Is local
better?
Philly Daily News
Editorial: Wednesday, April 23,
2014, 3:01 AM
THE Philadelphia
Federation of Teachers have started a campaign seeking return of the school
district to local control. You can hardly blame them. The teachers union is locked in mortal combat
over a new contract with the School Reform Commission, the state-created board
that has overseen the schools since 2001. The SRC is demanding concessions from
the union over pay, benefits and important work rules, and has gone to the
state Supreme Court for the right to impose them. So, it's no surprise that the PFT would
prefer to have anyone other than the SRC running the district.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20140423_DN_Editorial__Is_local_better_.html#4hMmJm69k68kMlot.99
Centre
Daily Times BY DAVID HUTCHINSON April 19, 2014
David Hutchinson is chairman of
the Public Issues Forums of Centre County.
What: Public Issues
Forums of Centre County: “What Should be the Role of State Standardized Tests
in our Schools?”
When: 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Thursday Where: Schlow
Centre Region Library, 211 S.
Allen St. , State College
With
the passage of No Child Left Behind more than 10 years ago, we entered the era
of “accountability” in public education.
Since that time, federal law has mandated that every student in multiple
grades be tested annually in math, language arts and now science. The intent
was to close the “achievement gap.” The
so-called achievement gap remains, but the strategy of state standardized
testing has since expanded to include holding teachers accountable for the
progress of individual students, as measured by these tests. In many states, performance reviews — and
perhaps careers — are at stake.
Read
more here: http://www.centredaily.com/2014/04/19/4141700/public-issues-forum-what-should.html#storylink=cpy
Public Issues Forum |
Appropriate uses for scores, evaluations exist
Centre
Daily Times BY ED FULLER, BOB O’DONNELL April 19, 2014
Ed Fuller is an associate
professor in education policy studies at Penn State. Bob O’Donnell is the
superintendent of the State College Area School District.
The use
of state-mandated, high-stakes testing recently has expanded and led to debates
about the utility of such testing. On
one hand, many policymakers think schools and educators must be held accountable
through the use of test scores. On the other hand, some educators have
advocated for the discontinuation of all state testing. We believe there is a middle ground.
Read
more here: http://www.centredaily.com/2014/04/19/4141707/public-issues-forum-appropriate.html#storylink=cpy
Public Issues Forum | Tests
have many shortcomings
Centre
Daily Times BY DAN HENDEY April 19, 2014
Dan Hendey is the head of school
at State College Friends School. He has been a teacher for more than 15 years
and holds a master’s degree in education from Johns Hopkins University.
Standardized
testing along with the common core standards are having a big impact on our
educational system. Public schools are
being asked to teach a curriculum that has become more uniform in scope and
sequence and, ideally, presents each student with a similar rigorous
educational experience. Furthermore,
standardized tests are being recognized as a major measure of a teacher’s and
school’s effectiveness in teaching our students. These tests and test scores,
being relatively easy to determine and compare across schools, are quickly
gaining credence as the default measurement of the effectiveness of a school
and its teachers. As an educator, I
wholeheartedly support the need for a strong curriculum. However, for several
reasons, I am not convinced that a uniform curriculum and standardized tests
are the best way to achieve rigor and educate our students.
Read
more here: http://www.centredaily.com/2014/04/19/4141702/public-issues-forum-tests-have.html#storylink=cpy
Masterman tops list of best Pa.
KATHY BOCCELLA, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 5:29 PM
Philadelphia's Masterman High School once again topped U.S. News & World Report's annual ranking of Pennsylvania schools, with a number of suburban high schools rounding out the top 10. New Hope-Solebury in Bucks County surged into the No. 3 spot ahead of academic powerhouses Conestoga (fifth) and Lower Merion (15th). Northhwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy, in Erie, was ranked No. 2. "I just could not be more thrilled," said New Hope-Solebury superintendent Raymond J. Boccuti. "This district has always been dedicated to teaching, learning and improving student achievement. . . . Each year we keep improving things, and pushing forward a little bit more."
Philadelphia's Masterman High School once again topped U.S. News & World Report's annual ranking of Pennsylvania schools, with a number of suburban high schools rounding out the top 10. New Hope-Solebury in Bucks County surged into the No. 3 spot ahead of academic powerhouses Conestoga (fifth) and Lower Merion (15th). Northhwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy, in Erie, was ranked No. 2. "I just could not be more thrilled," said New Hope-Solebury superintendent Raymond J. Boccuti. "This district has always been dedicated to teaching, learning and improving student achievement. . . . Each year we keep improving things, and pushing forward a little bit more."
US News & World Report: 2014 Best
High Schools in Pennsylvania
US News
& World Report April 21, 2014
We
reviewed 31,242 U.S. public high schools; 169 Pennsylvania schools made our
rankings.View
Rankings In 11th grade, Pennsylvania
high school students take assessments in reading, writing, math and science,
according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Pennsylvania students
who show financial need may be eligible for the Pennsylvania State Grant Program, which provides funding to
attend many colleges and universities across the country.
There
are many Pennsylvania schools in the 2014 rankings of U.S.
News Best High Schools. The highly ranked Julia
R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School is located in The
School District of Philadelphia, which is roughly 100 miles from the state
capital of Harrisburg.
"This is the first time that a
major accrediting body has rejected the education offered by K12 and declared
that its credits were unacceptable."
The NCAA announced that
it will no longer accept credits awarded by 24 virtual charter schools, all of
which are operated by Michael Milken’s corporation K12. This is huge.
All of these virtual
schools are highly profitable. The K12 corporation, listed on the New York
Stock Exchange, receives full tuition for each student; the district loses the
tuition, and the student gets a computer and textbooks. K12 is known to have a
high dropout rate and low graduation rates.
Cloaking
Inequity Blog April 22, 2014 |
No Rose Bowl. No Final Four.
K12, Inc., a Virginia-based for-profit company that runs online
schools in 32 states and attributes nearly 85 percent of its income to public
dollars (See more at: NCAA will no longer accept
coursework from 24 virtual schools affiliated with online course provider K12,
Inc.) K12 Inc online (charter/coursework) is the brainchild of
“Junk Bond King” Mike Milken. Business Week reported that Mike
Milken: With K12, the largest U.S.
Junk Bond King, as in selling something that is worthless. Yes,
that same Mike Milken that:
Was indicted for racketeering and securities fraud in 1989 in an insider trading investigation. As the result of a plea bargain, he pled
guilty to securities and reporting violations but not to racketeering or
insider trading. Milken was sentenced to ten years in prison, fined $600
million, and permanently barred from the securities industry by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
http://cloakinginequity.com/2014/04/22/ncaa-bans-k12-inc-online-charters-no-rose-bowl-no-final-four/
Obama Administration to Face
Hurdles on Vulnerable Programs
Education
Week By Alyson
Klein Published Online: April 22, 2014
President
Barack Obama has reshaped the education policy landscape over the past five
years by dangling money—much of it in the form of competitive grants—in front
of cash-strapped states and districts. But,
as his administration enters its twilight years, the future is in doubt for
programs that have become brand names in the world of K-12 policy,
including Race
to the Top, Investing
in Innovation, and Promise Neighborhoods. Lawmakers have grown increasingly
uninterested in funneling scarce federal dollars to programs closely associated
with a president whose popularity and influence are on the wane.
People keep asking us what they can do to
help with the public education funding crisis. Next Thursday, Philadelphia
attorneys can help by simply taking their lunch break at City Hall.
LAWYERS DAY OF ACTION FOR EDUCATION Thursday, April 24th
co-hosted
with the Education
Law Center
Join your fellow attorneys at City Hall on Thursday, April 24 to
tell City Council that Philadelphia cannot function without good public schools,
and high-quality public schools require adequate funding. We will ask City
Council to extend the sales tax to provide $120 million in recurring annual
revenue to Philadelphia's public schools.
We will hold an optional webinar on
Wednesday, April 23 at 4:00 p.m. to prepare you with talking points and more
background information. RSVP for the webinar or day of action here.
Please RSVP, forward this email to your colleagues and
join us on the 24th in sending a unified message to City Council members that
the legal community supports public education.
Public Citizens for Children and Youth
(PCCY) will Host an Education Funding Forum in Delaware County on May 7th
On May
7th, PCCY will host a forum that discusses the state of school
funding in Delaware
County 501 Bywood Avenue ,
Upper Darby PA 19082 from 6:30pm-8pm.
Attendees will get a budget update from Sharon Ward of the Pennsylvania
Budget and Policy Center , hear from School Board members representing
Upper Darby, William Penn, and Haverford
School Districts
Please
RSVP by clicking here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1OjFpJwTHnZwRqh0Q5Tdp0KHYaI1Jg0XNvGpmeYMmIyA/viewform
PSBA Advocacy Forum and Day on the Hill
May 5-6, Mechanicsburg & Harrisburg
Make an impact on the legislative process by attending PSBA’s Advocacy Forum and Day on the Hill, May 5-6. Day one will provide legislative insights on pensions, training on being an effective advocate, and media relations. Dr. G. Terry Madonna, leading Pennsylvania political analyst, will discuss the legislative landscape in his usual lively and informative style. How to Be an Effective Advocate -- Hear from former Allwein Advocacy Award winners Larry Feinberg, Roberta Marcus and Tina Viletto on how to successfully support your issues. At noon, Rep. Dave Reed, Majority Policy Chairman, will address participants.
On day two, participants will start with a breakfast at the Harrisburg Hilton with Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley as guest speaker and then hit the ground running with visits to legislative offices in the State CapitolSpace is limited so register early. Click here for more details and to register online.
May 5-6, Mechanicsburg & Harrisburg
Make an impact on the legislative process by attending PSBA’s Advocacy Forum and Day on the Hill, May 5-6. Day one will provide legislative insights on pensions, training on being an effective advocate, and media relations. Dr. G. Terry Madonna, leading Pennsylvania political analyst, will discuss the legislative landscape in his usual lively and informative style. How to Be an Effective Advocate -- Hear from former Allwein Advocacy Award winners Larry Feinberg, Roberta Marcus and Tina Viletto on how to successfully support your issues. At noon, Rep. Dave Reed, Majority Policy Chairman, will address participants.
On day two, participants will start with a breakfast at the Harrisburg Hilton with Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley as guest speaker and then hit the ground running with visits to legislative offices in the State CapitolSpace is limited so register early. Click here for more details and to register online.
Registration
fee of $50 includes lunch and dinner on May 5 and breakfast on May
6.
Educating the Voter: A Forum on Public
Education featuring Democratic gubernatorial candidates - April 30th 6:00 pm
Phila Central Library
Presented by Committee of Seventy, Congresso and
Philadelphia Education Fund
Wednesday,
April 30, 2014 at 6:00PM
Join Democratic gubernatorial candidates Katie McGinty, Tom Wolf, Allyson Schwartz and Rob McCord for a discussion on public education.
Please
click here to
register.
PSBA members in Bucks, Montgomery, Chester and Delaware
Counties
PSBA Buxmont Region 11 and Penns Grant
Region 15 Combined Region/Legislative Meeting -- Thursday, May 15, at William
Tennent High School
- Buffet
dinner/registration, 6 p.m. ($8 charge for dinner) - Program, 7:30 p.m. -- Minority
Senate Education Committee Chair Hon. Andy Dinniman will introduce guest
speaker Diane Ravitch, author and education historian, and former Assistant
Secretary of Education. Retiring House
Education Committee Chairman Paul Clymer will also be honored for his long time
(1981) public service.
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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