Keystone State Education Coalition

Established in 2006, the Keystone State Education Coalition is a growing grass roots, non-partisan public education advocacy group of several hundred locally elected, volunteer school board members and administrators from school districts throughout Pennsylvania. Our mission is to evaluate, discuss and inform our boards, district constituents and legislators on legislative issues of common interest and to facilitate active engagement in public education advocacy.

Saturday, February 28, 2015

PA Ed Policy Roundup Feb 28: Hey Pennsylvania - Maine bill would have state fund charter schools directly

Daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now reach more than 3525 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors, administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, Wolf education transition team members, Superintendents, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher leaders, business 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, Twitter and LinkedIn

These daily emails are archived and searchable at http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org

Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition

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?

The Keystone State Education Coalition is an endorsing member of The Campaign for Fair Education Funding

Keystone State Education Coalition

PA Ed Policy Roundup for February 28, 2015:

Hey Pennsylvania - Maine bill would have state fund charter schools directly

Education Voters of PA holding public forums on school funding

Lancaster County: Tuesday, March 17, at 7:00 pm at Millersville University

York County: Wednesday, March 25th, 6:30pm at the York Learning Center

Cumberland County: Wednesday, April 1, 7:00 pm at the Grace Milliman Pollock Performing Arts Center

Details/registration: http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/news/2015-events/

"Hubbell’s bill would instead spread those costs – about $6 million total for the state’s seven charter schools – among all school districts in the state. The state would treat the charters the same as other school districts when dispersing education aid. In addition, Gov. Paul LePage’s budget proposes adding the additional $6 million to the state education aid budget, which would eliminate the financial impact on school districts."

Maine bill would have state fund charter schools directly

The measure, backed by the Legislature's Education Committee, would then relieve school districts of the responsibility and the difficulty.

Press Herald BY NOEL K. GALLAGHER STAFF WRITER ngallagher@pressherald.com @noelinmaine 207-791-6387

Charter school budgets would receive money directly from the state, rather than from districts that send students to those schools, under a bill endorsed unanimously Wednesday by lawmakers on the state Education Committee. Figuring out how to fund charter schools “has been a problem since the initial legislation” in 2011, said Rep. Brian Hubbell, D-Bar Harbor, the author of L.D. 131. “Funding was always the biggest objection.” Currently, state funding for each student is sent to local districts, and each district in turn writes a check to the charter school to cover the students the district sends there. That has led to confusion and difficulty for both charters and sending districts. When preparing budgets in early spring, the districts have to guess how many students might be leaving for a charter and that number may change later. The charter schools have to juggle payments they receive from a dozen or more sending school districts.

http://www.pressherald.com/2015/02/26/bill-would-have-state-fund-charter-schools/

Pack your toothbrush and jammies, it's probably gonna be a long budget season: John L. Micek

Penn Live By John L. Micek | jmicek@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter on February 27, 2015 at 10:00 AM, updated February 27, 2015 at 10:38 AM

So here's what we know about the budget plan that Gov. Tom Wolf is going to present to a joint session of the state House and Senate on Tuesday. It's going to include more money for schools; slap a severance tax on Marcellus shale natural gas drillers; cut an onerous business tax and propose other comprehensive tax reforms like a boosted sales and personal income tax; more than likely call for a minimum wage increase and some environmental stuff, and it'll be peppered with lots of happy talk about increasing the state's economic competitiveness and restoring its place as a national leader. Because, y'know, that's what budget speeches are for.

Here's what we don't know: Namely, how much of the plan Wolf presents to lawmakers will be left on the cutting room floor when the two sides are scrambling for a final deal that will wrap in some kind of pension reform and some sort of change to the way Pennsylvanians obtain their favorite tipple.

http://blog.pennlive.com/capitol-notebook/2015/02/pack_your_toothbrush_and_jammi.html#incart_2box_opinion

Education funding coalition calls for $3.6 billion boost to public education

By Sara K. Satullo | The Express-Times Email the author | Follow on Twitter on February 27, 2015 at 10:23 AM, updated February 27, 2015 at 12:10 PM

Ahead of Gov. Tom Wolf's Tuesday budget address, a coalition fighting for fair school funding released a new school funding formula they believe would result in a student-driven way to distribute state funding to public schools, PennLive.com reports. The Campaign for Fair Education Funding, includes more than 50 educational, business, child advocacy, faith and community groups. Their plan proposes an eight-year phase in of the formula, boosting the state's current $5.7 billion annual basic education and Ready to Learn grants to $9.3 billion, PennLive reports. "We're putting this proposal out, I would describe, as a stake in the ground not a line in the sand," Joan Benso, president and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, one of the more than 50 coalition members, told PennLive.

Pennsylvania is one of the nation's few states that doesn't have a formula for funding its public schools.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2015/02/education_funding_coalition_ca.html

Coalition's proposed school funding formula calls for $3.6 billion additional investment in public education

By Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter on February 26, 2015 at 6:01 PM, updated February 27, 2015 at 2:05 PM

A coalition of educational, business, child advocacy, faith and community groups has crafted a school funding formula that they believe would lead to an equitable student-driven method of distributing state dollars for public schools. The Campaign for Fair Education Funding's plan proposes phasing in the formula over the next eight years, bumping up the state's $5.7 billion yearly investment now spent on basic education and Ready to Learn grants to $9.3 billion. "We're putting this proposal out, I would describe, as a stake in the ground not a line in the sand," said Joan Benso, president and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, one of the more than 50 coalition members.

http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/02/equitable_school_funding_formu.html

“The state’s Basic Education Funding Commission is planning to make recommendations later this year about how to revise the state’s funding formula to make it more ‘fair,’ but I am deeply concerned that could mean a loss in state funds for all of our rural schools that are already struggling,” Causer said. “I specifically talked to the governor about the plight of the Austin Area School District, which is the largest district geographically but the smallest in student population, and has a very limited tax base since 90 percent of the land in the district is owned by the state.”

Causer Meets with Governor Wolf, Outlines Priorities for Rural PA

Bradford Era February 27, 2015 HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) met with Gov. Tom Wolf Thursday morning to talk about several key issues for rural Pennsylvania, including overregulation of the conventional oil and gas industries, development of a rural community college, and fair funding for rural school districts and communities with high amounts of state-owned lands. “It is important for the governor to understand the unique challenges facing people in rural Pennsylvania and even more important for him to recognize how some of his proposed policies may impact our region,” Causer said. “I appreciated the opportunity to bring these issues to his attention.”

http://www.bradfordtoday.com/2015/02/28/causer-meets-with-governor-wolf-outlines-priorities-for-rural-pa/#.VPGXLPnF_wo

Start of Wolf’s Governorship, and Education Funding

Pennsylvania Newsmakers with Terry Madonna Originally aired on March 1st, 2015

This week’s Pennsylvania Newsmakers interviews John Micek, Editorial Page Editor of the Harrisburg Patriot News/PennLive, and Brad Bumsted of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, on the first weeks of the Wolf governorship. Then, joining host Terry Madonna is John Callahan, Senior Director of Government Affairs for the PA School Boards Association, for discussion of the levels and distribution of education funding.

http://www.newsmakerstv.com/shows/start-of-wolfs-governorship-and-education-funding.html

Education Secretary Arne Duncan to honor 3 Philly school principals

KRISTEN A. GRAHAM, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER LAST UPDATED: Friday, February 27, 2015, 4:34 PM

The principal of Science Leadership Academy is skipping school on Monday and Tuesday. So is the principal of the Workshop School, and the leader of Science Leadership Academy at Beeber. The trio of Philadelphia School District leaders have a solid excuse for being absent: They'll be meeting with U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and other top principals from around the country in Washington. Chris Lehmann, Simon Hauger and Chris Johnson have been chosen for a new program, "Principals at ED," which "brings groups of highly innovative and successful principals from across the country to the Education Department to learn more about federal programs and to share experiences from their jobs as school leaders."

http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20150228_Education_Secretary_Arne_Duncan_to_honor_3_Philly_school_principals.html#IKhYx8bMS1U1jI9H.99

Parents, students slam high-stakes testing at opt-out forum

the notebook By Connie Langland on Feb 27, 2015 12:31 PM

Among the lineup of speakers at a forum on high-stakes testing Thursday night, two young people stepped forward to share firsthand knowledge of the toll that the state's annual standardized assessments can take on learning in the classroom and life beyond high school. “My mom opted me out,” said Guillermo Santos, a 6th grader at Masterman, facing a room of 90 to 100 educators, parents, and students crowded into a conference room at the Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St. He described how “all the art, all the posters, all the beautiful things” on the walls of classrooms and hallways are covered up during the testing period in April. “I remember the PSSAs,” he said gravely. Often among the first to finish, he could not leave the room until the last child turned in the test, he recalled. “We would have to sit there in complete silence for hours and hours.”

http://thenotebook.org/blog/158275/parents-slam-high-stakes-testing-opt-out-meeting

'If i had a child they would be opting out': PennLive readers react to standardized testing debate

Penn Live By Chris Mautner | cmautner@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter on February 27, 2015 at 8:00 AM, updated February 27, 2015 at 8:43 AM

This week, PennLive reporter Candy Woodall has been examining and detailing the backlash against standardized tests in K-12 education, known as the "opt out movement," providing overviews of the issue, profiling individuals who are boycotting and offering a statistical breakdown of those in the area who have decided to join.

PennLive readers have been debating the issue in the comment sections of these stories as well. Here are a few of the more noteworthy comments:

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/02/pennlive_readers_react_standar.html

Ohio school district ends Midland contract

Trib Live By Bobby Kerlik Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, 12:01 a.m.

Incoming high school students in the Midland Borough School District in Beaver County won't be attending high school in East Liverpool this fall. The Ohio school district this week abruptly opted out of its contract to accept Midland students. Midland closed its high school in 1986 but operates an elementary-middle school. Midland high school students began attending East Liverpool High School in 1994, the only such arrangement across state lines in Pennsylvania, after the Beaver Area School District decided not to enroll them.

House Republican leaders scrap education vote

Philly.com KIMBERLY HEFLING, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Friday, February 27, 2015, 12:46 PM

WASHINGTON (AP) - In a political embarrassment for Republicans, House GOP leaders on Friday abruptly cancelled a vote on a bill to update the George W. Bush-era No Child Left Behind education law after struggling to find support from conservatives.

The bill would keep the annual testing requirements on schools but would give more freedom to states and districts to spend federal dollars and determine how to identify and fix failing schools. But conservative opponents said it doesn't go far enough to allow states and districts to set education policy. Such conservative groups as Heritage Action for America and Club for Growth are among opponents.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20150227_ap_a384d23abe244819808f5738cc927488.html#pqCYoQHWmXQF3LMR.99

House Republicans put off No Child Left Behind vote

Politico By MAGGIE SEVERNS 2/27/15 1:58 PM EST Updated 2/27/15 3:55 PM EST

House Republicans decided not to vote Friday on their proposed rewrite of the No Child Left Behind law, the Student Success Act, after House leadership struggled to lock down support for the bill and debate over Department of Homeland Security funding eclipsed education plans.

The House passed a nearly identical bill in 2013, but discontent with the Common Core academic standards and concerns about federal government intrusion have grown, and conservatives have said they want to get more out of an education bill in the newly Republican-controlled Congress. That left House leadership facing new criticism from the right because the GOP bill omits school vouchers, radical reductions to federal mandates and other right-wing proposals.

“My district doesn’t like it. They just feel that we’re moderating No Child Left Behind. They hate No Child Left Behind,” Rep. John Fleming (R-La.) said.

It’s not clear when a vote on No Child Left Behind will take place.

House Leaders Officially Postpone Vote on NCLB Rewrite

Education Week Politics K-12 Blog By Alyson Klein on February 27, 2015 4:13 PM

Washington

If's official: After hours of speculation Friday, House leaders decided to postpone a vote on a bill to rewrite the No Child Left Behind Act, amid conservative opposition. The measure, which was slated to pass the House Friday, came under fire from conservative organizations, including the the Club for Growth and Heritage Action, two powerful lobby organizations that worried the bill didn't go far enough in scaling back the federal role in education. House leaders came up short on Republican support for the measure—and they weren't able to look to the other side of the aisle for help. Democrats have lambasted the legislation for taking away funding from poor and minority students. More background on all that here.

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2015/02/house_leaders_officially_postp.html

The William Penn School District Presents

A Workshop in Support of Fair Funding and other Common Sense Reforms for Public Education

Saturday Feb 28th 9:30 am - Noon Evans Elementary School Auditorium, 900 Baily Road, Yeadon, PA

Doors open at 9:00 with a continental breakfast

Speakers:

Shanee Garner, Education Policy Director, Public Citizens for Children & Youth

Mike Wood, Research Director, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center

Larry Feinberg, Co-Chairman, Keystone State Education Coalition

Questions Email rafi@thecavegroup.com

EPLC "Focus on Education" TV Program on PCN - Sunday, March 1 at 3:00 p.m.

Topic 1: Education Voters of Pennsylvania

Susan Gobreski, Director, Education Voters of Pennsylvania

Topic 2: Preview of the 2015 Pennsylvania State Education Budget Debate
EPLC "Focus on Education" TV shows are hosted by EPLC President Ron Cowell.

Visit the EPLC and the Pennsylvania School Funding Project web sites for various resources related to education and school funding issues.

Bucks County Forum on how to run for school board March 2, 7 pm at Northampton library

Courier Times By Chris English Staff Writer Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2015 1:00 am | Updated: 7:17 am, Tue Feb 24, 2015.

How to run for school board and what to do if you get elected are two issues that will be explored during a forum at 7 p.m. March 2 at the Free Library of Northampton Township. The event is free and open to the public. "Anyone in Bucks County who is interested in school board elections is encouraged to attend," said event organizer and Newtown Township resident Amy McIntyre.

A panel of present and former school board members from throughout the county will lead a discussion and answer questions about the process and requirements of running for school board, the time commitment, responsibilities of board members and the resources available to teach new board members about the job. Centennial school board member and Pennsylvania School Board Association Vice President Mark Miller will moderate.

http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/local/forum-on-how-to-run-for-school-board-march-at/article_cec872ca-aa72-5896-ba86-d8f46e8dcbe0.html#.VOx2lISkFOo.twitter

PSBA Members Only: Annual Pennsylvania Education Budget Briefing

MAR 4, 2015 • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Join us for a special complimentary members-only Annual Pennsylvania Education Budget Briefing webinar, Wednesday, March 4 at noon. The webinar features Acting Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera and PSBA Senior Director of Government Affairs, John Callahan, who will discuss Gov. Wolf’s 2015-16 proposed budget. You will have the option to attend live at PSBA’s Headquarters in Mechanicsburg or join us online through your computer. Both options will allow you to ask questions during the webinar.

Lawsuit asks the Court to ensure that all students -- including those living in low-wealth districts -- have the basic resources they need to meet state academic standards.

Meet Us in Court on March 11^th

Education Law Center

On Wednesday, March 11th at 9:30 a.m., the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania will hear oral arguments in our school funding lawsuit which challenges the legislature's failure to adequately support and maintain Pennsylvania's public school system. This historic case, which the Education Law Center filed with the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia and pro bono counsel O'Melveny & Meyers, asks the Court to ensure that all students -- including those living in low-wealth districts -- have the basic resources they need to meet state academic standards. We ask the court to hear this case and enforce the rights of our children to a "thorough and efficient" system of public education as guaranteed to them by our state constitution.
Please come and support us as we fight for vulnerable students and all public school students across the state. The hearing will be held at the Pennsylvania Judicial Center, 601 Commonwealth Avenue, Courtroom 5001 in Harrisburg, PA. If you plan to attend or have questions, contact Spencer Malloy at smalloy@elc-pa.org. (The courtroom is walking distance from the Harrisburg Amtrak Station.)

2015 Pennsylvania Budget Summit

Wednesday, March 25, 2015 Hilton Hotel, Harrisburg Pennsylvania

PA Budget and Policy Center

The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center will host its Annual Budget Summit on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at the Hilton Harrisburg. Join us for an in-depth look at the Governor's 2015-16 budget proposal, including what it means for education, health and human services, and local communities. The Summit will focus on the leading issues facing the commonwealth in 2015, with workshops, lunch, a legislative panel discussion, and a keynote speech.

Space is limited, so fill out the form below to reserve your spot at the Budget Summit.

http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/6751/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=73118

The State of Public Education Funding in Pennsylvania

Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia Tuesday, March 17, 2015 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM

United Way Building, 1709 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA

Join Law Center attorneys for a briefing on the basics of education funding, a recap of the March 11th oral arguments in the school funding lawsuit, information on the new administration’s budget proposal and more. There are limited spots available for this free event. 1.5 CLE credits will be offered to participating attorneys.

Education Voters of PA will hold a forum about public school funding in Lancaster County Tuesday, March 17, at 7:00 pm at Millersville University

More info/registration: http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/news/2015-events/

Education Voters of PA will hold a forum about public school funding in York: Wednesday, March 25th, 6:30pm to 8pm at the York Learning Center, 300 E. 7th Avenue, York.
More info/registration: http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/news/2015-events/

Education Voters of PA will hold a forum about public school funding in Cumberland County: Wednesday, April 1, 7:00 pm at the Grace Milliman Pollock Performing Arts Center, 340 North 21st Street, Camp Hill.
More info/registration: http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/news/2015-events/

PSBA 2015 Advocacy Forum

APR 19, 2015 • 8:00 AM - APR 20, 2015 • 5:00 PM

Join PSBA for the second annual Advocacy Forum on April 19-20, 2015. Hear from legislative experts on hot topics and issues regarding public education on Sunday, April 19, at PSBA headquarters in Mechanicsburg. The next day you and fellow advocates will meet with legislators at the state capitol. This is your chance to learn how to successfully advocate on behalf of public education and make your voice heard on the Hill.

Agenda/Speakers: https://www.psba.org/event/advocacy-forum-day-hill-2015/

Sign-up for weekly email updates from the Campaign

The Campaign for Fair Education Funding website

http://fairfundingpa.org/

PA Basic Education Funding Commission website

http://basiceducationfundingcommission.pasenategop.com/

Thorough and Efficient: Pennsylvania Education Funding Lawsuit website

Arguing that our state has failed to ensure that essential resources are available for all of our public school students to meet state academic standards.

https://edfundinglawsuit.wordpress.com/

Sign up for National School Boards Association’s Advocacy Network

Friends of Public Education http://p2a.co/nsbac

Register Now! EPLC 2015 Regional Workshops for School Board Candidates and Others

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 2015 Pennsylvania School Board Candidates. Incumbents, non-incumbents, campaign supporters and all interested voters are invited to participate in these workshops.

Harrisburg Region Saturday, March 7, 2015– 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Pennsylvania School Boards Association Headquarters, 400 Bent Creek Boulevard, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

Philadelphia Region Saturday, March 14, 2015 – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, 2 W. Lafayette Street, Norristown, PA 19401

http://www.eplc.org/2015/01/register-now-eplc-2015-regional-workshops-for-school-board-candidates-and-others/

NPE 2015 Annual Conference – Chicago April 24 - 26 – Early Bird Special Registration Open!

January 4, 2015 NPE 2015 Annual Conference, NPE National Conference

Early-bird discounted Registration for the Network for Public Education’s Second Annual Conference is now available at this address:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/network-for-public-education-2015-annual-conference-tickets-15118560020

These low rates will last for the month of January.

The event is being held at the Drake Hotel in downtown Chicago, and there is a link on the registration page for special hotel registration rates. Here are some of the event details.

There will be a welcoming social event 7 pm Friday night, at or near the Drake Hotel — details coming soon. Featured speakers will be:

§ Jitu Brown, National Director – Journey for Justice, Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, Network for Public Education Board of Directors

§ Tanaisa Brown, High School Senior, with the Newark Student Union

§ Yong Zhao, Author, “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Dragon?“

§ Diane Ravitch in conversation with

§ Lily Eskelsen Garcia, NEA President and

§ Randi Weingarten, AFT President

§ Karen Lewis, President, Chicago Teachers Union

http://www.networkforpubliceducation.org/2015/01/npe-2015-annual-conference-chicago-early-bird-special-registration-open/

Friday, February 27, 2015

PA Ed Policy Roundup Feb 27: Campaign for Fair Education Funding Proposes Funding System to Ensure Quality Education for All Students

These daily emails are archived and searchable at http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org

Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition

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?

The Keystone State Education Coalition is an endorsing member of The Campaign for Fair Education Funding

Keystone State Education Coalition

PA Ed Policy Roundup for February 27, 2015:

Campaign for Fair Education Funding Proposes Funding System to Ensure Quality Education for All Students

Education Voters of PA holding public forums on school funding

Lancaster County: Tuesday, March 17, at 7:00 pm at Millersville University

York County: Wednesday, March 25th, 6:30pm at the York Learning Center

Cumberland County: Wednesday, April 1, 7:00 pm at the Grace Milliman Pollock Performing Arts Center

Details/registration: http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/news/2015-events/

Campaign for Fair Education Funding Proposes Funding System to Ensure Quality Education for All Students

Download the CFEF Proposal Executive Summary

Campaign website February 26, 2015

The Campaign for Fair Education Funding today proposed a student-driven funding formula for basic education that strategically directs resources to students and school districts with the greatest needs and provides the investment necessary to enable every child to succeed academically. The campaign’s proposed formula could boost student outcomes in all parts of the state by helping to close funding shortfalls, improve equity, and ensure accountability and efficiency. “Pennsylvania is just one of three states that does not have a have a predictable funding formula for basic education. It changes every single year and students in every district are paying a price for the uncertainty,” Joan Benso, President and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, one of the founding members of the campaign.

“The campaign’s mission is to ensure that every public school student has access to a quality education no matter where they live and to make that happen we need to fundamentally change how public schools are funded. That starts with a sustainable, predictable and long-term funding formula.” The campaign, an unprecedented coalition of educators, faith-based organizations, children’s advocates, business leaders, and representatives of charter schools, and rural, urban and growing school districts across the commonwealth, developed its proposal based on real costs necessary for all students to meet state academic standards and using current, verifiable data.

http://fairfundingpa.org/news/cfef-proposes-funding-system

Advocacy Groups Propose Education Funding Formula

WESA 90.5 NPR Pittsburgh By JESSICA NATH February 26, 2015

Governor Tom Wolf releases his state budget proposal Tuesday, and the Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children has a few suggestions. The organizations unveiled its Campaign for Fair Education Funding Thursday. “The mission of the campaign is really to focus on this need for an equitable system of funding in Pennsylvania that has enough resources in it to be sure every child has an equal chance to meet our standards,” Joan Benso, PA Partnerships for Children president and CEO, said.

http://wesa.fm/post/advocacy-groups-propose-education-funding-formula

Campaign for Fair Education Funding shared its idea on Thursday for a proposed school funding distribution formula and sets its sights on a $3.6 billion increase in the state's investment in public education.

Coalition's proposed school funding formula comes with $9 billion price tag

By Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com 26, 2015 at 6:01 PM

A coalition of educational, business, child advocacy, faith and community groups have crafted a school funding formula that they believe would lead to an equitable student-driven method of distributing state dollars for public schools. The plan proposes phasing in the formula over the next eight years, bumping up the state's $5.7 billion yearly investment now spent on basic education and Ready to Learn grants to $9.3 billion. "We're putting this proposal out, I would describe, as a stake in the ground not a line in the sand," said Joan Benso, president and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, one of the more than 50 coalition members.

http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/02/equitable_school_funding_formu.html

New Castle among those cheering Wolf's education budget

New Castle News CNHI Harrisburg Bureau By John Finnerty Posted: Thursday, February 26, 2015 8:00 am

HARRISBURG — It was the issue that got him elected and likely will be a key part of his first budget address. Gov. Tom Wolf has made it clear that he intends to tax the gas industry to boost education funding. Wolf has said an extraction tax on drilling will generate as much as $1 billion a year in new money – most of it directed at replacing funds for local schools.

That has educators looking forward to the governor’s budget with more optimism than they’ve felt in years. John Sarandrea may be uniquely qualified to make that judgment. He is superintendent of the New Castle Area School District, one of the poorest in the state. Before taking the job he led the district in nearby Sharon, also among the state's poorest.

http://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/new-castle-among-those-cheering-wolf-s-education-budget/article_f2e5892c-bd41-11e4-b40f-bb32ec1a20e1.html\

Bethel Park backs new education funding formula

Post Gazette By Harry Funk February 27, 2015 12:00 AM

Bethel Park school board will urge state legislators to establish a new funding formula for basic education. The board Tuesday approved a resolution that notes that state funding accounts for less than 35 percent of revenue for public schools, down from a peak of over 50 percent in the 1970s. In Bethel Park, that figure was 25.5 percent for 2013-14. “Pennsylvania ranks 47th of the 50 states in the amount of state subsidies allocated to support elementary and secondary education, and ranks eighth in reliance on local taxes,” the resolution states.

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2015/02/27/Bethel-Park-backs-new-education-funding-formula/stories/201502270089

"The board joined other school directors across the state in approving a resolution provided by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association “to convey the importance of establishing a fair and equitable school funding formula to the Pennsylvania General Assembly.” The association is part of the Campaign for Fair Education Funding, whose mission is “to ensure that Pennsylvania adopts and maintains an adequate and equitable system of funding public education by 2016.”

Clairton City School District seeks savings in food service management

Trib Live By Patrick Cloonan Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, 4:56 a.m.

Clairton City School District will seek proposals for a new food service management company for the 2015-16 school year. The Clairton school board authorized the request for proposals at its meeting Wednesday. The action is the result of a situation that was called being “between a rock and a hard place” by district officials in April. At that time Nutrition Inc. cited rising costs in a decision to increase rates by $34,849.32 for the remainder of the 2013-14 school year, and by $73,325.03 for this school year. The board thought then that it had no choice but to approve a food service budget under Nutrition Inc.'s terms for 2014-15.

Liquor privatization passes Pa. House

By Wallace McKelvey | WMckelvey@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on February 26, 2015 at 3:36 PM, updated February 26, 2015 at 5:45 PM

Liquor privatization has passed the House of Representatives by a 114-87 margin, reflecting a largely party-line vote after more than five hours of debate. "We have a chance to tell the people of PA that we will turn our back on the status quo going forward," said Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-Indiana, shortly before the vote.

http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/02/liquor_privatization_passes_pa.html

Gov. Wolf's wants to lower school property tax -- but what's the tradeoff?

Penn Live By Charles Thompson | cthompson@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on February 25, 2015 at 6:28 AM, updated February 25, 2015 at 9:52 AM

With campaign promises solidifying into governing plans at this writing, Gov. Tom Wolf appears to be ready to join a long line of Pennsylvania governors who have tried to significantly reduce property taxes. Multiple sources told PennLive this week they expect Wolf's "tax fairness" plan to include a major slash at residential school property tax bills, in keeping with his larger goal of shifting more education costs to state government.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/02/gov_tom_wolf_may_include_a_pla.html

"Wolf and our lawmakers in Harrisburg need to make education a top priority.

The future of Pennsylvania depends on increased and fairer funding for our public schools. And the state should provide a larger share of school funding to reduce local property taxes."

Editorial: Governor must chart bold path for Pa. starting Tuesday

Lancaster Online Editorial by The LNP Editorial Board Posted: Friday, February 27, 2015 6:00 am

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf will deliver his first budget address Tuesday before a General Assembly in which Republicans have a 20-seat advantage in the Senate and a 35-seat edge in the House (both numbers exclude vacancies). Pennsylvania government faces a $2.3 billion revenue shortfall and a $53 billion gap between assets and benefits in its two large pension funds. The election of Gov. Wolf was a clear call by the people of our state seeking a new vision and path for Pennsylvania. Given all the issues facing our state, problems kicked down the road that should have been addressed long ago, and the deep-seated partisanship in Harrisburg, there is no way the new governor can produce a spending plan that meets all the commonwealth's needs. But now is the time for Wolf to be bold and jump-start the state down the path of prosperity and growth.

http://lancasteronline.com/opinion/editorials/governor-must-chart-bold-path-for-pa-starting-tuesday/article_09f2233e-be0d-11e4-bda0-ebfda80018ff.html

If you would like to attend the oral arguments in the case, you are invited to the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg (601 Commonwealth Avenue, Courtroom 5001) on Wednesday, March 11th at 9:30AM

Our Amicus Brief in the State Funding Lawsuit

Yinzercation Blog by Jessie Ramey February 26, 2015

Did you know that there is a current lawsuit against the state to fund our schools? The Education Law Center (ELC) and the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia brought the suit last fall on behalf of six school districts, seven parents, and two statewide associations accusing the state of failing to uphold Pennsylvania’s constitutional obligation to provide a “thorough and efficient” system of public education. The state is arguing that the case should be thrown out and there is a key court date coming up on March 11^th. Yinzercation has joined with other grassroots organizations to submit an amicus (meaning “friend of the court”) brief demonstrating the reasons this case ought to move forward. I will include the full Statement of Harm we were asked to file in support of the brief below. (Click here for the full amicus brief,which was delivered on Tuesday.) For more information about the lawsuit, including an easy-to-read FAQ, visit th ePennsylvania School Funding Litigation website. .

https://yinzercation.wordpress.com/2015/02/26/our-amicus-brief-in-the-state-funding-lawsuit/

This video covers the PA House Education Committee's consideration of amendments and vote on HB530 Charter Reform bill

Ensuring Funding Equality Between School Districts and Charter Schools

RepReese Published on Feb 26, 2015 YouTube video runtime 13:57

PA State Rep. Mike Reese discusses his legislation which reforms reimbursement rates and methods between charter schools and school districts, among other educational reforms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yji5cnCxbrM

Saucon Valley School Board makes new contract offer to teachers

By Sara K. Satullo | The Express-Times Email the author | Follow on Twitter on February 26, 2015 at 7:30 PM, updated February 26, 2015 at 8:47 PM

Saucon Valley teachers returned to the bargaining table Thursday afternoon to hear a state mediator present the school board's latest contract offer. Saucon Valley Education Association members have been working under an expired contract since July 2012. Years of negotiations have failed to reach a deal, causing contract talks to turn contentious.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf/2015/02/saucon_valley_school_board_mak.html#incart_river

Plum School District prelim budget shows $2.5 million shortfall

Trib Live By Karen Zapf Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, 9:00 p.m.

Wade Woolford said he doesn't mind paying a bit more in taxes if students benefit.

“I don't mind chipping in for them,” Woolford of Winchester Drive told Plum School Board members during last week's finance committee meeting. “I don't want to see pay to play. I don't want to see you cut programs. The kids are first.”

"Across the state, 93 percent of districts are paying more for health care, 91 percent are paying more for special education programs and 85 percent have had to turn over more of their money to charter schools since 2010-11. Along with contributions to the school retirees’ pension fund, costs of conducting background checks on job applicants and performing evaluations of school employees, these are costs that can’t be avoided, officials said."

School officials sound alarm on financial challenges

Indiana Gazette by CHAUNCEY ROSS on February 25, 2015 10:59 AM

Stories of thinly spread school budgets emerge at nearly every turn in the regular sequence of monthly school board meetings in the area. One or more days a week, reports echo school officials’ concerns that limits on how they get money and demands on how they spend it are putting more and more pressure on local taxpayers and on teachers’ ability to provide a sound education for students. Area school superintendents, business managers and board members from Indiana and Armstrong counties gathered Tuesday for a news conference to unveil results of a statewide survey of public schools’ financial situations.

https://www.indianagazette.com/news/indiana-news/school-officials-sound-alarm-on-financial-challenges,21573747/

Why the SRC angered everyone

City Paper By Daniel Denvir Published: 02/26/2015

I could have reported in advance all but the ending of last Wednesday's grueling, five-hour School Reform Commission meeting, convened to adjudicate 39 charter-school applications. Charter-school advocates pleaded for salvation from failing public schools. Opponents, including experts from the Education Law Center and Public Citizens for Children and Youth, pointed out that charters expand at the financial expense of traditional public schools. The SRC finally voted to approve five new charters from among the city's most high-profile operators: Freire, Independence, KIPP, Mastery, and MaST. The SRC's decisions were likely foregone, if theretofore unknown, conclusions. My biggest surprise was that police aggressively blocked me from photographing the resulting protest mêlée (iPhone result: fuzzy).

The School District of Philadelphia estimates that each new regular charter seat costs $7,000 in additional expenses.The District currently spends about a third of its budget to educate more than 62,000 students in charter schools. It also has laid off thousands of teachers and staff in recent years, closed dozens of schools and has projected a deficit of roughly $80 million for the coming fiscal year.

http://citypaper.net/news/why-the-src-angered-everyone/

The Brief: Who Will the Philly Teachers Union Support for Mayor?

And why it matters.

Philly Mag Citified BY HOLLY OTTERBEIN | FEBRUARY 26, 2015 AT 6:30 AM

image: http://cdn.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Candidate-Conversations.jpg

The Democratic candidates for mayor of Philadelphia each tried to make their strongest case Wednesday that the city’s teachers union ought to endorse them. At a meeting held by the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers in South Philly, the candidates took questions from union members about education funding, charter schools and the School Reform Commission.

The union won’t make an endorsement until after the rank-and-file members’ votes are tallied in mid-March. But Jerry Jordan, president of the PFT, says, “Once we endorse someone, we will be totally in for that person.” That likely means a maxed-out check from the union, but perhaps more importantly, the American Federation of Teachers is expected to get behind whoever the city’s teachers support. That matters because the national group has thrown around big cash in municipal elections before.

So, who's got the best shot at landing the teachers' support?

Despite Hiccups, House Nearing the Finish Line In NCLB Rewrite Debate

Education Week Politics K-12 Blog By Lauren Camera on February 26, 2015 12:57 AM

The House adjourned late last evening before it was able to finalize consideration of a laundry list of amendments filed to a Republican-backed rewrite of the No Child Left Behind Act.

Working late into the night, lawmakers adopted more than a dozen of the 44 amendments filed to the federal K-12 overhaul, including a measure that would allow school districts to use locally designed tests in lieu of state tests. Despite pushback from within the GOP after the Club For Growth and Heritage Action, two powerful conservative organizations, blasted out emails urging Republicans to block the bill, education commitee Chairman John Kline, R-Minn. appeared to maintain control. There were rumors, however, behind the scenes, that House leaders don't have enough support to get the bill over the finish line tomorrow. The final vote on the measure could be very close.

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2015/02/despite_hiccups_house_nearing_.html