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
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These daily emails are archived and searchable at http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org
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Keystone State Education Coalition
PA Ed Policy Roundup for March
9, 2015:
Where Have All The Teachers
Gone?
The next PA Basic
Education Funding Commission Public
Hearing will be on Thursday, March 12th at 10:00 am in Hearing Room 1, North
Office Building, Harrisburg
PA House
Appropriations Committee Budget Hearing Schedule
PA Senate Appropriations Committee Budget Hearing Schedule
Did you catch our weekend postings?
PA Ed Policy Roundup March 7: As Wolf pushes budget
plan, Republican senators warn schools not to count on new money
Editorial: Pa.
Delco Times Editorial POSTED: 03/08/15, 9:50 PM EDT |
We all have regrets, and surely it’s part and parcel of the
human condition to have those moments where you wish you had easy access to a
time machine and you could head back into the past and fix something that
turned out, with plenty of hindsight, to be not such a good idea.
Many taxpayers and school administrators in Pennsylvania — and
no doubt some lawmakers, too — would aim that time machine straight back to 2000.
It was at that juncture, following almost a decade of uninterrupted economic
growth and robust employment, that the state Legislature decided to increase
substantially the pension benefits for state employees and public school
teachers in the commonwealth. After such an extended period of expansion,
fueled by new technology and increased productivity, it looked like the blue
skies would continue to stretch on and on as far as the eye could see. But the storm clouds appeared soon enough.
The tech bubble burst, the 9/11 attacks happened and the economy experienced a
brief recession. That was only a
foretaste of the devastation that loomed in 2007 and 2008, however, when the
housing bubble exploded with the force of a nuclear weapon and laid the economy
to waste. Seven years later, we are just now starting to fully recover.
Rivera: Governor Tom Wolf's
budget plan puts focus back on learning
WITF Written by Ben Allen and Radio Pennsylvania | Mar 9, 2015 4:03 AM
(Harrisburg ) -- Governor Tom Wolf promised to
increase education funding on the campaign trail, and his proposed budget
delivers on that pledge. But the plan
comes with a cost. From the lecture
halls of Penn State
University in State College to the
classrooms of the Lebanon
School District Pennsylvania
schools has had a direct impact on instruction, direct impact on the learning
in classrooms," says Pedro Rivera, acting state Secretary of
Education and former superintendent of the Lancaster School District
Wolf's Jenga-like budget
makes each piece key
Morning Call By Steve
Esack Call Harrisburg
Bureau March 7, 2015
In his budget address last week, Gov. Tom Wolf boiled down his $33.8 billion spending plan
to three phrases: Jobs that pay. Schools that teach. Government that works.
But the Democrat's budget, which carries a 16 percent combined
tax increase to pay for the spending and a reduction in property and business
tax rates, can be more easily summed up in one word: Jenga. Wolf's budget, like the game named for the
Swahili word "to build," is a mosaic of stacked pieces. And the whole
budget could crash on the negotiating table if the Republican-controlled
Legislature, the public and special interest groups start pulling out bits they
don't like or if revenue projections don't add up to the sum of all the parts.
Wolf's tax-a-palooza
Trib Live By Brad
Bumsted Saturday, March 7, 2015, 9:00 p.m.
HARRISBURG It was big and bold. It was a political document, to
be sure. It was clearly more than the Republican-controlled state Legislature
can swallow. Democrat Gov. Tom Wolf's
first budget, a $34 billion spending plan, according to GOP analysts, would
raise $4.7 million in new revenue. It
masks a portion of tax hikes for new spending as “tax reform.” There is a
genuine effort, however, to reduce property taxes, I believe. That's been the
Gordian knot of state politics for more than 40 years. Everyone wants property
taxes reduced but few are willing to pay more in other taxes. Wolf was closing a $2.3 billion deficit left
by GOP Gov. Tom Corbett, saying he would also restore education money he
contends Corbett cut.
Tom Wolf’s budget: ‘Dead on
arrival?’ Maybe, but it’s not all impossible
BillyPenn.com By Anna
Orso March 6, 2015 at 9:00 am
Since new Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his proposed
state budget on Tuesday, everyone’s been talking about the
winners and losers, whether it’s taxpayers, corporations or students. Come
June, those winners and losers will look completely different as the
deadline to actually pass something looms (and, let’s be honest, probably
expires — as it’s done nearly every year for the past decade.) Budget day in Harrisburg is an act of theater. Now, the
real work gets done as legislative leaders spend the next few months making
back-room deals.
For now, every side in Harrisburg
says they’re not willing to compromise on pension reform, liquor privatization,
education, taxes, minimum wage, what have you. But they are, because they have
to. That’s how Harrisburg
works. “[Wolf] is going to have to give
it a major effort,” said Terry Madonna, director of the Center for Politics and
Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College
Wolf's proposal for expanded
sales tax in Pennsylvania
Trib Live By Brad Bumsted and Gideon Bradshaw Sunday,
March 8, 2015, 10:40 p.m.
HARRISBURG —
Michele Andrae said the last thing her daughter needs is to pay more for
college textbooks. Gov. Tom Wolf
proposes applying the state sales tax to textbooks, fees and college meal
plans, his office says. Andrae, 53, of Monroeville said her daughter, who
attends East Stroudsburg University
Raising the sales tax and expanding its base to dozens of items
and services now exempt are part of Wolf's $30 billion-plus state budget that
lawmakers will begin scrutinizing Monday.
Budget hearings run through April 1. The Department of
Revenue will be among the first agencies to come before the House
Appropriations Committee, whose members are expected to grill Wolf's nominee
for Revenue secretary, Eileen McNulty, about the governor's plans.
Diane Ravitch's Blog By dianeravitch March
7, 2015 //
After four years of deep budget cuts to public education, Pennsylvania ’s New
Democratic Governor Tom Wolf has proposed large increases in school funding,
coupled with property tax reductions. However, the legislature is controlled by
Republicans, and they oppose his plan.
Here are some articles from the website of the Keystone State
Education Coalition, a valuable source of information about the state’s education
issues.
Supporting wider success for
city students
Philly.com Opinion by WILLIAM R. HITE POSTED: Sunday,
March 8, 2015, 1:09 AM
William R. Hite is
superintendent of the School District
of Philadelphia
Philadelphia
students received great news last week from Gov. Wolf and Mayor Nutter.
In a powerful show of support for the School District of Philadelphia
Marathon bargaining session
puts Steel Valley School district
Trib Live By Patrick
Cloonan Sunday, March 8, 2015, 8:06 a.m.
A marathon weekend bargaining session ended 202 days of uncertainty for Steel Valley School District officials and the district's teachers. “School WILL be open Monday,” the district announced on its website Sunday. A tentative deal on a collective bargaining agreement was reached between the district and its teachers, according to a joint statement issued in an email Sunday afternoon from district labor attorney Gerik Jenco.
A marathon weekend bargaining session ended 202 days of uncertainty for Steel Valley School District officials and the district's teachers. “School WILL be open Monday,” the district announced on its website Sunday. A tentative deal on a collective bargaining agreement was reached between the district and its teachers, according to a joint statement issued in an email Sunday afternoon from district labor attorney Gerik Jenco.
Where Have All The Teachers
Gone?
NPR.org ERIC WESTERVELT MARCH 03, 2015 2:03 PM ET
This is the canary in the coal mine.
Several big states have seen alarming drops in enrollment at
teacher training programs. The numbers are grim among some of the nation's
largest producers of new teachers: In California, enrollment is down 53 percent
over the past five years. It's down sharply in New York
and Texas as
well. In North Carolina , enrollment is down nearly 20
percent in three years.
"The erosion is steady. That's a steady downward line on a
graph. And there's no sign that it's being turned around," says Bill
McDiarmid, the dean of the University of
North Carolina School of Education. Why
have the numbers fallen so far, so fast?
Curmuducation Blog Saturday, March 7, 2015
The charter talking point of the week was believing in charter
schools and charter school students, and it suggests that at some point Franz
Kafka and George Orwell had a love child who went into the PR biz. Charter boosters are outraged-- outraged!!--
that anyone would criticize or question their success, because that must mean
that those critics believe that poor African-American students are victims of
their circumstances and these critics don't believe that such students can
succeed. But charter schools do believe. They believe in all students. Now,
here's a completion sentence. Can you finish it?
Because charter school operators believe that all students succeed, they work hard to serve_______.
Because charter school operators believe that all students succeed, they work hard to serve_______.
Charter
School in Miami Fails, but Proves Useful on Jeb Bush’s Résumé
New York Times By JASON HOROWITZ MARCH 7, 2015
Those days are over. Now trash and fronds from the palm trees
that students planted litter the grounds, and cafeteria tables are folded away
in a dark doorway. Jeb Bush’s charter school is a ruin
baking in the Miami
sun.
For this event, sponsored by Public Citizens for Children and
Youth (PCCY), local dentists will provide free screenings and cleanings for
children. Give Kids a Smile Day is especially for children who do not
have health insurance or who have not had a dental exam in the last six months.
Appointments are necessary, so please call PCCY at 215-563-5848 x32 to
schedule one starting Monday, March 16th. Volunteers will be
on hand to answer calls. Smile Day information can also be found on the school
district website and on PCCY’s website - http://www.pccy.org/resource/give-kids-a-smile-day/.
Nominations for PSBA 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. Persons seeking consideration for
a position as an officer or at-large representative of the Association shall
file at PSBA headquarters to the attention of the Leadership Development
Committee chair in an envelope marked CONFIDENTIAL an Application
for Nomination on the form approved by the PSBA Governing Board,
accompanied by a photograph, letters of recommendation and such other
supporting materials as may be specified on the Application for Nomination form
for the purpose of further documenting the candidate’s involvement in
activities of the association, relevant community service and leadership
experiences or other qualifications.
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 11th
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 thePennsylvania Judicial
Center , 601 Commonwealth Avenue , Courtroom 5001
in Harrisburg , PA.
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
PCCY Spring Training:
Hit a School Funding Home Run for Kids Advocacy Training Workshop
March 18 or 21
This year we have an unprecedented opportunity to make public
education funding more fair and to get more of it for schools across
Pennsylvania. Voters spoke in November when an incumbent governor—widely perceived
to be responsible for drastic education cuts, was unseated while his opponent
ran on the promise to increase school funding. A funding commission has been
established to research and develop recommendations for a new funding formula.
Now is our time to let our elected officials know we take investment in
education seriously.
Please join Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) for
our annual advocacy training to learn how you can win fair and increased
funding for our students.
By participating, you’ll be joining a statewide movement. PCCY
is a part of a statewide coalition of 50 (and growing) organizations committed
to getting a fair funding formula passed by 2016.
Attend our training to:
·
Learn
o
Why education funding in PA is broken and how a
funding formula can fix it
o
Best practices for amplifying your voice for PA
kids
o
How to develop an advocacy plan tailored to fit
your schedule and strengths
·
Connect with
·
Others throughout our region who are as
passionate about public education as you are
·
Leave
·
Inspired and ready to take action for PA
Workshop Details:
When: The same workshop will be offered on two different
days for your convenience.
Wednesday, March 18th, 6:00-8:00pm or Saturday,
March 21st, 9 am - Noon
Where: United Way Building, 1709 Benjamin Franklin
Pkwy., Philadelphia, 19103
For additional information, email info@pccy.org.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is
requested. Children are welcome.
Click here to sign up:
Public Interest Law Center of
Philadelphia offering two special education seminars in March
Leaving Gifted Kids Behind Tuesday, March 24, 2015 1:00
-- 4:00 P.M.
In this session, participants will learn how Pennsylvania law affects and supports gifted children, as well as practical tips for ensuring gifted services. We will also discuss race and gifted services.
In this session, participants will learn how Pennsylvania law affects and supports gifted children, as well as practical tips for ensuring gifted services. We will also discuss race and gifted services.
This session is co-sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania
School of Policy and Practice, a Pre-approved Provider of Continuing Education
for Pennsylvania
licensed social workers.
Children with Emotional Problems: Avoiding the Juvenile Justice
System, and What Does Real Help Look Like? Friday, March 27, 2015 1:00
-- 4:00 P.M.
This session will focus on giving you the tools you need to
support children with emotional problems, including those in the foster care
system or those in the juvenile court system.
Note: This session was originally scheduled for February 17,
but had to be rescheduled due to inclement weather. Tickets purchased for the
original date still apply.
United Way Building 1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway,
Philadelphia, 19103
Tickets: Attorneys $200
General Public $100 Webinar $50
Pay What You Can" tickets are also available
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.
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
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-state-of-public-education-funding-in-pennsylvania-tickets-15816877707
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/
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/
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
PA Basic Education Funding
Commission website
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.
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.
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
Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, 2 W. Lafayette Street, Norristown, PA 19401
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:
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