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Keystone State Education Coalition
PA Ed Policy Roundup December 9, 2015:
Senate scuttles
House-passed #PAbudget bill, recommits to framework agreement
Campaign for Fair Education Funding: PA Lawmakers need to deliver a
#PABudget that meets the needs of every child. Ask them to at:
Today might be an excellent day to reach out to your House
members. Phone numbers are here:
Campaign for Fair Education Funding advocates for
state Senate budget framework
Alternative budget proposal offered by House
Republicans comes up short $200 million for public schools
HARRISBURG (December
8, 2015) – The Campaign for Fair Education Funding is urging
lawmakers to end the budget impasse by adopting the budget framework passed by
the Senate yesterday, which would increase basic education funding by $350
million.
During a press
conference today, the Campaign asked lawmakers to reject the alternative budget
proposal offered by House Republicans because it does not live up to the
agreed-upon framework for basic education and comes up short $200 million for
public schools.
“We are here today
to urge enactment of a long overdue state budget that puts Pennsylvania on a better path to fund our
public schools,” said Joan L. Benso, President and CEO, Pennsylvania Partnerships
for Children. “The Campaign members joining me today know the importance of
getting this done and not letting the budget framework agreed to by the
Governor and three of the four legislative caucuses fall apart at this urgent
hour.”
"The state budget
stalemate took a turn on Tuesday with the House passing a $30.3 billion
spending plan for 2015-16 only to have that plan gutted from the bill and
replaced with the Senate's $30.8 billion budget plan in the Senate
Appropriations Committee."
Senate committee guts
House budget, amends with budget framework plan
Penn Live By Jan Murphy |
jmurphy@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter on
December 08, 2015 at 7:30 PM, updated December 08, 2015 at 8:37 PM
The House's $30.3
billion budget plan didn't live long in the Senate on Tuesday.
About three hours
after the House voted 115-86 to pass its 2015-16 state spending plan, the
Senate Appropriations Committee voted 25-1 to amend its own $30.8 billion spending plan passed on Monday into the
House budget bill. Senate GOP Leader
Jake Corman Discusses Warring Budget Bills In The House And SenateCorman,
R-Centre County, said he is open to looking at a budget bill the House sends
over to the Senate but is confident the budget bill and pension reform bill the
Senate passed on Monday can gain Gov. Tom Wolf's signature.
Committee Chairman
Pat Browne, R-Lehigh
County
Senate scuttles
House-passed budget bill, recommits to framework agreement
The PLS Reporter Author: Jason Gottesman/Tuesday, December
8, 2015
Just hours after the
House of Representatives passed what has been called a scaled-down budget bill
of $30.2 billion, the Senate scuttled the plan by amending into the legislation
the $30.8 billion framework agreement that they sent over to the House on
Monday. The House passed their budget
plan by a 115-86 vote with four Republicans—Representatives Martina White
(R-Philadelphia), John Taylor (R-Philadelphia), John McGinnis (R-Blair), and
Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon)—joining Democrats in opposing the plan. “It’s a fiscally responsible budget,” House
Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) told reporters in defense of the plan. In particular, he touted increased education
spending levels of their plan—including what he said is $100 million more in
basic education funding—as well as increased spending for social service
programs and research initiatives. “It’s
a budget that takes care of the citizens of Pennsylvania in very significant fashion,”
he added. The Senate was determined,
however, to keep their work moving forward on the one-time five-party budget
framework agreement.
Turzai on Senate: “Sending
back a budget bill is not really responsible governance”
The PLS Reporter Author: Jason Gottesman/Tuesday, December
8, 2015
House Speaker Mike
Turzai (R-Allegheny) gathered members of the press together Tuesday night to
give a full-throated defense of the House-passed budget plan that comes in
about $600 million less than the framework budget that the Senate, House
Democrats, and Gov. Tom Wolf are supporting.
“How are you paying for it,” he questioned. “That’s what I’d like to
know.” He said the
framework agreement would essentially provide for a $3 billion tax increase,
including $600 million this fiscal year and $2.2 billion in the next fiscal
year to support promised increases in education spending and
cost-to-carry. “Who is voting for the $3
billion and what’s the tax package look like? We’d be glad to look at it and if
they want to run it and send it over here, we can always put it up for a vote
and see if we have the votes for it,” Speaker Turzai added. “Sending back a
budget bill is not really responsible governance. Tell us how you’re paying for
it.”
He said the votes in
the House do not exist for that large of a revenue package.
"House Republicans said
they would bring in another $309 million this year and $627 million next year
to pay for their budget through taxes on cigarette and tobacco products and on
online gambling."
House GOP goes its own route in approving a state
budget
By Karen Langley /
Post-Gazette Harrisburg
Bureau December 8, 2015 3:03 PM
Pa. House passes budget,
sets up Senate showdown
by Chris Palmer, Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau. Updated on DECEMBER 8, 2015 —
2:44 PM EST
"On Monday, many
lawmakers were left wondering how this latest impasse will end, given the
significant differences in the Senate and House proposals. As they argue among
themselves, each day without a resolution adds to the hardship counties, school
districts and nonprofit agencies have been feeling for weeks and months in the
absence of state funding."
Editorial: Two plans but
no budget
Posted: Wednesday,
December 9, 2015 12:15 am | Updated: 1:19 am, Wed Dec 9, 2015.
The sad saga of Pennsylvania ’s
nonexistent budget ebbs and flows. For most of the last five months and eight
days, the news was ... well, there wasn’t much news. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf
has had his agenda — much more spending for education and whatever tax
increases are necessary to pay for it — and Republican legislative leaders,
particularly in the House, have had theirs — less emphasis on education and
more on pension and liquor reforms. Those
basic positions hadn’t changed a great deal since the budget stalemate began on
July 1 until just before Thanksgiving, when there were reports of progress and
positive comments on both sides about a so-called framework agreement. Wolf
challenged lawmakers to have a budget to him by last Friday, a deadline that
proved to be so much wishful thinking. Now,
a settlement apparently has drifted out of easy reach, and not because Wolf and
the Republicans have again dug in their heels. This time, the conflict is among
the Republicans themselves in the form of competing Senate and House proposals.
PPG Editorial: Gridlock, Pa.-style: Harrisburg
has now become Washington
Post Gazette By the
Editorial Board December 9, 2015 12:00 AM
It happens every
year. In February or March, the governor proposes a new budget, replete with
hundreds of pages of details on how state dollars will be spent. This year was no different. Gov. Tom Wolf
presented the first budget of his administration on March 3, more than 900
pages of revenue estimates and projected outlays to school districts,
universities, social service agencies, municipal governments, you name it. The
would-be recipients of those dollars started digging through the proposal as
they tried to make their own financial plans. Then came the
partisan wrangling. That’s where Pennsylvanians still are today, nine months
after his proposal was issued, five months after a budget was supposed to have
been enacted. Yes, Pennsylvania has divided
government, with a Democratic governor and the GOP in control of the
Legislature, so concocting a budget was not going to be easy. In a major step
forward, legislative leaders in both chambers put together a $30.8 billion plan
with the governor, it passed the Senate on a bipartisan vote Monday and Mr. Wolf
said he would sign it. Then House
Republicans pulled the rug out from under it and instead passed a plan that is
$500 million lower, would mean less money for education and probably has no
chance of being enacted.
Looking for someone to
blame for a protracted budget nightmare? Try House Republicans: Analysis
Penn Live By John L. Micek |
jmicek@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter on
December 08, 2015 at 4:21 PM, updated December 08, 2015 at 4:24 PM
Would the adults in
the room please stand up? Not so fast,
House Republicans.
With an end to Pennsylvania 's
six-month-old spending plan stalemate in sight, GOP lawmakers who control the
lower chamber just threw a serious wrench into the works and made a New Year's
Eve budget debate a real possibility.
On Tuesday, the House voted 115-86, almost entirely along party lines,
to approve a $30.3 billion budget that both the Republican-controlled Senate and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf have
declared dead-on-arrival. The
House vote came just a day after the Senate voted 43-7 (which is
bipartisan, you'll note) to approve a $30.8 billion framework that had the
support of both Wolf and legislative Democrats.
Over the weekend, House Republicans trashed the month-old framework and
announced they were going their own way. Any budget-associated optimism then
shattered on the Capitol's tiled floors.
"This budget focuses on the art of possible," House Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill
Adolph, R-Delaware said Tuesday. "At the end of this game, we
have to move forward to bring this standoff to a close." The problem is, the game isn't anywhere near
over. And Adolph knows
it.
'Political gamesmanship': Pa.
Penn Live By Christian
Alexandersen | calexandersen@pennlive.com Email the
author | Follow
on Twitter on December 08, 2015 at 3:25 PM, updated December 08,
2015 at 4:16 PM
The Pennsylvania
House of Representatives passed a GOP-crafted budget bill Tuesday that
is not being supported by their fellow Republicans in the Senate or Gov.
Tom Wolf. The House voted
115 to 86 to pass a $30.3 billion budget bill that was created by
House Republicans. The House budget bill was created in response to the $30.8
billion budget bill that was developed out of negotiations
between Wolf and Republican and Democratic lawmakers in the Senate. The House budget bill will now head to the
Senate for its approval.
WHYY Newsworks BY MARY WILSON DECEMBER 9, 2015
Blogger note: Meanwhile,
school boards who were required by law to vote on their budgets by June 30th,
have begun work on NEXT YEAR'S budgets….
"The Monday night vote,
taken several weeks earlier than usual, was necessitated by the 2016-17 budget
schedule that has been established by Pennsylvania's property tax relief law
known as Act 1, officials said. The Act 1 decision has to be made a few weeks
sooner than usual because Pennsylvania's Primary Election is in April, instead
of May, so state voters can play a role in deciding the 2016 Presidential
Election candidates, officials said."
Neshaminy school board
approves 'first look' 2016-17 preliminary budget
Bucks County Courier Times by Joan Hellyer, staff writer Posted: Wednesday, December 9, 2015 4:30
am
The Neshaminy school
board voted unanimously this week to approve a 'first look' $182.4 million
preliminary budget for 2016-17 that would require a 20-mill tax increase,
although expenses are expected to be reduced during the budget process. Early budget estimations suggest Neshaminy's
board would have to raise property taxes 20 mills to cover all the expenses in
the 'first look' financial plan for next school year because projected revenues
are expected to amount to just more than $167 million. The board would need the
additional property tax funding to help cover an estimated $15 million revenue
shortfall The budget is about $7 million
more than the current financial plan and includes everything on the "wish
lists" from district schools, board President Scott Congdon said after the
vote. The projected expenses are expected to be pared down in the coming
months, he said. The board will
take another vote on a 2016-17 preliminary budget on Jan. 26, according to a
timeline handed out at Monday's meeting. The final budget needs to be adopted
by June 30.
Penn Live By Roger Quigley |
Special to PennLive Email the author on December 08, 2015 at 9:02
PM, updated December 08, 2015 at 9:06 PM
MECHANICSBURG - The
Mechanicsburg Area School Board again has taken a pledge to hold a tax increase
for the 2016-17 budget to the percentage allowed by a state inflation index. Although a tax increase is not good news for taxpayers,
the resolution approved Tuesday night establishes the maximum hike that
taxpayers could face. For the 2016-17
budget the Act 1 index for Mechanicsburg is 2.8 percent. Districts must agree to follow the Act 1
index or seek approval for a larger increase either through the state
Department of Education or a voter referendum.
This is the eighth
straight year that the Mechanicsburg board has agreed to hold tax increases to
the inflation index maximum.
So far, 23 educators have
been disciplined by the state for test cheating
Three
years ago, Pa.
the notebook By Dale Mezzacappa and Paul
Socolar on Dec 8, 2015 01:41 PM
The state Department
of Education (PDE) has provided a list showing that 23 educators statewide have
so far been disciplined in connection with adult cheating on the PSSA tests as
a result of investigations that started in 2011. Philadelphia
educators make up just over half of those sanctioned, and they have faced the
harshest penalties.
Officials will not
say how many more cheating cases are still in the pipeline.
While details about
the state's inquiry into cheating are still sparse, PDE has also clarified the
process that triggered its ongoing scrutiny of nine Pennsylvania districts where testing
irregularities were found. These include two charter schools in this area:
Chester Community and Imhotep
Institute Charter
Schools Philadelphia
Electrical & Technology Charter School
in Center City Chester
Community Charter
School
Charter school teacher who encouraged Allentown
Jacqueline Palochko Contact Reporter
Of The Morning Call December 8, 2015
CATASAUQUA — The
Medical Academy Charter School teacher who encouraged students to walk out of Allentown schools and is
charged with corrupting minors has been fired by the charter's board of
trustees. Despite the pleas of many
students who said Frassetto is a teacher who understands them, the trustees
unanimously decided Tuesday night to terminate Frassetto from his
teaching position because of his behavior the past few months. Board Chairman
Craig Haytmanek said Frassetto is an "excellent classroom teacher"
who "lacked judgment."
No Child Left Behind
rewrite nears final approval
Philly.com by JENNIFER C. KERR, The Associated
Press. Updated on DECEMBER
8, 2015 — 5:53 PM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) -
The nation is on the verge of a sweeping shift in education, with states poised
to gain greater control over school accountability and the ways testing is used
to evaluate teachers, schools and student progress. Although the federally mandated reading and
math exams in grades three to eight and in high school continue, legislation
expected to be voted on by the Senate on Wednesday encourages states to set
caps on overall testing. Senate approval
would send the bill to the White House, where President Barack Obama is
expected to sign it.
Yong Zhao and Pasi
Sahlberg: Why Andreas Schleicher Is Wrong About Testing in the US
Diane Ravitch's Blog
By dianeravitch December
8, 2015 //
Andreas Schleicher
is the director of that section of the OECD in charge of international
testing. He
recently claimed that Americans are not over tested. He can’t
understand why parents and teachers are complaining so much, when students in
other nations take many more tests than American students. Since this seemed counter-intuitive, I called
on two great international experts–Pasi Sahlberg and Yong Zhao– who work with
OECD data frequently. Both responded promptly.
Here are their comments on Schleicher’s claim that American students are
not over tested:
Building a Stronger, More Effective Assessment Reform
Movement under ESSA
FairTest Submitted
by fairtest on December 4, 2015 - 7:17pm
Congress will likely
soon pass and President Obama sign the “Every Student Achieves Act”
(ESSA). This bill is the latest version of the long-standing Elementary
and Secondary Education Act and replaces the universally despised “No Child
Left Behind.” The new law presents both opportunities
and dangers for the testing resistance and reform movement. How can the movement use the opportunities,
counter the risks, and win greater assessment reform victories? The first task
is to continue to build resistance to high-stakes standardized exams in every
state in the nation, especially by expanding the already large numbers of test
refusals. Next is to transform this movement strength into concrete victories
by winning state legislation and local regulations to cut back testing, end
high stakes, and implement high-quality assessments. ESSA pushes
decision-making power about most aspects of accountability from federal
education officials to the states and localities. It will take strong and savvy
organizing to win needed changes. Here are some ways activists can bring
positive change and avoid the law’s dangers.
Testing Resistance & Reform News: December 2 - 8,
2015
FairTest Submitted
by fairtest on December 8, 2015 - 12:51pm
With passage of
legislation to eliminate many of the worst federal test-and-punish mandates in
"No Child Left Behind" and Arne Duncan's waivers extremely likely, a
new FairTest fact sheet offers recommendations on how grassroots activists can
transform assessment reform opportunities in the new "Every Student
Succeeds Act" into state and local policy victories.
“I’ve never thought loud,
obnoxious, simple solutions to complex problems were the kind of qualities we
want in a president,” the former governor said."
Ridge: 'Not a chance' he'd
vote for Trump
by Thomas Fitzgerald, Inquirer Politics
Writer. @tomfitzgerald Updated on DECEMBER 8, 2015 —
9:52 PM EST
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/big_tent/Ridge-Not-a-chance-hed-vote-for-Trump.html#EpDItSmGUz9CuhtP.99
PSBA New School Director
Training
School boards who will welcome new directors after the election should
plan to attend PSBA training to help everyone feel more confident right from
the start. This one-day event is targeted to help members learn the basics of
their new roles and responsibilities. Meet the friendly, knowledgeable PSBA
team and bring everyone on your “team of 10” to get on the same page fast.
- $150 per
registrant (No charge if your district has a LEARN Pass. Note: All-Access
members also have LEARN Pass.)
- One-hour lunch
on your own — bring your lunch, go to lunch, or we’ll bring a box lunch to
you; coffee/tea provided all day
- Course
materials available online or we’ll bring a printed copy to you for an
additional $25
- Registrants
receive one month of 100-level online courses for each registrant, after
the live class
Nine locations
for your convenience:
- Philadelphia
area — Nov. 21 William Tennent HS, Warminster (note: location changed from
IU23 Norristown)
- Pittsburgh
area — Dec. 5 Allegheny IU3, Homestead
- South Central
PA and Erie areas (joint program)— Dec. 12 Northwest Tri-County IU5,
Edinboro and PSBA, Mechanicsburg
- Butler area —
Jan. 9 Midwestern IU 4, Grove City (note: location changed from Penn State
New Kensington)
- Allentown area
— Jan. 16 Lehigh Career & Technical Institute, Schnecksville
- Central PA —
Jan. 30 Nittany Lion Inn, State College
- Scranton area
— Feb. 6 Abington Heights SD, Clarks Summit
- North Central
area —Feb. 13 Mansfield University, Mansfield
Register here: https://www.psba.org/2015/09/new-school-director-training/
NSBA Advocacy
Institute 2016; January 24 - 26 in Washington ,
D.C.
Housing and meeting registration is open for Advocacy Institute 2016. The theme, “Election Year Politics & Public Schools,” celebrates the exciting year ahead for school board advocacy. Strong legislative programming will be paramount at this year’s conference in January. Visit www.nsba.org/advocacyinstitute for more information.
Housing and meeting registration is open for Advocacy Institute 2016. The theme, “Election Year Politics & Public Schools,” celebrates the exciting year ahead for school board advocacy. Strong legislative programming will be paramount at this year’s conference in January. Visit www.nsba.org/advocacyinstitute for more information.
PASBO 61st Annual
Conference and Exhibits March 8 - 11, 2016
Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
The Network for Public Education 3rd
Annual National Conference April 16-17, 2016 Raleigh , North Carolina
The
Network for Public Education is thrilled to announce the location for our 3rd
Annual National Conference. On April 16 and 17, 2016 public education advocates
from across the country will gather in Raleigh, North Carolina. We chose Raleigh to highlight the tremendous
activist movement that is flourishing in North Carolina. No one exemplifies
that movement better than the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, who will be the
conference keynote speaker. Rev. Barber is the current president of
the North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP, the National NAACP chair of
the Legislative Political Action Committee, and the founder of Moral Mondays.
Interested in letting our
elected leadership know your thoughts on education funding, a severance tax,
property taxes and the budget?
Governor Tom Wolf,
(717) 787-2500
Speaker of the
House Rep. Mike Turzai, (717) 772-9943
House Majority Leader Rep. Dave Reed, (717) 705-7173
Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Joe Scarnati, (717) 787-7084
Senate Majority Leader Sen. Jake Corman, (717) 787-1377
House Majority Leader Rep. Dave Reed, (717) 705-7173
Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Joe Scarnati, (717) 787-7084
Senate Majority Leader Sen. Jake Corman, (717) 787-1377
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