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Keystone
State Education Coalition
PA
Ed Policy Roundup Dec 8, 2016
The
notebook: Focus on School District Governance/SRC
In
1974 Pennsylvania provided 54%of education funding. Now it provides just 37%,
exacerbating local property tax burden.
“Vouchers
on the horizon?: Wagner
insisted that he believes people should have a choice when it comes to deciding
what school their children should attend. He wasn't around the last time the
Legislature attempted the tough sledding of trying to pass a voucher bill so he
couldn't say what's changed. But he said, "Every parent, I don't care what
your income level is, you should have the choice of where you want to send your
child."
Sen. Scott Wagner has a lot on his mind:
layoffs, complaints about Gov. Wolf, pension woes
Penn Live By Jan Murphy |
jmurphy@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter on
December 06, 2016 at 5:54 PM, updated December 06, 2016 at 6:30 PM
The scheduled layoffs of 520 state Department of Labor &
Industry employeesisn't the only state government issue on Sen. Scott
Wagner's mind these days. There's a whole slew of others topics that he wants
to tackle. Wagner, R-York County,
covered several of them on Tuesday when he sat down with PennLive's editorial
board. The entire interview can be viewed on PennLive's Facebook
page but the following are some highlights, starting off with the
looming layoffs at L&I's call centers:
Final rules for K-12 standardized testing
released
Inquirer by JENNIFER C. KERR, The Associated Press Updated: DECEMBER 7, 2016 4:34
PM
WASHINGTON (AP) - Aiming to
reduce test-taking in America's classrooms, the Obama administration released
final rules Wednesday to help states and school districts take a new approach
to the standardized tests students must take each year. It's part of the bipartisan education law,
signed by President Barack Obama a year ago, that returned substantial control
over education policy back to the states, including the role test scores play
in evaluating schools, teachers and students.
"Our final regulations strike a balance by offering states
flexibility to eliminate redundant testing and promote innovative assessments,
while ensuring assessments continue to contribute to a well-rounded picture of
how students and schools are doing," said Education Secretary John B. King
Jr. "Smarter assessments can make us all smarter." The idea is to focus more time on
classroom learning and less on teaching-to-the test - something critics
complained the administration had encouraged with grants and waivers that
placed too much of an emphasis on standardized testing.
Beaver County Times Staff reports
Dec 6, 2016
PITTSBURGH -- Sentencing for
Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School founder Nick Trombetta has been pushed to
March 2017, according to online court records.
Trombetta, of East Liverpool, Ohio, pleaded guilty in August to tax
conspiracy. His sentencing, originally scheduled for Dec. 20, has been moved to
March 3. Trombetta was indicted in
August 2013 on 11 counts, including mail fraud, theft concerning a program
receiving federal funds, tax conspiracy and filing a false tax return. The Midland-based cyber charter’s founder
pleaded to committing tax conspiracy from January 2006 to July 2012 as part of
a scheme that involved funneling more than $8 million to his sister and four
“straw owners” of Avanti Management, a company he created to mask earnings from
the IRS. The scheme involved a web of
entities including Lincoln Learning Solutions, formerly known as National
Network of Digital Schools (NNDS). Trombetta
faces up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, according
to a press release from then United States Attorney David J. Hickton.
Blogger note: At Drexel University in
Philly tonight, The Philadelphia Public School Notebook, Philadelphia Media
Network -- owner of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News and
philly.com, and Drexel University's School of Education are hosting a public
forum on school governance and the SRC.
The Notebook has put together a
collection of related articles focusing on this topic, several of which are
included in today’s Ed Policy Roundup.
“In the months after the SRC was set up
in 2001, there was lots of shouting, too. The move was a compromise between
then-Mayor John Street and the Republican-controlled legislature, which had
wanted to turn over management of the District to a private company. The District got $75 million from the state,
$45 million from the city and a $317 million bond issue to weather an ongoing
financial crisis. In return, the city’s nine-member school board, appointed by
the mayor, was disbanded and replaced by the SRC. Three members were appointed
by then-Gov. Mark Schweiker, a Republican, and two by the Democratic mayor.
The body now oversees a $2.8 billion
annual budget, with 55 percent state funding.”
SRC: Should it stay or go?
Some say it's time to abolish the
controversial School Reform Commission and switch to local control.
The notebook by Connie Langland December
5, 2016 — 10:46am
Gov. Wolf endorsed the abolition of the School Reform Commission
in his 2014 campaign. Education advocates have been pushing for a return to
local control since 2001.
Like three dozen other speakers,
Antione Little had just three minutes to speak his mind at a recent meeting of
the School Reform Commission. And soon
enough, he got to his main point — the very existence of the SRC. “We want local control,” said Little, a
public schools advocate and laborers’ union official. “We want a voice
like people in every other community in this state have. No more colonial rule.
The 15 years of state control have seen our schools go from bad to worse.
Enough is enough!” Dozens of teachers,
parents and activists joined in, shouting: “Enough is enough! Enough is enough!
Enough is enough!”
Former SRC members offer their views
The notebook by Dale Mezzacappa December
5, 2016 — 2:29pm
Twenty-one people have served on
the School Reform Commission over its 15-year history. Among them have been a
college president, a former school principal, a former city councilman, and a
former ambassador. There have been attorneys, community activists, and people
who had served previously on the Philadelphia Board of Education. We talked to
a few about their experiences.
Wendell Pritchett (2011-2014), an attorney and law
professor who has been chancellor of Rutgers-Camden and deputy chief of staff
and director of policy to former Mayor Michael Nutter. He is now the Presidential
Professor of Law and Education at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. “The two big responsibilities of the SRC are
– and were then – to try to maintain the financial viability of the School
District while continuing to improve education. Those are the two things we
spend all our time on.” “I agree with
the assertion that the job of the SRC was to reform the educational system and
produce greater buy-in and money from the state. In the first 10 years, that
happened. Under Govs. Ridge and Rendell, the state did provide more funding
than it had in the past, and as a result, the School District did make
significant progress. There were increased graduation rates, lower dropout
rates, increasing test scores, and increasing the number of quality schools by
generally accepted measures. And then Gov. Corbett came, and state funding was
cut significantly. … What we talked about constantly was where we can cut that
is going to cost the least amount of pain.”
Setting up the SRC did not solve city’s
clash with state
Tensions remain over fairness in
funding. Privatization was not a silver bullet.
The notebook by Dale Mezzacappa December
7, 2016 — 8:06am
The School Reform Commission was
established in 2001 to govern the Philadelphia School District during a period
of especially bitter political acrimony between the state and city over
education policy. The superintendent
through most of the 1990s, David Hornbeck, repeatedly declared that the state’s
system for allocating education resources was racially discriminatory. Hornbeck
vowed to spend what he felt was needed to give children a quality education and
then close the schools when the money ran out. And he pressed his argument with
a federal discrimination lawsuit. This
outraged then-Gov. Tom Ridge and fueled the prevailing view among Harrisburg
legislators that the Philadelphia School District was not the victim of
underfunding, but rather, it was a “wasteful money pit.” Debra Kahn, who was Mayor John Street’s chief
education officer during this period, said, “It was a very, very charged
environment.” At the same time, Ridge
and state Secretary of Education Charles Zogby were eager to embark on an
experiment to bring “sound business practices” to Philadelphia by turning over
many of the poorly achieving schools – and, it soon became clear, management of
the District itself – to private firms. These two Republicans found as allies
several local Black Democratic lawmakers, most prominently State Rep. Dwight
Evans.
SRC’s deadlock leaves 4 charters in limbo
The District recommended
non-renewal in April, but commissioners haven’t had enough votes to act. The
situation shows their wide leeway in overseeing the schools.
The notebook by Bill Hangley Jr. December
5, 2016 — 2:29pm
In April, the Charter Schools
Office recommended non-renewal for two schools run by ASPIRA Inc. and two
schools operated by Universal Companies. The School Reform Commission postponed
any vote on the schools that month and each month since. After yet another SRC meeting passed in
November without any action on the issue, Commissioner Bill Green had a simple
explanation: democracy in action. “It
didn’t come up because there weren’t the votes for it,” Green said after the
session. “I was on City Council, and some bills sat there for two and a half
years until there were enough people to vote it up [or] vote it down. I’m
confident that we’ll do that here.” To
critics of the SRC, the long delay reveals evidence that the five-member
appointed board can’t hold charters accountable and that it should be shut
down. “It’s a very good example why the
public voted overwhelmingly in a referendum last May that it’s time for the SRC
to be dissolved and an elected board take its place,” said Jerry Jordan,
president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. How exactly the SRC should respond to the
stalemate is a matter of opinion.
How other districts govern
In some cities, parents have more
clout.
The notebook by Connie Langland December
6, 2016 — 11:29am
Consider these responsibilities:
approving attendance boundaries; reviewing educational programs; holding
hearings on proposed school closings; and getting a say in the allocation of
school funds and resources. Sound like
your typical school board?
These decisions are made in part
by public school parents in several large cities across the country. The New
York, Boston, and Chicago districts are among those that have given parents and
community members platforms to weigh in on the issues of school governance.
In New York, one Community
Education Council is debating ways to address overcrowding and a desegregation
effort in Upper West Side schools. The council can’t redraw school zones, but
it gets final say-so in whatever the city puts forward. “We intend to control our own fate,” the
council president said in a letter to Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña that has
been published online. And the local councilwoman praised the group’s proposal,
calling it an “organic” solution developed by the community, according to Chalkbeat,
an education news website. School Advisory Councils are
gaining traction in Philadelphia schools, winning a nod from Research for
Action in its 2014 brief looking at issues related to school governance. The
report’s authors called on policymakers to “remember the role of governance in
local school buildings closest to where learning takes place.” Parent and
community advisory groups in New York, Chicago, and Boston vary in format and
influence, but they all have influence on policy and governance.
Parent activists don’t feel respected by
the SRC
They may disagree on the best way
to govern the School District, but they all see a need for more community
involvement in decisions.
The notebook by Darryl Murphy December
7, 2016 — 11:54am
Nina Bryan, who said she
sympathizes with the limits imposed on the School Reform Commission members due
to bureaucracy, isn’t quick to call for an end to the panel.
The monthly School Reform
Commission meetings are known for passionate testimony from frustrated parents
seeking solutions for their children’s schools. It is not unusual for parents’
comments to go over the allowed time, because three minutes isn’t enough for
them to get their points across. Parents
are dissatisfied – angry, even. And they say they don’t feel valued by the
Philadelphia School District or its governing body, the SRC. Kendra Brooks, 44, began her work as a parent
organizer in 2013 after she noticed major changes happening in city schools.
Before that, her involvement as a parent in the District didn’t go beyond bake
sales and fundraisers. But once the District began closing schools and pulling
significant resources from those that remained, Brooks switched her focus. “That’s what made me take more interest in
the administrative portion,” said the mother of three public school students.
“[I focused on] how the money was being spent around schools, not just being
coffee and tea mom. Doughnuts and muffins. I realized we need to pay attention
to more than just bringing desserts to the school.”
What she learned when she paid
attention led Brooks to join Parents United for Public Education. As an
organizer, Brooks mobilizes parents to advocate for their children and their
schools. Earlier this year, she tried unsuccessfully to help parents fend off a
takeover of John Wister Elementary School by Mastery Charter Schools. Her advocacy often puts her before the SRC.
It is rarely a pleasant experience.
Super PACs and school reform
A pro-charter group – started by
Trump’s nominee for education secretary – has given millions to Pennsylvania
lawmakers.
The notebook by Greg Windle December
5, 2016 — 2:30pm
Betsy DeVos established Students
First PA and still runs its national parent organization American Federation
for Children.
There's an old saying for those
who want to understand political influence: Follow the money.
In the case of Harrisburg’s
interest in the governance of Philadelphia’s schools, that trail leads from
pro-charter political action committees to the millions of dollars they donate
to support the campaigns of state legislators and leaders. Super PACs – political action committees that
can raise unlimited amounts of money for causes but cannot donate directly to a
campaign – play key roles in decisions that affect Philadelphia’s school
system, from input on the wording of proposed legislation to financial support
for pro-reform candidates, . The pro-charter super PAC called Students First PA
– which was started by President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for education secretary,
Betsy DeVos – drew attention during the 2014 election cycle by donating a total
of $7.6 million to groups supporting at least 10 Republican and Democratic
candidates around the state. Students First PA raises most of its money from
just four local millionaires and American Federation for Children, an
organization run by DeVos’ out-of-state billionaire family.
Charter Schools Office steps up its role
With a new leader and more staff,
it has added annual evaluations for each school to its duties.
The notebook by Dan Hardy December 5,
2016 — 2:29pm
In the contentious debate about
charter school expansion in Philadelphia, one key player is the Charter Schools
Office, a relatively unheralded department that serves as the nexus connecting
the School Reform Commission and District administration to the city’s 86
brick-and-mortar charters and their 64,396 students. The office evaluates and makes
recommendations about applications for new charters and renewals. That’s a big
undertaking: Five new charter applications this school year, if granted, would
eventually expand charter enrollment by 3,279. And 26 charters are requesting
renewals for five more years of operation.
The office also annually evaluates each charter, reporting on everything
from demographics to academic performance. It serves as the day-to-day liaison
between charters and the District administration, coordinating and facilitating
charter access to District resources. And it manages parent and community
engagement activities for the District’s 21 Renaissance charter schools –
schools that the District has turned over to charter management, but that
mainly serve the neighborhoods around them, rather than selecting applicants
from a citywide lottery. For all its
importance, the charter office has at times appeared to be a somewhat neglected
body. Until the hiring in August 2015 of its current executive director,
DawnLynne Kacer, it was without a permanent leader for more than two years. And
its staffing was down to six at one point, drawing criticism that it was too
small to do its job properly. Now it has 11 staffers.
Letters: Mixed views on charters
Philly Daily News Letters by State Senator Anthony Williams and by Gloria
Endres Updated: DECEMBER
8, 2016 — 3:01 AM EST
I WAS RECENTLY reminded that the
one-eyed man is king in the land of the blind while reading Will Bunch's column
on the "disastrous" nomination of Betsy DeVos as secretary of
Education ("Trump's new ed chief is a disaster for Philly"). To
believe Bunch, DeVos represents an implicit threat to public education in
Philadelphia. Everyone can see that Philadelphia's public schools are in a
perpetual state of crisis and fail to meet the most basic educational needs of
the city's young people. And, unfortunately, they were in this state before
charter schools, and even when they had historic funding under Gov. Rendell. While lambasting DeVos and her support of
charter schools across the country, Bunch failed to address the immediate
well-being of Philadelphia's students, teachers and parents who have long
suffered in a broken education system. Instead, he reverted to the same
special-interest hyperbole that has plagued Philadelphia for far too long.
Rather than focus on the "education wars," let us actually work
together to bring a quality education to children throughout the city.
York
Dispatch by Alyssa
Pressler , 505-5438/@AlyssaPressYD1:18 a.m. EST December 8, 2016
Throughout the world this week,
students are celebrating Hour of Code by doing events in their schools. Not every group of students is opening their
activities up to the community, though. Central York High School's iTeam
hosted an Hour of Code event open to the community Wednesday in celebration of
the worldwide learning event. Hour of Code
occurs each year during Computer Science Education Week in hopes of exposing
more students to computer science. Central York's iTeam is a club of students
that provides technical support for other students. iTeam works in the
Maker Space, where students can create using a number of different science- and
computer science-related tools and work on programming. This is the second
year the team has held the Hour of Code workshop. The event is designed to reach families,
especially younger kids, through a number of activities, said iTeam member and
Central York senior Omkar Kane.
U.S. Rep. Costello visits 2 Downingtown
schools to support STEM programs
By Ginger Dunbar, Daily Local News POSTED: 12/07/16, 8:21 PM
EST
DOWNINGTOWN >> U.S. Rep.
Ryan Costello recently visited two Downingtown schools in support of STEM –
science, technology, engineering and math – education. Costello, R-6, of West Goshen, visited the
Technical College High School (TCHS) Brandywine Campus where students asked him
to help support their STEM programs with H.R. 5168. Costello attended a
ceremony honoring TCHS Brandywine local robotics team “Out of the Box.” At that
time, the students presented him with a hard-copy of the bill to read. He
signed it. “This isn’t the official bill
signing but I want to let you know that this is something I will plan on
co-sponsoring once I get back to Washington,” Costello said during his visit. He made good on his promise and co-sponsored
the bill. H.R. 5168 proposes to have the
Department of the Treasury print a dollar silver coin in memory of Christa
McAuliffe, a teacher who was onboard the space shuttle Challenger when it
exploded in 1986. A portion of the proceeds raised from the memorial coin would
go toward FIRST, a nonprofit organization helping young people discover and
develop a passion for science, engineering, technology and math.
What might school choice look like under
Trump?
Supporters of charter schools, vouchers, and other forms of school
choice anticipate a friendlier climate with President-elect ’s selection
of school-choice advocate Betsy DeVos to serve as secretary of Education.
Christian Science Monitor by Stacy
Teicher Khadaroo @StacyTKhadaroo
DECEMBER 7, 2016 —Supporters of charter schools,
vouchers, and other forms of school choice anticipate a friendlier climate with
President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of school-choice advocate Betsy
DeVos to serve as secretary of Education.
Q: In what ways can the
government support school choice?
Vouchers offer a portion of
public education dollars for qualifying students to use at private (religious
and nonreligious) schools. Charter
schools are publicly funded schools that are run independently and that fill
their seats through a lottery of interested students. About 13 percent are run
by for-profit companies, with the remainder run by a wide variety of
nonprofits. In exchange for independence, they have to meet requirements set by
a charter-authorizing body in their state or local area. Tax credits, tax deductions, and education
savings accounts (ESAs) are other ways that states can channel public money to
parents for educational expenses.
“For
Mrs DeVos this has meant support for two causes. The first is the rapid
expansion of charter schools, fee-free schools that are publicly subsidised but
independently run. Her activism is one reason why charters in Michigan, her
home state, have less oversight than almost any of the 43 states that allow
them. And about 80% of Michigan’s charters are run for profit, compared with
13% nationwide. The second cause is school-voucher schemes, which typically
give public funds to poor parents to pay for the cost of places at private
schools. Though Michigan voted against adopting vouchers in 2000, Mrs DeVos has
helped to elect more than 120 Republicans across the country who are in favour.”
Long-haul
charters
Betsy DeVos’s appointment has given the school-reform
movement a shot in the arm. Yet she may end up splitting itThe Economist Dec 3rd 2016
IN 1983 the Reagan administration
published “A Nation At Risk”, an apocalyptic report into the state of American
schools. It ushered in 33 years of uneven yet enduring bipartisan support for
presidents’ efforts to raise school standards. George W. Bush’s No Child Left
Behind Act and its successor, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), share more
than quixotic names. Both were backed by majorities of both parties in
Congress. Unfamiliar with such harmony, Barack Obama called ESSA, signed into
law last December, a “Christmas miracle”. That sort of collaboration
could soon become a rarity. On November 23rd Donald Trump, the
president-elect, nominated Betsy DeVos, a philanthropist, as the next secretary
of education. For three decades Mrs DeVos has used her family foundation and
her leadership of conservative groups to lobby for “school choice”, a broad
term that can divide Republicans even from moderate Democrats.
Betsy DeVos Helped Create Michigan's
Charter Sector. Here's How It's Doing
Education Week Charters and
Choice Blog By Arianna Prothero on December 7, 2016 2:15 PM
Before Betsy DeVos was nominated
by President-elect Donald Trump to be the U.S. Secretary of
Education, she played a significant role in shaping Michigan's charter school
sector as a long-time advocate and philanthropic-backer of school choice in the
state. With the support of the DeVos
family, Michigan was quick to jump on the charter school bandwagon in 1993—just
two years after the nation's first charter law was enacted in
Minnesota. In many ways,
Michigan embodies a popular philosophy of the early days of the charter
movement often described by advocates as "let a thousand flowers
bloom." It's the idea that states should encourage the growth of lots of
schools—as well as different kinds of schools and management structures—and let
parents, through the choices they make, regulate the market and weed out the
bad options.
This attitude is echoed in the
DeVos philosophy toward school choice. "We
are proponents of all forms of choice," says Gary Naeyert, the executive
director of the Great Lakes Education Project, an advocacy and public action
committee tasked with carrying out the DeVos' education reform goals. "We don't make a distinction between
cyber versus brick and mortar, we don't make a distinction between management
companies that are for-profit or nonprofit ... What matters to us is, are the
kids learning?"
Blogger note: Have an opinion about the
appointment of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education? Call these three senators today.
1. Senator Lamar Alexander, Chairman, U.S. Senate Committee on
Health, Education, Labor and Pensions CommitteeWashington, D.C. Phone:(202) 224-4944
2.
Senator Toomey's Offices
Washington, D.C. Phone: (202) 224-4254
Senator Casey is a member of the Senate
Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
3.
Senator Casey’s Offices
Washington, D.C. Phone: (202) 224-6324
Toll Free: (866) 802-2833
Part 1: Guests will be:
Larry A. Wittig, Chairman, Pennsylvania State Board of Education
Karen Molchanow, Executive Director, Pennsylvania State Board of Education
Part 2: Guests will be:
Kathy Swope, President, Pennsylvania School Boards Association
School Board President, Lewisburg Area School District
Mark B. Miller, President Elect, Pennsylvania School Boards Association
Assistant Secretary, Centennial School Board
Barbara L. Bolas, Member, Upper St. Clair School Board
Past President, Pennsylvania School Boards Association
All 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.
PHLpreK
Now Enrolling!
Philadelphia Mayor's
Office of EducationDid you know that quality early childhood education sets our children up for success? It reduces the need for special education, raises graduation rates, and narrows the achievement gap. These benefits ripple throughout our schools, neighborhoods, and local economy.
That’s why the City of Philadelphia is expanding free, quality pre-K for 6,500 three- and four-year-olds over the next five years. In fact, the first 2,000 pre-K seats are available now. Families should act fast because classes begin on January 4th at more than 80 locations.
Please help us spread the word. Parents/caregivers can call 844-PHL-PREK (844-745-7735) to speak with a trained professional who will help them apply and locate quality pre-K programs nearby. For more information, visit www.PHLprek.org
Pennsylvania Every Student Succeeds Act Public Tour
The Department of Education (PDE) is holding a series of public events to engage the public on important education topics in Pennsylvania. The primary focus of these events will be the Every Student Succeeds Act, the federal education law signed by President Barack Obama in late 2015. A senior leader from the department will provide background on the law, and discuss the ongoing
development of Pennsylvania’s State Plan for its implementation, which will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education in 2017. Feedback is important to PDE; to provide the best avenue for public comment as well as provide an opportunity for those who cannot attend an event, members of the community are encouraged to review materials and offer comments at www.education.pa.gov/Pages/Every-Student-Succeeds-Act
Upcoming Public Events:
Thursday, December 8- Erie- 2:30 pm- Tom Ridge Environmental Center (room TBA)
Friday, December 9- Lock Haven- 1 pm- Lock Haven University
Time and specific locations for the following events, TBA
Friday, December 16- Philadelphia
Wednesday, January 4- Quakertown
Tuesday,
January 10- Scranton
“The “Success Starts Here” campaign is a
multi-year statewide effort to share the positive news about public education
through advertising, web, social media, traditional media and word-of-mouth
with the goal of raising understanding of the value of public education in
Pennsylvania. The campaign is led by the Pennsylvania School Boards
Association, but relies on the support of a wide variety of participating
organizations.”
Share
Your School’s Story: Success Starts Here Needs You!
Success Starts Here needs you!
Show your support by sharing stories, using social media and applying window
clings to all of your school buildings. Below are some links to resources to
help you help us.
Not sure where to start? This
simple tool kit will provide to you everything you need to get
involved in the campaign, including ways to work with the media, social media
tips, a campaign article to post, downloadable campaign logos, and photo
release forms.
We know you have great stories,
and it’s easy to share them! Just use our simple form to send your success story to be featured on our
website. Help spread the word about how Success Starts Here in today’s public
schools.
All school entities have been
sent a supply of window clings for school building entrances. Need more? No problem!
Just complete the online order form and more will quickly be on their way to you.
PASBO
is seeking eager leaders! Ready to serve on the board? Deadline for intent
letter is 12/31.
PASBO
members who desire to seek election as Director or Vice President should send a
letter of intent with a current resume and picture to the Immediate Past
President Wanda M. Erb, PRSBA, who is chair of the PASBO Nominations
and Elections Committee.
Join us for a public forum featuring state, city and civic leaders sponsored by Philadelphia Media Network, the Philadelphia Public School Notebook and Drexel University's School of Education.
Creese Student Center 3210 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
It's been 15 years since the state took control of Philadelphia's schools and created the School Reform Commission. Since then, the SRC has been a polarizing presence in the city.
With the recent resignation of two members of the commission and the term of a third expiring soon, the future of the SRC and the issue of school governance is once again at the forefront of the civic dialogue. Is the SRC the only model to consider? Should Philadelphia create an elected school board, or should the governing body be controlled by the Mayor? Are there models in other cities that could help us rethink our own school governance? The Philadelphia Public School Notebook, Philadelphia Media Network -- owner of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News and philly.com, and Drexel University's School of Education are hosting a public forum on this critical issue.
RSVP - Admission is free, but you must register in advance. Register now, and find out more about the panelists and other details at our registration page. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/who-should-run-philadelphias-schools-tickets-28926705555
PSBA Virtual New School Director Training, Part 1
JAN 4, 2017 • 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
The job of a school board director is challenging. Changing laws, policies, and pressures from your community make serving on your school board demanding, yet rewarding at the same time. Most school directors – even those with many years of experience – say that PSBA training is one of the most important and valuable things they have done in order to understand their roles and responsibilities. If you are a new school board director and didn’t have the opportunity to attend one of PSBA’s live New School Director Training events, you can now attend via your computer, either by yourself from your home or office, or with a group of other school directors.
This is the same New School Director Training content we offer in a live classroom format, but adjusted for virtual training.
Part 1
·
Role and
responsibilities of the school board director.
·
How to
work with PSBA’s member services team.
·
Your
role as an advocate for public education.
·
The
school board’s role in policy.
(See
also: Part 2, Jan. 11; Part 3, Jan. 18)Fee: $149 per person includes all three programs. Materials may be downloaded free, or $25 for materials to be mailed to your home (log in to the Members Area and purchase through the Store/Registration link).
Register online: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6607237329490796034
PSBA Third Annual Board Presidents Day
JAN 28, 2017 • 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Nine Locations Statewide
Jan. 28, 2017 (Snow date: Feb. 11, 2017)
Calling all school board presidents, vice-presidents, and superintendents — Join us for the 3rd Annual PSBA Board Presidents Day held at nine convenient locations around the state.
This is a day of meeting fellow board members from your area and taking part in thought-provoking dialogue about the issues every board faces. PSBA Past President Kathy Swope will start things off with an engaging presentation based on her years as board president at the Lewistown Area School District. Bring your own scenarios to this event to gain perspective from other districts. Cost: $109 per person – includes registration, lunch and materials. All-Access Package applies. Register online by logging in to the Members Area (see the Store/Registration link to view open event registrations, https://www.psba.org/members-area/store-registration/)
NSBA Advocacy
Institute 2017 -- Jan. 29-31, Washington, D.C.
Join school directors around the country at the conference designed to give you the tools to advocate successfully on behalf of public education.
Join school directors around the country at the conference designed to give you the tools to advocate successfully on behalf of public education.
- NSBA will help you develop a winning
advocacy strategy to help you in Washington, D.C. and at home.
- Attend timely and topical breakout
sessions lead by NSBA’s knowledgeable staff and outside experts.
- Expand your advocacy network by swapping
best practices, challenges, and successes with other school board members
from across the country.
This
event is open to members of the Federal Relations
Network. To find
out how you can join, contact Jamie.Zuvich@psba.org. Learn more about the Advocacy
Institute at https://www.nsba.org/events/advocacy-institute.
Register now
for the 2017 NSBA Annual Conference
Plan to join public education leaders for networking and learning at the 2017 NSBA Annual Conference, March 25-27 in Denver, CO. General registration is now open at https://www.nsba.org/conference/registration. A conference schedule, including pre-conference workshops, is available on the NSBA website.
Plan to join public education leaders for networking and learning at the 2017 NSBA Annual Conference, March 25-27 in Denver, CO. General registration is now open at https://www.nsba.org/conference/registration. A conference schedule, including pre-conference workshops, is available on the NSBA website.
SAVE THE DATE LWVPA Convention 2017 June
1-4, 2017
Join the
League of Women Voters of PA for our 2017 Biennial Convention at the beautiful
Inn at Pocono Manor!
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