Thursday, August 17, 2017

PA Ed Policy Roundup Aug 17: Pols, advocates debate property tax relief efforts

Daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now reach more than 4050 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, school solicitors, principals, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations, 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, Instagram and LinkedIn

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Keystone State Education Coalition
PA Ed Policy Roundup Aug 17, 2017:



I requested the following info from PSBA.
Charter Schools
In 2015-16, Pennsylvania school district costs for charter tuition were broken down like this:
Cybers -                     $   463,584,396
Brick and Mortar -     $1,085,859,769
TOTAL -                      $1,549,444,165
That represented 5.5% of all school district spending and was up 4.2% from 2014-15.

Tax Credit Programs
The OSTC and EITC numbers are harder to come by. The PA Budget and Policy Center issued a report on the lack of accountability in those programs and they list the total contributions in 2014-15 as follows:
EITC -                          $   65,163,395
OSTC -                        $   59,283,958
TOTAL -                      $124,447,353



Blogger note: at this event I asked the joint Senate Policy Committee and panel members how many other states have successfully eliminated property taxes.  The answer is none.  If the state fully funded the new Basic Education Funding Formula it would go a long way towards addressing the property tax issue.
Delco Times By Kevin Tustin, ktustin@21st-centurymedia.com, @KevinTustin on Twitter POSTED: 08/16/17, 8:40 PM EDT
UPPER DARBY >> In a state where about two-thirds of public school budgets are funded by local taxpayers, homeowners in Delaware County have long griped that they pay too much in taxes to educate the children that reside in their districts.  Some see a solution in Senate Bill 76, which would eliminate property taxes but increase other state taxes to fully fund all public schools.  The bill’s sponsor, Sen. David Argall, R-29 of Schuylkill County, had a bipartisan roundtable discussion with over a dozen other lawmakers, agency leaders and community advocates in Upper Darby on Tuesday night to delve deeper into the 155-page bill, also known as the Property Tax Independence Act. The attendees brought praise, questions and concerns on the bill to each other and the public to develop a “solution to terribly unfair school property taxes” in the state.  “We may disagree on how we achieve on the ultimate goal of fixing our school property tax problem,” said Argall at the roundtable opening. “Tonight, we’re here to learn about solutions. Don’t just tell us what’s wrong with the plan, give us some alternative solutions.”

“The president seemed intent on throwing a lifeline to those drawn to Charlottesville for what was billed as a “Unite the Right” rally. While acknowledging there were “some very bad people” among the throngs drawn to the home of Thomas Jefferson, he added, “you also had people that were very fine people, on both sides.”
Editorial: Trump gives credence those who hate
Delco Times Editorial POSTED: 08/16/17, 8:42 PM EDT | UPDATED: 17 SECS AGO
That didn’t take long.  It took less than 24 hours for President Trump to have second thoughts about his position on the events that transpired over the weekend in Charlottesville, Va.  Remember that on Saturday the president said merely that blame for the violence that culminated in a man slamming his car into a crowd of protesters, killing one and leaving another 19 injured, was “shared by many sides.”  After a weekend of withering criticism, the president took another swing at the issues that has gripped the country Monday. He condemned the groups who took part in the protest, specifically naming the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazi groups and white nationals as “criminals and thugs.”  Trump appeared to carefully read the message from the teleprompter, just as he had Saturday, with the sole exception of that “many sides” ad lib.  We wonder who wrote the Monday statement, because less than 24 hours later, the president descended from his gilded lair atop Trump Tower in Manhattan and promptly reversed course.  The president doubled down on his original quip, insisting that blame must be shared by “both sides” for the weekend violence.

'Very fine people'? That's simply not the truth, President Trump [opinion]
Lancaster Online by The LNP Editorial Board August 16, 2017
THE ISSUE: On Saturday, in the hours after 32-year-old Heather Heyer was killed by a reported Nazi sympathizer who drove his car into a crowd in Charlottesville, Virginia, President Donald Trump blamed the violence at a “Unite the Right” rally “on many sides.” On Monday, Trump issued new remarks in which — bowing to pressure from fellow Republicans — he specifically condemned the white supremacists, neo-Nazis and Ku Klux Klan members who instigated the violence that culminated not only in Heyer’s death but in the deaths of two Virginia state troopers. On Tuesday, he took to the podium again.
Let’s be clear here: The “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville was not a gathering of good-hearted Southerners from the local historical society upset over the planned removal of a vestige of Southern history.  This was a rally promoted by former KKK grand wizard David Duke and Nazi-saluting alt-right leader Richard Spencer. The rally’s posters were emblazoned with Confederate flags and fascist imagery.  “They will not replace us” was the rally’s slogan — “they” meaning Jewish people and people of color and probably gay people, too, if the profanities that were shouted are any indication.  But at his Tuesday afternoon press conference, President Trump suggested that the news media had unfairly and dishonestly painted all of the rally participants as extremists. And, outrageously, he once again equivocated on the question of whom was to blame for Saturday’s violence.

“you also had people that were very fine people, on both sides.”
Blogger note: News site Vox.com had a reporter spend the weekend with the leaders of the rally.  This is a “must-watch” report that is stark and disturbing.
Charlottesville: Race and Terror – VICE News Tonight on HBO
YouTube Video Published on Aug 14, 2017 Runtime 22:04
On Saturday hundreds of white nationalists, alt-righters, and neo-Nazis traveled to Charlottesville, Virginia to participate in the “Unite the Right” rally. By Saturday evening three people were dead – one protester, and two police officers – and many more injured. 

Coming soon to Philly schools: 22 city-paid social workers
Inquirer by Kristen A. Graham, Staff Writer  @newskag |  kgraham@phillynews.com  Updated: AUGUST 16, 2017 — 3:05 PM EDT
Mayor Kenney announces a pilot program to put full-time social workers in 22 city schools. He was joined by David T. Jones (left), commissioner of Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health, and Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. of the School District.  At Southwark Elementary, there is one counselor for 800 students, many of whom have behavioral and emotional challenges.  When principal Andrew Lukov got news that the school was getting a full-time social worker — and eventually other professionals to address students’ emotional needs — he cheered. In 19 years as a Philadelphia School District employee, he’s found that students’ biggest obstacle to academic progress is often not about curriculum or supplies, but about things happening to them outside the classroom.  “To have another team member to help triage, to support kids emotionally, to be proactive, that’s huge,” said Lukov. “We all know the correlation between students’ feeling comfortable and supported, and academic success.”  The city will spend $1.2 million to put full-time social workers in Southwark and 21 other schools beginning this fall, Mayor Kenney announced Wednesday. The pilot program, which officials hope eventually will roll out to schools districtwide, will introduce behavioral consultants, case managers, and family peer specialists in later years.

Senator Eichelberger: We can do better for our kids
Senate Education Committee Chairman John Eichelberger posted on August 15, 2017
I had more office appointments today and made it to the Blair County Jr. Livestock Auction where I bought another pig.  They had their usual big crowd and the kids did a good job raising the animals for market.  I saw a story today on the Education Savings Account, or ESA, bill sponsored by Senator DiSanto.  It pointed out how many students were in the worst performing schools in the state as defined by their standardized test scores: 220,000.  This bill would give these students the opportunity to get out of a failing government school and into a private school of their choice.  These kids not only are robbed of a good K-12 education, many can’t make it in college.  As I was told this week from someone who talked to a girl from Claysburg-Kimmel who failed out of college, she said that not only was she too far behind in her lack of knowledge to keep up with other students, she said that she never learned how to study and didn’t have much of a chance to catch up.  We can do better for our kids.

Editorial: Charters' positive influence: The power of competition
TRIBUNE-REVIEW | Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, 9:00 p.m.
The argument that charter schools drain resources from traditional public schools is decimated in a peer-reviewed statistical analysis that shows the exact opposite.  Most telling is that the study by Temple University professor Sarah Cordes doesn't pit charters against traditional schools. Rather, it shows the direct benefit to public schools when charters are in close proximity — the closer the better.  The study of 900,000 children in New York City public schools from 1996 to 2010 found test scores in English language arts and math increased in the public schools after charters opened in the same neighborhoods, according to media reports. Public schools that shared the same buildings with charters saw the largest gains. Additionally, public school students were 20 to 40 percent less likely to be left back in traditional schools and school attendance showed some improvement with charters nearby.  And contrary to claims that charters divert funding, Ms. Cordes' research showed per-pupil spending actually increased in neighboring public schools — up nearly 9 percent in those schools that shared space with charters.  What's clear from Cordes' research is the positive force of competition, despite the hue and cry against charters from the nation's largest teacher unions and, most recently, from the NAACP, which urges states to restrict charter-school growth and focus instead on traditional schools.  Here's hoping more research on this intriguing topic adds focus where it's warranted.

Strike averted at Keystone Oaks after school district, teachers union reach tentative agreement
PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE 6:49 AM AUG 17, 2017
The Keystone Oaks Education Association said a strike has been averted after the teachers union and school district reached a tentative agreement.  The union issued a brief statement late Wednesday night.  Details of the new contract have not yet been released. The full union membership is scheduled to vote on the agreement on Tuesday. The union represents 160 teachers, counselors and nurses at four school district locations.  The union had notified the district earlier this week that it had planned to strike Aug. 24 — the first day of school — if the union and the school district didn’t reach an agreement.


Betsy DeVos is wrong about accountability for schools of choice
Fordham Institute Flypaper Blog by Chester E. Finn, Jr. August 16, 2017
Accountability for schools of choice is a topic forever in the news—and in dispute. The latest combatant is none other than Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who made clear in a recent interview with the Associated Press that she favors letting the market work its will and trusting parents to judge whether a school is worth attending. In this context, she was referring specifically to private schools insofar as they participate in publicly financed voucher or tax-credit-scholarship programs. (Yes, yes, I understand the argument that if it’s done via tax credits it’s not actual public financing. But that begs the political and policy questions that dog such programs and those who want more of them.)  When it comes to charter schools, the Secretary acknowledged that authorizers play a role alongside parents, though she picked the dubious case of Michigan, her home state, to illustrate the point. The Wolverine State certainly has some top-notch authorizers, and they have indeed closed down some failing charter schools, yet the overall track record of Michigan charters is too spotty—at least in the eyes of those who value academic achievement and fiscal probity—to warrant citing it as a stellar example of quality control via authorizing.


PSBA Officer Elections: Slate of Candidates
PSBA Website August 2017
PSBA members seeking election to office for the association were required to submit a nomination form no later than June 1, 2017, to be considered. All candidates who properly completed applications by the deadline are included on the slate of candidates below. In addition, the Leadership Development Committee met on June 17 at PSBA headquarters in Mechanicsburg to interview candidates. According to bylaws, the Leadership Development Committee may determine candidates highly qualified for the office they seek. This is noted next to each person's name with an asterisk (*).

The deadline to submit cover letter, resume and application is August 25, 2017.
PSBA seeking experienced education leaders: Become an Advocacy Ambassador
POSTED ON JUL 17, 2017 IN PSBA NEWS
PSBA is seeking applications for six Advocacy Ambassadors who have been involved in day-to-day functions of a school district, on the school board, or in a school leadership position. The purpose of the PSBA Advocacy Ambassador program is to facilitate the education and engagement of local school directors and public education stakeholders through the advocacy leadership of the ambassadors. Each Advocacy Ambassador will be an active leader in an assigned section of the state, and is kept up to date on current legislation and PSBA position based on PSBA priorities to accomplish advocacy goals.  PSBA Advocacy Ambassadors are independent contractors representing PSBA, and serve as liaisons between PSBA and their local and federal elected officials. Advocacy Ambassadors also commit to building strong relationships with PSBA members with the purpose of engaging the designated members to be active and committed grassroots advocates for PSBA’s legislative priorities.  This is a 9-month independent contractor position with a monthly stipend and potential renewal for a second year. Successful candidates must commit to the full 9-month contract, agree to fulfill assigned Advocacy Ambassador duties and responsibilities, and actively participate in conference calls and in-person meetings

CONSIDER IT: SCHOOL CHOICE AND THE CASES FOR TRADITIONAL PUBLIC EDUCATION AND CHARTER SCHOOLS
September 19 @ 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Hilton Reading
Berks County Community Foundation
Panelists:
Carol Corbett Burris: Executive Director of the Network for Public Education
Alyson Miles: Deputy Director of Government Affairs for the American Federation for Children
James Paul: Senior Policy Analyst at the Commonwealth Foundation
Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig: Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and the Director of the Doctorate in Educational Leadership at California State University Sacramento
Karin Mallett: The WFMZ TV anchor and reporter returns as the moderator
School choice has been a hot topic in Berks County, in part due to a lengthy and costly dispute between the Reading School District and I-LEAD Charter School. The topic has also been in the national spotlight as President Trump and U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos have focused on expanding education choice.  With this in mind, a discussion on school choice is being organized as part of Berks County Community Foundation’s Consider It initiative. State Sen. Judy Schwank and Berks County Commissioners Chairman Christian Leinbach are co-chairs of this nonpartisan program, which is designed to promote thoughtful discussion of divisive local and national issues while maintaining a level of civility among participants.  The next Consider It Dinner will take place Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at 5 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, 701 Penn St., Reading, Pa. Tickets are available here.  For $10 each, tickets include dinner, the panel discussion, reading material, and an opportunity to participate in the conversation.


Apply Now for EPLC's 2017-2018 PA Education Policy Fellowship Program!
Education Policy and Leadership Center
Applications are available now for the 2017-2018 Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP).  The Education Policy Fellowship Program is sponsored in Pennsylvania by The Education Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC). Click here for the program calendar of sessions.  With more than 500 graduates in its first eighteen years, this Program is a premier professional development opportunity for educators, state and local policymakers, advocates, and community leaders.  State Board of Accountancy (SBA) credits are available to certified public accountants. Past participants include state policymakers, district superintendents and principals, school business officers, school board members, education deans/chairs, statewide association leaders, parent leaders, education advocates, and other education and community leaders. Fellows are typically sponsored by their employer or another organization.  The Fellowship Program begins with a two-day retreat on September 14-15, 2017 and continues to graduation in June 2018.

Using Minecraft to Imagine a Better World and Build It Together.
Saturday, September 16, 2017 or Sunday, September 17, 2017 at the University of the Sciences, 43rd & Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia
PCCY, the region’s most influential advocacy organization for children, leverages the world’s greatest video game for the year’s most engaging fundraising event for kids. Join us on Saturday, September 16, 2017 or Sunday, September 17, 2017 at the University of the Sciences, 43rd & Woodland Avenue for a fun, creative and unique gaming opportunity.

Education Law Center’s 2017 Annual Celebration
ELC invites you to join us for our Annual Celebration on September 27 in Philadelphia.
The Annual Celebration will take place this year on September 27, 2017 at The Crystal Tea Room in Philadelphia. The event begins at 5:30 PM. We anticipate more than 300 legal, corporate, and community supporters joining us for a cocktail reception, silent auction, and dinner presentation.  Our annual celebrations honor outstanding champions of public education. This proud tradition continues at this year’s event, when together we will salute these deserving honorees:
·         PNC Bank: for the signature philanthropic cause of the PNC Foundation, PNC Grow Up Great, a bilingual $350 million, multi-year early education initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life; and its support of the Equal Justice Works Fellowship, which enables new lawyers to pursue careers in public interest law;
·         Joan Mazzotti: for her 16 years of outstanding leadership as the Executive Director of Philadelphia Futures, a college access and success program serving Philadelphia’s low-income, first-generation-to-college students;
·         Dr. Bruce Campbell Jr., PhD: for his invaluable service to ELC, as he rotates out of the chairman position on our Board of Directors. Dr. Campbell is an Arcadia University Associate Professor in the School of Education; and
·         ELC Pro Bono Awardee Richard Shephard of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP: for his exceptional work as pro bono counsel, making lasting contributions to the lives of many vulnerable families.Questions? Contact Tracy Callahan tcallahan@elc-pa.org or 215-238-6970 ext. 308.

STAY WOKE: THE INAUGURAL NATIONAL BLACK MALE EDUCATORS CONVENING; Philadelphia Fri, Oct 13, 2017 4:00 pm Sun, Oct 15, 2017 7:00pm
TEACHER DIVERSITY WORKS. Increasing the number of Black male educators in our nation’s teacher corps will improve education for all our students, especially for African-American boys.  Today Black men represent only two percent of teachers nationwide. This is a national problem that demands a national response.  Come participate in the inaugural National Black Male Educators Convening to advance policy solutions, learn from one another, and fight for social justice. All are welcome.

Save the Date 2017 PA Principals Association State Conference October 14. 15, 16, 2017 Doubletree Hotel Cranberry Township, PA

Save the Date: PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference October 18-20, Hershey PA

Registration now open for the 67th Annual PASCD Conference  Nov. 12-13 Harrisburg: Sparking Innovation: Personalized Learning, STEM, 4C's
This year's conference will begin on Sunday, November 12th and end on Monday, November 13th. There will also be a free pre-conference on Saturday, November 11th.  You can register for this year's conference online with a credit card payment or have an invoice sent to you.  Click here to register for the conference.
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/PASCD-Conference-Registration-is-Now-Open.html?soid=1101415141682&aid=5F-ceLtbZDs

Save the Date! NSBA 2018 Advocacy Institute February 4-6, 2018 Marriott Marquis, Washington D.C.
Registration Opens Tuesday, September 26, 2017


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