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Friday, December 15, 2017

PA Ed Policy Roundup Dec. 15: Speaking with your member of Congress today? Ask them about Tax Reform, CHIP and Net Neutrality

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, charter school leaders, 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

These daily emails are archived and searchable at http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org
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Keystone State Education Coalition
Speaking with your member of Congress today? Ask them about Tax Reform, CHIP and Net Neutrality


Guest Column: Tax Reform: The Ultimate Zero Sum Game
Delco Times By Terry Madonna and Michael Young, Times Guest Columnists POSTED: 12/12/17, 5:35 PM EST
Taxes, famously intoned Justice Wendell Oliver Holmes, are “what we pay for civilized society.” Given the tax burden of modern times, some may think we aren’t quite getting what we pay for. Federal taxpayers last year paid about $3.654 trillion for a civilized society – while the states overall paid about $20 trillion for the same. Whether we are getting what we pay for seems a reasonable question considering the generally deplorable state of our society and politics. Unending wars, incompetent and/or corrupt politicians, public health epidemics, mass shootings, a failing criminal justice system, and a deeply polarized citizenry are not exactly what one thinks about when contemplating a civilized society. But let’s leave this awkward question aside to consider the even more urgent question of “tax reform.” Just now there is a considerable effort in Washington to fashion a political consensus on federal tax policy that would “reform” the monstrosity known formally as the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), Title 26 of the United States Code (26 U.S.C.).

Senate Republicans try to placate Rubio after he threatens to oppose tax bill over child credit
Washington Post By Jeff Stein, Erica Werner and Damian Paletta December 14 at 8:18 PM 
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) threatened Thursday to vote against Republicans’ $1.5 trillion tax overhaul unless it further expands a child tax credit to millions of working families, leaving GOP leaders searching for answers on a final deal that had appeared to be on the verge of sailing through the House and Senate. Rubio, along with Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), wants Republican leaders to include the expansion as they reconcile separate tax measures passed by the House and Senate, working to craft a final compromise bill that could pass both chambers and be sent President Trump for his signature. GOP leaders had said Wednesday they believed that they had reached a broad agreement that both chambers could pass, and they planned to unveil the package Friday morning with hopes of voting on it early next week. But opposition from Rubio and perhaps Lee — who has not yet decided whether to support the bill, a spokesman said Thursday — could delay or derail the tax effort.

Blogger note: Solid coverage of education issues in the pending tax bill here. Have you contacted your Congressman regarding concerns with the impact that the pending tax legislation will have on public education?
The Advocate, December 2017
By Noelle Ellerson Ng, associate executive director, policy and advocacy, AASA
As 2017 draws to a close, federal advocacy and its implications for education are far from boring. Between the need to avoid a federal shutdown—a tough task further complicated by considerations related to deferred action for childhood arrivals, an effort to raise the funding caps, a push to provide funding for the children’s health insurance program (CHIP), and more—and regular order, the fact that Congress is gunning to push through the GOP tax bill means the end of the year will be active, intense, and likely down to the last minute. The House and the Senate have both passed their respective versions of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act. Both bills are highlight partisan, relying exclusively on Republican support, and the GOP is committed to seeing this proposal through to completion to notch a win in its belt before 2017 draws to a close. As the president and Congress move forward with their efforts to overhaul the federal tax code, it is important to have an understanding of how the proposed reforms will affect education. Tax reform and related changes may not affect education as directly as changes in annual federal funding (appropriations), but the potential consequences are significant. That is how AASA came to be engaged in the current effort to overhaul federal tax code. AASA efforts in monitoring the tax bill have been focused on specific policies that will impact public education. We provided a summary of these issues in a memo this summer, and issued various resources with detailed analysis on the blog. The bills will now go through the process of conference, where by the chambers will reconcile the differences that exist between the bills and emerge with one final bill that will then need to be adopted by both chambers and then signed into law by the president.  Congressional Research Service prepared a white paper on what the conference process involves, which you can access here.
http://aasa.org/policy-blogs.aspx?blogid=84002#

“Nationwide, patients like mine represent almost half of the people who get insurance through Medicaid or CHIP, the Children’s Health Plan. In Texas, children constitute 3.4 million of the 4.5 million total people covered by these programs. So when you think about government health care, you should think about my patients: ungrateful, yowling, diapered maniacs who don’t even use language right.”
As a Doctor, I’m Sick of All The Health Care Freeloaders
I work in a clinic where the vast majority of my patients are on government-funded health care and have never worked a day in their lives.
Texas Observer by Rachel Pearson Wed, Dec 13, 2017
Rachel Pearson, M.D., Ph.D., is a native Texan and a pediatrics resident
I used to believe that everyone deserved health care. Now, I work in a clinic where the vast majority of my patients are on government-funded health care. I have learned that the stereotypes about these people are true: Most of my patients have never worked a day in their lives. They are extremely ungrateful for the care that hardworking taxpayers provide for them. Patients have punched me, bitten me, screamed at me, and even urinated on me. I often leave with vomit on my clothes. Sometimes, I have to bribe my patients with bright-colored objects, juice or graham crackers just to examine them. Do my patients thank me? Do they contribute to the economy? No! They just suck up low-cost health care, whining the whole time, and then go pick up their free government milk. Often, they are literally carried from place to place in the arms of a real taxpayer. As a pediatrician, I provide these scowling little freeloaders with life-saving therapies like vaccinations and antibiotics. I test their hearing and make sure any hearing loss is caught while it can still be corrected. I make sure kids with developmental delays get into therapy early so they’re ready to compete by the time they reach kindergarten. Do they utter a word of gratitude? No! Not unless their mom or dad tells them to.

CHIP: Millions of Children Could Lose Health Coverage Starting Next Month
New York Times By HAEYOUN PARK DEC. 14, 2017
Lawmakers have yet to renew federal funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, also known as CHIP, which insures nearly nine million children in low-income families. Most states will run out of money in the next few months if Congress does not act. Federal funding expired on Sept. 30, and Congress has not been able to agree on how to pay for the program, which has historically had strong bipartisan support. Congressional leaders have repeatedly promised to provide funds for the popular program, but disagree over how to cover the cost. So Congress may provide short-term relief for states with the most urgent needs while negotiations continue. It’s not clear exactly how many children could lose coverage when their money runs out. States are required by law to continue to cover children whose insurance is managed through their Medicaid programs until the end of 2019. Such children make up more than half of CHIP.

“Republicans, such as Sen. Orrin Hatch, claim that these cuts must be made because “we don’t have money anymore.” But remember that he and Glenn just voted for a bill that cuts $6 trillion in taxes for corporations and the wealthy funded by raising taxes on most middle-class families and adding $1.5 trillion to the deficit. CHIP’s annual cost? Only $14 billion.”
CHIP: Children’s health should never be a bargaining chip
Centre Daily Times Opinion BY MARC FRIEDENBERG DECEMBER 14, 2017 08:52 PM
Marc Friedenberg is a Democratic candidate for the House of Representatives in the Fifth Congressional District.
On Sept. 30, Congress missed a deadline to reauthorize funding for the bipartisan Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, for the first time in nearly two decades. CHIP is a program for working families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but still cannot afford private insurance. It provides essential health insurance benefits, including doctor visits, prescriptions and dental care, to 9 million children and 370,000 pregnant women across the country. Studies show that enrollment in CHIP improves children’s health outcomes, reduces rates of child and early adulthood mortality, improves school performance and increases levels of college attainment and future wages. CHIP has worked wonders for Pennsylvania’s children: Almost 350,000 were enrolled in CHIP-funded programs in 2016, ranking it fifth among all states and helping to reduce Pennsylvania’s uninsured rate among children to below 4 percent. Congress’s lack of leadership on this issue puts the well-being of hundreds of thousands of children across Pennsylvania, and millions across the United States, at risk.
http://www.centredaily.com/opinion/article189895849.html

FCC Dismantles 'Net Neutrality' Policy, and K-12 Schools Await Impact
Education Week By Sean Cavanagh on December 14, 2017 11:27 AM
The Federal Communications Commission voted today to dismantle a policy designed to protect "net neutrality," in a dramatic shift that has roiled the public and carries uncertain implications for schools. The measure will reverse a two-year-old FCC policy that was meant to prevent internet service providers from unfairly blocking or throttling the flow of content over the internet. Critics fear the new policy will open the door for internet service providers to create fast and slow lanes in a way that restricts online options for consumers, including K-12 districts, which rely heavily on relatively unrestricted access to web-based lessons, videos, games, curricula, and other materials. The order proposed by the commission's Republican chairman, Ajit Pai, was expected to pass, given that his political party holds a majority on the panel. It was approved on a 3-2 margin along partisan lines. Pai and fellow Republicans Michael O'Rielly and Brendan Carr voted for it, while Democrats Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel were opposed. Pai has predicted that broadband companies would eventually invest in networks in ways that will benefit internet communities. He bemoaned what he said were exaggerated "apocalyptic" fears about the shift in policy. "The time has come for action," the FCC chairman said before the vote. "The time has come for the internet, once again, to be driven by engineers, entrepreneurs, and consumers, rather than lawyers, accountants, and bureaucrats."

AP Explains: What is net neutrality and why does it matter?
By The Associated Press POSTED: 12/14/17, 9:14 AM EST | UPDATED: 6 HRS AGO
NEW YORK >> “Net neutrality” regulations, designed to prevent internet service providers like Verizon, AT&T, Comcast and Charter from favoring some sites and apps over others, are on the chopping block. On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission plans to vote on a proposal that would not only undo the Obama-era rules that have been in place since 2015, but will forbid states to put anything similar in place. Here’s a look at what the developments mean for consumers and companies. WHAT IS NET NEUTRALITY? Net neutrality is the principle that internet providers treat all web traffic equally, and it’s pretty much how the internet has worked since its creation. But regulators, consumer advocates and internet companies were concerned about what broadband companies could do with their power as the pathway to the internet — blocking or slowing down apps that rival their own services, for example.

How A Deregulated Internet Could Hurt America's Classrooms
NPR by ARIANA FIGUEROA December 13, 20173:42 PM ET
Schools across the country are nervously watching to see if the Federal Communications Commission chooses to repeal Obama-era regulations that protect an open internet, often referred to as "net neutrality." The 2015 rules are meant to prevent internet providers, such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon, from controlling what people can watch and see on the internet. Companies can't block access to any websites or apps, and can't meddle with loading speeds. Educators rely heavily on technology in the classroom, so the repeal vote — expected Thursday — could dramatically impact the way students learn. "One of the key elements of the internet is that it provides immediate access to a huge range of high-quality resources that are really useful to teachers," says Richard Culatta, CEO of the International Society for Technology in Education. He previously led the Department of Education's Office of Educational Technology during the Obama administration. "But when carriers can choose to prioritize paid content over freely available content, schools really are at risk," he says.

FCC decision to gut net neutrality will face 'serious legal challenges' from Pennsylvania attorney general
Lancaster Online KONSTANTINE FEKOS | Staff Writer December 14, 2017
State Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced plans Thursday to take legal action against the Federal Communications Commission's recent repeal of net neutrality rules. These rules required internet, phone and cable providers to treat websites of all sizes equally while allowing the federal government to regulate high-speed internet delivery like a utility.  "The vote by the (FCC) to gut net neutrality could end the Internet as we know it," Shapiro said Thursday, claiming the action "undermines free speech" and harms consumers and businesses. Shapiro's action would join Pennsylvania with 17 states so far announcing plans to sue the FCC over what New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman called the "illegal rollback" of net neutrality. Schneiderman is reportedly leading the multi-state legal action to reverse the FCC ruling.

Washington State leaders announce steps to protect net neutrality
Inslee, Ferguson and legislators prepared to push back against damaging federal actions
Governor Jay Inslee’s Website Dec 13
On the eve of an expected vote by the Federal Communications Commission to roll back crucial net neutrality rules, Gov. Jay Inslee joined Attorney General Bob Ferguson, legislators, and business leaders to announce state plans to preserve an open internet and protect Washington consumers from internet companies that are not transparent about costs or services. “All Americans, as a matter of principle, should enjoy equal access to the educational, social and economic power of the internet. Ensuring this important technology remains free and unfettered is critical both to our personal freedoms and to our country’s economy,” Inslee wrote in a letter to the FCC earlier this month.

PA REDISTRICTING LAWSUIT – TRIAL UPDATES
Public Interest Law Center Website
Trial in our state gerrymandering lawsuit will take place December 11 - 15, 2017. Bookmark this page and check back regularly for updates throughout the trial process. If you are already on our email list and want to be sure you receive updates in your inbox, email Michael Berton at mberton@pubintlaw.org. If you would like to join our email list to receive these updates, fill out this sign-up form and mark “Voting” as one of your interests.
CLICK ON ONE OF THE BELOW LINKS TO TAKE YOU TO THAT DAY OF TRIAL:
·         Trial day 3: December 13, 2017
·         Trial Day 2: December 12, 2017
·         Trial Day 1: December 11, 2017

Gerrymandering case is a glimmer of hope for Pa. voters | Editorial
by The Inquirer Editorial Board Updated: DECEMBER 14, 2017 — 3:01 AM EST
At long last, there are signs that Pennsylvania voters might win representative government. Granted, the signs are dim, but still encouraging. For decades, the political aristocracy has rigged elections by carefully digging moats around compliant voters to create safe districts for their candidates. The map makers spread opposition voters so far apart, they become powerless. It works. Pennsylvania Republicans, who drew the maps effective since 2012,  hold 13 of the 18 House seats even though Democrats have rung up about 50 percent of the overall vote in recent elections. Republicans created district maps so ridiculous that U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan’s turf runs through five counties to include as many Republicans as possible. The GOP split the increasingly blue Montgomery County among five congressional districts to weaken the Democrats’ chances of taking an extra seat or two. Advocates of fair play have cried foul to no avail — until now. They’re more organized and effective, and are pushing legislative reforms as well as a pair of legal challenges which are moving forward in the courts with some positive signs.

SB2: Education Voters of PA statement on rigging of Senate Education Committee makeup
Education Voters PA by Susan Spicka POSTED DECEMBER 13, 2017 EDVOPA
Susan Spicka, Executive Director of Education Voters of PA,  issued the following statement about Republican leadership’s decision to rig the makeup of the Senate Education Committee:
Senate Republican leaders demonstrated the lengths to which they will go in an attempt to pass anti-public education legislation out of the Senate Education Committee. On October 24th, the Senate Education Committee failed to pass Senate Bill 2, legislation that would bring a new generation of school vouchers known as education savings accounts (ESAs) to Pennsylvania. On December 12th, Senator Eichelberger went over Senate Bill 2 because there were not enough votes on the committee to pass it. Rather than accept that committee members do not support SB 2, Committee Chair Eichelberger and Senate leadership took extraordinary measures and changed the makeup of the committee. Senator Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) who voted against SB 2 on October 24th, resigned. Republican leadership replaced Laughlin with Senator Richard Alloway (R-Franklin), a known supporter of school vouchers. For the vote on SB 2 and moving forward, the inclusion of Alloway will ensure that the structure of the committee will be generally more in favor of anti-public education, pro-school privatization legislation.

Blogger note: Rep. Saylor is Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee
The Pa. House accomplished a lot this year (column)
York Daily Record Opinion by Rep. Stan Saylor Published 9:05 a.m. ET Dec. 14, 2017
Rep. Stan Saylor is a Republican from Windsor Township.
As 2017 comes to a close, I want to take the time to review all the legislative accomplishments of the House Republican caucus.  This has been a busy and challenging year for the General Assembly, and I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish.  The legislative process is often frustrating but we continue to work hard to protect the taxpayers and to stand up for the values of the people we represent. In June, the General Assembly passed historic pension reform that will begin to address a serious financial liability of the Commonwealth while protecting the benefit of current employees and current retirees.  These reforms, which are now law, will save the taxpayers billions over thirty years.  Additionally public employee benefits will start to incorporate elements of a 401(k) style which is common in the private sector.

Pennsylvania could run rare surplus if assumptions hold
Morning Call by Steve Esack Contact Reporter December 14, 2017
For the first time in a while, Pennsylvania could end the fiscal year with a surplus — if several iffy revenue assumptions align perfectly. The surplus could be $41 million by June 30, 2018, and some of that money could replenish the empty rainy day fund for emergencies, according to Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget chief Randy Albright. “We think we will have at the end of the year a modest surplus,” Albright said at a mid-year budget briefing Thursday in the state Capitol. “That will be welcome news.” But that surplus depends on the state generating more than $900 million in assumed revenue put on paper to balance the books. That total includes $215 million from a variety of gambling expansion options, including 10 smaller casinos and online wagering. It includes $200 million the state would claim from a medical malpractice fund. It includes $200 million from selling the Farm Show Complex and then leasing it back from the buyer. And it includes $300 million of internal transfers from specialized accounts earmarked for long-term projects for transportation, environmental and other public endeavors.

How six House bills could change the way Pa. budgets
WITF Written by Katie Meyer, Capitol Bureau Chief | Dec 15, 2017 4:11 AM
 (Harrisburg) -- Amid a flurry of end-of-year legislative activity, the state House passed a raft of six Republican-backed bills that could significantly change the way Pennsylvania puts together its budget. The proposals would largely come into play during impasses, like the ones the state has faced repeatedly in recent years. House GOP Leader Dave Reed said they're borne out of frustration at budgets becoming law without the revenues to back them up, among other things. "It would just require that we actually have a budget be balanced constitutionally, as is required," he said during floor debate. One bill would mandate an official revenue estimate be made when lawmakers enact their spending plan for the year. If actual revenues fall short, the governor would have to freeze funds to keep spending in balance. Another would make it harder for the governor to request extra funds after a budget has been passed. Yet another would require reports that let the legislature keep tabs on money that goes into the state's special funds, which aren't tracked in the main budget. As a whole, they would reduce the governor's autonomy in handling state finances.

SRC votes not to renew Olney, Stetson charters
After pleas from parents, teachers and students, the votes were 4-1. The board also voted 5-0 to close Khepera.
The notebook by Dale Mezzacappa and Avi Wolfman-Arent December 14, 2017 — 9:21pm
Nearly two years after receiving initial recommendations, the School Reform Commission voted Thursday night not to renew two Renaissance charters -- Olney High and Stetson Middle schools -- both run by Aspira, Inc. The SRC also voted to revoke the charter of Khepera Charter School, a North Philadelphia elementary school plagued by financial and academic woes. The SRC voted 4-1 not to renew Olney and Stetson, with Commissioner Farah Jimenez casting the lone no votes. All five commissioners moved to revoke Khepera’s charter. The two one-time District schools were taken over by Aspira as part of the Renaissance initiative, a bold turnaround model that ceded chronically low-performing, often out-of-control District-run schools to outside organizations in the hope of quick, dramatic turnarounds.

SRC votes to shut a troubled Philly charter, starts process for 2 more
Inquirer by Martha Woodall & Kristen A. Graham - Staff Writers Updated: DECEMBER 14, 2017 — 9:09 PM EST
The School Reform Commission voted Thursday night to shut one troubled charter school, and also moved to yank the charters of two schools run by Aspira Inc. of Pennsylvania. Citing shaky finances and poor academics, the SRC said it would close Khepera Charter School in North Philadelphia. The vote came after days of hearings and a lengthy report by a hearing officer recommending closure. Khepera will remain open through the end of the academic year, and could stay open longer if the school chooses to fight the closure in Harrisburg. Before the vote, Khepera officials acknowledged the school has had problems, but said they were being corrected.

Charlie Dent seeks federal money for Pa. schools enrolling Puerto Rican students
Morning Call by Laura Olson and Jacqueline Palochko Contact Reporters Call Washington Bureau December 14, 2017
Top of Form
Lehigh Valley schools have taken in more than 450 new students whose families fled Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria, a welcoming gesture that has brought additional costs to local school districts. Two Republican congressmen from Pennsylvania — U.S. Reps. Charlie Dent and Lloyd Smucker — are urging GOP leaders to set aside money in an upcoming spending bill that would allow such schools to recoup some of their costs. Dent, whose 15th District includes Lehigh County and part of Northampton County, said the “schools are doing amazing work providing for them and meeting their educational needs, but the schools themselves need additional support. “We have to recognize that the children impacted have been through an unbelievable amount of stress and they need help,” Dent said. “Many have emotional issues as a result of having to deal with the disaster of losing their family homes. They need to develop their fluency in English and are facing adapting to a new school environment.”

Forty-five years after the passage of Title IX, Allegheny County boys are still getting more sports options than girls
Public Source by Stephanie Hacke | December 14, 2017
Wearing a pink blazer and kitten heels, 10-year-old Charlotte Murphy marched into the office of then-Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Linda Lane to argue that the district wasn’t offering girls equal sporting opportunities. During the 2010-11 school year, Murphy’s school Linden Elementary was repeatedly canceling girls’ basketball practices so boys could have the court. There was even talk of ending the girls’ team. “I was just so-so angry,” said Murphy, now 17. After the meeting, Lane mandated all district elementary schools with a boys’ basketball team to have a girls’ team. That mandate lives today — intended to work in concert with federal statute Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any educational program that receives federal funding.

Southern Tioga School District facing $1.7 million deficit
Wellsboro Gazette by Cheryl A. Clarke Dec 14, 2017
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
BLOSSBURG – Without a real estate tax increase this year, the Southern Tioga School District is looking at a $1.7 million deficit in its 2018-19 $32 million budget. “With no tax increase and looking at a level funded budget, except for collective bargained increases in salaries and health care cost increases, it creates a $1.75 million deficit. We hope not to bring you that,” Business Manager Kathy Ciaciulli told the board Dec. 11. The state Act. 1 index this year is 2.4 percent but the adjusted millage for Southern Tioga, based on property values and assessments is 3.1 percent, Ciaciulli said “We will ask the board not to exceed the Act 1 index of 3.1 percent,” she added. The current millage for Tioga County is 16.76 mills and for Lycoming County it is 16.46 mills. With a no tax increase, Ciaciulli said the mills must remain the same or decrease.


Community Schools as an Effective School Improvement Strategy: A Review of the Evidence
Learning Policy Institute Report Authors Anna Maier,  Julia Daniel, Jeannie Oakes, Livia Lam DEC 14 2017
Education policymakers working to address the impacts of growing economic and racial inequality on students often look to community schools as an effective approach for supporting students and their families in communities facing concentrated poverty. Through partnering with community agencies and offering important resources, community schools integrate academics and collaborative leadership with health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement. This study finds that, when implemented well, these schools can help students overcome such challenges as lack of access to high-quality schools and out-of-school barriers to learning. This report, Community Schools as an Effective School Improvement Strategy: A Review of the Evidence, was produced in collaboration with the National Education Policy Center. It synthesizes the findings from 143 rigorous research studies on the impact of community schools on student and school outcomes. Its aim is to support and inform school, community, district, and state leaders as they consider, propose, or implement community schools as a strategy for providing equitable, high-quality education to all young people.
The report finds that, while community schools vary in the programs they offer and the ways they operate, four features—or pillars—appear in most community schools:
·         Integrated student supports,
·         Expanded learning time and opportunities,
·         Family and community engagement, and
·         Collaborative leadership and practice.
The report examines each pillar and provides examples of programs and schools where these pillars are well-implemented. The report also finds that the use of community schools to improve student outcomes is strongly supported by research evidence, as required by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. 

“As part of an investigation into cyber charters published in 2016, Education Week reviewed hundreds of news stories and dozens of state audits and reports dating back to the early 2000s. A trend of widespread troubles emerged. We’ve plotted the stories on the interactive map below, which has been updated with coverage through 2017.”
Map: Cyber Charters Have a New Champion in Betsy DeVos, But Struggles Continue
Education Week November 3, 2016 | Updated: December 14, 2017
A Colorado cyber charter school with a 19 percent graduation rate. An Ohio virtual school that inflated student attendance by nearly 500 percent. A Pennsylvania cyber charter founder who siphoned off $8 million in public money, including $300,000 to buy himself an airplane. A Hawaii cyber charter founder who hired her nephew as the athletic director—for a school with no sports teams. Cyber charters have long struggled with poor academic performance and financial mismanagement. But under the Trump administration, they have scored a key ally with a big platform: U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. As one of the most vocal supporters of school choice—including schools run by for-profit providers—DeVos frequently touts virtual schooling as a vital option for students with a range of needs: those with disabilities, demanding athletic schedules or who live in rural areas. But DeVos also once had a financial stake in the expansion of online schooling, as an early investor in K12 Inc., the largest operator of cyber charters.

Many Educators Skeptical of School Choice, Including Conservatives, Survey Shows
Education Week By Alyson Klein December 12, 2017
School choice may be U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’ favorite policy topic. But an Education Week nationally representative survey indicates that classroom teachers, principals, and district superintendents are highly skeptical of vouchers, charter schools, and tax-credit scholarships. And that includes many who voted for President Donald Trump, and even some who teach at private schools. “I understand how [vouchers] would gut public schools and they wouldn’t actually help independent schools,” said Anna Bertucci, the associate head of school at Oakwood Friends School, a Quaker boarding school in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. “I feel like that funding should go into public schools.” Charter schools, meanwhile, “are a really mixed bag,” added Bertucci, a Democrat. She worries that some charters are “undercutting unions” by discouraging teachers from joining. But she said, “I wouldn’t say I don’t like all charter schools.”
Overall, however, charters were viewed almost as negatively as private school vouchers by the educators who participated in the October survey of 1,122 educators conducted by the Education Week Research Center.

Facing Uproar Over New Start Times, Boston's School District Defends Itself
WBUR by Max Larkin December 14, 2017 Updated Dec 14, 2017 4:37 PM
Changes to Boston Public Schools’ start and end times are being greeted differently in different quarters — with lots of public uproar and some quiet cheers and counterarguments. Generally, next fall's proposed "bell times" effectively flip a staggered school day. More young children will start and end school earlier, while most high school students will start later. District officials and some parent advocates say those changes are backed by sleep science, fairer and more affordable, due to savings on transportation. But it was mainly the uproar on display Wednesday night at BPS's Dudley Square headquarters, among parents and politicians saying the district botched the plan's implementation and is letting cost concerns drive policy for too many families.



Register for New School Director Training in December and January
PSBA Website October 2017
You’ve started a challenging and exciting new role as a school director. Let us help you narrow the learning curve! PSBA’s New School Director Training provides school directors with foundational knowledge about their role, responsibilities and ethical obligations. At this live workshop, participants will learn about key laws, policies, and processes that guide school board governance and leadership, and develop skills for becoming strong advocates in their community. Get the tools you need from experts during this visually engaging and interactive event.
Choose from any of these 11 locations and dates (note: all sessions are held 8 a.m.-4 p.m., unless specified otherwise.):
·         Dec. 8, Bedford CTC
·         Dec. 8, Montoursville Area High School
·         Dec. 9, Upper St. Clair High School
·         Dec. 9, West Side CTC
·         Dec. 15, Crawford County CTC
·         Dec. 15, Upper Merion MS (8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m)
·         Dec. 16, PSBA Mechanicsburg
·         Dec. 16, Seneca Highlands IU 9
·         Jan. 6, Haverford Middle School
·         Jan. 13, A W Beattie Career Center
·         Jan. 13, Parkland HS
Fees: Complimentary to All-Access members or $170 per person for standard membership. All registrations will be billed to the listed district, IU or CTC. To request billing to an individual, please contact Michelle Kunkel at michelle.kunkel@psba.org. Registration also includes a box lunch on site and printed resources.

NSBA 2018 Advocacy Institute February 4 - 6, 2018 Marriott Marquis, Washington D.C.
Register Now
Come a day early and attend the Equity Symposium!
Join hundreds of public education advocates on Capitol Hill and help shape the decisions made in Washington D.C. that directly impact our students. At the 2018 Advocacy Institute, you’ll gain insight into the most critical issues affecting public education, sharpen your advocacy skills, and prepare for effective meetings with your representatives. Whether you are an expert advocator or a novice, attend and experience inspirational keynote speakers and education sessions featuring policymakers, legal experts and policy influencers. All designed to help you advocate for your students and communities.

Registration is now open for the 2018 PASA Education Congress! State College, PA, March 19-20, 2018
Don't miss this marquee event for Pennsylvania school leaders at the Nittany Lion Inn, State College, PA, March 19-20, 2018.
Learn more by visiting http://www.pasa-net.org/2018edcongress 

SAVE THE DATE for the 2018 PA Educational Leadership Summit - July 29-31 - State College, PA sponsored by the PA Principals Association, PASA, PAMLE and PASCD.  
This year's Summit will be held from July 29-31, 2018 at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, State College, PA.

Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may be affiliated with.


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