Wednesday, January 17, 2018

PA Ed Policy Roundup Jan. 17: SB2 Vouchers would drain $500 million from public schools, where 90% of our kids go

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
Follow us on Twitter at @lfeinberg

Keystone State Education Coalition




“This morning the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is expected to hear oral arguments in the gerrymandering flap.”
Editorial: Gerrymandering foes take case to Pa. high court
Delco Times POSTED: 01/16/18, 7:11 PM EST | UPDATED: 57 SECS AGO
Brace yourself for Round 2 of the gerrymandering free-for-all.
A couple of weeks ago, Commonwealth Court Judge Kevin P. Brobson confirmed what just about everyone already knew: The congressional redistricting that took place in 2011 by the Republican-controlled state Legislature was more about politics than people. Or voters either, for that matter. Brobson ruled the boundaries of several districts were bent and twisted into odd shapes to benefit Republicans – to make sure several Republican tossup districts became a lot more solidly red, and concentrating some Democrat pockets in districts where they already held a sizeable advantage. The League of Women Voters had brought suit, hoping to have the new districts tossed out. Brobson agreed with their basic premise, that the new map created by Republicans did indeed intentionally discriminate “so as to grant Republican candidates an advantage in certain districts within the Commonwealth.” None of which means a damn thing because Brobson went on to say that even with these blatantly political overtones, he does not feel the process violated the state constitution. And that was his recommendation to the state Supreme Court. Now it’s the high court’s turn.

Betsy DeVos green-lights Pennsylvania's Every Student Succeeds Act plan
Trib Live by NATASHA LINDSTROM  | Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, 9:42 p.m.
Pennsylvania's Every Student Succeeds Act proposal is available in English and Spanish on the state Department of Education website.
The Trump administration has approved Pennsylvania's Every Student Succeeds Act plan, along with the mandatory education improvement proposals submitted by 10 more states, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos announced Tuesday night. "Pennsylvania's plan met the requirements of the law, and so I am happy to approve it," DeVos said in a statement shortly before 9 p.m. "This plan should not be seen as a ceiling, but as a foundation upon which Pennsylvania can improve education for its students. Under the Every Student Succeeds Act , or ESSA, all states were required to revamp guidelines for monitoring academic achievement, graduation rates and English learner proficiency. The ESSA replaced No Child Left Behind as the federal education law following a bipartisan effort toward the end of the Obama administration in 2015. Specific to Pennsylvania's pitch were efforts to measure how prepared students are to find jobs after high school and to reduce chronic absenteeism. The plan is required for federal funding.

CHIP: G.O.P. to Use Children’s Health Insurance as Lure for Averting Shutdown
New York Times By THOMAS KAPLAN and ROBERT PEAR JAN. 16, 2018
WASHINGTON — With little hope of an immigration agreement this week, Republicans in Congress are looking to head off a government shutdown this weekend by pairing another stopgap spending measure with long-term funding for the popular Children’s Health Insurance Program, daring Democrats to vote no. The bill would leave in limbo hundreds of thousands of young immigrants brought to the country illegally as children. But Democrats would still be left with a difficult political decision: withhold their votes unless the plight of such immigrants, known as Dreamers, is addressed and risk a government shutdown, or vote to keep the government open and fund the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which provides coverage for nearly nine million children. The bill would set up another possible showdown in mid-February, with government funding set to expire Feb. 16. But it would give lawmakers time to continue negotiations on immigration and long-term government funding levels.

“The Governor’s Budget Address is February 6.”
PA House Appropriations Committee Budget Hearing Schedule Now Available
Crisci Associates Capitol Digest
March 5-- 10:00- Department of Education.
All hearings will be held in Room 140 of the Main Capitol in Harrisburg.

PA Senate Appropriations Committee Budget Hearing Schedule Now Available
Crisci Associates Capitol Digest
Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), Majority Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the hearing schedule on the proposed FY 2018-19 budget.  
 March 6-- 10:00- Department of Education; 1:00- Department of Education Continued
All hearings will be in Hearing Room 1, North Office Building. Hearings are typically webcast on the Committee webpage.

School District of Lancaster eyes alternatives to out-of-school suspensions of black students
Lancaster Online by KIMBERLY MARSELAS | Correspondent January 17, 2018
Black male students are hit with one-third of all out-of-school suspensions at School District of Lancaster's five middle schools even though they make up just 17 percent of the student population, a disparity administrators are looking to tackle with a series of new interventions.
Data collected by the district and shared at a Jan. 9 school board work session shows black male students accounted for 33 percent of all sixth- through eighth-grade out-of-school suspensions over a 3½-year period ending in December. Hispanic students, the district's majority at 61 percent, accounted for 54 percent of suspensions during that same period. White students, at 13 percent of enrollment, received just 11 percent of middle school suspensions. Administrators are working on redefining vague infractions that trigger suspensions, such as "disruptive behavior," and training teachers to head off situations that can lead to severe consequences for students. Part of the solution would be limiting the circumstances for which an out-of-school suspension of up to three days is considered.

Phoenixville looking at later start times for middle, high schools
Studies have shown students perform better in school if they get more sleep, leading some school districts to consider later start times. 
By Evan Brandt, The Mercury POSTED: 01/12/18, 7:28 PM EST
PHOENIXVILLE >> Try not to be mad at that teenager in your life who stays in bed too long every morning. It’s not their fault — it’s biology. Recognizing emerging science that suggests the teenage brain works best after 8 or 8:30 a.m. and struggles to fall asleep before 11 p.m., Phoenixville Area School District officials are seriously considering a change to school start and stop times. “Teens and tweens are chronically sleep-deprived,” said board member Lori Broker, adding current research shows their brains are not at peak performance in early morning hours and letting them start later could be one way to raise test scores in Phoenixville schools. “I know there are middle and high school kids at the bus stop at 6:30 a.m. There are even some middle school clubs that start at 6,” said board member Jessely Soto. Exploration of the topic began last year, but Superintendent Alan Fegley told the board during a workshop meeting Thursday that he has already fallen behind on the timeline he set for moving the issue to a decision. He and board member Eric Daugherty attended a seminar on the subje

New property tax legislation expected soon
By Howard Frank Pocono Record Writer  Posted Jan 15, 2018 at 8:45 PM Updated Jan 16, 2018 at 11:11 AM
In two weeks, bills will be introduced in the state house and senate to eliminate property taxes on owner-occupied homes through an increase in the personal income tax. The increase in the PIT is estimated at a little over 1.5 percent, according to State Sen. Mario Scavello, who will sponsor the bill in the senate. “It keeps the seniors in their homes,” Scavello said. Right now, property taxes fund school district budgets for the most part. Those costs have risen with the growth in the area and cost of educating students. A loophole in the state funding formula also locks Monroe County into 1980s contribution levels long antiquated by the rise in local population. In Nov. 2017, Pennsylvanians voted to expand the state’s Homestead Exclusion program to allow the legislature to exempt 100 percent of a home’s value in property tax calculations for owner-occupied homes. That opened the door for Scavello’s bill to eliminate property taxes for owner-occupied homes. Under his proposal, the money funded through owner-occupied property taxes would be replaced by the increase in personal income tax rates in the state. It wouldn’t take away the taxing authority of the school districts, though, he said. Districts can still adjust its budgets through the millage rates on commercial and rental properties in the school districts.

Erie School Board ready to limit size of tax increase
GoErie By Ed Palattella Posted at 2:00 AM
School directors to vote on keeping ’18-19 hike below the state-determined index.
A key budget season for the Erie School District starts on Wednesday with a decision on property taxes. The School Board is expected to approve a resolution that would prohibit the board from raising taxes in 2018-19 more than 3.7 percent, which is the state-established index for the district for the fiscal year that starts July 1. Passage of the resolution still would allow the School Board to raise taxes in 2018-19, but just not above the index — the ceiling that the state Department of Education sets for each school district based on increases in the statewide average weekly wage as well as other other labor data. The index is included in Act 1, which the General Assembly passed in 2006 to restrict how much school districts can increase taxes without seeking a referendum. The School Board meets Wednesday at 6 p.m. at East Middle School, 1001 Atkins St. The board later in the year is expected to increase taxes in 2018-19 by no more than 0.5 percent, the amount the district included in the financial recovery plan it submitted to the state in late 2016. The plan helped the district in October secure $14 million in additional annual state funding starting this fiscal year. As part of the funding boost, the district is to get a state-funded financial administrator to monitor its finances, though the power to levy taxes will remain with the School Board. Gov. Tom Wolf got a list of three potential appointees on Friday and is expected to name an administrator soon.

Philadelphia Board of Education Member Appointment Process Begins
For immediate release: January 16, 2018Published by: Mayor’s Office of Education, Office of the Mayor Contact: Sarah Petersonsarah.peterson@phila.gov (267) 438-7859  
PHILADELPHIA – The City of Philadelphia announced the launch of the formal process to appoint Philadelphia’s new Board of Education. This will begin with the call for Board of Education applicants, the convening of the Educational Nominating Panel this week, and the hosting of informational sessions over the next two weeks. The Nominating Panel will consider applicants and nominees for the Board, and submit a final list of nominees for Mayor Kenney’s consideration in February. The tentative timeline is as follows:
·         January 19: Nominating Panel convenes.
·         January 31: Board of Education application closes.
·         February 28: Deadline for Nominating Panel to recommend 27 candidates to Mayor.
·         March: Mayor announces Board of Education appointments; date to be determined.
·         April-June: Board of Education member orientation.
·         July 1: The Board of Education assumes governance of the Philadelphia School District.
“We are now welcoming applicants and nominations of candidates as we establish local governance of the Philadelphia School District,” said Mayor Kenney. “I am confident that we’ll hear from a wide range of candidates representing all constituencies in our incredibly diverse city. The end result will be a Board of Education that brings a new vision for improving the educational opportunities of Philadelphia students and families.” Individuals who are interested in applying to the Board of Education or nominating another person for the Board can do so using an online form, or by submitting a paper form at City Hall, Room 204. The deadline for applications and nominations is January 31, 2018.

Kenney names 13 to help pick Philly's new school board
Inquirer by Kristen A. Graham, Staff Writer  @newskag |  kgraham@phillynews.com Updated: JANUARY 16, 2018 — 10:10 AM EST
Mayor Kenney on Tuesday named the 13 city residents who will shape Philadelphia’s new school board, laying out a ambitious timeline for forming the district governing body that will control a $3 billion budget and the educational fate of about 200,000 students. The school board nominating panel includes parents and educators, activists and one former School Reform Commission member. It must consider applicants and nominees for the board, presenting to Kenney a list of 27 nominees for nine seats by Feb. 28. The group will hold its first meeting Friday. “I am confident that we’ll hear from a wide range of candidates representing all constituencies in our incredibly diverse city,” Kenney said in a statement. “The end result will be a Board of Education that brings a new vision for improving the educational opportunities of Philadelphia students and families.”

Nominating committee members, timeline for new Philly school board announced
by the notebook January 16, 2018 — 11:35am
Mayor Kenney's office announced Tuesday morning the names of the 13 people who will interview and recommend candidates for a new Board of Education and finalized the timeline for the process that will culminate in board members taking office on July 1. The nominating panel will convene Friday, and the deadline for people to submit their names for appointment to the Board is Jan. 31, which is two weeks from tomorrow. Anyone interested in applying to the board or nominating someone else can do so by using an online form or by submitting a paper form at City Hall, Room 204.  There will also be a series of informational meetings around the city for anyone interested in the process or in becoming a member of the board.

Philly District reboots plan for lead stabilization after problems are discovered
The notebook by Greg Windle January 16, 2018 — 6:37pm
The Philadelphia School District has rebooted its plan to protect students from lead paint after work done in at least three schools was found to be incomplete and, in some cases, shoddy. Although the work has already been completed in 17 schools, District staff, outside contractors, and inspectors for the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers became concerned after inspections “uncovered examples of incomplete work or poor work standards in some of the buildings,” according to a statement released by the District. As a result, work at three schools had to be readdressed, according to District spokesman Lee Whack. The District is conducting a $400,000 lead paint stabilization project at more than 30 elementary schools, begun after a 6-year-old student at Comly Elementary ate paint chips back in October that later tested positive for lead. The child also had significantly elevated blood lead levels.

Deer Lakes teachers get 5-year contract, annual pay hike of 4%
Trib Live by TOM YERACE AND BRIAN C. RITTMEYER | Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, 10:27 p.m.
Deer Lakes School District teachers will receive, on aver­age, a 4.07 percent salary increase per year under a new five-year contract approved Tuesday. The Deer Lakes Educators Association, representing 141 teachers, nurses and guidance counselors, ratified the contract at a membership meeting at 5 p.m. The school board followed suit at its 7 p.m. meeting, approving the contract, 5-3. Voting for the contract were School Directors William Lupone, Louis Buck, Eric Bieniek, Kristi Minnick and Vic Laurenza. Board members Jodi Banyas-Galecki, Gary Torick and Phillip Ziendarski opposed the contract. Board member Leanna M. Shurina was absent. According to a news release from Deer Lakes spokesman Jim Cromie, the new agreement is retroactive to July 1, when the last agreement expired.

America is disastrously failing to educate internationally literate citizens | Opinion
by Margee Ensign, For the Philadelphia Inquirer Updated: JANUARY 16, 2018 — 1:38 PM EST
Americans seem unconcerned that high school and college students can receive degrees without knowing the difference between World War I and World War II; and the location of China, India or Nigeria on a world map – much less know anything more about them.
None of us should be surprised by President Trump’s recent vulgar and racist attack on Haiti and all of Africa. His racism has been visible for a long time, and he has repeatedly proved to be uninformed about international affairs. Meanwhile, the State Department, our governmental repository of experience and knowledge about the world beyond our borders, is hemorrhaging personnel. While it is easy to point fingers at Trump, the problem for America runs far deeper. The United States has been the world’s greatest superpower for many decades, but many of our citizens remain willfully ignorant of that world. For decades, we have been testing high school and college students about their knowledge of the world. The questions are simple: Which branch of the U.S. government has the ability to declare war? Which countries are majority Muslim? Which country has the largest economy, the U.S. or China? Year after year, we wring our hands at the alarming scores, yet continue with business as usual. Language course too difficult? Find a substitute. Geography? How old-fashioned. Google Maps can tell us where Africa or the Gaza Strip is.

50 senators endorse resolution to restore FCC net neutrality regulations
Inquirer by Brian Fung, Washington Post Updated: JANUARY 16, 2018 — 6:30 AM EST
WASHINGTON – Fifty Senate lawmakers have endorsed a legislative measure to override the Federal Communications Commission’s recent decision to deregulate the broadband industry, top Democrats said Monday. The tally leaves supporters just one vote shy of the 51 required to pass a Senate resolution of disapproval, in a legislative gambit aimed at restoring the agency’s net neutrality rules. Those rules, which banned Internet providers from blocking or slowing down websites, were swept away in a December vote led by Republican FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. Republicans had argued the rules were too restrictive for the industry, while Democrats said they provided a vital consumer protection. The resolution aims to overturn the FCC’s decision and prohibit the agency from passing similar measures in the future. It has the support of all 49 Democratic senators as well as one Republican, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine. “With full caucus support,” said Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., one of the lawmakers spearheading the effort, “it’s clear that Democrats are committed to fighting to keep the Internet from becoming the Wild West where ISPs are free to offer premium service to only the wealthiest customers while average consumers are left with far inferior options.”

“Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro has signed on to the lawsuit. “
State attorneys general sue to block net-neutrality repeal
WITF Written by The Associated Press | Jan 16, 2018 4:50 PM
 (New York) -- A group of attorneys general for 21 states and the District of Columbia has sued to block the Federal Communications Commission's repeal of net-neutrality rules. These rules barred companies like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon from interfering with internet traffic and favoring their own sites and apps. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's push to undo them inspired both street and online protests in defense of the Obama-era rules. New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman, who is leading the suit, said Tuesday that the end of the net neutrality rules would hurt consumers and businesses. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro has signed on to the lawsuit.  "The vote by the Federal Communications Commission last month to gut Net Neutrality threatens to end the Internet as we know it," Shapiro said. "The FCC's action undermines free speech and is bad for consumers and business--especially startups and small businesses. I filed this lawsuit today with my colleagues to stop this rollback from being implemented." Tech companies and public-interest groups are also expected to file suit or help with litigation against the repeal.

In Today's Political Climate, It's Harder to Teach Civics, Some Teachers Say
Education Week By Madeline Will on January 16, 2018 10:15 AM
Is teaching civics in 2018 harder than it used to be? In the contentious Trump administration, there is a constant churn of news that brings to life any civics textbook—including allegations of foreign involvement in U.S. elections, claims of both voter suppression and voter fraud, and heated debates about policy, from immigration to health care to taxes.  It's overwhelming, teachers say.  "Everyday, there is something that happens that I could fit into my lesson plan," said Jonathan Gold, a middle school history teacher in Providence, R.I., in a phone interview. "It's really hard to know when to press pause and say, 'Let's talk about what's going on,' when to ignore, and when to delay. ... If I stop for everything, then I won't be teaching my content."
Add that to the fact that the partisan divide in the United States is deep and growing, and many teachers say that teaching civics and current events has become even more challenging. 

DeVos: Federal Education Mandates Have Failed to Produce Real Change
Education Week Politics K12 Blog By Alyson Klein on January 16, 2018 1:57 PM
Washington The past decade of federal K-12 education redesigns "have not worked out as hoped," U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said in a wide-ranging speech at the American Enterprise Institute Tuesday. "Federally mandated assessments. Federal money. Federal standards. All originated in Washington, and none solved the problem. Too many of America's students are still unprepared." The Education Department, she said, needs to take a different tack. "Educators don't need engineering from Washington. Parents don't need prescriptions from Washington. Students don't need standards from Washington. ... What I propose is not another top-down, federal government policy that promises to be a silver bullet. No. We need a paradigm shift, a fundamental reorientation ... a rethink," DeVos said, according to prepared remarks. "'Rethink' means we question everything to ensure nothing limits a student from pursuing his or her passion, and achieving his or her potential. So each student is prepared at every turn for what comes next," DeVos said. DeVos sought to challenge the education community to ask itself a series of fundamental questions about the structure of K-12 systems.



Register now for PSBA Board Presidents Panel 
PSBA Website January 2018
School board leaders, this one's for you! Join your colleagues at an evening of networking and learning in 10 convenient locations around the state at the end of January. Share your experience and leadership through a panel discussion moderated by PSBA Member Services team. Participate in roundtable conversations focused on the most pressing challenges and current issues affecting PA school districts. Bring your specific challenges and scenarios for small group discussion. Register online.

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.

REGISTER TODAY! ELECTED. ENGAGED. EMPOWERED:
Local School Board Members to Advocate on Capitol Hill in 2018     
NSBA's Advocacy Institute 2018 entitled, "Elected. Engaged. Empowered: Representing the Voice in Public Education," will be held on February 4-6, 2018 at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, D.C. This conference will convene Members of Congress, national thought-leaders, state association executives and well-known political pundits to provide local school board members with an update on key policy and legal issues impacting public education, and tactics and strategies to enhance their ability to influence the policy-making process and national education debate during their year-round advocacy efforts.
WHAT'S NEW - ADVOCACY INSTITUTE '18?
·         Confirmed National Speaker: Cokie Roberts, Political Commentator for NPR and ABC News
·         NSBA will convene first ever National School Board Town Hall on School Choice
·         Includes General Sessions featuring national policy experts, Members of Congress, "DC Insiders" and local school board members
·         Offers conference attendees "Beginner" and "Advanced" Advocacy breakout sessions
·         NSBA will host a Hill Day Wrap-Up Reception
Click here to register for the Advocacy Institute.  The hotel block will close on Monday, January 15

PSBA Closer Look Series Public Briefings
The Closer Look Series Public Briefings will take a deeper dive into concepts contained in the proposed Pennsylvania State Budget and the State of Education Report. Sessions will harness the expertise of local business leaders, education advocates, government and local school leaders from across the state. Learn more about the fiscal health of schools, how workforce development and early education can be improved and what local schools are doing to improve the State of Education in Pennsylvania. All sessions are free and open to the public.

Connecting Student Success to Employment
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel – Pittsburgh Green Tree Feb. 27, 2018, 7-8:45 a.m.
More than eight out of 10 students taking one or more industry-specific assessments are achieving either at the competent or advanced level. How do we connect student success to jobs in the community? What does the connection between schools and the business community look like and how can it be improved? How do we increase public awareness of the growing demand for workers in the skilled trades and other employment trends in the commonwealth? Hear John Callahan, PSBA assistant executive director, and Matt Smith, president of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, give a free, public presentation on these topics followed by a Q&A period.

A Deeper Dive into the State of Education
Crowne Plaza Philadelphia – King of Prussia March 6, 2018, 7-8:45 a.m.
In the State of Education Report, 40% of schools stated that 16% to 30% of students joining schools at kindergarten or first grade are below the expected level of school readiness. Learn more about the impact of early education and what local schools are doing to improve the State of Education in Pennsylvania. A free, public presentation by local and legislative experts will be followed by a Q&A period.

Public Education Under Extreme Pressure
Hilton Harrisburg March 12, 2018, 7-8:45 a.m.
According to the State of Education Report, 84% of all school districts viewed budget pressures as the most difficult area to manage over the past year. With so many choices and pressures, school districts must make decisions to invest in priorities while managing their locally diverse budgets. How does the state budget impact these decisions? What investments does the business community need for the future growth of the economy and how do we improve the health, education and well-being of students who attend public schools in the commonwealth in this extreme environment? Hear local and legislative leaders in a free, public presentation on these topics followed by a Q&A period.
Registration for these public briefings: https://www.psba.org/2018/01/closer-look-series-public-briefings/

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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