PA Ed Policy Roundup April 5: “God bless you,” he said. “You’re going to need it.”

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PA Ed Policy Roundup April 5, 2018

“God bless you,” he said. “You’re going to need it.”


Capitolwire: New proposal seeks to further chip away at Keystone Exam graduation requirement, offer multiple graduation options
PSBA Reprinted with permission By Chris Comisac, Bureau Chief, Capitolwire
HARRISBURG (April 4) – The seesaw that is public education policy could soon be sawing back to where it was, roughly, pre-Keystone Exams. Yes, lawmakers postponed (twice) the effective date of a requirement that all students pass the Keystone Exams in Literature, Algebra I and Biology in order to graduate, but it’s still on the books (currently scheduled to become effective with the 2019-20 school year) unless state law is changed. And that appears to be exactly what state Sen. Tom McGarrigle, R-Delaware, would like to do with legislation that he’ll soon introduce. “With the delay in the Keystone Exam graduation requirement set to expire in the 2019-20 school year, schools are uncertain about how to plan programming,” writes McGarrigle in a co-sponsorship memo which he began circulating last month for his bill. Calling the current requirements “inflexible and ill-conceived expectations,” he says his legislation won’t reinstate the Keystone Exam graduation requirement, but instead “in any school year in which proficiency on Keystone Exams is required for high school graduation, my bill will provide students with several alternative pathways to demonstrate postsecondary readiness.”
https://www.psba.org/2018/04/capitolwire-new-proposal-seeks-to-further-chip-away-at-keystone-exam-graduation-requirement-offer-multiple-graduation-options/

As a matter of accountability, GOP guv candidates need to release tax returns | Editorial
By PennLive Editorial Board penned@pennlive.com Updated Apr 4, 1:32 PM
Laura Ellsworth, Paul Mango and Scott Wagner, the three candidates seeking the Republican nomination for governor this year, each talk a big game about changing the tone in Harrisburg. On her official website, Ellsworth, an attorney for the international firm Jones Day, says it's "time to deliver on the promise of Pennsylvania." Mango, a former healthcare consultant for McKinsey & Co., wants to "fundamentally redefine the role" of state government. And Wagner, a York County state senator and the party-endorsed candidate who played the role of consummate outsider, wants to make sure "elected officials are working for the taxpayers, not themselves." But when it comes to a fundamental measure of transparency, it's "do as I say, not as I do" for Messrs. Wagner and Mango, and Ms. Ellsworth.  Ripping a page from the Trumpian playbook, all three have refused to release their income tax returns, documents that could shed light on any financial conflict of interests that could hobble their effectiveness as potential leaders of the nation's fifth-most populous state. That's a mistake.
http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2018/04/if_theyre_serious_about_making.html#incart_2box_opinion

“Following walkouts, protests and marches at local high schools and across the country, Dinniman said Thursday’s event was the next step in fostering a productive dialogue with students on school safety. “I welcome the opportunity to talk with student leaders and I’ve always felt that lawmakers need to ensure that students’ views are considered in making decisions on education policy in Harrisburg,” Dinniman said. “I also want to commend our young people for stepping up, making their voices heard, and getting involved in the civic process on this issue.”
Dinniman to talk school safety with local students
Daily Local By Digital First Media POSTED: 04/04/18, 1:11 PM EDT | UPDATED: 13 HRS AGO
West Chester >> State Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19, will discuss school and student safety issues with representatives from the Chester County Student Forum at a special meeting today from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU). “I look forward to a productive and comprehensive discussion, as well as hearing directly from Chester County students and student leaders about their concerns and thoughts on ways to improve safety in our schools,” said Dinniman, who serves as minority chair of the Senate Education Committee. “Public safety is a primary duty of government and I can’t think of a more important issue than ensuring that our students and young people have a safe place to learn and grow.” The Chester County Student Forum is comprised of student leaders from Chester County’s public, private, and non-public high schools. Students are selected to become members of the forum by their school’s Student Forum faculty advisor. The forum will include student representatives from Collegium Charter School, Downingtown East High School, Downingtown West High School, Downingtown STEM Academy, Great Valley High School, and Octorara High School, among other schools.
http://www.dailylocal.com/general-news/20180404/dinniman-to-talk-school-safety-with-local-students

Kenney announces picks for new Philadelphia school board
Mayor Jim Kenney announced his picks for Philadelphia School District’s new Board of Education on Wednesday morning:
Inquirer by Kristen A. Graham, Staff Writer  @newskag |  kgraham@phillynews.com Updated: APRIL 4, 2018 — 10:31 AM EDT
During a press conference at City Hall, Kenney called the naming of the new school board “a major step toward establishing local control over our schools.” “I am confident that the board we are announcing today is ready for the work ahead of us,” Kenney said. Kenney’s picks will determine the future of the Philadelphia School District, its $3 billion budget, and over 200,000 students in traditional public and charter schools. The nine unpaid board members will begin running the school system July 1, after the state-created School Reform Commission ceases to exist. The new board members will participate in a series of community learning sessions across the city, beginning on April 25:
http://www.philly.com/philly/education/mayor-kenney-names-new-philly-school-board-20180404.html

New board of education members come from varied backgrounds
A pediatrician, several social workers and educators, no lawyers
The notebook by Dale Mezzacappa and Avi Wolfman-Arent April 4, 2018 — 11:52am
Mayor Kenney unveiled his new Board of Education Wednesday — a group of six women and three men that includes social workers, a pediatrician, several educators, one expert in finance and another in governance. As expected, Kenney named Joyce Wilkerson and Christopher McGinley, members of the School Reform Commission; they resigned last week in anticipation of being appointed to the new board, which will take over from the SRC on July 1. Two of the nine board members have children who attend schools in the District, and one is a charter school parent. One helps operate a restaurant with her husband and another is the sister of the head of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania. None of the seven new names has a history of activism or is well known in the usual Philadelphia education circles. And unlike most past boards, there are no lawyers. In crafting his board, Kenney bypassed people put forth by the Our City Our Schools coalition, offered specifically for their advocacy on behalf of public schools. But in announcing his choices, Kenney said they comprise “a strong group of individuals with a passion for public education in Philadelphia.” The new members expressed both excitement and trepidation as they prepare to assume their policymaking role in the area that Kenney called more important than any other for the future of the city.
http://thenotebook.org/articles/2018/04/04/kenney-appoints-nine-new-school-board-members

“They will begin their work almost immediately, launching into orientation sessions as the School Reform Commission is in the thick of its budget season. The board members will also fan out across the city for community listening sessions. Board members said they were excited about the work in front of them. Many said they were nervous, too. City Council President Darrell L. Clarke looked at the new board and smiled.
“God bless you,” he said. “You’re going to need it.”
'Nine great Philadelphians': Kenney picks his new school board
Inquirer by Kristen A. Graham & Maddie Hanna - Staff Writers Updated: APRIL 4, 2018 5:25 PM
Calling it “a major step forward toward establishing local control of our schools,” Mayor Kenney on Wednesday named a new, nine-member board of education to govern the Philadelphia School District beginning July 1.  The mayor leaned heavily on educators and those with social services backgrounds, choosing six women and three men, including two people who until last week were members of the soon-to-be-disbanded School Reform Commission. Named to the board were Julia Danzy, Leticia Egea-Hinton, Mallory Fix Lopez, Lee Huang, Maria McColgan, Christopher McGinley, Angela McIver, Wayne Walker, and Joyce Wilkerson. Most have not previously been in the public eye. “I am confident that the board we are announcing today is ready for the work ahead of us,” Kenney said at a news conference in City Hall. He hailed the panel, culled from 500 nominations and picked from 45 finalists, as “nine great Philadelphians.” Kenney was clear that the task in front of the group is enormous. Most had never met each other before Wednesday, and in less than three months they will run a $3.2 billion organization with no revenue-raising capabilities. The mayor is keenly interested in their work, having made education the centerpiece of his administration.
http://www.philly.com/philly/education/mayor-kenney-names-new-philly-school-board-20180404.html

The new Philadelphia Board of Education will be holding a series of public sessions. Dates, times and locations are listed in the link below.
Philadelphia Board of Education Listening tour
The new Board members will participate in a series of community listening sessions across the city. Students, parents, educators and residents are invited to attend these events and share their views on the challenges and opportunities facing public education in Philadelphia.
https://beta.phila.gov/departments/philadelphia-board-of-education/listening-tour/

Bios for the members of the new Philadelphia Board of Education
https://beta.phila.gov/departments/philadelphia-board-of-education/members/

“Our city now has a similar crowdfunding site that allows individuals and businesses to give directly to our public schools. The Fund for the Philadelphia School District’s Philly FUNDamentals follows the popularity of the universal online fund-raising concepts: individual and business donors want to give to something specific and know they are making a fast impact.”
Can one business improve schools with a single donation? It's happened before. | Opinion
by Donna Frisby-Greenwood, For the Inquirer Updated: APRIL 4, 2018 — 2:08 PM EDT
Donna Frisby-Greenwood is president and CEO of the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia.
As the director of the nonprofit that raises funds to support Philadelphia’s public schools, it’s hard not to be in awe of the San Francisco company Ripple and its $29 million donation last week to the educational crowdsourcing site DonorsChoose.org. The result? More than 35,000 teacher requests were instantly fully funded. And more than 16,500 public schools across the country (about one in six public schools nationwide) felt the generosity in one fell swoop. Ripple is not a first-time donor to the 18-year-old crowdfunding platform. It’s been a loyal contributor and knows a lot about the mission and operation; its previous gift was $9 million. But now that Ripple is skyrocketing as the second largest company in the hot virtual currency space, the time was right to give back to what executives and staff believe is the right cause – public education. Ripple’s spokesperson said in a recent New York Times interview that the company was “surrounded by people who have benefited from having great educational experiences and [they] very much recognize that’s not the case across the U.S.” So what does this have to do with Philly? (Well, besides the fact that Ripple’s donation brought more than $236,000 to Philadelphia public school classrooms, funding 364 projects and supporting 276 teachers.)
http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-school-district-how-you-can-help-donations-opinion-20180404.html

Pennsylvania: Sentencing Date Set for Prison Term for Founder of Nation’s First CyberCharter
Diane Ravitch’s Blog By dianeravitch April 4, 2018
Nick Trombetta, founder of the nation’s first cybercharter, will be sentenced on July 10.
He admitted stealing $8 million in public funds intended for his school.
The long-delayed sentencing hearing of former Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School CEO Nick Trombetta on charges of tax fraud and conspiracy is set for July, according to information filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court. The July 10 sentencing will come nearly five years after Trombetta, 62, was indicted by a grand jury on 11 counts of tax fraud and conspiracy in August 2013. He pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the IRS in August 2016. He faces up to five years in federal prison. Trombetta siphoned $8 million from the Midland-based public school and used the money to stockpile retirement money and buy personal luxury goods for himself, his girlfriend and his family — including multiple homes and a twin-engine airplane. The conspiracy involved Trombetta and several others – including his accountant, Neal Prence – moving the money to other companies created or controlled by Trombetta and filing false tax returns.
https://dianeravitch.net/2018/04/04/pennsylvania-sentencing-date-set-for-prison-term-for-founder-of-nations-first-cybercharter/

“In short, the extraordinary growth of school choice isn’t showing up in public opinion — and there’s evidence that support has plateaued (or even declined) in recent years. How to make sense of these findings? Well, while Americans like school choice, they also like their local schools and are uncomfortable with proposals to radically transform schooling.”
School-Choice Supporters Should Drop the Overheated Rhetoric
National Review By FREDERICK M. HESS  & SOFIA GALLO April 4, 2018 6:30 AM
The school-choice movement features more than its share of alarmist rhetoric and extravagant boasts. U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has opined that school choice is necessary because millions of students “are trapped in schools that fail to meet their needs.” Proponents boast that “like Uber disrupts the transportation industry, charter schools and private schools can and are disrupting the education industry.” The presumption is that parents are dissatisfied with their children’s neighborhood school, and with the American education system as a whole. Advocates for charter schooling, school vouchers, and education savings accounts seem convinced that they are well-served by creating a stark contrast between what they’re offering and the familiar status quo — that talk of failing schools and promises of disruption will help win over parents and voters. And school choice has been on quite a run, leaving advocates confident that their message is working. After all, three decades ago, there were no charter schools or school-voucher programs in the United States. Today, more than 40 states have adopted charter-school laws, with 7,000 charter schools enrolling more than 3 million students. Additionally, 29 states have adopted some kind of private-school choice program. Yet this remarkable legislative success has not been matched by similar shifts in public opinion (as we’ll note in a moment). Thus it’s worth asking why school choice’s political accomplishments appear to be outpacing its success in winning hearts and minds. Indeed, what if school choice is succeeding not because of its advocates’ rhetoric, but despite it? 
https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/04/school-choice-debate-rhetoric-overheated/

'Hail Mary' Budget Move Could Throw Federal Education Spending Into Question
Education Week Politics K12 Blog By Andrew Ujifusa on April 4, 2018 3:38 PM
Remember when we said President Donald Trump wasn't totally thrilled about signing a spending bill that included a $2.6 billion increase for education? Apparently, it's bugging him so much that he's still trying to find a way to make cuts. Trump has reportedly discussed with House Republican leaders the idea of effectively cutting some spending out of the $1.3 trillion omnibus bill he signed late last month, according to recent reports in both Roll Call and the Washington Post. The Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 allows presidents to withhold or defer money from specific programs, as long as they get Congress' approval. Here's a relevant summary from that law:  Pursuant to the Act, the President must notify Congress whenever he proposes a rescission or deferral of funds. If Congress does not pass a rescission bill within 45 days of continuous session, the President must release all funds proposed for rescission. The President may defer funding within a particular fiscal year, subject to the enactment of a measure disapproving the deferral. If Trump makes such a request, it would have to specify the programs he wants to withhold or defer money from for fiscal 2018. Because there would be a deadline on a vote on any such proposal, the Senate could approve it with only 51 votes, instead of the 60 votes typically required to overcome a filibuster.
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2018/04/budget_move_federal_education_spending_into_question_trump_congress.html


2018 PSBA Advocacy Day April 16, 2018 Harrisburg
Join PSBA and your fellow school directors for the annual Advocacy Day on Monday, April 16, 2018, at the State Capitol in Harrisburg. PSBA is partnering with Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units to have a stronger voice for public education. Hear how advocacy makes a difference in the legislative process and the importance of public education advocacy. Government Affairs will take a deeper dive into the legislative priorities and will provide tips on how to be an effective public education advocate. There will be dedicated time for you and your fellow advocates to hit the halls to meet with your legislators on public education. This is your chance to share the importance of policy supporting public education and make your voice heard on the Hill. This event is free for members; registration is required.
Register online here: http://www.mypls.com/Default.aspx?tabid=3753
https://www.psba.org/event/2018-psba-advocacy-day/

NPE: Join us in a Day of Action April 20^th to Stop Gun Violence in our Schools
Network for Public Education February 16, 2018 by Darcie Cimarusti
After the slaughter of students and staff in Parkland, Florida, the time for action has never been more urgent. The politicians sit on their hands as our children and their teachers are murdered in their schools. We will be silent no more! The failure to enact rational laws that bar access to guns designed for mass shootings is inexcusable. It is past time to speak out and act. Pledge your support to stop gun violence here. We call for mass action on April 20, the anniversary of the horrific shootings at Columbine High School. We urge teachers, families, students, administrators and every member of the community to engage in acts of protest in and around their schools. Create actions that work best in your community.  Organize sit-ins, teach-ins, walkouts, marches–whatever you decide will show your school and community’s determination to keep our students safe. One elementary teacher suggested that teachers and parents link arms around the school to show their determination to protect children.
https://networkforpubliceducation.org/2018/02/join-us-day-action-stop-gun-violence-schools/

PASA Women's Caucus Annual Conference "Leaders Lifting Leaders"
May 6 - 8, 2018 Hotel Hershey
**REGISTRATION NOW OPEN**
Featured Speakers...
*Dr. Helen Sobehart - Women Leading Education Across Continents: Lifting Leaders from Here to There
*Dr. Tracey Severns - Courageous Leadership
*Dr. Emilie Lonardi - Lead and Lift: A Call for Females to Aspire to the Superintendency
*Deputy Secretary Matt Stem - Update from the PDE
Registration: https://www.pasa-net.org/wcconf

Gerrymandering: Fair Districts PA Statewide Calendar of Events

https://www.fairdistrictspa.com/events

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! Join the PA Principals Association, the PA Association of School Administrators and the PA Association of Rural and Small Schools for PA Education Leaders Advocacy Day at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, at the Capitol in Harrisburg, PA.  

A rally in support of public education and important education issues will be held on the Main Rotunda Steps from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Visits with legislators will be conducted earlier in the day. More information will be sent via email, shared in our publications and posted on our website closer to the event.

To register, send an email to Dr. Joseph Clapper at clapper@paprincipals.org before Friday, June 8, 2018.

Click here to view the PA Education Leaders Advocacy Day 2018 Save The Date Flyer (INCLUDES EVENT SCHEDULE AND IMPORTANT ISSUES.) 

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.

http://dlvr.it/Q5d0c8 

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.