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
Over
1300 tweeps get their PA Ed Policy fix via twitter. How about you?
School safety panel will not look at guns, DeVos says
AP News by Maria Danilova June 5, 2018
WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal school safety commission set up after the deadly shooting at a Florida high school will not examine the role of guns in school violence, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said Tuesday. DeVos’ testimony to a Senate subcommittee came amid criticism by Democrats and some educators that the panel, set up by President Donald Trump in March, was focused more on distracting public attention rather than truly addressing gun violence. During a hearing on education spending, DeVos was asked whether the commission that she is chairing will look at guns in the context of school safety. “That is not part of the commission’s charge per se,” DeVos told a Senate subcommittee overseeing education spending. “We are actually studying school safety and how we can ensure our students are safe at school.” Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, who asked the question, quipped. “So you are studying gun violence, but not considering the role of guns.”
https://www.apnews.com/c8f50f582d774699822985a2af44b612/DeVos:-School-safety-panel-will-not-look-at-role-of-guns
After pressure from religious schools, Pa. removes nondiscrimination language from tax credit program
WHYY By Avi Wolfman-Arent June 5, 2018
Should private schools that benefit from Pennsylvania’s tax credit programs adhere to the rules of the public system? That debate often revolves around school accountability because the state does not require private schools to administer and publish the results of standardized tests. But the question has also cropped up in recent weeks around an entirely different issue — employee discrimination. In May, Governor Tom Wolf’s administration removed nondiscrimination language from guidelines governing private schools that receive money through state tax credits. The removal came soon after a coalition of private schools and lawmakers complained the language violated state law, prompting administration officials to acknowledge that the clause was inserted by accident. The eliminated language would have barred private schools that benefit from the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) from discriminating against their employees on the basis of “gender, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.”
https://whyy.org/articles/after-pressure-from-religious-schools-pa-removes-nondiscrimination-language-from-tax-credit-program/?utm_source=dlvr&utm_medium=twitterauto&utm_campaign=social-inbound
“Over the past decade, Pennsylvania and local school districts have either already spent or awarded contracts totaling more than $1.3 billion for standardized testing. In fact, one company alone, Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) of Minnesota, has been awarded more than $741 million in testing contracts. In addition, two of the three DRC contracts were given sole source no-bid extensions. In the 2015-16 fiscal year and the first half of the 2016-17 fiscal year alone, DRC received more than $88 million. A variety of other companies involved in the assessment and measuring of test scores also received millions of dollars in state expenditures during that same 18-month period. In fact, three companies alone received a total of $19.6 million.”
PA Auditor general to review spending, lack of transparency on Keystone Exams
The Mercury By Digital First Media POSTED: 06/05/18, 7:02 PM EDT
West Chester >> State Sen. Andy Dinniman has welcomed news that Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale will consider questions regarding the transparency of state contracts related to standardized testing and the Keystone Exams. “Pennsylvania is spending hundreds of millions of dollars on standardized testing and the Keystone Exams, and in too many cases it isn’t even clear exactly what we’re paying for,” Dinniman said. “I thank the auditor general for working to take a closer look at and review this issue. There is no question that taxpayers have a right to be able to access clear and accurate information on how and why state dollars are being spent and what exactly we are getting in return.” Dinniman, D-19, who serves as minority chair of the Senate Education Committee, said he hoped DePasquale’s efforts would help both the public and legislative leaders get some clear answers regarding the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s ongoing spending related to standardized testing and the Keystones. He also thanked Sen. John Eichelberger, Majority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, for his support of this issue.
http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20180605/pa-auditor-general-to-review-spending-lack-of-transparency-on-keystone-exams
Pa. students would need 'perfect score' on civics test, Senate bill says
Special to PennLive By Gillian McGoldrick Updated Jun 5, 5:16 PM; Posted Jun 5, 5:16 PM
To become a United States citizen, each applicant must take a citizenship test about their knowledge of America's history, democracy and freedoms. Members of the state Senate want students to take that same test - and earn a perfect score. On Tuesday, the Senate unanimously passed an amended version of House Bill 564, which originated in the House of Representatives. The original House bill only required students grades 7 through 12 to score a passing grade. But the Senate's version requires them to earn a perfect score on the same test immigrants must pass to be granted U.S. citizenship. Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester County) said on the Senate floor that the lack of civic education in schools has led to "a population that knows very little about the fundamental substance of the government of our nation." "That is sad, indeed," he added. "What we're saying is to become a citizen of the United States, you have to pass a test showing you know the constitution, then every student in this commonwealth should pass the same test. Because that's what is part of being a citizen. A citizen is not just 'rights,' a citizenship is also a responsibility."
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/06/pa_students_would_need_perfect.html#incart_river_index
3 new state representatives sworn in to Pennsylvania House
AP State Wire Published: Yesterday
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Three new members took seats Tuesday in the Pennsylvania House after winning special elections that kept the chamber's partisan balance at 121 Republicans and 82 Democrats. Two Republicans and a Democrat were sworn in three weeks after being elected to fill vacancies created when their predecessors left the Legislature for other positions. Republican Rep. Tim O'Neal , the human resources director for a construction company, took the seat held most recently by Democrat Brandon Neuman, now an elected Washington County judge. In a Tioga County district, Rep. Clint Owlett succeeded Matt Baker, a fellow Republican who is now a federal Health and Human Services Department official. Owlett started a construction and decorative concrete company in 2012. The third newcomer is Democratic Rep. Helen Tai , who won a narrow race to flip a Bucks County seat that had belonged to Republican Scott Petri. Petri now heads the Philadelphia Parking Authority. The founder of a business consulting firm, operator of a martial arts studio and until recently a township supervisor, she is the 42nd woman in the 203-seat House.
http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=4HemQOpu
Wagner's Senate seat to remain empty until 2019
Penn Live By Jan Murphy jmurphy@pennlive.com Updated Jun 5, 1:55 PM
York County residents who live in the 28th state senatorial district will be left with no senator to cast votes for them in the Senate for the remainder of the year. Lt. Gov. Mike Stack, who presides over the Senate, sent a letter to Senate officials on Tuesday indicating that he is disinclined to order a special election to fill the seat vacated at 11:59 p.m. Monday by Republican gubernatorial nominee Scott Wagner. Wagner's term was set to expire on Nov. 30. He was not seeking re-election to the Senate. He resigned to focus on his effort challenging Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's re-election bid in November. That leaves the Senate with 33 Republicans and 16 Democrats. Lt. Gov. Mike Stack has determined it is not in the public interest to order a special election to fill the Senate seat vacated on Monday by GOP gubernatorial nominee Mike Stack. In the letter, Stack said the state's election code leaves it up to the presiding officer to decide whether to call a special election if a vacancy occurs less than seven months before a term of office expires.
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/06/wagners_senate_seat_will_remai.html#incart_2box_politics
SCASD might not grant this school's charter renewal. Here's why
Centre Daily Times BY KELSEY THOMASSON kthomasson@centredaily.com June 05, 2018 09:42 AM
Wonderland Charter School wants a charter renewal, but State College Area School District might not grant it after a recent review uncovered "systematic" and "institutionalized" failures. SCASD found evidence that Wonderland had failed to comply with the charter school law. The board of directors on Monday held a special meeting to initiate non-renewal and/or revocation proceedings. "These failures, in the area of special education in particular, are systemic, institutionalized, and long-standing, and were put in place and are enforced by Wonderland leadership, to include its founder, former CEO, and current business administrator; its education director; its current CEO; and its other lead teacher," SCASD solicitor Scott Etter said in a statement. "We believe that these failures are so severe and significant that it is appropriate to initiate the non-renewal/revocation proceeding provided for in the (charter school law) and the Basic Education Circular on Charter Schools." Wonderland, which currently has 79 students and 12 teachers, had previously received two five-year renewals after its initial charter was granted, according to a SCASD resolution. The board commenced a routine review upon Wonderland's request for a a further term.
http://www.centredaily.com/news/local/education/article212554444.html#storylink=mainstage
Wonderland parents speak in support of school amid charter renewal uncertainty
Centre Daily Times Jeremy Hartley Jun 05, 2018
Parents of students at the Wonderland Charter School spoke on videos shared through the school's website about their own children's experiences with the school. Parents spoke in support as the school may not receive a charter renewal through SCASD.
http://www.centredaily.com/news/local/education/article212620549.html#navlink=Lead
New test: 10.7 million asbestos fibers on floor at Philadelphia elementary school
Inquirer by Wendy Ruderman, Barbara Laker & Dylan Purcell - Staff Writers Updated: JUNE 6, 2018 — 5:42 AM EDT
Shortly after the School District of Philadelphia learned of alarming levels of asbestos fibers on the floor of a highly traveled hallway inside Olney Elementary School, officials said, they sent an environmental team to fix the problem. But four months later, the hazard is not gone. In fact, it’s worse. Tests there revealed 10.7 million asbestos fibers per square centimeter, up from 8.5 million. That latest result is more than 100 times higher than the level that health experts say is cause for alarm. This recent finding is part of an Inquirer and Daily News investigation, “Toxic City: Sick Schools,” in which reporters enlisted staffers at 19 of the district’s more run-down elementary schools to collect samples of suspected asbestos fibers, lead dust, mold spores, and water from drinking fountains. An accredited laboratory, International Asbestos Testing Laboratories in South Jersey, analyzed the materials.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/olney-elementary-school-philadelphia-asbestos-fibers-increase-toxic-city-20180606.html
Council comes up with a city budget that won't increase Philly property taxes
Inquirer by Claudia Vargas, Holly Otterbein & Kristen A. Graham - Staff Writers Updated: JUNE 5, 2018 — 8:27 PM EDT
After a day of bargaining among themselves, Philadelphia City Council came up with a budget plan Tuesday that increases money for city schools in the coming years — but avoids Mayor Kenney’s controversial proposal to raise property taxes. Lawmakers balked at the idea of another real-estate tax hike after being flooded with phone calls from constituents complaining about the 2019 property assessments — many of which resulted in automatic tax increases. “The simple reality is that in most people’s minds in the City of Philadelphia, there was already a real estate tax increase,” Council President Darrell L. Clarke said. “The issue with respect to increased assessments has essentially created to some degree a very, very challenging environment for members of Council.” The decision by legislators to steer clear of a property-tax increase comes one year before they and Kenney are up for reelection — and if it holds could be seen as a political loss for a mayor who has traditionally enjoyed a lot of sway with Council members.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/philadelphia-property-tax-increase-budget-city-council-mayor-jim-kenney-20180605.html
The Growing Achievement Gap: Income inequality is exacerbating the gap between rich and poor school children.
US News Commentary By The Hechinger Report Contributor May 28, 2018, at 6:00 a.m.
KIDS ARRIVE AT SCHOOL with large achievement gaps between rich and poor, and that achievement gap grows over the summer. Now two new studies show that the summer learning gap between the lower and middle classes may be narrowing while the rich surge ahead of everyone. A May 22, 2018 report from the National Center for Education Statistics tracked more than 18,000 kids who attended kindergarten in 2010-11 and followed up with their parents in the fall of 2011 to see how they spent their summer. It's a nationally representative group, expressly selected to mimic the actual racial, ethnic, income and geographic diversity of the country. By many measures, poor kids participated in fewer educationally enriching activities over the summer than middle class and wealthy kids. Only 7 percent of poor kids and 13 percent of "near" poor kids (families of four living on an income of $22,000 to $44,000 a year) went to summer camp. Roughly 40 percent of non-poor kids – middle class and wealthy – attended summer camp. The poor were less likely to go on cultural outings. For example, only 32 percent of poor kids and 44 percent of "near" poor kids went to an art gallery, a museum or a historical site over the summer. Almost two-thirds, or 63 percent of non-poor kids, did. Only 15 percent of poor kids attended a concert or a play. One third of non-poor kids did. More than half of rich and middle-class parents said they read to their children every day during the summer. Fewer than 40 percent of poor kids' parents did so.
https://www.usnews.com/news/education-news/articles/2018-05-28/income-inequality-exacerbates-the-achievement-gap
Guns Aren't a Focus of Federal School Safety Panel, Betsy DeVos Tells Senators
Education Week Politics K12 Blog By Andrew Ujifusa on June 5, 2018 1:49 PM
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos told senators in a Tuesday hearing on Capitol Hill that the federal school safety commission she leads won't examine the role of guns in school violence, despite a prior White House statement that the commission's work will include examining age restrictions on certain firearms purchases. "That is not part of the commission's charge per se," DeVos told lawmakers. DeVos, who officially was called before the Senate subcommittee on education spending to discuss the Trump administration's budget proposal for fiscal 2019, also stated that she does not believe educators can refer undocumented students to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. That represents a shift from remarks she made last month, when she told the House education committee that schools could choose whether to report such students to ICE. In the wide-ranging hearing, DeVos also defended the Trump budget proposal for the U.S. Department of Education by stating that it sought to slim down or consolidate programs that haven't proven effective, while continuing her push—unsuccessful so far in Congress—to expand public and private school choice. She also touched on state plans for the Every Student Succeeds Act and sparred with Democrats about her approach to the department's office for civil rights, countering their claims that she was improperly cutting staffing levels by saying that she was committed to conducting its work to protect students in an efficient manner.
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2018/06/betsy_devos_guns_focus_school_safety_group_education_spending_testimony.html
New Leader of School Choice Caucus in Congress Hails From DeVos' Home State
Education Week Politics K12 Blog By Andrew Ujifusa on June 5, 2018 11:50 AM
A rookie Republican lawmaker from Michigan will soon gain new prominence in the push to expand school choice on Capitol Hill. Rep. Paul Mitchell, R-Mich., will serve as co-chairman of the Congressional School Choice Caucus on the House side with Rep. Luke Messer, R-Ind., the caucus' current chairman in the House, through the end of this year. (Messer will leave Congress at the start of next year, having made an unsuccessful run to be the Republican nominee to challenge Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., in November.) Mitchell's already a member of the choice caucus. "Parents should have the right to choose which educational model works best for their children. The needs of individual families and children are unique, and they should have increased access to schools that have adapted to best serve them," Mitchell said in a statement announcing that he will co-chair the caucus. Mitchell was first elected in 2016 to represent Michigan's 10th District in the House. He's quickly become a big fan of National School Choice Week, which includes events to promote the issue in Washington. He promoted his attendance at last year's event on Capitol Hill, after cutting a video about school choice and School Choice Week in 2017:
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2018/06/school_choice_caucus_congress_devos_home_state.html
Apply Now for EPLC's 2018-2019 PA Education Policy Fellowship Program!
Applications are available now for the 2018-2019 Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP). The Education Policy Fellowship Program is sponsored in Pennsylvania by The Education Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC).
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 13-14, 2018 and continues to graduation in June 2019.
Applications are being accepted now.
Click here to read more about the Education Policy Fellowship Program.
The application may be copied from the EPLC web site, but must be submitted by mail or scanned and e-mailed, with the necessary signatures of applicant and sponsor.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of the Fellowship Program and its requirements, please contact EPLC Executive Director Ron Cowell at 717-260-9900 or cowell@eplc.org.
Nominations for PSBA’s Allwein Advocacy Award due by July 16
PSBA Website May 14, 2018
The Timothy M. Allwein Advocacy Award was established in 2011 by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and may be presented annually to the individual school director or entire school board to recognize outstanding leadership in legislative advocacy efforts on behalf of public education and students that are consistent with the positions in PSBA’s Legislative Platform. In addition to being a highly respected lobbyist, Timothy Allwein served to help our members be effective advocates in their own right. Many have said that Tim inspired them to become active in our Legislative Action Program and to develop personal working relationships with their legislators. The 2018 Allwein Award nomination process will begin on Monday, May 14, 2018. The application due date is July 16, 2018 in the honor of Tim’s birth date of July 16.
Download the Application
https://www.psba.org/2018/05/nominations-allwein-advocacy-award/
Join with EdVotersPA and PCCY for Capitol Caravan Days and fight for our public schools! When: 9:00-3:00 on June 12 or June 20 (your choice!)
Where: The Harrisburg Capitol
Why: To show state lawmakers that their constituents expect them to support public school students in the '18-19 budget
Education Voters of PA joining together with Pennsylvania Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) for a lobby day in Harrisburg. Join a team and meet with your state legislators and legislative leaders to talk about how the state can support K-12 students in the state budget.
Register Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrk24gH61bp7Zjy_JFpIELPYcEvXx05Ld4-_CPltQYyqLSPw/viewform
BRIEFING: PUBLIC EDUCATION FUNDING IN PENNSYLVANIA
IN PHILLY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2018, 8:30-10:00 A.M.
Join Law Center attorneys Michael Churchill, Jennifer Clarke, and Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg for a free briefing on the state of education funding in Pennsylvania. They’ll cover the basics of education funding, our fair school funding lawsuit, the property tax elimination bill, the 2018-2019 state budget, and more! RSVP online here. The briefing will be held on Wednesday, June 13th at 8:30 a.m. at 1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Download a flyer for this event.
https://www.pubintlaw.org/events/briefing-public-education-funding-in-pennsylvania-2/
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.
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.)
POWER 100% SCHOOL FUNDING Day of Action Wednesday, June 20th at 1 PM at the PA Capitol
On Wednesday, June 20th at 1 PM, students, parents, community activists, and faith leaders from different traditions will gather on the steps of the State Capitol Main Rotunda for POWER’s 100% SCHOOL FUNDING Day of Action to demand support for legislation to put 100% of the Commonwealth's Basic Education Budget through PA's Fair Funding Formula. We ask you to join us as we stand in solidarity with one another and continue demanding fair and fully funded education for Pennsylvania’s public school students. In addition to a large rally, we will march to Governor Tom Wolfe's office to pray for his support for 100% through the Formula. Join us as we hold meetings that day with our legislators asking each one to speak out in favor of POWER's 100% plan.
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.
Save the Dates PASA/PSBA School Leadership Conference – Hershey, Oct. 17-19,
2018
Mark your calendar! The Delegate Assembly will take place Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, at 2:30 p.m.
Housing now open!
Housing now open!
Our Public Schools Our Democracy: Our Fight for the Future
NPE / NPE Action 5th Annual National Conference
October 20th - 21st, 2018 Indianapolis, Indiana
We are delighted to let you know that you can purchase your discounted Early Bird ticket to register for our annual conference starting today. Purchase your ticket here.
Early Bird tickets will be on sale until May 30 or until all are sold out, so don't wait. These tickets are a great price--$135. Not only do they offer conference admission, they also include breakfast and lunch on Saturday, and brunch on Sunday. Please don't forget to register for your hotel room. We have secured discounted rates on a limited basis. You can find that link here. Finally, if you require additional financial support to attend, we do offer some scholarships based on need. Go here and fill in an application. We will get back to you as soon as we can. Please join us in Indianapolis as we fight for the public schools that our children and communities deserve. Don't forget to get your Early Bird ticket here. We can't wait to see you.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.