Tuesday, October 9, 2018

PA Ed Policy Roundup Oct. 9: ELC: for every dollar Harrisburg spent on special education between 2008 and 2016, school districts spent $20


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ELC: for every dollar Harrisburg spent on special education between 2008 and 2016, school districts spent $20


“The Education Law Center and PA Schools Work found that for every dollar Harrisburg spent on special education between 2008 and 2016, school districts spent $20. During that time, districts saw their special education costs rise $1.54 billion while the state chipped in just $71 million.”
Skyrocketing special ed. costs falling heavily on Pa. school districts, taxpayers
WHYY By Avi Wolfman-Arent October 9, 2018
Special education costs are rising much faster in Pennsylvania than state aid — causing local taxpayers to foot most of the bill, while also stretching school budgets thin and increasing inequities between rich and poor districts, according to a new report by a duo of advocacy groups. The Education Law Center and PA Schools Work found that for every dollar Harrisburg spent on special education between 2008 and 2016, school districts spent $20. During that time, districts saw their special education costs rise $1.54 billion while the state chipped in just $71 million. This latest report arrives five years after the state implemented a new special education funding formula that was supposed to make life easier for districts. But advocates say lawmakers haven’t sent enough money through the formula to make an impact. “If anything, the issues with special education funding — of inadequacy and inequity — have actually grown worse over time,” said Reynelle Brown Staley, a policy attorney at the Education Law Center.
https://whyy.org/articles/skyrocketing-special-education-costs-falling-heavily-on-pa-school-districts-taxpayers/

To see how much your district spent on special education in 2008-09 versus 2016-17, click on this table.
Please note, ELC did not have federal spending on special education for 160 districts in 2008-09. Those districts are marked in the table with a “†” symbol. Districts that didn’t report federal data in either year are marked with a “††” symbol.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZbTOmOB1EXtFRaC4Q7_5yyoCFKELvMz5JtYsVhS052E/edit#gid=940521731

Pa. election 2018: 126 women are on the ballot and you might be surprised why they're running
Candy Woodall, York Daily Record Published 7:00 a.m. ET Oct. 8, 2018 | Updated 12:11 p.m. ET Oct. 8, 2018
Pennsylvania is making political history, even before votes are cast on Election Day. A record number of women are running for state offices and U.S. Congress in what is described as a “pink wave.” Some analysts say women were motivated to run because Donald Trump won the White House. Others say it’s because Hillary Clinton lost. But candidates say those gender-fueled stereotypes are ignorant of facts.  Jess King, a Democrat and nonprofit executive running to unseat Republican Lloyd Smucker in the newly redrawn 11th congressional district, doesn’t even mention being a woman when she explains why she’s running. The district includes Lancaster County and southeastern York County, a swath of Trump Country that the president won by 26 points. Despite the Republican-voter advantage, King has closed the race to single digits, according to polls. The 44-year-old leader of ASSETS, an economic development organization in Lancaster, said there is a long list of issues motivating her to be on the ballot. It started with realizing Lancaster’s poverty rate increased 50 percent since 2000. She also wants healthcare for all, debt-free college, small business growth and fair elections. “I’m not running because I’m a woman. I’m running because I care about issues,” King said.
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2018/10/08/pa-election-2018-126-women-ballot-and-making-history/1556703002/

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker and Jess King offer dueling visions and heated criticism in 11th district debate
Lancaster Online by SAM JANESCH | Staff Writer October 8, 2018
Painting starkly different visions for the future of health care, taxes and the country as a whole, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker and challenger Jess King faced off Monday night in a heated debate in which the candidates repeatedly took aim at each other’s policies, campaigns and levels of experience. Smucker, offering a rigorous, economy-focused defense of his lone term in Congress, came out swinging. From his opening remarks saying King supports “less freedom” and a “socialist agenda,” the incumbent Republican often criticized his opponent on her support for Medicare-for-all health care and the salary she receives from her campaign funds. And King, the Democrat running an aggressive grassroots campaign to overturn the strongly Republican district, fought back — routinely ending her segments by decrying the corporate “special interests” that influence everything from gun reform to climate policy. The 90-minute forum held at Millersville University offered 11th Congressional District voters their first chance at seeing the candidates go head-to-head before the Nov. 6 election.
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/u-s-rep-lloyd-smucker-and-jess-king-offer-dueling/article_4c341d8c-ca8a-11e8-9c8c-57e121ceb301.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share

Here's how much each Lancaster County school district can increase taxes by in 2019-20
Lancaster Online by ALEX GELI | Staff Writer Oct 5, 2018
Lancaster County schools can increase property taxes next year by 2.3 percent to 3.5 percent, according to caps set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. That’s barring an exception some school districts are likely to apply for in the coming months as budget talks begin. The state releases its Act 1 index, which limits how much school districts can raise taxes, every fall. Receiving the highest cap of 3.5 percent this year was Columbia Borough School District. With the least leeway are Conestoga Valley, Eastern Lancaster County, Manheim Central, Manheim Township and Pequea Valley school districts, whose caps are 2.3 percent. Most school officials contacted Thursday said school boards have not begun discussing their 2019-20 budgets, so a decision has not been made to seek an exception. Most school boards take up the following year’s budget talks in December.
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/here-s-how-much-each-lancaster-county-school-district-can/article_34db5bf0-c805-11e8-b61c-2fa69ee16282.html

If voters say yes, Allegheny County Children's Fund would be one of many around the country
KATE GIAMMARISE Pittsburgh Post-Gazette kgiammarise@post-gazette.com OCT 8, 2018  
6:11 AM
In November, Allegheny County voters will decide if they should approve an additional property tax to pay for early learning, after-school programs and healthy meals for children. It’s a step a number of other communities have taken. Children’s funds around the country follow a variety of forms, relying on different revenue sources and supporting a range of program types. But there are some similarities between established funds and what local organizers say they want in an Allegheny County Children’s Fund. Specifically, the concept can help people explore problems, encourage collaboration and avoid duplicating services, according to fund leaders elsewhere.
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2018/10/07/Allegheny-County-children-s-fund-property-tax-increase-ballot-question/stories/201810070023

Vote YES to bring the Allegheny County Children’s Fund to life.
Allegheny County Children’s Fund Website
Three program areas are proven to be effective for our kids and the economic vitality of Allegheny County: Early LearningAfter SchoolNutritious Meals. Yet we have no way to reliably fund them. Voting YES will establish the Allegheny County Children’s Fund to fund those three proven areas. A small property tax increase, less than $2.50/month for the average homeowner, will generate $18 million to create greater access for kids across our community and ensure a strong future for our region.
https://ourkidsourcommitment.org/

Advocates worry: Is Gov. Murphy imposing 'stealth moratorium' on N.J. charter schools?
Inquirer by Maddie Hanna, Staff Writer  @maddiehanna |  mhanna@phillynews.com Updated: OCTOBER 9, 2018 — 6:30 AM EDT
Gov. Murphy wanted a “timeout” for New Jersey charter schools after years of growth under his predecessor, Chris Christie. So far, he appears to be getting it. State officials received 13 applications for new charter schools during the latest round of submissions. None was approved; the last two rejections came Sept. 28, for schools proposed for Trenton and Jersey City. The New Jersey Department of Education did not give reasons for the two most recent denials, but said it would provide explanations to the applicants. The other 11 were previously disqualified or rejected. “We’re extremely disappointed,” Harold Lee, interim president of the New Jersey Charter Schools Association, said last week. “We’re hopeful that this is not a stealth moratorium on charter schools in the state, pushed by anti-charter interests.” About 49,000 students were enrolled in New Jersey charter schools last year — a population that more than doubled during the tenure of Christie, a Republican, beginning in 2010. Fewer than 4 percent of public-school students statewide attend charter schools, and enrollment is concentrated in certain districts. In Camden, more than half of students attend charter schools.
http://www.philly.com/philly/education/new-jersey-governor-phil-murphy-charter-schools-time-out-20181009.html?arc404=true

Teen vaping an 'epidemic' in York County schools
Lindsay C. VanAsdalan, York Dispatch Published 12:01 p.m. ET Oct. 8, 2018 | Updated 5:08 p.m. ET Oct. 8, 2018
E-cigarette use is not just a problem in York County school districts — it’s an addiction. So says Northern High School Principal Steve Lehman, who shared the story of a student whose regular dose of nicotine was so high he was no longer saving money for college, instead finding odd jobs to finance his next hit. He was glad he got caught at school, Lehman said of the student, who has now discussed treatment options with a family doctor to get him off the drug. He started at 6 percent nicotine and increased to 50 percent over time. Although sometimes touted as a healthier alternative to smoking for adults — and a pathway to quitting — teens are using e-cigarettes differently. They can get high levels of nicotine from the devices, commonly known as vapes. The pod of vaping liquid in popular brand Juul contains the same amount of nicotine as a pack of 20 cigarettes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. High schools across the nation see the devices as a problem, and the Food and Drug Administration agrees. Last month, the FDA reported a sharp rise in underage use, calling it an "epidemic of addiction."
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2018/10/08/teen-vaping-epidemic-issue-york-county-schools/1510009002/

Erie educational business gets $125,000 grant
By Times-News staff Posted Oct 8, 2018 at 4:09 PM Updated Oct 8, 2018 at 4:09 PM
CAPS will use the funding to market a comprehensive, internet-based program to assist school guidance counselors helping students make educational and career choices.
Virtual Readiness Advisors LLC, an Erie-based business better known as CAPS, will receive a $125,00 grant through the Ben Franklin Technology Partnerships Program. CAPS will use the funding to market a comprehensive, internet-based program for K-12, called College and Career Readiness, to assist school guidance counselors in helping students to make educational and career choices. “Giving guidance counselors the tools they need at their fingertips — including the curriculum, syllabus and guidance tools all in one place — will do away with outdated paper or spreadsheet-based programs and make it easier to help students navigate the many education and career choices they face,” said state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, of Millcreek, D-3rd Dist., who announced the grant.  “At the same time, the project is going to create a significant number of stable, family-sustaining jobs for our region. It’s a win-win for everyone,” Bizzarro said. The Ben Franklin Technology Partnerships Program is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development designed to support entrepreneurs, grow new companies and create jobs.
http://www.goerie.com/news/20181008/erie-educational-business-gets-125000-grant#

DeVos Doles Out $399 Million to Charter Schools and Charter Organizations
Diane Ravitch’s Blog By dianeravitch October 6, 2018 //
Politico reports the latest federal handouts for charter schools and charter advocacy organizations, as well as to state agencies. There is no sector of American education less in need of federal funding than charter schools. They have the support of the nation’s largest philanthropies—think Bill Gates, the Walton family, Eli Broad, Michael Bloomberg, Reed Hastings, etc.—as well as abundant gifts from the financial industry and individual billionaires. Among the federal grants was $2.4 million to the California Charter Schools Association, the richest lobby in the state, which fights any legislative efforts to establish accountability and prohibit conflicts of interest and self-dealing. Betsy DeVos has put the Trump administration strongly behind charter schools. The Trump administration puts no money into establishing ethical standards or financial oversight for charters. They pretend to want a “free market,” but free markets are not subsidized by the federal government. In a free market, businesses make it or fail on their own, without public subsidies.
https://dianeravitch.net/2018/10/06/devos-doles-out-399-million-to-charter-schools-and-charter-organizations/

Author: Rich people are spending fortunes to make education better. ‘The problem is that they’re not.’
WASHINGTON Post By Valerie Strauss Reporter October 8 at 4:56 PM
What I found is a much more nuanced story about what motivates the winners of our age and among the things I found was that many, many elites who try to give, who try to donate to a charter school, who try to get on the board of a charter school, who try to, you know, help the Harlem Children’s Zone, who try to do any number of things in any number of other areas—there’s a general sincerity to these people in general. They are not trying to do this to make more money, they’re trying to do this to make the world better. The problem is that they’re not. That comes from a new book titled “Winner Takes All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World,” by journalist and author Anand Giridharadas, which looks at how the world’s wealthy seek to use their money “to change the world” but don’t own up to their role in the problems they seek to address — and end up failing anyway.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2018/10/08/author-rich-people-are-spending-fortunes-make-education-better-problem-is-that-theyre-not/?utm_term=.ba0d227b0820

N.J. schools can keep transgender kids' secret from parents, state says
By Adam Clark adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Updated Oct 7; Posted Oct 7
It's one of the most delicate and potentially combustible questions schools can face.  A teenager confides in a teacher that he or she is transgender and wants to transition at school without any family finding out about it.  Should the school call the student's parents? And, if it does, what happens if mom and dad say no? After years of school officials using their own best judgment, New Jersey has weighed in, siding with students and telling schools they must allow kids to change genders -- even if their parents don't know about or don't want it to happen.  LGBT advocates are celebrating the new state guidance, saying it puts New Jersey among the national leaders in protecting transgender students from unaccepting or abusive parents. But parent and family groups argue schools should never keep such a significant and consequential secret from parents, who should have a right to know if their child says they are transgender. 
https://www.nj.com/education/2018/10/nj_transgender_students_parental_notification.html#incart_sms

VIRGINIA TRANSGENDER STUDENT DENIED ENTRY TO BOTH LOCKER ROOMS DURING SAFETY DRILL
Newsweek BY HANNAH PRESTON ON 10/6/18 AT 4:51 PM
A transgender student at a Virginia middle school was unable to seek shelter inside either of the locker rooms during a lockdown drill.  Despite identifying as a girl, the student was unable to go inside the girls' or the boy's locker room, but instead, was asked to sit alone on the outside bleachers.  According to a Thursday report by WUSA, a CBS-affiliated station in Washington D.C., teachers "were debating which locker room would be appropriate for her."  A Facebook group, known as Equality Stafford, posted about the incident and called for a protest at an upcoming school board meeting.  "During an event that prepares children to survive an attack by actual assailants, she was treated as if she was so much of a danger to peers that she was left exposed and vulnerable," the post read. "We need all of you to come out on October 9th at 6:30 pm to the Stafford County School Board Meeting at 31 Stafford Avenue. We need you to come and lend your voice to the growing cry." 
https://www.newsweek.com/virginia-transgender-student-denied-entry-both-locker-rooms-during-safety-1156837

“Pennsylvania has estimated the forgone state revenue from 529 plans at $32 million in fiscal 2019, an increase of 45 percent in real terms over the $22 million in forgone revenue for fiscal 2010 (both numbers are adjusted for inflation). By comparison, Pennsylvania spent $449 million on financial aid in fiscal 2016.  In addition to tax-exempt withdrawals, Pennsylvanians can deduct up to $14,000 annually for contributions to 529 plans.”
Use of 529 Plans Rising—Along With Revenue Impact
Trend that started before the education savings program’s 2017 expansion could affect federal and state costs
Pew Trusts By: Phillip Oliff, Laura Pontari & Rebecca Thiess October 8, 2018
529 education savings plans allow families to set money aside to pay for future schooling. Increased use of these accounts, along with recent and proposed changes to how they work, could mean increased costs for governments at the federal and state levels.Getty Images Recent policy debates about overhauling the federal tax code have propelled 529 education savings plans into the spotlight. These plans allow post-tax contributions to grow and be withdrawn tax free as long as the proceeds are used to pay for qualified education expenses. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, enacted in late 2017, expanded the use of these accounts by allowing them to cover certain K-12 expenses. Now proposals are being floated for a second round of federal tax changes that could allow 529 plans to be used to pay for home schooling and apprenticeships, and to pay down student loans.  These kinds of changes have the potential to affect federal and state revenue because of the way the tax codes and laws related to 529 plans intersect. As policymakers consider the implications of changes both enacted and proposed, they should be aware that the costs—meaning the forgone revenue—of 529 plans were already rising. This spending through the tax code has historically been a small part of the total federal support for higher education, but the costs related to 529 plans have grown in recent years along with participation. 
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2018/10/08/use-of-529-plans-rising-along-with-revenue-impact


EdPAC reception helps support election of pro-public education leaders
Join EdPAC for an evening reception with lieutenant governor candidates Jeff Bartos and John Fetterman on behalf of EdPAC, a political action committee that supports the election of pro-public education leaders to the General Assembly. The reception will be held during the 2018 PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference on Wednesday, Oct. 17 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Cocoa Suite 2 and 3. Visit the conference website for details and to register online. Walk-ins are welcome!


PSBA Officer Elections: Slate of Candidates – Voting ends Oct. 11th
PSBA members seeking election to office for the association were required to submit a nomination form no later than June 1, 2018, to be considered. All candidates who properly completed applications by the deadline are included on the slate of candidates below. In addition, the Leadership Development Committee met on June 17 at PSBA headquarters in Mechanicsburg to interview candidates. According to bylaws, the Leadership Development Committee may determine candidates highly qualified for the office they seek. This is noted next to each person's name with an asterisk (*). Voting procedure: Each school entity will have one vote for each officer. This will require boards of the various school entities to come to a consensus on each candidate and cast their vote electronically during the open voting period (Aug. 24-Oct. 11, 2018). Voting will be accomplished through a secure third-party, web-based voting site that will require a password login. One person from each member school entity will be authorized as the official person to register the vote on behalf of his or her school entity. In the case of school districts, it will be the board secretary who will cast votes on behalf of the school board. A full packet of instructions and a printed slate will be sent to authorized vote registrars the week of August 7. Special note: Boards should be sure to add discussion and voting on candidates to their agenda during one of their meetings in August, September or October before the open voting period ends.
https://www.psba.org/2018/07/psba-officer-elections-slate-candidates/

2nd Annual National Black Male Educators Convening, Oct. 12-14, Philly
Teacher diversity works. Increasing the number of Black male educators in our nation’s teacher corps will improve education for all our students, especially for African-American boys.Today Black men represent only two percent of teachers nationwide. This is a national problem that demands a national response. Come participate in the 2nd National Black Male Educators Convening to advance policy solutions, learn from one another, and fight for social justice. All are welcome. Register to attend. Nominate a speaker. Propose a workshop. Sponsor the event.

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!

“Not only do we have a superstar lineup of keynote speakers including Diane Ravitch, Jesse Hagopian, Pasi Sahlberg, Derrick Johnson and Helen Gym, but there will be countless sessions to choose from on the issues you care about the most. We will cover all bases from testing, charters, vouchers and school funding, to issues of student privacy and social justice in schools.”
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.


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