PA Ed Policy Roundup for Oct. 25: Students First PAC tosses another million in campaign contributions into funding school privatization

Started in November 2010, 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

Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition

Follow us on Twitter at @lfeinberg

If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com

Keystone State Education Coalition

PA Ed Policy Roundup for Oct. 25, 2019

Students First PAC tosses another million in campaign contributions into funding school privatization

Cyber Charter Trivia:

@CommCharterAcad website says they serve about 10,000 students; their 2017 990 says CEO salary was $248K plus $89K other benefits.

Philly Superintendent @SDPHite salary is listed as $317,902, serving 203,225 students as of Sept 2017 in 214 district operated schools.

'More parents want charters': Pennsylvania senators grapple with school reform proposals

By Dave Fidlin | The Center Square October 24, 2019

With possible reforms on the way, a Pennsylvania Senate panel is hearing testimony from a number of speakers working in the charter and public school arena. The Senate Education Committee this week took testimony from more than a dozen educators during a three-hour hearing on the status of charter schools across Pennsylvania. The hearing comes as Pennsylvania legislators are considering changes to the state’s laws related to charter school requirements. House Bill 355, authored by state Rep. Mike Reese, R-Mount Pleasant, is a piece of legislation that would place stricter requirements on advertising, the composition of boards overseeing charter schools, and stipulations on outside financial audits, among other possible provisions. State Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr., R-Richland, said he called the hearing because he considered it “a very, very important topic.” “I understand that this is a passionate subject,” said Langerholc, who chairs the committee. The committee’s minority chairman, state Sen. Andrew Dinniman, D-West Chester, offered up criticism of the gulf between charters and public schools. When Pennsylvania first adopted legislation in support of charters, Dinniman said, the goal was to foster an innovative setting that would work hand-in-hand with traditional public schools. I think you’ve done some great things in charter schools, but the failure has been to share that,” Dinniman said.

https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/more-parents-want-charters-pennsylvania-senators-grapple-with-school-reform/article_be3014e0-f694-11e9-8147-abd298963232.html

When it comes to charter schools, Pennsylvania taxpayers deserve better

Chestnut Hill Local by Lisa Lighter Posted on October 24, 2019

Recently, Gov. Wolf announced pending executive actions with the goal of some much-needed charter school reforms. Many think tanks and pundits across the Commonwealth have attacked him for this, stating that his agenda is to protect the status quo. Several papers ran an op-ed piece from Lowman Henry titled “The Education Establishment targeting Charter Schools.” I suppose that since it was on the op-ed page, I shouldn’t be surprised that the essay was very heavy on the “op” part. Henry, however, offered no facts to support his argument that Wolf is targeting charter schools with his proposed reforms to “protect the wealth and power of the education establishment.” I, for one, support the governor’s reforms, and I see this as a politician finally stepping up and holding charter schools responsible and accountable. Finally, Pennsylvania taxpayers are having their tax money protected instead of some wealthy charter school owners and private interests. Before one leaps to judgement and agrees with Henry, please read the following facts about charter schools. I’d also like to remind all taxpayers that school choice does not automatically equal a better option. Statistically, charter schools are not holding their own.

https://www.chestnuthilllocal.com/2019/10/24/when-it-comes-to-charter-schools-pennsylvania-taxpayers-deserve-better/

“Students First — a pro-voucher, pro-charter school nonprofit that Chavous ran between 2010 and 2013 — has also been drawn into the probe, sources close to the investigation said. The organization’s financial backers — the billionaire partners at the Bala Cynwyd financial trading company, Susquehanna International Group — are among the most deep-pocketed school-choice advocates in the state and pumped millions into Williams’ campaigns. During the period in which Chavous was at the helm of their nonprofit, she took home a $125,000 annual salary for 20 hours of work a week, according to Students First’s tax filings. Meanwhile, its affiliated PAC donated more than $22,000 to her husband’s campaign and $130,000 to Williams’.”

Inside the FBI investigation into Philly Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, his wife, and Kenny Gamble’s nonprofit

Inquirer by Jeremy Roebuck and Chris Brennan, Updated: 44 minutes ago

City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson has found himself dogged for the past three years by FBI scrutiny of his tenure representing South and Southwest Philadelphia. But while much of that investigation has taken place behind closed doors, details are beginning to emerge. In interviews with The Inquirer over the last month, sources familiar with the probe described a sweeping examination into everything from the councilman’s involvement in the bargain-rate sales of city-owned land to the work of his wife, Dawn Chavous, as an education consultant, campaign adviser and charter school advocate. More than a dozen people who have either been approached by agents or testified before a grand jury since 2016 said they were questioned about Chavous’ level of involvement at her husband’s office and the couple’s connections to Universal Companies, the Southwest Philadelphia nonprofit founded by music producer Kenny Gamble.

https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/kenyatta-johnson-investigation-royal-theater-kenny-gamble-universal-companies-dawn-chavous-20191025.html

Blogger note: According to PA’s Campaign Finance Reporting website, The Students First PAC continues to be a major player in supporting school privatization candidates, with an August 6, 2019 contribution of $1 million to the Commonwealth Children’s Choice Fund, whose chairman is Matthew Brouillette, formerly of the Koch Brothers-funded Commonwealth Foundation. Of that $1 million, thus far $25,000 went to Friends of Mike Turzai on September 3, 2019,

Here’s more info from the Inky’s April 2010 edition:

“Yass, Greenberg, and Dantchik live in Main Line houses short drives from their office. But their political interests span the country. A longtime registered Libertarian, Yass sits on the board of the Cato Institute, which also gets more than $500,000 a year from Susquehanna's nonprofit foundation. Five years ago, according to a report by the election watchdog group Center for Public Integrity, he gave $225,000 to the Legislative Education Action Drive, which has backed candidates around the nation who, like Williams, support school choice. School choice typically refers to publicly financed programs that enable students to attend specialized, private, or charter schools. Williams favors making publicly funded vouchers available to families opting for private education. Dantchik, 52, is not registered with a party and rarely votes, according to county records, but he serves on the Institute for Justice, a self-styled libertarian Washington law firm that favors school choice and other causes, and that has received more than $700,000 from Susquehanna's foundation since 2006. The foundation has made six-figure donations to Baldwin, Haverford, and Friends' Central Schools, public records show. It also gave $976,000 to Boys Latin of Philadelphia, a charter school begun by Yass' wife, Janine, and where Williams' campaign manager, Dawn Chavous, is secretary to the board of directors.”

Reprise April 2010: Why three big donors got behind Williams

The Bala Cynwyd investors, who gave $1.5 million to the Democrat's gubernatorial campaign, stress education.

Inquirer by John P. Martin, Inquirer Staff Writer, Posted: April 11, 2010

To Joe Watkins, it's no surprise that three Bala Cynwyd businessmen he knows would bet a lot of money on the long-shot gubernatorial campaign of a Democratic state senator from Philadelphia. Watkins recalls attending a charity fund-raiser in Fairmount Park a year or so ago where the senator, Anthony Hardy Williams, spoke passionately about a favorite issue: education reform and school choice. One of the businessmen was there, Watkins said, and he left no doubt that he and his partners shared Williams' views. "This is the civil-rights issue that they talk about," Watkins said. "This is all they talk about." The three donors, founding partners in the Susquehanna International Group, do more than talk. Campaign records filed last week showed that they put $1.5 million into Williams' campaign, instantly elevating the Philadelphian's profile and sending mild shock waves through the race to become the Democratic nominee for governor. Though seemingly historic by state standards, the donation was neither new nor particularly extravagant for Joel Greenberg, Jeff Yass, and Arthur Dantchik.

https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/local/20100411_Why_three_big_donors_got_behind_Williams.html

The achievement gap among Lancaster County schools on display in 2019 PSSA/Keystone results

Lancaster Online by ALEX GELI | Staff Writer October 24, 2019

At least this is clear according to the latest batch of standardized test scores released this week by the state: A significant gap still exists between Lancaster County’s high- and low-performing schools. One noticeable difference between the two groups: Poverty. School districts like Hempfield, Lampeter-Strasburg and Manheim Township have historically performed well. Meanwhile, Columbia Borough, La Academia Partnership Charter School and School District of Lancaster — schools with far higher rates of economically disadvantaged students — consistently fall below average. This year is no exception. Here’s what we learned from the results of 2019’s Pennsylvania System of School Assessment and Keystone Exams.

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/the-achievement-gap-among-lancaster-county-schools-on-display-in/article_e70d02de-f5da-11e9-beb4-0ffad9f38cc3.html

Property tax forum draws 800 in Berks County

Pottstown Mercury by Ron Devlin MediaNews Group October 25, 2019

Sponsored by Stout Associates Realtors, the town hall meeting sought support for a bill that would eliminate property taxes and replace them with a higher sales and state income tax.

If the turnout at a town hall meeting on a rainy Tuesday night, Oct. 22, is any indication, there's a lot of support for eliminating property taxes in Pennsylvania. A crowd, at least 800 strong, packed the Inn at Reading banquet hall in Wyomissing for a two-hour session that denounced property taxes as immoral vehicles that push seniors on fixed incomes out of their homes. During an hour-long slide presentation, moderator Shane Klopp characterized school taxes as taxation without representation, sounding a theme as old as the American Revolution.

https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/property-tax-forum-draws-in-berks-county/article_93ed25ec-f685-11e9-b4de-c77d314cc7fd.html

‘Tools to create an impact now.’ Centre County school districts to launch IDEA Hub

Centre Daily Times BY MARLEY PARISH OCTOBER 24, 2019 02:27 PM, UPDATED OCTOBER 24, 2019 02:27 PM

In an effort to enhance students’ learning experience, local school districts have partnered with institutions and businesses to create the IDEA Hub — one of three youth innovation centers in Pennsylvania — aimed to empower and encourage kids to think in innovative ways. The IDEA Hub — an acronym for innovation, design, entrepreneurship and action — is a collaborative program between three area school districts, Bellefonte, Bald Eagle and Penns Valley. The hub, located on Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology’s campus, will host opportunities for idea development and networking, entrepreneurial activities and STEAM programs. “It will be a place where our students can go to conceptualize, design and build real world solutions from start to finish,” Penns Valley Assistant Superintendent Sherri Connell said in a statement. “Instead of just learning through solving hypothetical problems, students can manage projects and collaborate with others to address issues and themes that have meaning to them. Then there really is no limit to what directions our students can take.” The collaborative space will be available for students grades 6 through 12 and will be open after school for teachers to use as a classroom extension. An entrepreneurship program, D3, is scheduled to begin next year and will be housed in the hub.

https://www.centredaily.com/news/local/article236555568.html

How the Pa. electorate has changed since 2016 and what that means for 2020 | Analysis

PA Capital Star By  Nick Field October 25, 2019

Ever since the Keystone State was called for Donald Trump in the early morning hours after Election Day 2016, it’s been clear that the road to the White House in 2020 runs through Pennsylvania.  So how does today’s landscape compare to what it was then? To find out, I studied the county voter registration numbers from October 2016 to October 2019. As you’ll see, every section of the commonwealth tells a unique story of the past three years.

https://www.penncapital-star.com/featured/how-the-pa-electorate-has-changed-since-2016-and-what-that-means-for-2020-analysis/

Film Screening: PERSONAL STATEMENT with director Julie Dressner Penn C89 Sat, November 9, 2019, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM EST

Location: Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Please join us for a free screening and panel discussion of PERSONAL STATEMENT. This award-winning documentary film created by a Penn alumna features three inspirational high school seniors who are working as college counselors in their schools and are determined to get their entire classes to college, even though they are not sure they are going to make it there themselves. Screening will be followed by a panel discussion with director Julie Dressner (C’89), cast member Enoch Jemmott, Netter Center founding director Dr. Ira Harkavy (C'70 GR'79), and others. Free and open to the public! (Registration strongly encouraged but not required.)

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/film-screening-personal-statement-with-director-julie-dressner-penn-c89-tickets-75871253963

Career, Trades & Labor Apprenticeship Fair Saturday • October 26, 10 a.m.– 2 p.m.

Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) Marple Education Center • 85 N. Malin Road • Broomall, PA

Sponsors: Senator Kearney’s Office, Delco AFL-CIO and DCIU

This event will be open to students from grades 8 – 12, along with their parents and guardians. We are also inviting school administrators and teachers, local businesses and trades, and all community stakeholders who are interested in preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s opportunities. The 26^th Senate District has a wide range of career, technical, and labor apprenticeship training programs for young people seeking careers in growing fields where they can earn living wages and, in some cases, even Associate degrees during their training. We hope to connect students with these opportunities and to build new relationships between everyone invested in our young people’s educational and career paths. Please RSVP no later than October 25, 2019. You can RSVP online at https://www.senatorkearney.com/apprenticeship-fair/  or by contacting Gina Curry, my Constituent Relations Associate, at Gina.Curry@pasenate.com or 610-352-3409 (ext. 222). We look forward to seeing you at the fair!

Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for Charter Change!

PSBA PA Charter Change Website September 2019

https://www.pacharterchange.org/

Register now for PSBA’s Sleep & Student Performance Webcast OCT 31, 2019 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

POSTED ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 IN PSBA NEWS

Our students face many issues today, but who would have imagined sleep deprivation could be a significant issue? The Joint State Government Commission established an advisory committee to study the issues, benefits and options related to school districts instituting later start times in secondary schools. Register now to hear from the executive director of the Commission, Glenn Pasewicz, commission staff and David Hutchinson, PSBA’s appointee to the commission, on the results of their study and work.

https://www.psba.org/2019/09/register-now-for-the-sleep-student-performance-webcast/

Adolescent Health and School Start Times:  Science, Strategies, Tactics, & Logistics  Workshop Nov 13, Exton
Join school administrators and staff, including superintendents, transportation directors, principals, athletic directors, teachers, counselors, nurses, and school board members, parents, guardians, health professionals and other concerned community members for an interactive and solutions-oriented workshop on  Wednesday, November 13, 2019 9:30 am to 3:00 pm 

Clarion Hotel in Exton, PA
The science is clear. Many middle and high school days in Pennsylvania, and across the nation, start too early in the morning. The American Medical Association, Centers for Disease Control, American Academy of Pediatrics, and many other major health and education leaders agree and have issued policy statements recommending that secondary schools start no earlier than 8:30 am to allow for sleep, health, and learning. Implementing these recommendations, however, can seem daunting.  Discussions will include the science of sleep and its connection to school start times, as well as proven strategies for successfully making change--how to generate optimum community support and work through implementation challenges such as bus routes, athletics, and more.   Register for the workshop here: https://ssl-workshop-pa.eventbrite.com Thanks to our generous sponsors, we are able to offer early bird registration for $25, which includes a box-lunch and coffee service. Seating is limited and early bird registration ends on Friday, September 13.
For more information visit the workshop website www.startschoollater.net/workshop---pa  or email contact@startschoollater.net

Congress, Courts, and a National Election: 50 Million Children’s Futures Are at Stake. Be their champion at the 2020 Advocacy Institute.

NSBA Advocacy Institute Feb. 2-4, 2020 Marriot Marquis, Washington, D.C.

Join school leaders from across the country on Capitol Hill, Feb. 2-4, 2020 to influence the legislative agenda & shape decisions that impact public schools. Check out the schedule & more at https://nsba.org/Events/Advocacy-Institute

Register now for Network for Public Education Action National Conference in Philadelphia March 28-29, 2020

Registration, hotel information, keynote speakers and panels:

https://npeaction.org/2020-conference/

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.