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
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
PA Ed Policy Roundup for Nov. 22, 2019
Happy Friday! Massachusetts
passes $12.5B ed funding bill. MD panel proposes $4B 10 year funding hike. While
PA pushes zero accountability vouchers and sending millions more to GOP
megadonor/charter operator Vahan Gureghian
A Networking and
Supportive Event for K-12 Educators of Color (teachers, school counselors, and
administrators)! Thursday, December 12,
7:00-8:30 pm Villanova University, Dougherty Hall, West Lounge
Breaking News!
Pennsylvania Voucher Bill Blocked, for Now!
Diane Ravitch’s
Blog By dianeravitch November 21, 2019 //
You read it here
first. It has not appeared online.
Pennsylvania
Speaker of the House Turzai did not have the votes to bring
his voucher bill up for a vote. Your emails, phone calls, and letters made a
difference! Stay alert! He may bring his zombie bill back in the future. The
Network for Public Education Action Fund will keep watch.
The House has canceled session on December 9, 10 & 11. They and the
Senate will return to voting session next on December 16.
Tweet by PaCapitolDigest
@PaCapitolDigest
The @PAIU Board of Directors have elected Dr. John George as its next
Executive Director
https://paiu.org/resources/PR/PAIUNewExecDir.pdf… @MCIU
From Tweet by PAIU @PAIU
Pennsylvania
Association of Intermediate Units Selects Executive Director Harrisburg, PA—The
Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units (PAIU) Board of Directors is
pleased to announce that Dr. John J. George has been elected as the next
executive director. Dr. George is slated to assume the position on October 1,
2020. “Having served as both an intermediate unit executive director for 12
years and a school district superintendent, Dr. George brings a unique
combination of leadership and demonstrated ability to provide strategic vision
for an organization, engage state and national educational political
stakeholders, and lead and mentor intermediate unit leaders,” said Dr. Jill
Hackman, PAIU Board President. “We are convinced and confident that Dr. George
is the right person to successfully lead the Pennsylvania Association of
Intermediate Units.” Dr. George has served as the executive director of the
Berks County Intermediate Unit and Montgomery County Intermediate Unit. Under
his leadership, both intermediate units experienced significant revenue and
personnel growth, launched new entrepreneurial activities, and enhanced
relationships with school districts, governmental leaders, and community
agencies. In January 2014, while maintaining his role as executive director, he
assumed the position of acting superintendent of the Reading School District, a
role he undertook to turn around the school district and ensure that the
district remain under local control rather than state control. Because of his
success, in 2019 he was asked to assume leadership of the Harrisburg School
District to set it on a path of financial and academic recovery.
“The majority of the $1.5 billion set
aside in the bill will go to lower-performing and underfunded school districts,
which means adding more teachers, bringing back art and music classes, and
increasing funds for students from low-income households.”
Massachusetts unanimously passes landmark education
funding bill
Boston25 News By:
Natalie Rubino Updated: Nov 20, 2019 - 7:40 PM
BOSTON - State lawmakers have unanimously passed a monumental education
funding bill that one advocate has called a "generation changer." On
Wednesday, both the Senate and House of Representatives voted unanimously to
pass the Student Opportunity Act. The bill is expected to bridge a gap that
we've seen between the performance of schools in lower-income communities
compared to higher-income areas. The majority of the $1.5 billion set aside in
the bill will go to lower-performing and underfunded school districts, which
means adding more teachers, bringing back art and music classes, and increasing
funds for students from low-income households.
The Student
Opportunity Act:
- Brings the definition of “low income” from 133%
to 185% of the Federal Poverty Level
- Increases funding for English learners
- Ups district reimbursement for Special
Education programs
- Updates district’ healthcare costs
- Requires districts to make public plans to
invest in programming and close opportunity gaps
- Develops a Data Advisory Commission to keep
estimated costs and strategies up to date
In recent years,
school districts in areas like Brockton and Revere have been forced to make
millions of dollars worth of budgeting cuts. Those cuts came mostly in the form
of teachers' jobs.
“Under the plan, Maryland would phase in
billions of dollars in added spending over the next decade. In 10 years,
schools would receive about $4 billion in additional money each year for
pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.”
Maryland panel OKs education funding plan; goes to
lawmakers
By BRIAN WITTEyesterday
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)
— A Maryland commission on education approved a plan on Thursday to update the
state’s funding formula to increase teacher pay and implement a wide-ranging
proposal to improve schools with billions of dollars in added spending over the
next decade. Supporters are calling it a once-in-a-generation effort that they
believe will be transformational for the state’s schools. Opponents, however,
point to its huge cost, saying it would lead to big tax increases. The panel
voted 19-3 for the wide-ranging recommendations, which now go to the
legislature. The proposal is expected to be one of the top issues in the
upcoming 90-day session that begins in January. Under
the plan, Maryland would phase in billions of dollars in added spending over
the next decade. In 10 years, schools would receive about $4 billion in
additional money each year for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The
state would contribute about $2.8 billion and local governments would
contribute about $1.2 billion in fiscal year 2030. William Kirwan, a longtime
leader in education in the state who chaired the commission, said he believes
the plan will be “a game-changer” for children and the future of the state.
“It’s not perfect,
but it’s damn good,” Kirwan said.
‘Enough is enough’: at Philly school board meeting,
community demands action
Inquirer by Kristen A.
Graham and Wendy Ruderman, Updated: November 21, 2019- 10:23 PM
Anger over
environmental conditions in Philadelphia public schools heightened Thursday as
parents, teachers, students, and community members demanded action from the
school board at a rally and a raucous public meeting. For months, the School
District has been rocked by revelations of schools with dangerous toxins,
damaged asbestos prominent among them. Fresh outrage came after an Inquirer
story in which veteran Meredith
Elementary teacher Lea DiRusso, 51, spoke for the first time about being diagnosed with mesothelioma, a
rare cancer caused by asbestos. Both elementary schools in which DiRusso
worked, Meredith and Nebinger, had damaged asbestos that went unrepaired for
months, sometimes years, in spaces occupied by students and staff. And students
and staff at four schools — Benjamin Franklin High School, Science Leadership
Academy, Peirce Elementary, and Pratt, an early childhood education center —
have been moved out of their buildings or will be soon because of crumbling
asbestos.
Guest Column: Pa. is
making progress in war on gerrymandering
Delco Times Letter By
Tom Buglio Times Columnist
I volunteered
for the grassroots, non partisan group Fair Districts PA this election, asking
voters at a voting polling place if they would like to sign a petition that
would make gerrymandering illegal in Pennsylvania. If I had done this two years
ago, most people wouldn’t have any idea what I was talking about. However, in
November of 2019, 50% of the people I talked to knew what gerrymandering was,
and 70% had heard of it. This is truly a testament to the amazing amount of
work done by Fair Districts PA and their founder and leader, Carol Kuniholm,
who are working tirelessly to spread the message of gerrymandering being unfair
and undemocratic. For those who do not know, gerrymandering is the practice of
the political party in power to redraw the voting lines to make sure that their
party wins the most seats in Harrisburg and the U.S. Congress, thereby
controlling the election. Fair Districts brought to light the fact that
Pennsylvania is one of the worst states in terms of gerrymandering, and
explains why one party – the Republican party, which has been in control of
Harrisburg – can be out-registered in the state 4 to 3, yet still dominate the
state House and Senate for the last 20-30 years.
However, it is not
limited to one party.
West Vincent
Elementary named Blue Ribbon School
Pottstown Mercury By
Laura Catalano For MediaNews Group November 21, 2019
SOUTH COVENTRY —
The Owen J. Roberts School Board recently recognized West Vincent Elementary
School for being named a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School. West Vincent was one
of only 362 schools nationwide, and of only 18 in Pennsylvania, to earn that
recognition, which was based on the school’s overall academic performance. At a
school board meeting Monday, OJR Superintendent Susan Lloyd presented West
Vincent Principal Edward J. Smith with a large round sign bearing an image of
the Seal of the United States encircled by the words U.S. Department of
Education National Blue Ribbon School, 2019.
The Growing Influence of Jounce Partners in Philly
SD
Alliance for
Philadelphia Public Schools November 24, 2017 by Lisa Haver and Lynda Rubin
It would be safe to say that no public school teacher in Philadelphia has seen or heard any colleague forcing a student to face the wall and repeat the same phrase 25 or 30 times. Any principal who witnessed such an occurrence would be within his or her rights to formally reprimand that teacher.
It would be safe to say that no public school teacher in Philadelphia has seen or heard any colleague forcing a student to face the wall and repeat the same phrase 25 or 30 times. Any principal who witnessed such an occurrence would be within his or her rights to formally reprimand that teacher.
Wall Practice:
1. After giving feedback and monitoring to the point of automaticity, have teacher(s) turn toward a wall in the room to practice the skill 10-20 more times (primarily used for multi-teacher PD sessions).
2. Frame as optimal practice because greatest number of reps can be achieved this way.
3. Emphasize the importance of every rep being executed perfectly and with exaggeration of nuances.
1. After giving feedback and monitoring to the point of automaticity, have teacher(s) turn toward a wall in the room to practice the skill 10-20 more times (primarily used for multi-teacher PD sessions).
2. Frame as optimal practice because greatest number of reps can be achieved this way.
3. Emphasize the importance of every rep being executed perfectly and with exaggeration of nuances.
Incredibly, that is
precisely what teachers in some district schools are being forced to do. It
is but one of the tactics developed by Jounce Partners as part of its intensive
coaching and professional development plan, already in use at McDaniel Elementary, one of the eleven schools
designated last year as “Priority Schools”. The district has approved Jounce as
a partner for principal and teacher training in schools that have been included
in its “System of Great Schools”.
That Blue Wave keeps crashing
over Delco
Delco Times Heron’s
Nest Blog by Editor Phil Heron November 22, 2019
This week's
announce by longtime state Rep. Steve Barrar that he was retiring at the end of
his term was jarring in more ways than one. Barrar, R-160, of Upper Chichester,
has spent two dozen years representing portions of Delaware and Chester
counties in the Legislature. But he's part of an increasingly rare breed, a
sign of the times and a clear example of the seismic shift in Delco politics. If
Democrats continue their roll in county elections, it would be easy to see a
Dem taking that seat. That would leave the once-powerful Delco Republican
Party, which consistently rolled up big wins in legislative races, with exactly
one reprentative in the state House.
A Networking and
Supportive Event for K-12 Educators of Color (teachers, school counselors, and
administrators)! Thursday, December
12, 7:00-8:30 pm Villanova University, Dougherty Hall, West Lounge
You are cordially
invited to this gathering, with the goal of networking and lending support and
sustenance to our K-12 Educators of Color and their allies. This is your chance
to make requests, share resources, and build up our community. Please feel free
to bring a school counselor, teacher, or administrator friend! Light
refreshments provided.
Where: Villanova
University, Dougherty Hall, West Lounge (first floor, back of building)
Directions, campus
and parking map found here
Parking: Free
parking in lot L2. Turn on St. Thomas Way, off of Lancaster Avenue. You will
need to print a parking pass that will be emailed shortly before the event to
all who register.
Questions? Contact
an event organizer: Dr. Krista Malott (krista.malott@villanova.edu), Dr.
Jerusha Conner (Jerusha.conner@villanova.edu), Department of Education &
Counseling, and Dr. Anthony Stevenson, Administrator, Radnor School District
(Anthony.Stevenson@rtsd.org)
PSBA Alumni Forum: Leaving school board service?
Continue your connection and commitment to public education by joining PSBA Alumni Forum. Benefits of the complimentary membership includes:
Continue your connection and commitment to public education by joining PSBA Alumni Forum. Benefits of the complimentary membership includes:
- electronic access to PSBA Bulletin
- legislative information via email
- Daily EDition e-newsletter
- Special access to one dedicated annual briefing
Register
today online. Contact Crista Degregorio at Crista.Degregorio@psba.org with questions.
Save the Date: PSBA/PASA/PAIU Advocacy Day at the Capitol-- March 23, 2020
Registration
will open on December 2, 2019
PSBA New and Advanced
School Director Training in Dec & Jan
Do you want
high-impact, engaging training that newly elected and reseated school directors
can attend to be certified in new and advanced required training? PSBA has been
supporting new school directors for more than 50 years by enlisting statewide experts
in school law, finance and governance to deliver a one-day foundational
training. This year, we are adding a parallel track of sessions for those who
need advanced school director training to meet their compliance requirements.
These sessions will be delivered by the same experts but with advanced content.
Look for a compact evening training or a longer Saturday session at a location
near you. All sites will include one hour of trauma-informed training required
by Act 18 of 2019. Weekend sites will include an extra hour for a legislative
update from PSBA’s government affairs team.
New School
Director Training
Week Nights:
Registration opens 3:00 p.m., program starts 3:30 p.m. -9:00 p.m., dinner with
break included
Saturdays: Registration opens at 8:00 a.m., program starts at 9:00 a.m. -3:30 p.m., lunch with break included
Saturdays: Registration opens at 8:00 a.m., program starts at 9:00 a.m. -3:30 p.m., lunch with break included
Advanced
School Director Training
Week Nights:
Registration with dinner provided opens at 4:30 p.m., program starts 5:30 p.m.
-9:00 p.m.
Saturdays: Registration opens at 10:00 a.m., program starts at 11:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., lunch with break included
Saturdays: Registration opens at 10:00 a.m., program starts at 11:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., lunch with break included
Locations
and dates
- Saturday, December 7 — AW Beattie
Career Center, 9600 Babcock Blvd., Allison Park, PA 15101
- Saturday, December 7 — Radnor
Township School District, 135 S. Wayne Ave., Wayne, PA 19087
- Tuesday, December 10 — Grove City
Area School District, 511 Highland Avenue, Grove City, PA 16127
- Tuesday, December 10 — Penn Manor
School District, 2950 Charlestown Road, Lancaster, PA 17603
- Tuesday, December 10 — CTC of
Lackawanna County, 3201 Rockwell Ave, Scranton, PA 18508
- Wednesday, December 11 — Upper St. Clair
Township SD, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241
- Wednesday, December 11 — Montoursville
Area High School, 700 Mulberry St, Montoursville, PA 17754
- Wednesday, December 11 — Berks County
IU 14, 1111 Commons Blvd, Reading, PA 19605
- Thursday, December 12 — Richland
School District, 1 Academic Avenue, Suite 200, Johnstown, PA 15904
- Thursday, December 12 — Seneca Highlands
IU 9, 119 S Mechanic St, Smethport, PA 16749
- Thursday, December 12 — School
District of Haverford Twp, 50 East Eagle Road, Havertown, PA 19083
- Saturday, December 14 — State College
Area High School, 650 Westerly Pkwy, State College, PA 16801
- Saturday, January 11, 2020 — PSBA
Headquarters, 400 Bent Creek Blvd, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
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:
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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