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 March 26, 2020
SB751 passes unanimously in both PA House & Senate; U.S.
Senate Passes Coronavirus Bill With $13.5 Billion for Schools
“The
measure will soon be on its way to the
governor’s desk for his signature after the House passed it on Wednesday by a
198-0 vote and shortly thereafter, by the Senate on a 50-0 vote.”
SB751: Bill to shorten the school year, ensure school
employees get paid goes to Gov. Tom Wolf for his signature
Penn Live By Jan
Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com Updated Mar
25, 2020; Posted Mar 25, 2020
Pennsylvania lawmakers have passed emergency
legislation that shortens the school year and provides financial guarantees to
schools and their employees as part of the state’s response to the coronavirus
outbreak that led to Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision to close schools now for at least
three weeks. The measure will soon be
on its way to the governor’s desk for his signature after the House passed it
on Wednesday by a 198-0 vote and shortly thereafter, by the Senate on a 50-0
vote. On March 13, Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all K-12 schools to
close for two weeks over COVID-19 concerns. On Monday, he extended
that closure order until at least through April 6, and said
that could be extended longer if it considered necessary to stop the spread of
the coronavirus.
Cyber charter schools shut out of tuition for new
students during coronavirus shutdown
Penn Live By Christine
Vendel | cvendel@pennlive.com Today 5:30
AM
The coronavirus shutdown did not knock down
cyber charter schools the same way it has brick and mortar schools because the
bulk of instruction already was being delivered to cyber students online. But
state officials have warned cyber charters against trying to take advantage of
the crisis to recruit new students during the shutdown, while school districts
across the state grapple with how to provide instruction remotely. Brick-and-mortar
school advocates say students jumping ship for cyber charters could further
financially destabilize traditional school districts at an already vulnerable
time. An emergency school bill
unanimously approved by the Pa. House and Senate Wednesday, however,
put that issue to rest. The bill, which Gov. Tom Wolf is expected to sign, included
language that freezes payments to school districts based on enrollments March
13, the day Wolf announced the shutdown. That means cyber charter schools could
accept new students during the shutdown, but they would not get compensated for
those students until the shutdown is lifted. As it stands, the shutdown could
get lifted April 9. That’s the date Wolf set for schools to possibly reopen,
but it depends on the spread of the coronavirus and many experts believe
schools will be shuttered longer. The Commonwealth Charter Academy, which
provides virtual instruction to students across the state, had applications
from 50 families pending on Monday, a spokesman told public news station WHYY. The
applications were put on hold while CCA awaits direction from the state.
In new normal, Pa. House and Senate lawmakers vote
remotely to send COVID-19 relief bills to Wolf’s desk
PA Capital Star By Stephen Caruso| Elizabeth Hardison -March
25, 2020
Calling out votes via video chat and swapping
bills all afternoon, Pennsylvania state lawmakers on Wednesday sent four pieces
of legislation to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk that will provide financial and
regulatory relief to schools, election officials and workers during the
COVID-19 pandemic. All the measures passed unanimously in the
Republican-controlled House and Senate. The majority of lawmakers cast votes
and deliberated on bills remotely to avoid overcrowding the state Capitol in
Harrisburg. At least 114 lawmakers — 66 Democrats, and 48 Republicans —
applied to vote remotely in the Pennsylvania House, according to caucus’
spokespeople for both parties. Ten members of the Senate — including leaders of
the Republican and Democratic caucuses and a handful of Republican senators —
attended the session in Harrisburg, while the remainder cast votes and debated
legislation remotely. Wolf, a Democrat, has already indicated that he will sign
most of the measures, which move Pennsylvania’s primary to June 2; provide $50
million in aid to hospitals; waive instructional requirements for schools, and
prepare the state’s unemployment system for a potential influx of federal
dollars.
State legislators pass bill to assist schools during
COVID-19 shutdown
ANDREW GOLDSTEIN Pittsburgh Post-Gazette agoldstein@post-gazette.com MAR 25,
2020 5:45 PM
State lawmakers Wednesday passed a bill that
includes directives for Pennsylvania schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov.
Tom Wolf ordered all K-12 schools to shut down earlier
this month to help slow the spread of the virus. The legislation, wrapped
into SB 751, guarantees that school employees continue to be paid and receive
retirement credit through the shutdown. It also ensures that staff members who
deep clean school facilities are given equipment and supplies recommended by
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The coronavirus pandemic
represents an unprecedented challenge for our schools, students and staff,”
Rich Askey, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, said in
a statement. “This legislation reflects a shared commitment among education
stakeholders, lawmakers, and the Wolf administration to keep students safe and
healthy, while ensuring their educational needs are met.” The bill also
addresses some issues that the state Department of Education has already
tackled.
Pa. Department of Education preparing for learning
continuity
ANDREW GOLDSTEIN Pittsburgh Post-Gazette agoldstein@post-gazette.com MAR 25,
2020 4:06 PM
The Pennsylvania secretary of education said
Wednesday that the state will follow guidance from the Department of Health to
determine whether the statewide school closure will be extended. While no
decision has been made to keep K-12 schools closed beyond April 6 — which Gov.
Tom Wolf ordered this week — Education Secretary Pedro A. Rivera said he could
not rule out a longer shutdown. Meanwhile, the state Department of Education
said it is working with intermediate units and other agencies across Pennsylvania
to make sure students can continue learning for however long the COVID-19
closure lasts. “We’re not waiting to see what ultimately happens week to week
or month to month around school closures,” Mr. Rivera said in a conference call
with reporters. “What we’re actually doing right now is engaging our
intermediate units to create and support schools with plans that ensure ... a
portfolio of options. Mr. Rivera said the state’s 29 intermediate units will
provide the support and services that schools need to implement education
continuity for their students during the shutdown. Those plans may include
online learning, paper and pencil assignments or other models.
U.S. Senate Passes
Coronavirus Bill With $13.5 Billion for Schools, DeVos Waiver Power
Education Week By Andrew Ujifusa on March
25, 2020 11:49 PM
Senators has passed a $2 trillion coronavirus
stimulus package that includes $13.5 billion in dedicated funding to shore up
K-12 education budgets, as well as additional aid for student nutrition and
child-care services. It also gives U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos new
waiver power to grant states and schools flexibility under the main federal
K-12 law. The $13.5 billion earmarked for K-12 schools is included in the
bill's Education Stabilization Fund, which also contains $14.25 billion for
higher education, and $3 billion for governors to use at their discretion to
assist K-12 and higher education as they deal with the fallout from the virus.
The legislation also states that any state or school district getting money
from the stabilization fund "shall to the greatest extent practicable,
continue to pay its employees and contractors during the period of any
disruptions or closures related to coronavirus." In addition, the
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, passed by the Senate on
Wednesday by a vote of 96-0, would provide the following funding:
Pa. education secretary Pedro Rivera to schools: Don't
wait to offer remote instruction
Lancaster Online by ALEX GELI | Staff Writer March 25,
2020
The state's chief education official is
urging school districts to develop plans for instruction as schools remain
closed to students until at least April 9 because of the coronavirus. "We
are strongly urging school districts to not wait, to not stand on the
periphery, to really engage students," Pedro Rivera, Pennsylvania's
secretary of education, said in a call with reporters late Wednesday
morning. While schools aren't required to offer educational services to
students during the shutdown, Rivera said he hopes schools are moving forward
with alternate modes of instruction or, at least, optional enrichment
activities to keep students engaged at home. On the call, Rivera and
other state education officials discussed the challenges schools face ensuring
equity for all students in those educational plans and what the state is doing
to support their efforts. Federal law states schools must provide a free
and accessible education to every child, no matter the child's needs. That
might be a struggle for schools offering online instruction, but Matt Stem,
deputy secretary for elementary and secondary education, said that shouldn't be
a reason to offer nothing. He said schools should make decisions "in good
faith." The U.S. Department of Education shared similar guidance
Saturday, offering flexibility when serving students with special needs.
PA districts told to make a “good faith effort” to
provide remote instruction
Superintendent Hite will ask for Board of
Education approval to buy 50,000 devices for Philly families that lack
computers.
The notebook by Dale
Mezzacappa and Bill
Hangley Jr. March 25 — 7:48 pm, 2020
Pennsylvania education officials confirmed
today that when it comes to “distance learning,” school districts can expect
little guidance from the state, and instead will be left to develop standards
and practices on their own. Since the sudden shutdown of the state’s schools in
the face of the fast-moving coronavirus crisis, issues of online access and
instructional equity have taken center stage among educators. Today, the
Pennsylvania Department of Education – backed by legislation approved Wednesday
in the General Assembly – clarified that it is up to individual school
districts to determine how to solve the puzzle. Rather than follow any state
guidelines or standards, they say, districts must make a “good faith effort” to
provide remote instruction to students and submit a plan to the state for doing
so. This means that the task of determining what is equitable and
effective will fall to a group of school districts whose approaches and
resource bases already vary widely, with some offering comprehensive online
learning to their full range of students, and others just beginning to survey
their families to find out who has laptops and internet access. Secretary of
Education Pedro Rivera, in a conference call with reporters Wednesday,
emphasized that PDE and the state’s 29 Intermediate Units – regional
educational service agencies – are ready and willing to offer assistance
to districts, charter schools, and career and technical schools.
Despite coronavirus closures, no school past June 30 for
Pa. students; Philly may buy 50,000 Chromebooks
Inquirer by Kristen A. Graham and Maddie Hanna, Updated: March 25, 2020-
3:45 PM
No matter how long the coronavirus-caused
school shutdown lasts, Pennsylvania students will not attend school past June
30, the state’s education secretary said Wednesday. “By statute, we can’t
extend school past June 30,” Pedro Rivera said during a media conference call.
“That’s actually when schools fiscally close, then we go into the next year’s
fiscal cycle.” Rivera reiterated a warning he gave when he ordered all
Pennsylvania schools closed until at least April 6: The shutdown could last
much longer. “We possibly could be looking at extending the timeline under the
direction of the governor and the secretary of health,” he said. The Education
Department issued updated guidance to school districts this week, “strongly
encouraging” them to begin offering some form of instruction to students. Its
earlier communication to districts said that if they could not offer
instruction to all students, they could not offer it to any — a
directive that left a number of districts unclear on how to proceed. Rivera
said the state’s intermediate units, countywide educational organizations, are
offering guidance in distance learning and other types of remote instruction.
But “by law, schools are not required to
offer instruction during these extended closures,” Rivera said. Advocates this
week pushed state officials to require all districts to provide instruction to
students, including children living in poverty, English language learners, and
children with special needs. Matthew Stern, the department’s deputy secretary
for elementary and secondary education, said the state has “taken the strong
position that every district should be planning and moving into continuity of
education. When it comes to access and equity, we are asking the districts to
make reasonable and appropriate efforts in good faith.”
Philly school board to meet Thursday amid concerns on
public participation
The board is looking into technology that
will allow for real-time public participation for future meetings, but is not
changing the procedure for this one.
The notebook by Dale
Mezzacappa March 25 — 12:33 pm, 2020
The Philadelphia Board of Education plans to
meet as scheduled at 5 p.m. Thursday for its March action meeting, but members
will do so via phone and live-stream the
session. It is calling for members of the public to submit testimony in writing
24 hours before the scheduled meeting. However, board watchdogs Lisa Haver and
Karel Kilimnik of Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools say that this is
insufficient. Haver and Kilimnik sent a letter to the board saying that, under
this plan, the session would not be a public meeting but “a live TV show.” Although
they said they understood the need to forgo an in-person meeting, “the
alternative is to hold a virtual meeting that the public can both observe and
participate in. Current technology allows for both of these.” Board President
Joyce Wilkerson responded that Thursday’s meeting – crucial to “move student
learning forward” – will go on as planned, but the board will look to upgrading
its capacity for virtual participation in the future. “We have received a
number of helpful suggestions from our Philadelphia community about how to do
this in a way that continues to allow for the vital participation of the
Philadelphia community in our meetings,” Wilkerson said. “We know we are
not there yet, but we believe this meeting is a critical first step in
accomplishing the work of the District in this new remote reality. We look
forward to learning from these meetings and continuing to grow our
technological capacity at future meetings.”
At a glance: Distance learning in your school district;
when classes could resume
TRIBUNE-REVIEW | Wednesday, March
25, 2020 5:51 p.m.
Many school districts are conducting or have
plans to begin distance learning for students while schools are closed. Below
is information released by districts about when distance learning will begin
and when, eventually, students might return to classrooms. This list will be
updated and school districts added as information becomes available. Parents are
urged to check with their school district directly for the most up-to-date
information.
*Subject to change by the districts or orders
from Gov. Tom Wolf.
Bill delaying Pa. primary to June 2 heads to Gov. Wolf’s
desk
Penn Live By Jan
Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com Updated Mar
25, 2020; Posted Mar 25, 2020
Pennsylvania is about to join the nine other states
and a territory that have postponed their primary
election in response to the coronavirus
outbreak. Both the House and Senate on Wednesday approved legislation that would
delay the April 28 primary by five weeks to June 2.
The bill now goes to Gov. Tom Wolf who said
that he would sign it into law. He offered his support during Wednesday’s news
conference updating the state’s coronavirus outbreak and response.
PSBA FAQ Sheet Regarding Closure of School Due to
Coronavirus
PSBA has compiled answers to your most
pressing questions surrounding school closures due to the #coronavirus outbreak.
View this resource here:
PSBA establishes channel to answer COVID-19 questions
POSTED ON MARCH 19, 2020 IN PSBA
NEWS
In light of statewide school closings and as
the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve, PSBA is here to provide support to
members and answer questions regarding how schools will operate, meet
instructional requirements and provide services both now and in the future.
Please send your questions to request@psba.org with
your name, district and contact information. A member of PSBA staff will respond
directly or will funnel your inquires to the Pennsylvania Department of
Education. PSBA will act as your voice and ensure you receive the answers and
information you need to make decisions at this crucial time.
PSBA: Coronavirus Preparedness Guidance
In the last few weeks, the novel coronavirus
(SARS-CoV-2), which causes the respiratory illness COVID-19, has become a topic
of concern nationwide. Although the virus is not widespread in Pennsylvania at
this time, that status could change. Being proactive is key to prevention and
mitigation. Below, you will find a list of resources on all aspects of
preparedness, including guidance on communication planning, policy, emergency
management and disease control. Use these resources to help you make decisions
regarding the safety and health of those in your school district.
The former Sectional Meetings have been converted to a webinar
format. PSBA will be hosting six webinars (starting today), presented by an
expert on critical and timely topics related to #Coronavirus (COVID-19).
PSBA: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for Schools:
Webinar Series
As PSBA announced in an email on
March 12, the former Sectional Meetings have been converted to a webinar format
to comply with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.
Each of the six upcoming virtual sessions will be offered as a one-hour
webinar: a 45-minute presentation by an expert on critical and timely topics;
communication practices during the coronavirus pandemic; the business of boards
during shutdown; facilities restoration and clean-up, and other essential topics.
Each session will include 15 minutes of direct Q&A at the conclusion of the
45-minute content presentation.
Members are welcome to register for any of
the six complimentary webinars.
All webinar sessions are 6:00 p.m. to 7:00
p.m.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 Prepare. Don’t
Panic. Responding to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Medical Guidance for Schools
Presenter: Raghavendra Tirupathi, MD, FACP – Medical Director, Keystone Infectious Diseases; Chair, Infection Prevention, Wellspan Chambersburg & Waynesboro Hospital and member of the Pennsylvania Medical Society
Presenter: Raghavendra Tirupathi, MD, FACP – Medical Director, Keystone Infectious Diseases; Chair, Infection Prevention, Wellspan Chambersburg & Waynesboro Hospital and member of the Pennsylvania Medical Society
Tuesday, March 24, 2020 Coronavirus
(COVID-19) Legislative Updates
Presenter: John Callahan, PSBA Chief Advocacy Officer
Presenter: John Callahan, PSBA Chief Advocacy Officer
Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Topic 1:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Communication Practices: How to Address Your School
Community and the Media
Presenters: Annette Stevenson PSBA Chief Communications Officer & Liam Goldrick, Donovan Group
Presenters: Annette Stevenson PSBA Chief Communications Officer & Liam Goldrick, Donovan Group
Topic 2: The Business of School Boards:
Operations & Meetings During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Shutdown
Presenters: Stuart L. Knade, PSBA Senior Director of Legal Services & Heather Masshardt, Director of Policy Services
Presenters: Stuart L. Knade, PSBA Senior Director of Legal Services & Heather Masshardt, Director of Policy Services
Thursday, March 26, 2020 An Update from PIAA:
Addressing Coronavirus (COVID-19) Concerns
Presenter: Dr. Robert A. Lombardi, PIAA Executive Director
Presenter: Dr. Robert A. Lombardi, PIAA Executive Director
Monday, March 30, 2020 Facilities
Restoration: Coronavirus Clean-up
Presenter: SERVPRO, expert presenter
Presenter: SERVPRO, expert presenter
Tuesday, March 31, 2020 Risk Mitigation:
Strategy for Operational Continuity and Reducing Adverse Impacts
Presenter: CM Regent Insurance, expert presenter
Presenter: CM Regent Insurance, expert presenter
Registration here: https://www.psba.org/2019/10/coronavirus-webinar-series/
Blogger note: support Governor Wolf’s proposed charter reforms:
Reprise: PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb 10, 2020
1. Adopt resolution for charter funding
reform
2. Ask your legislators to cosponsor HB2261
or SB1024
3. Register for Advocacy Day on May 11th
Adopt: the 2020 PSBA resolution for charter school funding
reform
PSBA Website POSTED ON FEBRUARY 3,
2020 IN PSBA
NEWS
In this legislative session, PSBA has been
leading the charge with the Senate, House of Representatives and the Governor’s
Administration to push for positive charter reform. We’re now asking you to
join the campaign: Adopt the resolution: We’re asking all school
boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school funding reform at your
next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and to PSBA.
Cosponsor: A 120-page
charter reform proposal is being introduced as House Bill
2261 by Rep. Joseph Ciresi (D-Montgomery), and Senate Bill 1024,
introduced by Senators Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) and James Brewster
(D-Allegheny). Ask your legislator to sign on as a cosponsor to House Bill
2261 or Senate Bill 1024.
Register: Five compelling reasons for .@PSBA .@PASA .@PAIU school leaders to come to the Capitol
for Advocacy Day on May 11th:
Charter Reform
Cyber Charter Reform
Basic Ed Funding
Special Ed Funding
PLANCON
For more
information: https://www.psba.org/event/advocacy-day-2020/
Rescheduled: Join us for Advocacy Day in Harrisburg to support public
education Monday May 11, 2020!
All school
leaders are invited to attend Advocacy Day at the state Capitol in
Harrisburg. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), Pennsylvania
Association of Intermediate Units (PAIU) and the Pennsylvania Association of
School Administrators (PASA) are partnering together to strengthen our advocacy
impact. The day will center around meetings with legislators to discuss
critical issues affecting public education. Click here for more information or register
at http://www.mypsba.org/
School
directors can register online now by logging in to myPSBA. If you need
assistance logging in and registering contact Alysha Newingham, Member Data
System Administrator at alysha.newingham@psba.org
PSBA Board Presidents Panel April 27, 28 and 29; Multiple
Locations
Offered at 10 locations across the state,
this annual event supports current and aspiring school board leaders through roundtable
conversations with colleagues as well as a facilitated panel of experienced
regional and statewide board presidents and superintendents. Board Presidents
Panel is designed to equip new and veteran board presidents and vice presidents
as well as superintendents and other school directors who may pursue a
leadership position in the future.
PARSS Annual Conference April 29 – May 1, 2020 in State
College
The 2020 PARSS Conference is April 29 through
May 1, 2020, at Wyndham Garden Hotel at Mountain View Country Club in State
College. Please register as a member or a vendor by accessing the links below.
Register today for the 2020 PASA/PA Principals
Association PA Educational Leadership Summit, August 2-4, at the Lancaster
Marriott at Penn Square
(hosted by the PA Principals Association and
the PA Association of School Administrators). Participants can earn up to 80
PIL hours (40 hours for the Summit and - for an additional cost of $50 -
40 hours for EdCamp) for
attending the conference and completing program requirements. Register
early to reserve your seat! The deadline to take advantage of the Early Bird
Discount is April 24, 2020.
Click here to
register today!
Network for Public Education 2020 Conference in Philly Rescheduled
to November 21-22
NPE Website March 10, 2020 7:10 pm
We so wanted to see you in March, but we need
to wait until November!
Our conference will now take place on November
21 and 22 at the same location in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Please
read the important information below.
Registration: We will be rolling over our
registration information, so there is no reason to register again. You will
be automatically registered for the November dates. If you cannot attend in
November, we ask that you consider donating your registration to absorb some of
the costs associated with rescheduling the conference. If you feel you cannot
make such a donation, please contact: dcimarusti@networkforpubliceducation.org.
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.