Tuesday, September 1, 2020

PA Ed Policy Roundup for September 1, 2020: Why do we continue having taxpayers pay brick & mortar tuition rates for cyber charter students?


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, 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.

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PA Ed Policy Roundup for September 1, 2020
Why do we continue having taxpayers pay brick & mortar tuition rates for cyber charter students?


Central Dauphin SD
$6,281,340.19
Derry Township SD
$508,502.30
Fannett-Metal SD
$349,149.70
Greenwood SD
$613,649.04
Halifax Area SD
$567,077.19
Harrisburg City SD
$4,730,170.79
Lower Dauphin SD
$1,356,798.66
Millersburg Area SD
$540,576.82
Newport SD
$1,061,238.04
Susquehanna Township SD
$1,947,568.17
Susquenita SD
$1,498,381.31
Upper Dauphin Area SD
$716,141.01
West Perry SD
$1,996,045.73
Williams Valley SD
$760,948.39

$22,927,587.34
Data Source: PDE via PSBA

Why are cyber charter tuition rates the same as brick and mortar tuition?

Why are PA taxpayers paying twice what it costs to provide a cyber education?

Blogger note: PA Schools Work, a group that advocates for traditional brick-and-mortar public schools, recently created a Check Before You Choose  online resource where families can compare public cyber-charter schools to traditional public schools.

Students from city and suburbs join in march for educational justice, fair funding
Chalkbeat Philly By Bill Hangley Jr.  Aug 31, 2020, 7:55pm EDT
A group of students and racial justice advocates marched Sunday from Lower Merion to West Philadelphia in a show of solidarity among suburban and urban students. Marchers called for fair funding for school districts, an end to the inequities that harm students, and a dismantling of systems that perpetuate racial injustice across Pennsylvania. The more immediate goal, organizers said, is to build relationships between Black and white students on both sides of the city line. “Apparently ‘solidarity’ needs a lot of explanation. We think it’s simple... you can’t own a cause from an armchair,” said Kisara Freeman, a rally organizer and rising senior at Lower Merion High School. Freeman and a group of about 200 others marched from Cynwyd Station Park in Lower Merion to Philadelphia’s Tustin Playground, across the street from Overbrook High School. The 2.4 mile journey took the group from one of the nation’s most prosperous communities to one beset by economic and racial injustice.

“But the department’s announcement on Monday still fell short of what advocates and many officials had been pushing for, namely to extend the special rules through the end of the school year, in 2021.”
Federal Government Relaxes Rules on Feeding Low-Income Students
Under pressure from Congress, the Agriculture Department agreed to extend special rules making it easier for schools to provide subsidized meals, but only through December.
New York Times By Kate Taylor Aug. 31, 2020
The Agriculture Department, under pressure from Congress and officials in school districts across the country, said on Monday that it would allow schools to provide free breakfast and lunch to any child or teenager through the end of 2020, provided funding lasts. Advocates for the poor hailed the announcement as an important step to ensure that more needy children are fed during the coronavirus pandemic. It was a partial reversal by the department. Previously, the agency had said that when schools returned to session, whether remote or in-person, it would require them to resume serving meals only to students enrolled in their district — and to charge students who did not qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

Feds Extend Meal Waivers for Students After Pressure From Schools, Lawmakers
Education Week By Andrew Ujifusa on August 31, 2020 2:43 PM
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended waivers from federal meal requirements for children through the end of 2020, after schools and others expressed concern about students' access to meals during the coronavirus pandemic.  Waivers extended by the USDA, which announced the decision on Monday, will allow schools and community groups to continue feeding students with fewer restrictions than are typically in place under the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, and let organizations that serve students meals in the summer months continue doing so in the fall. These new extensions apply to the Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option.  "This extension of summer program authority will employ summer program sponsors to ensure meals are reaching all children—whether they are learning in the classroom or virtually—so they are fed and ready to learn, even in new and ever-changing learning environments," Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said in his Monday statement announcing that his agency was extending the waiver period. 
Monday's waiver extension represents an about-face for the department. On Aug. 20, Perdue said in a letter to members of Congress that he would require schools to shift back to certain requirements of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, and that flexibility under these summer-meal programs would lapse with the start of a new school year. 

USDA extends free meal programs through December
Marion Callahan Bucks County Courier Times August 31, 2020
Education may come from a distance, but food is being delivered to students in person and throughout local communities. And families don't have to fill out paperwork to access these free meals for their children. On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture is extending the free summer meal program through Dec. 31, 2020. The extension enables all school districts to offer breakfast and lunches in communities they serve — without worrying about paperwork needed to qualify them for free and reduced meals. To find out where to access meals, go to the USDA website at www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks. Early Monday, in a grassy patch near a playground in Glen at Bucks community in Warminster, Centennial School District's child nutrition workers were out serving youth breakfast and lunches.

9 Pa. counties listed as areas to watch for coronavirus; statewide, positive rate drops again
Penn Live By Ron Southwick | rsouthwick@pennlive.com Updated 3:49 PM; Today 3:47 PM
The percentage of positive coronavirus tests continues to drop across Pennsylvania, but 9 counties bear watching for COVID-19 infections, Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration said Monday. The statewide rate of positive tests has now dropped for five straight weeks. It dipped to 3.2% over the past week, down from 3.4% the previous week, the Wolf administration said. “Our percent positivity decreased again this week, representing the fifth straight week that the percent positivity has decreased,” Wolf said in a statement Monday. “This is a testament that our actions are working, but we still have more work to do. The virus is still circulating, and we must continue to wear masks, practice social distancing and avoid large gatherings to keep our numbers low, stop the spread and allow more freedom.” Still, the Wolf administration listed several counties that bear watching because more than 5% of those tested were positive, and some of those counties are in central Pennsylvania.
The Wolf administration said it would continue to monitor these counties: Columbia (13.5%), Armstrong (8.3%), Perry (6.9%), Northumberland (6.7%), Potter (5.9%), Beaver (5.7%), Dauphin (5.3%), Fulton (5.3%) and York (5.0%).

After an increase in community COVID-19 cases, State College considers shutting down schools
Centre Daily Times BY MARLEY PARISH AUGUST 31, 2020 11:18 PM
One week into the academic year, State College is considering a switch to districtwide remote learning. As of noon Monday, 62 of Centre County’s 486 COVID-19 cases have been reported in district ZIP codes. Though no cases have been confirmed among staff or students, the district health and safety plans requires administrators to consider closing facilities if 50-75 coronavirus cases are confirmed in district boundaries. SCASD Superintendent Bob O’Donnell notified families Monday of the potential change in a letter, adding that local numbers could reach 75 by Tuesday. “Without a doubt, this is a troubling turn of events, especially so early in the school year, but the circumstances of our area have us moving in the wrong direction,” he wrote. “It’s disappointing, to say the least, that we find ourselves at this juncture, and I recognize the magnitude of what a shift to remote learning means for our families. For all of us, this year is unlike any other, and I hope we can lean on each other to make it through.” District board members met virtually for a work session Monday to discuss the potential change and the fall sports health and safety plan. Two weeks ago, the board voted down a proposal for a total reopening to monitor the virus as Penn State students returned to campus. SCASD also delayed its first day of school by one day to finalize its reopening and learning plans.

South Western closes schools for the week after multiple cases of COVID-19 confirmed
Tina Locurto York Dispatch August 31, 2020
South Western School District will be shutting down for a week after its second COVID-19 case was confirmed, this one at Baresville Elementary, a school official said  Sunday night. The district will be closed from Monday until Friday, with current plans to reopen the buildings on Sept. 8, Superintendent Jay Burkhart said in a statement. Remote learning will resume for all students starting Tuesday. Burkhart said the decision to shutter buildings for one week comes after reviewing guidelines from both the state Department of Health and Department of Education.  South Western officials could not be reached for comment Maggi Mumma, a spokesperson for the state Department of Health, said via email that while the state has provided recommendations and options for educational institutions, it remains up to school district officials to decide how to handle COVID-19 in the classroom.

York City school board furloughs nearly 100 support staff
Lindsay C VanAsdalan York Dispatch August 31, 2020
York City's school board on Monday unanimously approved a temporary furlough of nearly 100 support staff employees. A resolution, based on recommendations from Superintendent Andrea Berry, was approved 6-0. Three board members, Arleta Riviera, Carman Bryant and Michael Breeland were absent. That resolution states 92 employees including part-time and full-time aides, assistants, hall monitors and a cook will be furloughed through Oct. 31. The reason for the cuts stems from the district's closure of in-person classes through the end of the first marking period Oct. 30 — requiring fewer support staff to be in the buildings at that time. After October, district officials will reevaluate and see if an in-person reopening is possible. The staffing reductions could be "extended, modified or eliminated" depending on district need, according to the resolution, which also notes "the need for operating economies."  After cuts back in June — when about 50 employees were laid off to help balance the budget — the district is still tight on money, especially given other possible unknown costs from COVID-19.

Scranton School Board delays vote on furloughing 223 employees
Times Tribune BY SARAH HOFIUS HALL STAFF WRITER  Aug 31, 2020 Updated 43 min ago
With virtual learning beginning next week, the Scranton School Board delayed a vote on the furloughs of 223 employees during a special meeting Monday night. During more than two hours of public comment, speakers called the administration’s proposal callous, insulting and lacking empathy. The employees would have been furloughed without district health insurance on Sept. 11. Shortly before 11:30 p.m., the board voted 5-4 to table any decision, citing additional questions about special education obligations and ending employee insurance during a pandemic. Directors Catherine Fox, Sean McAndrew, Tara Yanni, Sarah Cruz and Michelle Dempsey voted to table, while Ro Hume, James Malloy, Gretchen Welby and Katie Gilmartin sought to vote Monday night. The board did not set another day to vote on the proposal. The administration proposed the following furloughs: all 140 paraprofessionals, six intervention specialists, two level 2 intervention specialists, four part-time maintenance, one licensed practical nurse (Prescott/Willard), one clerk at South Scranton Intermediate, one clerk at West Scranton Intermediate, two hall monitors (Northeast Intermediate and South Scranton Intermediate), two general custodians (West Scranton High and McNichols Plaza) and 64 crossing guards. The furloughs would save the financially-struggling district more than $282,000 per month, Superintendent Melissa McTiernan said. McTiernan would also be authorized to call the employees back when necessary.

It's 'back to school' in a virtual world in Delco
Delco Times Pete Bannan Pbannan@21st-Centurymedia.com August 31, 2020
For students and staff, Monday was a back-to-school first day unlike any other as thousands of Delaware County students started the fall semester in a virtual format.  Upper Darby, Haverford, Wallingford Swarthmore and Rose Tree Media were among the districts starting their year Monday; Chester Upland and Garnet Valley will follow on Tuesday. Most other districts in the county start next week. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Catholic schools are scheduled to open their year in a hybrid in-person model next week. At Chatham Park Elementary School in Haverford, Principal Dr. Jabari Whitehead welcomed students through YouTube on their first day. “The first day of schoo l… We’re ready for another outstanding school year,” said the enthusiastic principal as he welcomed students on his YouTube channel. “I’m really excited. We’re going to grow together. We have 185 days to get this right, and get better and that’s what it is all about.” Between the National Anthem and birthday wishes to students, Whitehead imparted some important etiquette and expectations for his students in the age of virtual learning. He had tent tips for this new normal. Number one: “Get out of your P.J.’s! It’s not like you have to leave the house, but it puts you in a different mindset.” Others included getting your space organized 15 minutes before each school day starts and making sure technology works. Another tip: If you are not asking the question or not called upon, stay muted. And if you leave your device, turn off your video. His final recommendation was one more adults should take note of: “Be kind! Everyone you meet, online and in person, everyone wants to be seen, heard and valued and loved,” Whitehead said. Over at Upper Darby School District, while a few parents were still getting their students their Chromebooks, administrators were ready for the school year.

Norwin’s first hybrid school day went well, students say
Trib Live JOE NAPSHA   | Monday, August 31, 2020 5:07 p.m.
The first day of class at Norwin Middle School for Avery Waszo was similar to her final day last school year — it was online. “It went well. There was not too much work,” said Avery, a 12-year-old seventh grader from North Huntingdon. Avery was one of 5,300 district students who either were in school Monday or who received remote instruction. Norwin students whose last names begin with a letter from A to K will go to school Mondays and Tuesdays, while those with last names beginning with letters L-Z attended online. Their roles reverse on Thursdays and Fridays. All students will receive instruction online on Wednesdays. The district opted for a hybrid model — which sparked a protest from some parents — to reduce the amount of students in buildings and classrooms to prevent the spread of covid-19. The hybrid model was in line with the guidelines from the state education and health departments.

COVID-19 hits close to home as several Lancaster County schools kick off 2020-21
Lancaster Online by ALEX GELI | Staff Writer September 1, 2020
Before school even opened for the first day of classes Monday in the Eastern Lancaster County School District, COVID-19 had made its presence known. A teacher at the district’s middle and high school campus in New Holland notified administration that a family member had tested positive for the virus, forcing the teacher to conduct class remotely while a substitute supervised the students in-person. “That’s gonna be a rolling, ongoing challenge for everyone,” Elanco Superintendent Bob Hollister said Monday morning as masked students walked by. “And, in that case, the learners have to be flexible as much as the adults.” Elanco was one of nine school districts on Monday to start classes for the 2020-21 school year, one that administrators and school board members have been preparing for all summer with the COVID-19 pandemic still raging across the country. All but one — School District of Lancaster — opened with an in-person option. But continuing with that format could depend on how pervasive the virus becomes in schools. “The biggest concern we have is keeping our adults in play,” Hollister said. “I want to keep our teaching staff teaching. My biggest concern is if too many of them get sick then we’ll have to consider another option.” Other school districts to reopen Monday were Columbia Borough, Conestoga Valley, Elizabethtown Area, Ephrata Area, Manheim Central, Penn Manor and Solanco. Warwick starts today.

Virtual vo-tech: Lehigh Valley career schools grapple with hands-on learning during coronavirus
By ANTHONY SALAMONE THE MORNING CALL | AUG 31, 2020 AT 2:36 PM
Seventeen-year-old Marie Fritts has found her career calling, and it’s education. “I’ve always wanted to work with kids, especially special needs kids, because they are just the sweetest human beings ever,” the Easton Area High School senior said. Classes resume next week in many Lehigh Valley schools, including at the region’s career and technology institutes. which hundreds of students attend. As traditional schools continue working through reopening plans during the coronavirus pandemic that largely include at least some online learning, career and technical centers across the region grapple with how to maintain predominantly hands-on classes while keeping students and staff safe.

While most Philly charters are opening virtually, this school started in person
Inquirer by Maddie Hanna, Updated: August 31, 2020- 4:45 PM
Donning a face mask decorated with basketballs and his navy and gray school uniform, Daylen Burrell, 7, waited with his family outside Discovery Charter in Parkside on Monday morning. His brother Dallas, 5, clasped his hands in front of him. Both boys were prepared for their first day of school: the first ever for Dallas, who was starting kindergarten. Daylen was beginning second grade after a spring interrupted by the coronavirus. Their mother, Teeawana, had “mixed emotions” before the school day began as she waited with her sons, surrounded by staff in masks and face shields checking students in for the start of the year. “It’s exciting and scary at the same time,” Burrell said. She worries about the ongoing pandemic, but added, “I think kids need social interaction.” A K-8 charter school, Discovery welcomed its younger students back to classrooms Monday — one of the few public schools in Philadelphia opening for in-person instruction as the district prepares for an all-virtual start Wednesday.

For Black Lives to Matter, Black Minds Must Matter
The74 by Sharif El-Mekki August 10, 2020
Sharif El-Mekki is the former principal of Mastery Charter School–Shoemaker Campus, a neighborhood turnaround charter school in West Philadelphia that serves almost 800 students in grades 7-12. El-Mekki founded the Fellowship – Black Male Educators for Social Justice and currently leads the Center for Black Educator Development. He is one of the members of the 8 Black Hands podcast, blogs at Philly’s 7th Ward, and is a featured voice at Education Post.
By now the names of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Rayshard Brooks have permeated our national dialogue. That is to say, most white Americans can identify them as the latest victims of an unjust and violent policing culture in our country. And while police violence is a daily threat to people of color, it is just one articulation of the deadly inequity of our society. The COVID-19 pandemic is another chilling instance of it. We see it acutely here in Philadelphia. Black residents have been hospitalized more than all other races and ethnicities combined, and they are dying at twice the rate of white Philadelphians. As a Black man, more generally, I have lived among the fallout of structural racism and institutionalized injustice in my own life. As a Black educator, I have seen its pernicious reach through the lives of my students. I myself have been arrested, assaulted and harassed by police during my time as a teacher and principal. When I reflect on the sweeping movement now underway, I cannot help but wonder if our newly woke allies sharing out social media solidarity will truly stand with us after their sudden indignation settles. Once corporate America decides this “moment” has passed, will Black Lives (still) Matter? All of which underscores the fundamental question: What would it look like for this nation to give full, enduring meaning to the term Black Lives Matter? As a Black educator, the answer is clear to me: In order to ensure that Black Lives Matter, we must ensure that Black Minds Matter. We must start with our schools.

A Philly school flunked students during the pandemic, then charged for summer school
WHYY By Avi Wolfman-Arent September 1, 2020
For Donna Lachman’s family, last school year ended with a barrage of setbacks — both personal and academic. Lachman’s mother died of COVID-19 shortly after her 62nd birthday and then Lachman, a chef at a retirement home, contracted the illness herself, knocking her out of work for nearly two months. In class, her son Marcus struggled, Lachman said. His school, New Foundations Charter School in Northeast Philadelphia, went virtual in mid-March. He didn’t handle the adjustment well, something his mother attributes to his learning disability. “Honestly, I would say March 12 was like his last day of school,” Lachman said. Unlike Philadelphia’s public school system, New Foundations Charter decided to treat the end of the last school year as it would any other semester. Students received grades for their work, and suffered the standard consequences if they didn’t do that work well. Marcus fell into the latter category. “His grades were good until they started the virtual,” said Lachman, who lives in Northeast Philadelphia. After the semester ended, New Foundations asked Marcus to retake courses in history, math and science over the summer. Those classes, the school explained, would take place online and would cost Lachman between $115 and $155 dollars a course.
Lachman refused to pay.

PFT contract expires, no deal reached; district trying to ’shake down’ teachers, union chief says
Inquirer by Kristen A. Graham, Posted: August 31, 2020- 11:16 AM
The contract between the Philadelphia School District and its largest union expired Monday with no new deal inked. Union president Jerry Jordan on Monday night asked the 13,000 teachers, counselors, nurses, secretaries, and other school workers who comprise the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers to give him two weeks to continue negotiating a deal, making plain his displeasure with the school system’s negotiating tactics, which he called “reprehensible.” “The district is attempting to shake down our membership, and I won’t allow it,” Jordan said at a news conference after PFT members approved a two-week continuation of negotiations. Recognizing the challenges from the pandemic, Jordan said he was asking district leadership for a one-year contract extension with a “modest” salary increase. But the district, Jordan said, is tying raises to the union’s agreeing to a school reopening plan. The school system’s 125,000 students are set to begin the 2020-21 school year virtually on Wednesday; officials hope to get children back in classrooms in November.

Central League parents call to reinstate fall sports with letter campaign, protest
In response to the Central League's decision to postpone interscholastic sports until January, parents and students are demanding change. Protesters flocked to the Chester County Health Department office in West Chester Monday. Students from Central League and Chester County schools held signs that said "Let Us Play," "Mental Health Matters" and "Let Seniors Finish What We Started."  The protest was organized by Delaware County and Chester County student-athletes and parents.  In a letter to school administrators, Central League parents are calling for a reversal of the league's decision to postpone athletics until next year, while the majority of Pennsylvania schools opened practice Monday. The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), which is the governing body for high school sports in the Commonwealth, voted to move forward with a fall season last month. "We want to see if they can reverse their decisions," Garnet Valley senior football player Kevin McGarrey said. "Only three districts in all of Pennsylvania aren’t playing and we’re one of them. The whole rest of Pennsylvania is playing and we’re trying to reverse the decision of our league officers and officials. ... It’s good seeing these guys coming together. We’re all one team now and trying to play.”

Report: Pa. ranks 31st nationwide for women’s political participation | Tuesday Morning Coffee
PA Capital Star By  John L. Micek September 1, 2020
Good Tuesday Morning, Fellow Seekers.
From the halls of Congress to the state Capitol, there are more high-profile women in Pennsylvania politics than ever before. In Washington D.C., the Keystone State’s ‘Fab Four’: Democratic U.S. Reps. Madeleine Dean, of Montgomery County; Mary Gay Scanlon, of Delaware County; Chrissy Houlahan, of Chester County, and Susan Wild, of Lehigh County, helped Democrats even up Pennsylvania Capitol Hill delegation to nine Democrats and nine Republicans. Women also made inroads in the 50-member state Senate and the 203-member state House. Their election, as the Capital-Star reported last year, marked a major shift in the 253-member General Assembly, which has been, and unfortunately remains, a largely male institution. More women, of both parties, are vying for legislative seats this fall and for the statewide row offices. Despite that progress, a new report casts a stark light on how much ground women have to make up in the nation’s fifth-most populous state. Pennsylvania ranks 31st nationwide for political participation by women, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Institute for Women’s Policy Research. Still, it’s an improvement from the think-tank’s last report in 2015, when the state ranked 45th nationwide.

HOW TO HELP STUDENTS AND TEACHERS NOW
School looks very different this fall in Philadelphia. How can we get our kids through it?
The Philadelphia Citizen BY JESSICA BLATT PRESS AUG. 31, 2020
It’s finally here. After months of debating and guessing and stressing, the first day of school for the 200,000-plus students in Philadelphia arrives this week. Of course, it won’t look like the first day of school: There will be no sea of teens animating our SEPTA commutes with their gossip, no uniformed kids taking first-day-of-school pics on the front stoop with their giant backpacks and nervous smiles. But this September and beyond, schools will need lots of support to make the most of this very strange year. We spoke to teachers, administrators, parents, and other leaders for tips on making the 2020-21 school year safe, joyful and successful. “This is gonna take everyone working together,” says School District of Philadelphia Superintendent William Hite. And he’s right.
How to help schools in Philadelphia in 2020

TRAUMA INFORMED EDUCATION COALITION, LLC
Trauma Informed Education Coalition Website
Since 2012, the Trauma Informed Education Coalition, LLC (TIEC) has been informing the education community and grass roots advocates across Pennsylvania about the issue of emotional and psychological trauma as an impediment to both academic and social school performance.  It holds a unique role in providing information that has influenced state and federal policy initiatives including Pennsylvania Act 144 mandating trauma-informed education Statewide and US ESSA, which includes provisions for trauma-informed practices in the educational setting.  


Blogger commentary:
Parents considering cyber charters due to COVID might not be aware of their 20 year consistent track record of academic underperformance. As those parents face an expected blitz of advertising by cybers, in order for them to make a more informed decision, you might consider providing them with some of the info listed below:

A June 2 paper from the highly respected Brookings Institution stated, “We find the impact of attending a virtual charter on student achievement is uniformly and profoundly negative,” and then went on to say that “there is no evidence that virtual charter students improve in subsequent years.”

In 2016, the National Association of Charter School Authorizers, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, and the national charter lobbying group 50CAN released a report on cyber charters that found that overall, cyber students make no significant gains in math and less than half the gains in reading compared with their peers in traditional public schools.

Stanford University CREDO Study in 2015 found that cyber students on average lost 72 days a year in reading and 180 days a year in math compared with students in traditional public schools.

From 2005 through 2012 under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, most Pennsylvania cybers never made “adequate yearly progress.”

Following NCLB, for all five years (2013-2017) that Pennsylvania’s School Performance Profile system was in place, not one cyber charter ever achieved a passing score of 70.

Under Pennsylvania’s current accountability system, the Future Ready PA Index, all 15 cyber charters that operated 2018-2019 have been identified for some level of support and improvement.

PA SCHOOLS WORK WEBINAR : Public School Advocacy in the New Normal of a COVID-19 World; Tue, Sep 15, 2020 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM EDT
For the foreseeable future, COVID-19 is a part of our everyday lives. More parents and community members than ever before have engaged at the school district level as schools wrestled with their options for reopening this fall. This conversation will be about continuing our advocacy for public schools, and how the challenges districts are facing in the COVID-19 era are magnified by long-term inequities in our funding system and years of lackluster financial support for public education from state government. So, what can we do about it? Come find out

PSBA Fall Virtual Advocacy Day: OCT 8, 2020 • 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sign up now for PSBA’s Virtual Advocacy Day this fall!
All public school leaders are invited to join us for our fall Virtual Advocacy Day on Thursday, October 8, 2020, via Zoom. We need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our fall Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to help you have a successful day.
Cost: As a membership benefit, there is no cost to register.
Registration: School directors can register online now by logging in to myPSBA. If you have questions about Virtual Advocacy Day, or need additional information, contact Jamie.Zuvich@psba.org.

Save The Date: The PSBA 2020 Equity Summit is happening virtually on October 13th.
Discover how to build a foundation for equity in practice and policy.

PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference October 14-15 Virtual
Registration is now open for the first ever virtual School Leadership Conference! Join us for all-new educational sessions, dynamic speakers, exhibitors, and more! Visit the website for registration information: https://t.co/QfinpBL69u #PASLC20 https://t.co/JYeRhJLUmZ

What to expect at this year’s School Leadership Conference
POSTED ON AUGUST 31, 2020 IN PSBA NEWS
At the 2020 PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference on October 14-15, you'll encounter the same high-quality experience you've come to expect, via new virtual platform. Hear world-class speakers and relevant educational sessions, and network with exhibitors and attendees — from the comfort of your home or office on any internet-enabled device.
The virtual conference platform is accessible via a unique link provided to each registrant about a week before conference. No additional app downloads are required. The intuitive 3D interface is easy to use and immersive — you'll feel like you're on location. Registrants will be able to explore the space a day before conference starts. Highlights include: 
  • Virtual exhibit hall 
  • Interactive lobby area and information desk 
  • Virtual auditorium 
  • Digital swag bag 
  • Scavenger hunt 
This year, conference is completely free to attend! Be among the first 125 to register, and receive a special pre-conference swag bag, sent to your home. Click here for more information about how to register.

Adopt the resolution against racial inequity!
School boards are asked to adopt this resolution supporting the development of an anti-racist climate. Once adopted, share your resolution with your local community and submit a copy to PSBA. Learn more: http://ow.ly/yJWA50B2R72

Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution for charter school funding reform
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.

292 PA school boards have adopted charter reform resolutions
Charter school funding reform continues to be a concern as over 290 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform. Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from the unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions of dollars to charter schools.

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

The Network for Public Education Action Conference has been rescheduled to April 24-25, 2021 at the Philadelphia Doubletree Hotel

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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