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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Keystone
State Education Coalition
PA Ed Policy Roundup for Nov. 20, 2020
Goodbye
Betsy Devos
As of this morning, 332 locally elected,
volunteer school boards have passed resolutions calling for charter funding
reform
https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/
Blogger note: The daily PA Ed Policy Roundup is ten years old this
month. Thanks for your ongoing interest and support. Thanks also to Kappan
Online, Avi Wolfman Arent, Alexander Russo for this shout out:
“Beat reporters can also benefit from finding the hyper-local or
niche newsletters in the communities they cover. Here are a few examples:
- WHYY education
reporter Avi Wolfman-Arent recommends a Pennsylvania-specific newsletter
by school board member Larry Feinberg called PA Ed Policy Roundup. “Larry has a clear ideological slant,”
Wolfman-Arent told me. “But he tracks all the small-town newspapers in
Pa., which is helpful.”
Newsletters you should read right now
The humble newsletter is all the rage, and
the education beat has a slew of good ones to choose from.
Kappan Online by By Colleen Connolly November
18, 2020
Email newsletters first became popular during
the dinosaur age of the internet, but today they are arguably more popular than
ever before. Outside the chaos of social media, newsletters offer sleek, highly
curated, and digestible round-ups of news and personal dispatches from trusted
reporters delivered straight to your inbox. This year, in particular, has seen
some notable expansions of the medium as more journalists strike out on their
own with the newsletter platform Substack and publications launch niche pop-up
newsletters in response to news events like the New York Times’ Coronavirus
Schools Briefing, recently profiled here. To help
you sort through which newsletters you should follow, I’ve rounded up some of
the most interesting and useful education-related newsletters you can use right
now. The list is not comprehensive but includes some under-the-radar
newsletters as well as some of the essential ones. Some may be familiar. A few
might be new to you and worth adding to your media diet.
https://kappanonline.org/education-newsletters-2020-connolly-russo/
Pennsylvania lawmakers begin advancing $11B budget
package
WITF by Marc Levy/The Associated Press NOVEMBER
19, 2020 | 5:56 PM UPDATED: NOVEMBER 19, 2020 | 8:04 PM
(Harrisburg) — Pennsylvania’s state
Legislature was set to begin voting Thursday on a roughly $11 billion
no-new-taxes spending package to carry state government through the rest of the
fiscal year and fill, for the moment, a multibillion-dollar deficit inflicted
by the pandemic.
The legislation emerged from closed-door
talks as lawmakers rush to wrap up their two-year session. The main
spending bill passed the House Appropriations Committee on a party-line basis,
in part reflecting Democrats’ unhappiness with how federal coronavirus relief
aid is being used. House and Senate floor votes on the legislation were
possible Friday.
https://www.witf.org/2020/11/19/pennsylvania-lawmakers-begin-advancing-11b-budget-package/
Blogger note: While it is not being labelled a “school code”
bill, this pending legislation sure looks one.
Regular Session 2019-2020 Senate Bill 1216
Short Title: An Act
amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School
Code of 1949, in preliminary provisions, further providing for Keystone Exams
and graduation requirements, for special provisions applicable to the Keystone
Exams, graduation requirements and alternative competency assessment and for Special
Education Funding Commission; in certification of teachers, further providing
for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels and duties of
department and providing for special provisions applicable to 2020-2021 school
year; in pupils and attendance, providing for nonpublic school transportation
for 2020-2021 school year; in terms and courses of study, further
providing for pandemic of 2020; and, in educational tax credits, further
providing for limitations.
Prime Sponsor: Senator LANGERHOLC
Last Action: Referred
to RULES,
Nov. 19, 2020 [House]
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2019&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=1216
Senate Dems reshuffle leadership ranks, promoting two
progressive women from the Philly ’burbs
PA Capital Star By Elizabeth Hardison November
19, 2020
(*This post was updated shortly after
publication on Thursday, 11/19/20 with comments from state Sens. Katie Muth and
Maria Collett.)
Two progressive freshman lawmakers broke into
leadership ranks in the state Senate Democrats on Thursday, beating out moderate
colleagues with many more years of Capitol experience.
Sens. Katie Muth and Maria Collett, who both
hail from the Philadelphia suburbs and were among a wave of Democratic women
elected to office in 2018, were chosen by their colleagues to serve as policy
chair and caucus secretary, respectively, when the General Assembly starts its
new legislative session in 2021. Both women are former healthcare
professionals, and will join the Senate’s minority leadership slate as the
General Assembly confronts the worsening COVID-19 pandemic.
Panther Valley looks at costs of cyber charters
Times News Online BY CHRIS REBER CREBER@TNONLINE.COM Published
November 19. 2020 12:15PM
Cyber charter schools are free for families,
but they cost their local school districts a lot of money. In Panther Valley,
officials say the growing number of families choosing cyber charters during the
pandemic is making a difficult budget situation even worse. “The commercials
are misleading. Cyber charter schools are not free,” school board member Renee
DeMelfi said. Panther Valley officials say that the district will have to pay
about $3.5 million in cyber charter tuition this year, 30 percent more than the
$2.45 million it cost the district in 2019-20. Under state law, when a student
chooses cyber charter education, their local district must pay the tuition. The
rates are set by the state. This year, Panther Valley must pay $8,505 per cyber
charter school student. If the student needs special education, that cost
climbs to $32,306. “Our taxes are going up every year because we’re losing
money to charter schools,” said Daniel Matika, President of the Panther Valley
school board.
https://www.tnonline.com/20201119/panther-valley-looks-at-costs-of-cyber-charters/
The coronavirus crisis has highlighted the value of cyber
charter schools | Opinion
Penn Live By David Taylor and Gail Hawkins
Bush Updated 3:24 PM; Today 2:50 PM
David Taylor and Gail Hawkins Bush are
members of the Board of Trustees of Reach Cyber Charter School.
Earlier this year, every school district in
Pennsylvania shifted to emergency online learning as part of the fight against
a global pandemic. School districts across the state continue to work
tirelessly in helping children in Pennsylvania learn effectively online through
fully-virtual or hybrid learning models.
However, many families continue to have mixed feelings for these
temporary models, leading them to seek out the option of cyber charter schools. Students
from kindergarten through high school have been learning and excelling in
public cyber charter schools for almost 20 years, and there is quite a
distinction between cyber charters and the emergency online learning that
brick-and-mortar schools have been adapting to since the spring. Cyber charter
schools are full-time online schools that are designed to educate virtually,
which means teachers, students, and parents connect in ways that don’t look
like in-person classrooms simply moved online.
‘We consider this a first victory’: Penn professors see
university gift as important step for funding Philadelphia schools
Chalkbeat Philly By Johann
Calhoun Updated Nov 19, 2020,
6:30pm EST
Professor Ann Farnsworth-Alvear hopes a $100
million donation over 10 years from the University of Pennsylvania to the
city’s school district will only be the beginning of a longer conversation
about how to properly fund schools. She along with other Penn professors and
staff had pushed for months for their university to pay up to $40 million
annually to the district. The money, known as payments-in-lieu-of-taxes, or
PILOTS, represents 40% of what the university would owe in property taxes if
not for its nonprofit status. “As a faculty member and a parent, I am glad to
see Penn recognizing its responsibility to the city’s children, and I am
optimistic that we will emerge from this 10-year window that with new clarity
about what is possible going forward,” said Farnsworth-Alvear, an associate
professor of history and Latin American and Latino studies. Penn’s gift is the
largest single private donation to the district ever. Amy C. Offner, an
associate professor in the department of history, said the money is “evidence
that mobilization by students, teachers, parents, city officials, and the Penn
community are moving our university in the right direction. We consider this a
first victory — but just a first step.”
Not all remote learning is created equal
WHYY Keystone Crossroads Air
Date: November 19, 2020 Listen 16:37
In this pandemic, every student is in a
different situation. Some schools have kept in-person classes, while others
have used a hybrid virtual model. Some districts, including Philadelphia,
have taken a look at rising COVID numbers and decided to stay fully online at
least through winter break. Education advocates worry about the effects
of virtual learning, especially on socialization and early literacy. But what
your child has access to depends on where you live, what you have time
for, and how much money is in your wallet. Keystone Crossroads reporters Miles
Bryan and Emily Rizzo have been spending time with families across the economic
spectrum who have been striving to help their kids get the most out of remote
learning. They say parents have been doing everything from creating learning pods lead by private tutors to
utilizing city-provided programs housed
in recreation centers — all evidence the pandemic is further exposing the
opportunity gaps between rich and poor students that have long existed.
https://whyy.org/episodes/not-all-remote-learning-is-created-equal/
Over $1 million in Career and Technical Education
equipment grants awarded to centers across state
NorthCentralPA.com by NCPA Staff November 20,
2020
Harrisburg, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Department
of Education (PDE) awarded nearly $1.2 million in competitive grants to 32
Career and Technical Centers (CTC) and Area Vocational Technical Education
Schools and two school districts, including multiple local locations. The
grants will be used to purchase of new equipment aligned to training students
in high-demand occupations. “The importance of industry-standard technology to
enhance career readiness is still a priority we at PDE continue to highlight
given the recent shift to learning models communities have had to endure,” said
Acting Secretary of Education Noe Ortega. “The Career and Technical Education
Equipment grants assist institutions in preparing their students to excel so
they can advance and prepare for the technical careers that await them.” Under
the program, the maximum grant is $50,000, and each grant must be matched
dollar-for-dollar from a local source which could include local school funds or
contributions from business and industry partners.
Montgomery County residents raise $10,000 to sue over
virtual school order
Miles Bryan/Keystone Crossroads NOVEMBER
19, 2020 | 4:20 PM
(Philadelphia) — Three Montgomery County
residents are suing to stop county officials from forcing all schools
there to move entirely online for two weeks. The county’s Board of Health voted
Nov. 13 to require all K-12 public and private school students to learn
virtually from Nov. 23 to Dec. 6, in order to slow the spread of the
coronavirus. The vote followed a contentious meeting a day
earlier when dozens of parents and residents spoke out against the idea. “What
you are proposing is causing irreparable damage to countless children and their
families,” Elizabeth Weir, a plaintiff in the lawsuit, said at the Nov. 12
meeting. “ And the callousness with which you are talking about it makes it
seem so simple to return to virtual learning … it is astounding in its
arrogance.” The plaintiffs also include Kaitlin Derstine and John Niehls, head
of the Coventry Christian Schools in Pottstown. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday,
hopes to have the decision invalidated by claiming that county officials
violated Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act by failing to provide 24 hours notice of
the Nov. 13 meeting.
PIAA supports state's new mask order, seeks more
information; OKs winter practice
Beaver County Times by Tom Reisenweber Erie
Times-News November 19, 2020
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic
Association voted to reaffirm the new mask order by the Pennsylvania Department
of Health on Wednesday, but the board did so while still seeking clarity about
the order. PIAA Executive Director Bob Lombardi said on Wednesday that the PIAA
reached out to Gov. Tom Wolf's office for clarification on the COVID-19
mitigation order regarding sports, but he received no feedback from the office.
The department of health announced the mask order Tuesday in response to
soaring cases of COVID statewide. The motion that was passed by the board said
that schools should consult with their respective solicitors when making
decisions on the mask mandate and if athletes are exempt. The mitigation order
says that athletes, coaches and officials must wear a mask while competing as
well as off the fields and courts. The order goes into effect Friday, which
means among the affected sports would be football teams competing in the
PIAA semifinals and soccer teams in the PIAA championships this weekend. There
is a list of exemptions to the rule, including safety and health issues
regarding the athletes.
Staff shortages, COVID-19 increases push State College
schools to remote classes
"Our team is predicting that our current
situation will only become worse during the two weeks after the Thanksgiving
break."
WITF by Anne Danahy/StateImpact
Pennsylvania NOVEMBER 20, 2020 | 5:28 AM
(State College) — The State College Area
School District is switching to entirely remote learning after Thanksgiving
through Dec. 14, as it faces staff absences due to COVID-19 and the expectation
of an increase in cases after Thanksgiving. The school district made the
announcement Thursday, saying it has reached a “tipping point.” “For weeks, we
have been struggling with staffing due to absences related to COVID-19 in
addition to usual illnesses,” the message from Superintendent Bob O’Donnell
reads.
Outbreaks, staffing shortages: How are Centre County
schools faring with COVID-19?
Centre Daily Times BY
MARLEY PARISH NOVEMBER 19, 2020 07:00 AM, UPDATED
NOVEMBER 19, 2020 10:58 AM
It’s been three months since Centre County schools
reopened and put their health and safety plans to the
test. Some districts have modified plans; others
have temporarily closed, and all
are encouraging caution as they try to stay open and maintain safety. Despite record-setting daily
increases in cases, Pennsylvania Secretary
of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said there are no plans to implement a second
statewide shutdown like the one that closed schools statewide this spring. But
during a press conference Tuesday, she said the state will be watching schools
and COVID-19 data “really closely.” “We have very specific guidance for K-12
schools in terms of whether they should be having classes in the classroom,
whether they should have maybe a hybrid model or if they should be in virtual
mode,” she said. State guidelines recommend that
schools in counties with a “substantial” amount of community transmission
— 10% or higher COVID-19 positivity rates — should consider teaching
under a fully remote educational model. Centre County’s most recent weekly
positivity rate is 8.4%. In order to continue
in-person instruction, Pennsylvania schools must adhere to strict health
guidelines and work to prevent in-school transmission. Although cases in Centre
County K-12 districts have been lower than originally anticipated, they have
not proven immune to the virus, and some are concerned about their ability to
keep students and teachers in classrooms.
https://www.centredaily.com/news/rebuild/article247235774.html#storylink=mainstage_card
Franklin County, Lebanon County, York….
School districts shutter buildings until after
Thanksgiving break as COVID runs rampant
Teresa Boeckel York Daily
Record November 19, 2020
School districts across central Pennsylvania
have been forced to temporarily close buildings as the number of coronavirus
cases continues to climb. For now, many students will be learning virtually
until in-person classes resume after the Thanksgiving break. "Pennsylvania
is experiencing our highest numbers of cases since the pandemic began,"
said Kendall Alexander, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Education. It
is essential that the public follow the mitigation efforts and that school
districts follow the instructional models recommended by the state Department
of Health and the state Department of Education, she said. Some districts,
including Central York, Southern
York and York Suburban, now
have dashboards posted online, sharing how many individuals have tested
positive for the virus and the number who are in quarantine. Supt. Stacey Sidle
of Northeastern School District in York County said the number of positive and
probable cases have fluctuated since school began. "As cases rise in the
community, it is inevitable that we will see increases within the
schools," she wrote in an email. "We have not seen transmission
within the school community — the cases we are seeing are the result of
outside exposures."
Manheim Twp. school board rejects plan to shift students
online through Jan. 18; administration proposes alternate schedule through Jan.
31
Lancaster Online by ALEX
GELI | Staff Writer November 20, 2020
The Manheim Township school board on Thursday
shot down a proposal that would have shifted all students online from Nov. 30
to Jan. 19 as a precaution against COVID-19. Instead, it handed authority back
over to the administration to decide how to handle instruction following the
Thanksgiving break. The administration, meanwhile, presented a plan that would
utilize a combination of in-person and remote instruction for the time between
Nov. 30 and Feb. 1. It all happened during a nearly six-hour meeting Thursday
night as residents, parents, teachers and students weighed in and school board
members argued whether in-person instruction was worth it with COVID-19 surging
across Lancaster County and within the district. The county shattered another
record for daily new COVID-19 cases Thursday with 368.
As of Thursday night, Manheim Township had
reported 71 total cases at its schools. That includes 34 active cases, 18 of
which are at the high school. There are also three active probable cases at the
district. As a result, all of the district’s schools were closed this week, and
students learned online. The district’s middle and high schools have been
closed since Nov. 11. The intermediate school closed Nov. 13.
More than 460 COVID-19 cases have been reported at
Lancaster County schools. Here's where they are [update]
Lancaster Online by ALEX
GELI | Staff Writer November 19, 2020
More than 460 cases of COVID-19 have been
reported at Lancaster County schools so far into the 2020-21 school year. The
cases come from 16 school districts, plus a brick-and-mortar charter school in
Lancaster city and the county's career and technology center. And that might
not be all.
Dallas, Northwest Area stick with hybrid plans
Citizen’s Voice BY MICHAEL P. BUFFER STAFF WRITER Nov 18,
2020
While most school districts in the area are
providing remote instruction due to the surge of COVID-19 cases in Luzerne
County, Dallas and Northwest Area are sticking with their hybrid plans that mix
online and remote instruction days for students. The Dallas and Northwest Area
school boards had meetings Wednesday, and the boards did not adjust their
instruction plans. The Dallas School Board also appointed a new member to fill
a vacant seat. “We’re all cognizant of the rise in cases,” Dallas
Superintendent Thomas Duffy said at Wednesday’s meeting. “This is something
that is discussed and analyzed hour by hour and even every day, and we have
from time to time shifted to an online format. ... But we agree we are
concerned, as is the community, about the increase in numbers. For now, we’re
going to remain in hybrid.”
New Kensington-Arnold immediately closing schools, cites
rise in covid-19
Trib Live BRIAN
C. RITTMEYER | Thursday,
November 19, 2020 7:10 p.m.
New Kensington-Arnold School District
announced Thursday it is immediately closing all district schools because of an
increase in local incidents of covid-19 transmission. All students will be
moved to fully remote instruction from Friday through next Wednesday, Nov. 25, according to acting Superintendent
Jon Banko. The district’s Thanksgiving break runs from Thursday, Nov. 26 through Monday, Nov.
30, according to the district calendar.
Lake-Lehman School District reports two more cases of
COVID-19
Wilkes Barre Times Leader By Mark
Guydish mguydish@timesleader.com November
19, 2020
LEHMAN TWP. — Lake-Lehman School District
reported two more cases of COVID-19 Thursday, one student from Ross Elementary
and another from the Junior/Senior High School. The text alert sent to parents
notes, as in previous cases, that the district is following state guidelines
and assisting with contact tracing, adding “we will advise if further action is
needed.” The district also announced an early dismissal Friday for Parent
Teacher conferences. The high school will dismiss at 12:15 p.m. and the
elementary schools will dismiss at 1 p.m. The district had sent out a text Wednesday
announcing a student from Lake-Noxen elementary had tested positive, but noted
the student “attends one of the virtual platforms.” The district has been
offering three options for students: Full in-person learning at the schools,
live online learning at home via the internet, or asynchronous learning through
the district’s cyber charter program.
Riverside, Abington Heights to shift to virtual
instruction after positive COVID-19 cases
Times Tribune BY SARAH HOFIUS HALL STAFF WRITER Nov 19,
2020 Updated 48 min ago
The Riverside and Abington Heights school
districts will move to virtual instruction today after learning of additional
coronavirus cases Thursday. A staff member at Riverside Junior-Senior High
School reported a positive COVID-19 test Thursday. The district had originally
reported a fourth grade student at Riverside Elementary East had tested
positive, but later learned the test was negative. Earlier this week, about 15
students began quarantining after a staff member at Riverside Elementary West
tested positive. Two additional employees must also quarantine.
East Penn’s Eyer Middle School closing after COVID cases
By MICHELLE MERLIN THE MORNING
CALL | NOV 19, 2020 AT 6:41 PM
Eyer Middle School is closed through
mid-December after district officials reported the fourth coronavirus case
associated with the school this month. Students will begin remote learning on
Nov. 20 and continue through Dec. 11. The East Penn School District this
week announced all schools
would be closed after Thanksgiving break and reopen on Dec. 14. In an email to
the community, Superintendent Kristen Campbell said the pre-preemptive closure
was intended to avoid a surge in coronavirus community transmission and to
ensure that in-person learning remains an option.
Fairview School District to transition to remote learning
beginning Monday
Erie Times-News November 19, 2020
The Fairview School District will transition
to remote learning beginning Monday because of increasing COVID-19 cases in
Erie County, Fairview School District Superintendent Erik Kincade
announced Thursday. The decision to move to remote learning affects about
1,800 students among Fairview High School, Fairview Middle School and
Fairview Elementary School.
Cumberland Valley High School going remote, sports shut
down
ABC27 by: Kayla Brown Posted: Nov
19, 2020 / 09:00 PM EST / Updated: Nov 20, 2020 / 07:02 AM EST
CUMBERLAND VALLEY, Pa. (WHTM) — On Thursday
Cumberland Valley High School (CVHS) announced they will be transitioning to
remote learning beginning Friday, Nov. 20 through Nov. 30. A student at CVHS
tested positive for COVID-19 and was last present in the school on Nov. 13. This
closure will allow for adequate contact tracing of any and all close contacts
pertaining to this case, as well as a thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the
building.
School sports will be shut down until Dec. 1
for the school.
Shikellamy High School going virtual after new positive
COVID-19 case
The Daily Item November 19, 2020
SUNBURY — The Shikellamy High School
will close its doors until Dec. 1 after Superintendent Jason Bendle said the
district was informed of another COVID-19 case at the school. Bendle said since
the district has had four cases in the building over a 14-day period, the
state Department of Health has advised the district to close the high school.
Shamokin Area latest district to shift to remote learning
The Daily Item November 19, 2020
Superintendent Chris Venna announced today that
Shamokin Area School District will temporarily shift to remote instruction
districtwide for two weeks beginning Monday. All district students receive
remote instruction from Monday through Dec. 4. Venna cited a rise in confirmed
positive cases of COVID-19 within the district and community at large.
Jersey Shore Area School District goes remote due to
COVID-19, lack of staff
NorthCentralPA.com by NCPA Staff November
19,, 2020
Jersey Shore, Pa. – The Jersey Shore Area
School District announced it would be moving all schools to remote learning
starting tomorrow. The decision was not because of a large exposure of
COVID-19, but due to a lack of staff, according to the statement by
Superintendent of the Jersery Shore School District Brian Ulmer.
Charter school closed through Thanksgiving break
Times Observer by JOSH COTTON Staff Reporter jcotton@timesobserver.com
NOV 20, 2020
Tidioute Community Charter School will remain
closed for in-person instruction through the Thanksgiving holiday. Last week,
school officials announced a three day closure in response to a positive
COVID-19 test. Students have shifted to a remote learning model.
Goodbye, Betsy: Speculation Increases Over The Next
Education Secretary
The appointee would take over during a time
of unprecedented upheaval in schools.
HuffPost By Rebecca
Klein November 19, 2020
Democrats in the
education world are ready to say goodbye to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos,
but divides within the party about who should replace her fall along familiar
lines. On one side, labor leaders like Randi Weingarten and
Lily Eskelsen García are garnering attention. On the
other, leaders and stakeholders who have historically clashed with labor are
pushing district superintendents with experience overseeing major systems
containing both traditional public schools and nonunionized charter schools.
Tim Shriver, chairman of the board of the Special Olympics and a member of the
Kennedy family, has also made clear to the Biden team that he is interested in
the role, a source close to him tells HuffPost. While most education groups
stood united against DeVos, the current fault lines are a reminder of existing
divisions in the Democratic Party around issues of education reform and school
accountability.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/betsy-devos-next-education-secretary_n_5fb6820cc5b66cd4ad4264e6
How Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Will Be Remembered
NPR by CORY
TURNER November 19, 20205:00 AM ET
What to make of the tenure of U.S. Education
Secretary Betsy DeVos depends, like Beauty itself, on the eye of the beholder. To
the president who asked her to run the Department of Education, she was a loyal
lieutenant who argued for
her department's irrelevance in a nation where control of schools is a local
affair — that is, until she argued the opposite, at the president's urging,
and threatened schools with a
loss of federal funding if they refused to reopen mid-pandemic. To Christian
conservatives, she was a hero who once proclaimed, "I
fight against anyone who would have government be the parent to everyone."
DeVos used her bully pulpit to champion religious education, push for school
choice and help private schools in financial turmoil. To her critics, including
the nation's teachers unions, she was a stone-cold villain who famously
suggested guns belong in some schools (to fend off bears), who needed the vice president's vote to
survive confirmation and who spent four years disparaging American public
education. Whatever view you take of Secretary DeVos, here's a look back at the
facts of her achievements and how likely they are to survive the next secretary.
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.
Resolution
for charter funding reform (pdf)
Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA
332 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions
Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 300 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.
https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/
Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then
Call for Charter Change!
PSBA Charter Change Website:
https://www.pacharterchange.org/
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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