Keystone State Education Coalition

Established in 2006, the Keystone State Education Coalition is a growing grass roots, non-partisan public education advocacy group of several hundred locally elected, volunteer school board members and administrators from school districts throughout Pennsylvania. Our mission is to evaluate, discuss and inform our boards, district constituents and legislators on legislative issues of common interest and to facilitate active engagement in public education advocacy.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

PA Ed Policy Roundup for February 5, 2014: Statewide coverage and reactions to Governor’s budget address

Daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now reach more than 3100 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors, administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher leaders, 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 and Twitter

These daily emails are archived and searchable at http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org

Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition

Follow us on Twitter at @lfeinberg

The Keystone State Education Coalition is pleased to be listed among the friends and allies of The Network for Public Education. Are you a member?

Will you be tweeting about the PA budget? Use the #EducationPA and #PABudget hashtags together.

Keystone State Education Coalition

Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup for February 5, 2014:

Statewide coverage and reactions to Governor’s budget address

Governor Corbett’s Budget Increases Funding for Education by $387 Million; New Initiatives to Raise Student Achievement
PDE Press Release February 04, 2014
Harrisburg – Gov. Tom Corbett today unveiled his 2014-15 state budget that invests $12.01 billion in state funding for students in Pennsylvania’s early, basic and postsecondary education systems. This is an increase of $387 million, or 3.3 percent, over last year’s budget.

“Every child in this state should be ready to learn, ready to grow and ready to succeed,” Corbett said. “At every level, from early childhood to high school and beyond, every dollar we spend is an investment in the future of our commonwealth.”

Since 2011, Corbett’s Ready to Learn education agenda has transformed the state’s education system. Through targeted initiatives, Corbett has increased accountability and transparency of public schools, infused stronger educational resources into classrooms and focused financial resources on supporting all students. As a result of these strategic investments, Pennsylvania’s students are Ready to Learn, Ready to Grow and Ready to Succeed as they prepare to enter the 21st century global economy.

“Last year, school districts got $100 million to fund preschools, full-day kindergarten and other programs under the Accountability Block Grant program. That amount will still be available.

But almost all of the new funding under the renamed grant would be limited to helping third-graders read on grade level; growing science, technology, engineering and math programs; and providing tutoring to struggling students. The final $1 million would be used as competitive grant funds for high-achieving schools to analyze and publish best practices that increase student achievement.”

Corbett gives schools more money — but with strings attached

School districts would have to use the $386 million increase on Gov. Corbett's initiatives.

By Adam Clark and Jacqueline Palochko, Of The Morning Call 9:05 p.m. EST, February 4, 2014

Gov. Tom Corbett wants to spend $386 million more on education in 2014-15 but is attaching strings on the way school districts can use the money. Corbett's budget, announced Tuesday, calls for increasing education spending to $11.9 billion, an amount that represents more than 40 percent of the state budget. The additional money comes in the form of a $241 million increase for the newly named Ready to Learn Block Grant, a new $25 million college scholarship fund, a $20 million increase in special education funding and $10 million more for early education, among other initiatives. Meanwhile, the proposed basic education subsidy for public schools is flat, as is funding for the state-owned and state-related universities.

"It was his best budget speech yet," said one of them, Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware. "I think he realized the importance of support for investments in education."

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett calls for additional $400 million for education in 2014-15

Extra spending relies, in part, on reducing state's and school districts' pension payments for employees, and one-time revenue shots.

By Steve Esack, Call Harrisburg Bureau 9:28 p.m. EST, February 4, 2014

HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Corbett, stung repeatedly in polls over his previous education cuts, proposed $1 billion in new spending Tuesday. And public schools are going to get a big chunk of it. Corbett's election-year budget totals $29.4 billion for 2014-15, a 3.5 percent increase over this fiscal year. It's the biggest proposed increase since the Republican took office in January 2011.

Polls show education remains a weakness as Corbett preps for re-election. Some voters blame him for thousands of layoffs and program cuts in public schools and universities after state and federal education funding was reduced in 2011-12. Whether he finds firmer footing by the Nov. 4 election depends partly on whether the GOP leaders who run the Legislature back his priorities during a budget debate that runs through June

Gov. Corbett proposes $29.4 billion state budget; suggests pension savings, new money for education

By Karen Langley and Kate Giammarise / Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau February 4, 2014 11:23 PM

HARRISBURG -- After earlier proposals of spare budgets, Gov. Tom Corbett on Tuesday put forward a more generous plan for state government -- with a new $240 million grant program for K-12 education, an area of political liability -- as he heads into a re-election battle.

Along with the Ready to Learn block grant program, which schools could use for curriculum development or teacher training, the governor proposed a $25 million scholarship fund for college students from middle-income families, funding to provide services for 1,200 people with intellectual disabilities and the first increase to special education funding in six years.

Corbett budget increases overall funding for public schools: Pa. budget 2014

By Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com on February 04, 2014 at 11:30 AM,

At a glance: Public schools would see a $20 million increase in special education, the first increase in six years. Their basic education subsidy would remain unchanged at $5.5 billion.

Gov. Tom Corbett's budget proposal creates a new $241 million block grant program that would supplement the existing $100 million accountability block grant program to improve student performance. It also establishes a $10 million competitive grant program to fund programs that combine traditional and digital learning and a $1 million one to encourage high-achieving schools to analyze and publish their best practices to share with other schools.

Overall, the Department of Education budget for preK through higher education is rising 4 percent, to $14.1 billion.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/02/corbett_budget_increases_overa.html

Would-be Democrat rivals pan Corbett budget speech

Lancaster Online by Associated Press Posted: Tuesday, February 4, 2014 6:35 pm | Updated: 12:03 am, Wed Feb 5, 2014.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Corbett may be trying to broaden his appeal to voters with his latest budget plan, but Democrats hoping to unseat him say it didn't change their minds.

Corbett presented lawmakers with a $29.4 billion proposal on Tuesday that would increase funding for schools and social services. Cuts to those areas helped balance his first two budgets.

Five candidates for the Democratic nomination — John Hanger, Rob McCord, Katie McGinty, Allyson Schwartz and Tom Wolf — said the proposal won't make up the loss from Corbett's $1 billion-plus cut in education spending in 2011. "He seems to be recognizing the overwhelming clarion call to do something more for public education," said McCord, the state treasurer, calling the latest proposals "too little too late."

http://lancasteronline.com/news/pennsylvania/would-be-democrat-rivals-pan-corbett-budget-speech/article_2b490c82-ee73-5699-b4f7-55f3ad4e8668.html

Corbett's 4th budget takes risks to boost spending

Lancaster Online by Associated Press Posted: Tuesday, February 4, 2014 7:35 pm | Updated: 8:04 pm, Tue Feb 4, 2014.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Robust tax collections, new sources of cash and delayed pension and health care payments would help pour hundreds of millions of additional dollars into education and social services under the spending plan Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett presented to lawmakers Tuesday. For Corbett, a Republican facing a tough re-election battle after balancing his first two budgets with cuts to public schools and social services, it's a turnaround that will require some crafty, and perhaps risky, moves to accomplish.

http://lancasteronline.com/news/pennsylvania/corbett-s-th-budget-takes-risks-to-boost-spending/article_942443d4-0579-5e73-bdd2-85039121ce24.html

Mixed reviews on Corbett's school-funding increase

KATHY BOCCELLA, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER LAST UPDATED: Wednesday, February 5, 2014, 1:08 AM POSTED: Tuesday, February 4, 2014, 7:18 PM

The $400 million boost to public education that Gov. Corbett proposed Tuesday drew swipes from critics who said the gains would come through targeted programs that favored wealthier districts and would not make up for years of budget cuts. Others, including local educators, welcomed any increase in state aid. "If everything falls in place, it would be pretty good for our district," said Upper Darby Superintendent Richard Dunlap, whose district stands to get an additional $2.1 million, enough to cut a looming 5.5 percent tax increase almost in half.

Joe Watkins, the state receiver in the Chester Upland district, said he believed his district might net $700,000 more next year. "We'll be doing a little better," he said, "and we're grateful for it."

Corbett budgets $29 million more for Phila. schools; SRC nominees approved

KRISTEN A. GRAHAM AND MARTHA WOODALL, INQUIRER STAFF WRITERS LAST UPDATED: Wednesday, February 5, 2014, 1:08 AM POSTED: Tuesday, February 4, 2014, 6:09 PM

Philadelphia got two new school reform commissioners Tuesday, and news that Gov. Corbett is proposing $29 million in new money for city schools. The infusion comes through a new "Ready to Learn" grant that comes with some strings - better-performing districts have more choices on what to spend the funds on, while struggling systems such as Philadelphia's will have fewer options. The beleaguered district needs any money it can get, but the new funds will not fill the hole of more than $100 million created by nonrecurring money in this year's spending plan.

Education a focus of Gov. Corbett's budget address; plan includes funding boost

The notebook by Paul Socolar on Feb 04 2014 Posted in Latest news

Gov. Corbett devoted nearly one-fourth of his annual budget address to education issues, proposing a total commitment of $10.1 billion to public education spending in the fiscal year starting July 1, a boost of 3.8 percent.

A budget summary from the state Department of Education shows that the total allocation represents an increase of $369 million in funding for public schools.

http://thenotebook.org/blog/146878/education-major-focus-gov-corbetts-budget-address

Corbett's fourth budget has a different purpose from his first: column

By Robert J. Vickers | rvickers@pennlive.com on February 04, 2014 at 5:34 PM

The transformation from year one of a governor’s budget to year four is something to behold.

Like political cicadas, the first year spending plans of governors and other elected chief executives look one way in their first term, but often morph markedly in the term’s final year.

“The first year budget is a vision … which lays out the brand new governor’s vision for Pennsylvania within the confines of fiscal responsibility,” said Steve Crawford, a Harrisburg lobbyist and former chief of staff to former Gov. Ed Rendell.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/02/corbetts_fourth_budget_has_a_d.html

Pa. Dems rebuff Corbett budget plan, calling it full of 'gimmicks'

WHYY Newsworks BY MARY WILSON FEBRUARY 4, 2014

Gov. Tom Corbett's $29.4 billion Pennsylvania budget plan is being criticized by Democrats as too little, too late. The governor says his plan to boost state spending by more than 3 percent signals a change for the better in Pennsylvania's fiscal situation. But Democrats see a cynical election-year ploy, dependent on revenue from one-time sources or incomplete plans.

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/64604-pa-dems-dismiss-corbett-budget-plan-as-full-of-gimmicks?linktype=hp_topstory

Corbett outlines big new school grant program

Education Week Published Online: February 4, 2014

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Corbett says a new block grant program he wants to create for public schools is designed to ensure that children read and do math at grade level by the third grade. The Republican governor unveiled the details of the grant program Tuesday during his budget address to lawmakers Tuesday.

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/02/04/673392ppennsylvaniabudget_ap.html

Five takeaways from Democrats response to Corbett's Pa. budget

By Jeff Frantz | jfrantz@pennlive.com
on February 04, 2014 at 3:01 PM, updated February 04, 2014 at 3:33 PM

Soon after Gov. Tom Corbett finished delivering his budget address, the state's Democratic leaders offered their response. Here are five takeaways:

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/02/tom_corbett_pennsylvania_state_2.html

Education advocates waiting for specifics on Corbett spending plan

thenotebook by NewsWorks Staff on Feb 04 2014 (audio runtime 3:30)

Education saw the largest boost in spending in Gov. Corbett's budget proposal. He is seeking additional funding for special education programs, early learning grants, and higher education scholarships. But the big increase proposed is not for the state's main pot of funding for schools, but for a block grant program called "Ready to Learn." NewsWorks Tonight host Dave Heller discussed the governor's education spending priorities with Susan Gobreski, executive director of Education Voters of Pennsylvania.

http://thenotebook.org/blog/146882/education-advocates-waiting-specifics-corbett-spending-plan

“Teachers and other professionals at STAR schools receive bonuses of up to $6,000 each. Paraprofessionals and technical-clerical workers represented by the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers receive bonuses of as much as $2,000. In all, 143 staff members are sharing $524,570 in bonuses, 70 percent of which is paid for by a federal grant.”

Three Pittsburgh schools named STARs for high scores

Achievements yield big bonuses to teachers

By Eleanor Chute / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette February 4, 2014 11:24 PM

Fourth-grader Olivia Russell thinks it's "awesome" her school, Pittsburgh Whittier K-5 on Mount Washington, has been named a STAR school for the second year in a row, one of only three schools districtwide honored for academic growth. "It's actually cool you have a little title, and it's fun to have that," she said. Announced Tuesday, all three schools -- Whittier, Sunnyside PreK-8 in Stanton Heights and Conroy, a North Side school serving special needs children -- have earned STAR status in each of the first two years of the program.

“Another striking fact from the District's charter enrollment report is that more than 30 of the city's charters -- including many of the charters that boast high test scores -- have enrollments substantially below their enrollment caps. In all, the city's underenrolled charters could take in 8,000 more students if they were to fill up to their authorized limit.”

City's charter enrollment surpasses 67,000; many charters exceed enrollment caps

The notebook by Paul Socolar on Feb 04 2014 Posted in Latest news

New data released by the School District on Tuesday show that charter enrollment in Philadelphia has swelled to 67,315 students, which is more than one-third of all K-12 students in public schools. More than 1,500 of those students are enrolled in excess of enrollment caps for individual schools. Twenty charters are 10 or more students over their enrollment caps.

Four charters have more than 100 students in excess of their caps, led by Walter D. Palmer Leadership Learning Partners Charter, where the District reports an enrollment of 1,302 despite an enrollment cap of 675. The District has attempted to make those caps enforceable by writing them into its charter agreements. But this has not prevented the state from paying some charters directly for students enrolled in excess of the caps.

http://thenotebook.org/blog/146880/citys-charter-enrollment-swells-67000-many-charters-exceed-enrollment-caps

“Pennsylvania can’t tell schools in other states what to do, so there’s a role for Congress here, too. U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., is among those working on a bill requiring all schools to do background checks that will keep predators from sliding into new jobs working with children.”

It's too easy for schools to put kids at risk by "passing the trash": PennLive Editorial

By PennLive Editorial Board on February 04, 2014 at 10:15 AM

Susquehanna Township School District’s ill-fated decision to hire administrator Shawn Sharkey, now accused of repeatedly having sex with a student, shows how important it is for school districts to know as much as possible about employees they hire.

Sharkey’s prior record at the Philadelphia School District didn’t include any improprieties with students. However, his file there “contained important information which, if known, might have caused the Susquehanna Township School District not to hire him,” according to Friday’s report from a Dauphin County grand jury investigation. Sharkey got lousy grades in college and in Philadelphia was so laggard in obtaining his required professional certification that he risked termination.

http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/02/require_school_background_checks_to_uncover_repeat_sexual_offenders.html#incart_river

Reps. Schock, Meehan, and Kind Honored by School Board Members

NSBA Press Release February 3, 2014

Washington (Feb. 3, 2014) – U.S. House of Representatives members, Aaron Schock of Illinois, Patrick Meehan of Pennsylvania, and Ron Kind of Wisconsin, were honored this afternoon with the Congressional Special Recognition Award, given by the National School Boards Association (NSBA) for their strong support for public education.

Schock, Meehan, and Kind worked together to introduce and promote the Local School Board Governance and Flexibility Act, HR 1386, which would better establish local school boards’ authority and curb overreach by the U.S. Department of Education on issues that impact local school districts unless specifically authorized in federal legislation. Provisions of the bill were approved as an amendment to the House version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), HR 5, which passed the House last summer.

- See more at: http://www.nsba.org/Newsroom/Press-Releases/2014/Reps-Schock-Meehan-and-Kind-Honored-by-School-Board-Members.html#sthash.MNofnRvZ.dpuf

In New York, A Call to Ignore Exam Results When Evaluating Educators

New York Times By AL BAKER FEB. 4, 2014

A year after a switch to new standardized tests for public school students caused passing rates to plummet, leaders of both political parties in the New York Legislature on Tuesday called on the state to back away from plans to use those exams to grade teachers.

In synchronized statements, Democratic leaders of the State Assembly joined Republicans in the State Senate to propose that the tests, which are aligned with the new curriculum standards known as the Common Core, be excluded, for now, from the state’s new teacher evaluation system, which Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed into law in 2012.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/05/nyregion/a-call-to-ignore-exam-results-when-evaluating-educators.html?ref=education&_r=0

Have you considered signing this petition yet?

PENNSYLVANIA PROPERTY TAX PAYERS: OPPOSE PROPOSED SB1085 CHARTER SCHOOL LAW REFORM

Petition by Denise Kurnas

To be delivered to The Pennsylvania State House, The Pennsylvania State Senate, and Governor Tom Corbett

This petition is designed to keep charter school oversight in local district control instead of allowing other entities or the Pennsylvania Department of Education to spend our property tax dollars without input from our locally elected school board officials.

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/pennsylvania-property

Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center 2014 Pennsylvania Budget Summit

Harrisburg Hilton Thu, Feb 20, 2014 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center will host its Annual Budget Summit on Thursday, February 20th to provide an in-depth look at the Governor's spending plan and an update on the federal budget — and what it all means for communities and families across Pennsylvania.

As in previous years, the Budget Summit will be at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Harrisburg.

Additional information, agendas, and workshops will be posted in the new year.

http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/6751/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=69456

Register Now! EPLC’s Education Policy Forums on Governor Corbett’s 2014-2015 State Budget Proposal for Education

The next EPLC education policy forums will be held on the following days and in the following locations. These forums will take place shortly after Governor Corbett’s February 4th presentation of his proposed 2014-15 state budget and will focus on his plans for education.

Thursday, February 13, 2014 – Pittsburgh, PA

Monday, February 24, 2014 – Philadelphia, PA

Wednesday, February 26, 2014 – State College, PA

Thursday, February 27, 2014– Harrisburg, PA

Space is limited for each event and an RSVP is required. Anyone wishing to receive an invitation should inquire by contacting The Education Policy and Leadership Center at staff@eplc.org or 717-260-9900.

PSBA White Paper: The costs of charter and cyber charter schools

Updated January 2014

Research and policy implications for Pennsylvania school districts

White Paper by PSBA’s Education research & Policy Center

This week PSBA’s Education Research and Policy Center issued an update to its charter school funding white paper this week, originally published in October 2010. The net cost to districts for students attending charter schools increased from $434 million in 2006-07 to $1.145 billion in 2011-12. The financial analysis indicates the need for several changes to the current charter law related to funding.

http://www.psba.org/issues-advocacy/issues-research/research-resource-center/Charter_School_Funding-White-Paper_Update_2014.pdf

Register Now! EPLC’s 2014 Education Issues Workshops for Legislative Candidates, Campaign Staff, and Interested Voters

EPLC’s Education Issue Workshops Register Now! – Space is Limited!
A Non-Partisan One-Day Program for Pennsylvania Legislative Candidates, Campaign Staff and Interested Voters

Tuesday, February 25, 2014 in Harrisburg, PA
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 in Monroeville, PA
Thursday, March 27, 2014 in Philadelphia,PA

http://www.eplc.org/2014/01/register-now-eplcs-education-issues-workshop-for-legislative-candidates-campaign-staff-and-interested-voters/

RESCHEDULED: PDE chief Dumaresq LIVE budget presentation, PSBA Conference Center; new date Feb. 13

PSBA website Feb 4, 2014

Acting Secretary of Education Carolyn Dumaresq will be at the PSBA Conference Center on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2:30 p.m. to present a special state budget overview. The program has been rescheduled in advance of anticipated severe weather conditions. Find out how the proposals of the fiscal year 2014-15 Pennsylvania budget impact your school district the day after the governor delivers his address to the General Assembly. Secretary Dumaresq will review the governor's plan and answer your questions. In addition to the live presentation, members across the state also can participate through streaming media on their computers.

To register for the LIVE event, Thu., Feb. 13, 2:30 p.m., at the PSBA Conference Center, Mechanicsburg: https://www.psba.org/workshops/register/?workshop=150

To register for the WEB event: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7884287076736574210

- See more at: http://www.psba.org/news-publications/headlines/details.asp?id=6842#sthash.EhFhjsIb.dpuf

Auditor General DePasquale to Hold Public Meetings on Ways to Improve Charter Schools

Seeks to find ways to improve accountability, effectiveness, transparency

The public meetings will be held:

Allegheny County: 1 to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 25, Commissioners Hearing Room, Ross Township Municipal Center, 1000 Ross Municipal Rd., Pittsburgh
Northampton County: 1 to 3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 27, City Council Chambers, 6th Floor, City Hall, One South Third St., Easton
Cambria County: 1 to 3 p.m., Thursday, March 6, Commissioners Meeting Room, Cambria County Court House, 200 South Center St., Ebensburg
Bucks County: 1 to 3 p.m., Friday, March 7, Township of Falls Administrative Building, Suite 100, 188 Lincoln Highway, Fairless Hills
NEW: Philadelphia: 1 to 3 p.m., Friday, March 14, City Council Chambers, Room 400, City Hall

Time is limited to two hours for each meeting. Comments can be submitted in writing by Wednesday, Feb. 19, via email to Susan Woods at: swoods@auditorgen.state.pa.us.

http://www.auditorgen.state.pa.us/Department/Press/PRPublicMeetings01152014.html

2014 PA Gubernatorial Candidate Plans for Education and Arts/Culture in PA

Education Policy and Leadership Center

Below is an alphabetical list of the 2014 Gubernatorial Candidates and links to information about their plans, if elected, for education and arts/culture in Pennsylvania. This list will be updated, as more information becomes available.

http://www.eplc.org/2014-gubernatorial-candidate-plans-for-education-and-artsculture-in-pa/

The Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools invites you to a screening and discussion of "Standardized: Lies, Money, and Civil Rights".

Thursday, February 6 - 6:00 p.m.Ritz East - 125 S. 2nd St. Philadelphia, PA

There will be a discussion after the film. Special Guests: - Mark Naison Professor of History and Chair of African and African-American Studies, Fordham University; author of Pure Bronx. He is the founder of the national Badass Teachers Association. Jim Horn Founder of the Schools Matter blog. He is author of "The Mismeasure of Education".
Tickets are $9.00 and can be purchased at Rockfish Productions.
https://sites.google.com/site/rockfishproductions/Films/standardized-lies-money-civil-rights/screenings-for-standardizedOnline is recommended because if it sells out there may not be tickets available at the door.
The trailer for the film https://sites.google.com/site/rockfishproductions/standardized-background-info

NPE National Conference 2014

The Network for Public Education

The Network for Public Education is pleased to announce our first National Conference. The event will take place on March 1 & 2, 2014 (the weekend prior to the world-famous South by Southwest Festival) at The University of Texas at Austin. At the NPE National Conference 2014, there will be panel discussions, workshops, and a keynote address by Diane Ravitch. NPE Board members – including Anthony Cody, Leonie Haimson, and Julian Vasquez Heilig – will lead discussions along with some of the important voices of our movement.

Details and registration here: http://www.networkforpubliceducation.com/conference/

The National School Boards Association 74^th Annual Conference & Exposition April 5-7, 2014 New Orleans

The National School Boards Association 74^th Annual Conference & Exposition will be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA. Our first time back in New Orleans since the spring of 2002!

General Session speakers include education advocates Thomas L. Friedman, Sir Ken Robinson, as well as education innovators Nikhil Goyal and Angela Maiers.

We have more than 200 sessions planned! Colleagues from across the country will present workshops on key topics with strategies and ideas to help your district. View our Conference Brochure for highlights on sessions and focus presentations.

· Register now! – Register for both the conference and housing using our online system.

· Conference Information– Visit the NSBA conference website for up-to-date information

· Hotel List and Map - Official NSBA Housing Block

· Exposition Campus – View new products and services and interactive trade show floor

Questions? Contact NSBA at 800-950-6722 (NSBA) between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST.

Join the National School Boards Action Center Friends of Public Education

Participate in a voluntary network to urge your U.S. Representatives and Senators to support federal legislation on Capitol Hill that is critical to providing high quality education to

America

’s schoolchildren

http://nsbac.org/?page_id=1873

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

PA Ed Policy Roundup for February 4, 2014: Watch the Governor’s budget address live at 11:30 am this morning

These daily emails are archived and searchable at http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org

Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition

Follow us on Twitter at @lfeinberg

The Keystone State Education Coalition is pleased to be listed among the friends and allies of The Network for Public Education. Are you a member?

Will you be tweeting about the PA budget? Use the #EducationPA and #PABudget hashtags together.

Keystone State Education Coalition

Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup for February 4, 2014:

Watch the Governor’s budget address live at 11:30 am this morning

Governor Tom Corbett’s 2014 – 2015 Budget Address

Tuesday, February 4^th, 2014 11:30 a.m.

Watch live at: governor.pa.gov/live

“He is expected to ask state legislators spend $340 million more for public schools, $20 million more for special education and more money for higher education on top of the extra $10 million he has already said he wants for preschool.”

Expectations are high for Corbett's budget address

Lancaster Online By KAREN SHUEY | Staff Writer Posted: Monday, February 3, 2014 2:09 pm | Updated: 8:01 pm, Mon Feb 3, 2014.

Pennsylvania is facing significant financial challenges this year.

But, despite the gloomy forecast, many are expecting Gov. Tom Corbett to unveil a generous budget proposal Tuesday when he stands before the General Assembly. The first-term Republican — who is running for reelection this year amid low approval ratings — is rumored to propose his biggest funding increases ever to make up for unpopular cuts to education and human services. All eyes will be focused on Corbett as he lays out his policy priorities for the 2014 spending plan in his fourth state budget proposal. The speech comes at an important time as the governor tries to get the items on his agenda passed before voters head to the polls this fall to decide whether he will get a second term.

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/expectations-are-high-for-corbett-s-budget-address/article_c41b1aba-8d06-11e3-9180-001a4bcf6878.html

“Mr. Corbett also will propose adding $20 million to a base of special education funding that has remained level, at $1.026 billion, for six years, Mr. Pagni said. The governor will call for basic education funding, which makes up the bulk of state money for K-12 schools, to remain at the current level of $5.5 billion.”

Corbett budget plan raises special ed funding

Governor also will seek scholarships, teacher training

By Karen Langley / Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau February 4, 2014 12:01 AM

HARRISBURG -- Gov. Tom Corbett today will call for new funding for special education, scholarships for higher education, teacher training and curriculum in a final budget proposal before he faces re-election. The governor will propose creating a $240 million block grant, called Ready to Learn, that would be available to schools to train teachers and develop curriculum, though not to pay teacher salaries, said Jay Pagni, press secretary for Mr. Corbett. He described the money as "highly targeted, results-oriented, performance-based funding." High-performing schools would have a greater range of options for using the grant.

Corbett's 2014-15 budget address set for this morning

By Steve Esack, Call Harrisburg Bureau 5:29 a.m. EST, February 4, 2014

HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Corbett, up for re-election amid record-low approval ratings, is scheduled to give his annual budget address at 11:30 a.m. before the Legislature.

In his third budget since taking office in 2011, Corbett is expected to call for at least $100 million more for public schools, $20 million more for special education, and more money for higher education on top of the extra $10 million he has already said he wants for preschool in 2014-15.

In human services, Corbett has advocated for $22 million more for programs that aid intellectually disabled adults and $2 million more for rape crisis and domestic-violence prevention.

DN Editorial: IS HE LEARNING?: Corbett shows some signs of acknowledging education's

Philly Daily News POSTED: Tuesday, February 4, 2014, 3:01 AM

FIRST, the good news: Today's budget address by Gov. Corbett is expected to include $10 million in additional money to expand early-childhood education.

Study after study shows that funding early education, like pre-kindergarten, all-day kindergarten and Head Start, is a wise investment, especially for low-income kids. A child who has attended pre-K gets an important foundation that more privileged kids get as a matter of course, and that child is more likely to graduate from high school and to be employed, and less likely to wind up in juvenile court. Children who can take advantage of early education make important gains in literacy, language, math and science.

State Senate expected to vote Tuesday on SRC nominations

Gov. Tom Corbett nominated Farah Jimenez and Councilman Bill Green to the Philadelphia School Reform Commission.

MARTHA WOODALL, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER LAST UPDATED: Tuesday, February 4, 2014, 1:08 AM POSTED: Monday, February 3, 2014, 6:17 PM

Harrisburg will be focused on Gov. Corbett's budget address Tuesday, but the state Senate has set aside time to handle another item of business. The Republican leadership will ask the Senate to vote to approve the governor's two nominees to the Philadelphia School Reform Commission without public comment.

Corbett raised nearly $7 million in re-election bid

By Steve Esack and Scott Kraus, Call Harrisburg Bureau 5:57 pm, February 3, 2014

HARRISBURG — Tom Corbett's fellow Republican governors have his back in his quest for a second term. He's going to need them. The Republican Governors Association — a Washington, D.C., political advocacy group — gave Corbett's campaign $210,028, one of its largest donations, to help push his fundraising total to nearly $7 million in 2013, according to campaign finance reports filed Friday in Harrisburg. That was not the largest donation the campaign received in 2013, but it is one more indication national interests could play an increasingly important role in the outcome of Pennsylvania's closely watched 2014 gubernatorial election. No other incumbent governor has gone into re-election with approval ratings as low as Corbett's, triggering a rush of Democrats looking to unseat him — and angst among Republicans looking to put a damper on Democrats' hopes.

http://touch.mcall.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-79154629/

Cash or credit? PA facing $600 million in new pension costs

PA Independent By Eric Boehm / February 3, 2014

Gov. Tom Corbett will lay out his plans for next year’s state budget Tuesday morning in Harrisburg, with a $2 billion elephant in the room. That’s how much — about $1 out of every $15 the state plans to spend — Pennsylvaniahas to pay the State Employees Retirement System, or SERS, and the Public School Employees Retirement System, or PSERS, in the 2014-15 budget. It’s a $600 million increase from the current year, with larger increases due in the next few budgets.

http://watchdog.org/126888/pennsylvania-pension-corbett/

Pittsburgh City board urged to reject 3 charter schools

Staff makes recommendations ahead of Feb. 26 vote

By Lexi Belculfine / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette February 3, 2014 11:40 PM

Pittsburgh Public Schools staff on Monday recommended that the school board reject three charter school applications. The board will vote at its Feb. 26 legislative meeting on the proposed Homewood Children's Village Collegiate Charter School Community Campus, Provident Charter School for Children with Dyslexia, and Robert L. Vann Charter School. Superintendent Linda Lane said the vote usually reflects the staff's recommendation. Teams of staff members reviewed the proposals, a public hearing on the charter schools was held Dec. 16 and applicants were interviewed in January.

Three proposed Pittsburgh charter schools get negative reviews

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review By Michael Hasch Monday, Feb. 3, 2014, 7:39 p.m.
The Pittsburgh Public Schools charter school review team recommended Monday that the school board deny three charter school applications. The review team recommended that applications be denied for the Homewood Children's Village Collegiate Charter School, the Provident Charter School for Children with Dyslexia and the Robert L. Vann Charter School. A lack of curriculum, a plan for meeting the needs of all students and the inability to provide expanded educational options beyond those available in the Pittsburgh Public Schools prompted the recommendations.

Governor Tom Corbett Deserves an F for Public Education Funding

Lower Macungie Patch Posted by Mark Spengler , February 03, 2014 at 05:34 PM

The eve of Governor Corbett's annual budget address is a good time to reflect back on his performance in the area of public education funding. Corbett often likes to claim that he has substantially increased spending on K-12 education spending and denies having made cuts. A simple review of the facts shows why he deserves an F:

http://lowermacungie.patch.com/groups/mark-spenglers-blog/p/governor-tom-corbett-deserves-an-f-for-public-education-funding

Visitors face more security at West Chester schools
MICHAELLE BOND, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER Monday, February 3, 2014, 1:07 AM

WEST CHESTER Starting Monday, visitors at the West Chester Area School District's 16 schools should plan to spend a little more time at the front desk. Gone are the days of writing your name on a sheet of paper, sticking a patch to your shirt, and being on your way.

The district's schools will join about 300 others throughout the state, including roughly 200 in the Philadelphia area, that have implemented the Raptor security system, which is meant to better regulate who walks into schools. The Web-based software uses visitors' driver's licenses - or other government ID cards - to instantly screen visitors for sex offenses, keep an electronic log of visitors, and issue visitor badges with names, pictures, and reasons for the visit.

"Part of the process also requires microfilm," he says. "Anybody know, really, what microfilm is anymore? Seriously? It's 2014 and we're still requiring microfilm in state government."

Bill would streamline school construction reimbursements

Written by Matt Paul and Radio Pennsylvania | Feb 2, 2014 5:13 AM

(Harrisburg) -- A midstate lawmaker wants to modernize the system by which schools can seek partial state reimbursement on construction projects. State Representative Seth Grove, a York County Republican, says his bill would make the process user-friendly for both the Commonwealth and the schools.

http://www.witf.org/news/2014/02/bill-would-streamline-school-construction-reimbursements.php

An enrollment policy built on shaky ground

Notebook by James H. Lytle on Feb 03 2014 Posted in Latest news

The School Reform Commission’s enrollment policies, and the premises on which they are based, are at the heart of its efforts to improve city schools and student achievement. For that reason, they merit careful analysis. For the last several years, the SRC has promoted an increase in "high-performing" or "high-quality" seats with the unstated premise that student performance is determined by the quality of classrooms and schools that students attend. And for the last decade, the SRC has supported the development of a portfolio of schools, including District and charter schools, to expand parent choice in school selection.

To facilitate the choice process, the SRC has recently been considering a "universal enrollment" system, which would allow parents to complete a single application for District, charter, and parochial schools (and possibly private schools) that they would like their child to attend.

In the discussion that follows, I hope to provide some perspective on the SRC’s enrollment strategies, a discussion that may have increased importance because of recent statements by SRC chair nominee Bill Green.

http://thenotebook.org/blog/146843/high-quality-seats-school-choice-strategy-built-on-shaky-ground

Letter to the Editor: Tell the truth about charters

Delco Times POSTED: 02/02/14, 7:51 PM EST |

By DAVE CLARK, Chief Executive Officer, Chester Community Charter School

To the Editor:

We are dismayed that the Delaware County Daily Times (“Media NAACP addresses charter school legislation” Jan. 18) let stand false and misleading statements regarding Chester Community Charter School (CCCS). For example, the notion that CCCS expanded to grades 6-8 without full approval and notification is patently absurd and should have been reported in the article. In fact, Chester Upland’s receiver, Joe Watkins, directed his attorney to investigate this question last year.

http://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/20140202/letter-to-the-editor-tell-the-truth-about-charters

Here’s background on the operator of CCCS…….

Follow the Money: Contributions by Vahan Gureghian

http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.blogspot.com/2011/06/follow-money-contributions-by-vahan.html

NSBA Advocacy Institute shows school boards how to be year-round advocates

NSBA School Board News Today by Joetta Sack-Min Feb 3, 2014

More than 750 school board members are learning about national education issues and public engagement at the National School Boards Association’s Advocacy Institute, a three-day conference in Washington that includes visits to their Congressional representatives on Capitol Hill. The event focuses on building year-round advocates for public education and local school governance in public, legal, and legislative arenas. Advocacy Institute is the successor to NSBA’s popular Federal Relations Network conference and covers a wider array of topics.

http://schoolboardnews.nsba.org/2014/02/advocacy-institute-shows-school-boards-how-to-be-year-round-advocates/

Push for Preschool Becomes a Bipartisan Cause Outside Washington

New York Times By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA and MOTOKO RICH FEB. 3, 2014

Preschool is having its moment, as a favored cause for politicians and interest groups who ordinarily have trouble agreeing on the time of day. President Obama devoted part of his State of the Union address to it, while the deeply red states of Oklahoma and Georgia are being hailed as national models of preschool access and quality, with other states and cities also forging ahead on their own. With a growing body of research pointing to the importance of early child development and its effect on later academic and social progress, enrollment in state-funded preschool has more than doubled since 2002, to about 30 percent of all 4-year-olds nationwide.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/04/us/push-for-preschool-becomes-a-bipartisan-cause-outside-washington.html?emc=edit_tnt_20140203&tntemail0=y&_r=1&utm_content=bufferb9b7b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

State Chambers of Commerce Defend Common Core

Education Week By Michele Molnar February 3, 2014

Chambers of commerce in a growing number of states are casting themselves in the role of defenders of the common core against increasingly vocal opposition to the new standards from some of their traditional Republican allies. Take Georgia. At a January gathering of the Georgia chamber's board of directors in Atlanta, candidates for state superintendent stated their positions on the Common Core State Standards. Eight candidates weighed in—seven Republicans and one Democrat—and most expressed reservations about, or outright resistance to, the standards for English/language arts and mathematics.

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/01/29/19chambers_ep.h33.html?tkn=WMVFri73T%2FVlnf8Ve4zkm2mJOMJtfuPmROcs&cmp=clp-edweek

The Student and the Stopwatch: How much time is spent on testing in American schools?

February 05, 2014 - 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm; 1016 16th St. NW; Floor 7 Washington, DC 20036

Thomas B. Fordham Institute LIVE WEBCAST

This event will be webcast. Visit our website,www.edexcellence.net, at 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, February 5, to watch the proceedings live.

In this era of results-based academic accountability, teachers and their students spend class time taking—and preparing for—standardized tests. But just how much time? An inordinate amount? Does it vary by locale? What is the ideal amount of prep time? What are the policy implications for districts and states? The curricular and instructional implications? And what are the consequences for children, especially disadvantaged students?

For the first time, Teach Plus brings empirical evidence to the table with its new report, The Student and the Stopwatch: How Much Time is Spent on Testing in American Schools? The report examines district- and state-required testing in more than thirty urban and suburban districts nationwide, featuring input from more than 300 teachers.

Join the Thomas B. Fordham Institute and Teach Plus for a discussion on time-on-testing in American classrooms.

http://edexcellence.net/events/the-student-and-the-stopwatch-how-much-time-is-spent-on-testing-in-american-schools

Have you considered signing this petition yet?

PENNSYLVANIA PROPERTY TAX PAYERS: OPPOSE PROPOSED SB1085 CHARTER SCHOOL LAW REFORM

Petition by Denise Kurnas

To be delivered to The Pennsylvania State House, The Pennsylvania State Senate, and Governor Tom Corbett

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/pennsylvania-property

Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center 2014 Pennsylvania Budget Summit

Harrisburg Hilton Thu, Feb 20, 2014 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

As in previous years, the Budget Summit will be at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Harrisburg.

Additional information, agendas, and workshops will be posted in the new year.

http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/6751/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=69456

Register Now! EPLC’s Education Policy Forums on Governor Corbett’s 2014-2015 State Budget Proposal for Education

Thursday, February 13, 2014 – Pittsburgh, PA

Monday, February 24, 2014 – Philadelphia, PA

Wednesday, February 26, 2014 – State College, PA

Thursday, February 27, 2014– Harrisburg, PA

PSBA White Paper: The costs of charter and cyber charter schools

Updated January 2014

Research and policy implications for Pennsylvania school districts

White Paper by PSBA’s Education research & Policy Center

http://www.psba.org/issues-advocacy/issues-research/research-resource-center/Charter_School_Funding-White-Paper_Update_2014.pdf

Register Now! EPLC’s 2014 Education Issues Workshops for Legislative Candidates, Campaign Staff, and Interested Voters

EPLC’s Education Issue Workshops Register Now! – Space is Limited!
A Non-Partisan One-Day Program for Pennsylvania Legislative Candidates, Campaign Staff and Interested Voters

Tuesday, February 25, 2014 in Harrisburg, PA
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 in Monroeville, PA
Thursday, March 27, 2014 in Philadelphia,PA

http://www.eplc.org/2014/01/register-now-eplcs-education-issues-workshop-for-legislative-candidates-campaign-staff-and-interested-voters/

PDE chief Dumaresq LIVE budget presentation, PSBA Conference Center, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m

PSBA’s website 1/13/2014

Acting Secretary of Education Carolyn Dumaresq will be at the PSBA Conference Center on Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. to present a special state budget overview.

Find out how the proposals of the fiscal year 2014-15 Pennsylvania budget impact your school district the day after the governor delivers his address to the General Assembly. Secretary Dumaresq will review the governor's plan and answer your questions. In addition to the live presentation, members across the state also can participate through streaming media on their computers.

To register for the LIVE event, Wed., Feb. 5, 2 p.m., at the PSBA Conference Center, Mechanicsburg: https://www.psba.org/workshops/register/?workshop=150

To register for the WEB event: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7884287076736574210

- See more at: http://www.psba.org/news-publications/headlines/details.asp?id=6842#sthash.6jG84BK0.dpuf

Auditor General DePasquale to Hold Public Meetings on Ways to Improve Charter Schools

Seeks to find ways to improve accountability, effectiveness, transparency

The public meetings will be held:

Allegheny County: 1 to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 25, Commissioners Hearing Room, Ross Township Municipal Center, 1000 Ross Municipal Rd., Pittsburgh
Northampton County: 1 to 3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 27, City Council Chambers, 6th Floor, City Hall, One South Third St., Easton
Cambria County: 1 to 3 p.m., Thursday, March 6, Commissioners Meeting Room, Cambria County Court House, 200 South Center St., Ebensburg
Bucks County: 1 to 3 p.m., Friday, March 7, Township of Falls Administrative Building, Suite 100, 188 Lincoln Highway, Fairless Hills
NEW: Philadelphia: 1 to 3 p.m., Friday, March 14, City Council Chambers, Room 400, City Hall

Time is limited to two hours for each meeting. Comments can be submitted in writing by Wednesday, Feb. 19, via email to Susan Woods at: swoods@auditorgen.state.pa.us.

http://www.auditorgen.state.pa.us/Department/Press/PRPublicMeetings01152014.html

2014 PA Gubernatorial Candidate Plans for Education and Arts/Culture in PA

Education Policy and Leadership Center

http://www.eplc.org/2014-gubernatorial-candidate-plans-for-education-and-artsculture-in-pa/

The Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools invites you to a screening and discussion of "Standardized: Lies, Money, and Civil Rights".

Thursday, February 6 - 6:00 p.m.Ritz East - 125 S. 2nd St. Philadelphia, PA

There will be a discussion after the film. Special Guests: - Mark Naison Professor of History and Chair of African and African-American Studies, Fordham University; author of Pure Bronx. He is the founder of the national Badass Teachers Association. Jim Horn Founder of the Schools Matter blog. He is author of "The Mismeasure of Education".
Tickets are $9.00 and can be purchased at Rockfish Productions.
https://sites.google.com/site/rockfishproductions/Films/standardized-lies-money-civil-rights/screenings-for-standardizedOnline is recommended because if it sells out there may not be tickets available at the door.
The trailer for the film https://sites.google.com/site/rockfishproductions/standardized-background-info

NPE National Conference 2014

The Network for Public Education

Details and registration here: http://www.networkforpubliceducation.com/conference/

The National School Boards Association 74^th Annual Conference & Exposition April 5-7, 2014 New Orleans

General Session speakers include education advocates Thomas L. Friedman, Sir Ken Robinson, as well as education innovators Nikhil Goyal and Angela Maiers.

· Register now! – Register for both the conference and housing using our online system.

· Conference Information– Visit the NSBA conference website for up-to-date information

· Hotel List and Map - Official NSBA Housing Block

· Exposition Campus – View new products and services and interactive trade show floor

Questions? Contact NSBA at 800-950-6722 (NSBA) between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST.

Join the National School Boards Action Center Friends of Public Education

Participate in a voluntary network to urge your U.S. Representatives and Senators to support federal legislation on Capitol Hill that is critical to providing high quality education to America’s schoolchildren

http://nsbac.org/?page_id=1873

Keystone State Education Coalition

Pages

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

PA Ed Policy Roundup for February 5, 2014: Statewide coverage and reactions to Governor’s budget address

NPE National Conference 2014

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

PA Ed Policy Roundup for February 4, 2014: Watch the Governor’s budget address live at 11:30 am this morning

NPE National Conference 2014

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