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.

Friday, August 8, 2014

PA Ed Policy Roundup Aug 8: PA still owes school districts $1.7 billion for 338 Plancon projects

Daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now reach more than 3250 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, business 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?

Keystone State Education Coalition

Grassroots Non-Partisan Public Education Advocacy

PA Ed Policy Roundup for August 8, 2014:

PA still owes school districts $1.7 billion for 338 Plancon projects

Interest revives in Pa. shale extraction tax

WHYY Newsworks BY MARY WILSON AUGUST 7, 2014

A natural gas extraction tax in Pennsylvania has been regarded at times as a silver bullet, and lawmakers have proposed shooting it every which way to solve financial woes. Now Republican Sen. Tommy Tomlinson, running for re-election in his Bucks County district, is proposing a Marcellus Shale tax with a twist -- the revenue would go solely toward the state's public pension debt. Democrats have called for an extraction tax, too, but Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa said they would want to spend the money differently. The bulk of it would go to education, Costa said. He like to see that "every school district gets a piece of that money and it's a straight line from the Marcellus Shale tax to this fund."

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/homepage-feature/item/71363-interest-revives-in-pa-shale-extraction-tax?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Key questions and answers on the Philly budget crisis

the notebook By Dale Mezzacappa on Aug 7, 2014 04:29 PM

Notebook editors Paul Socolar and Dale Mezzacappa prepared a question-and-answer sheet, updating the budget crisis for distribution at E! Day, the District's annual back-to-school event to be held Friday at School of the Future. This is the event at which the District holds workshops and gives out information to families, as well as free book bags.

Following is the Q&A, and here is a link to the actual flyer. Feel free to copy and distribute.

http://thenotebook.org/blog/147531/key-questions-and-answers-budget-crisis

The path forward: Q&A with Lisa Haver

the notebook By Bill Hangley Jr. on Aug 7, 2014 05:06 PM

Lisa Haver, a retired teacher and a founder of the Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools (APPS), is a fixture at School Reform Commission meetings and a consistent advocate for transparency, adequate funding, and a strong union role in public education.

“Public schools must continue to be a civic enterprise where district policies and decisions are formulated in public forums,” says the APPS mission statement, “not a financial enterprise controlled by corporate interests."

Haver is convinced that Philadelphia’s school leaders need to make common cause with their unionized workforce in order to gain more leverage in Harrisburg and City Council.

“Bill Green’s got a built-in organization right there that has the same interests that the District has,” she says, speaking of the School Reform Commission chairman. “We have to work together. If you’re not using the people in the schools, you’re leaving behind a big resource.”

She also believes that school district leaders statewide could increase their clout through more effective collaboration. We asked Haver to share her impression of this year’s budget debate, the role of the reform sector, the state of the union contract, and the path to a stronger statewide alliance of educators.

This is the final installment in The Notebook's series on "The path forward."

http://thenotebook.org/blog/147532/path-forward-qa-lisa-haver

"Welcome to yet another headache for Pennsylvania school budget officers, already stressed to the max by soaring pension costs, teacher-contract stalemates, and taxpayer unrest: A state bureaucratic morass known as PlanCon - short for Planning and Construction Workbooks - which owes a total of $1.7 billion to school districts."

PlanCon backlog strains school budgets

Freeze on state construction payouts ends, but educators say the increase isn't enough.

KATHY BOCCELLA, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER LAST UPDATED: Thursday, August 7, 2014, 1:08 AM

It's been nearly two years since the new Phoenixville Area Middle School opened its doors with an oversize auditorium featuring state-of-the-art acoustics; high-tech "Smart Boards" in front of every classroom; a large courtyard; and an impressive library. The $56 million Chester County public school is missing only one thing: money that Harrisburg promised to help defray the cost.

"We show it as a receivable in the belief that at some point we will get what we are owed by the state," said Stan Johnson, Phoenixville Area School District executive director of operations. He said the district is owed $1,145,358 in state funds for the middle school, which opened in 2012, and for architect's fees on another pending project.

http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20140807_PlanCon_backlog_strains_school_budgets.html#FQoFVU4UUQj8pHWw.99

“Let me put that $10 million in perspective,” he said. “They owe us (Penn Hills SD) $4 million.”

Penn Hills schools expect little impact from PlanCon funding bump

TribLive By Patrick Varine Editor, 412-320-7845 Published: Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, 9:00 p.m.
The expiration of a moratorium that blocked state funding for new school construction is good news for local leaders with plans for new buildings. State officials also boosted the reimbursement program, known as PlanCon, by $10 million, for 2014-15. Still, Penn Hills School District Business Manager Rick Liberto is not optimistic about the chances of his district being reimbursed for projects, at least for now.

“Let me put that $10 million in perspective,” he said. “They owe us $4 million.”

Liberto isn't counting on the increase to the state's $296 million PlanCon budget making much of a dent in the backlog of projects awaiting reimbursement — including Penn Hills' two major construction projects.

PlanCon, short for Planning and Construction Workbook, is a set of forms and procedures used to apply for state reimbursement when districts build new schools or additions.

The state instituted a moratorium on new projects in 2012. When the state budget was passed on July 10, the moratorium was lifted and the $10 million added. Meanwhile, Penn Hills still is awaiting reimbursement for paperwork submitted prior to the moratorium.

http://triblive.com/mobile/6538032-96/state-plancon-reimbursement

"Neither chamber has indicated it will oblige Corbett's call. House and Senate sessions are scheduled for September 15, too late to help Philadelphia plan the start of its school year.""

Corbett's "ask" lands with a thud

WITF State House Sound Bites by Mary Wilson, Capitol Bureau Chief | Aug 6, 2014 10:14 PM

Governor Corbett on Wednesday asked state lawmakers to end their vacation early to address legislation concerning a Philadelphia schools funding gap that threatens to delay the school year in the state's largest school district. He asked nicely.

"I'm calling for the legislature though to come to Harrisburg before school starts," Corbett said at a press conference with Philadelphia Superintendent William Hite at his side. "And I expect them to address this issue as their first and number one order of business."

The ball is in lawmakers' court. Leaders of the Republican-controlled House and Senate alone have the power to return to the Capitol to approve a $2-a-pack cigarette tax to help the Philadelphia school system bridge a multimillion dollar deficit.

http://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2014/08/corbetts-ask-lands-with-a-thud.php

Inquirer Editorial: Reduced to begging

POSTED: Thursday, August 7, 2014, 1:08 AM

Like most big cities, Philadelphia has more than its share of panhandlers, some of whom will return your kindness with a few choice words if they think you're being stingy. Others merely express their gratitude, even if they need much more.

Apparently Gov. Corbett expects the city School District, which has been reduced to beggar status, to humbly take whatever he tosses into the hat and worry about the future later. But further delaying a long-term solution to the schools' cash problem is a terrible strategy. Nor does it address the funding woes of other school districts across the state.

http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20140807_Inquirer_Editorial__Reduced_to_begging.html#EiAcQZ6Th2z2cIpB.99

Governor Corbett Announces $21 Million in School Improvement Grants for Nine Schools

Philadelphia Business Journal HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today announced that nine public schools will share $21 million in federal School Improvement Grant funding. "Pennsylvania is home to thousands of high-quality educators; however there are still too many schools that have a history of failing to provide students with a quality education," Corbett said. "Through the federal School Improvement Grant program, schools have the opportunity to implement innovative educational initiatives to better meet the needs of their students and improve academic performance."

The Pennsylvania Department of Education awarded the grants through a competitive process. Applications were reviewed and scored by a panel of peer reviewers who then made award recommendations. For a school to be eligible for funding, it must be among the lowest-achieving schools in Pennsylvaniathat has not made substantial progress on state assessments, or has a graduation rate of less than 60 percent for at least two of the last three years.

While 47 schools were eligible to apply, only 20 submitted applications.

As part of the competitive application process, eligible schools must adopt and implement one of four reform models developed by the federal government: Transformation, Turnaround, Restart and School Closure.

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/prnewswire/press_releases/Pennsylvania/2014/08/07/DC85954?r=full&full=true

Corbett Ceremoniously Signs Holocaust Education Bill at Philly Federation

Jewish Exponent by Eric Berger AUGUST 6, 2014

In a ceremonial signing of the state's Holocaust and genocide education legislation on Thursday, advocates of the bill appeared to have put aside their differences.

Gov. Tom Corbett symbolically signed the legislation — which had actually been approved and signed at the end of June — at the Jewish Community Services Building in Center City before state legislators, Holocaust survivors and World War II veterans, as well as some of the nonprofit leaders and private citizens who played a significant role in shaping the law. The event put a neat end to a process that was at times not pretty, even though the legislation ultimately passed unanimously in both the State House and Senate.

http://jewishexponent.com/headlines/2014/08/corbett-ceremoniously-signs-holocaust-education-bill-at-philly-federation

Saucon Valley teachers, board trying to reach deal ahead of school start

By Sara K. Satullo | The Express-Times on August 07, 2014 at 7:46 PM

Saucon Valley teachers and the school board are back at the bargaining table trying to hammer out a deal ahead of the start of the school year. The two sides are meeting tonight and another session is scheduled for Monday. Following the bargaining sessions, Andrew Muir, the attorney representing the teachers, plans to meet with the Saucon Valley Education Association to discuss their next steps. Muir acknowledged one of those steps legally could be a strike but emphasized there are many other options available.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf/2014/08/post_357.html#incart_river

This Teacher Asked Her Students to Write to an Author. Kurt Vonnegut Wrote Back This

Twisted Sifter Blog March 14, 2014

In 2006 Ms. Lockwood, an English teacher at Xavier High School, asked her students to write a letter to a famous author. She wanted them discuss the author’s work and ask for advice. Kurt Vonnegut (1922 – 2007) was the only one to write back and his advice is worth reading. If you can’t make out the text in the image, you can find the letter transcribed beneath!

http://twistedsifter.com/2014/03/kurt-vonnegut-letter-to-students/

"This program started with the simplest idea in the world-- putting books in the homes of small children. It began, once again, in her home county, and her proposal was simple-- sign your newborn child up, and once a month from birth through Kindergarten, the child will receive a book. … It makes me wonder-- what if Bill Gates had decided that rather than rewrite public education, he would spend a gabillion dollars putting books in the hands of every elementary school student in this country. What if a raft of corporate sponsors had worked with Scholastic Books to give every child a good-for-one-book voucher?"

Dolly Parton. Really.

Curmuducation Blog Thursday, August 7, 2014

So you say you'd like a cheerful story for a change. Fine. Let's talk about Dolly Parton. Really. You may or may not be a fan of Dolly Parton, Country Icon and Oddly Constructed Barbie Doll, but if you're not paying attention, you might miss Dolly Parton, Philanthropist. And not Investment Philanthropist or Disruptive Innovation Philanthropist. Parton is pretty old school. Parton came from real poverty, growing up with eleven siblings and a father who couldn't read or write in the middle of one of the poorest regions in the country. A tough time for her was not wondering if she dropped out of college, would her parents be willing to support her long enough to get her start-up off the ground.

http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2014/08/dolly-parton-really.html

"It’s part of rising national interest in multigenerational approaches to reduce poverty and improve student achievement, based on mounting evidence that parents’ and children’s educational and life trajectories are inextricably linked."

Multigenerational Programs Aim to Break Poverty Cycle

Dual strategy is attracting interest

By Sarah D. Sparks Published Online: August 5, 2014

Not much about public education has gone as advertised for Rebecca Goodman or her family.

The Tulsa, Okla., mother graduated second in her small-town high school class of 16, but got no academic counseling and saw little use for college. “I considered nursing, but they said I’d have to take anatomy and physiology and microbiology, and I said uh-uh. I just wanted to get the easiest two-year degree I could,” she said. “I had no desire to go to school at all; I just wanted to be a mom.” Seven years of Ms. Goodman working part-time as a secretary for her church while juggling care of her four children wasn’t enough to keep her family financially afloat—especially after her husband had to take a job out of his own field of training. That’s why she’s become one of more than 2,000 parents in CareerAdvance Tulsa, an initiative connected with the city’s Head Start and state early-child-care systems that is intended to help parents improve their own educations while also supporting their children’s.

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/08/06/37wop-generations.h33.html

"They found that a child's fate is in many ways fixed at birth — determined by family strength and the parents' financial status. The kids who got a better start — because their parents were married and working — ended up better off. Most of the poor kids from single-parent families stayed poor."

Rich Kid, Poor Kid: For 30 Years, Baltimore Study Tracked Who Gets Ahead

NPR by JUANA SUMMERS August 07, 2014 3:24 AM ET

Education is historically considered to be the thing that levels the playing field, capable of lifting up the less advantaged and improving their chances for success. "Play by the rules, work hard, apply yourself and do well in school, and that will open doors for you," is how Karl Alexander, a Johns Hopkins University sociologist, puts it. But a study published in June suggests that the things that really make the difference — between prison and college, success and failure, sometimes even life and death — are money and family.

Alexander is one of the authors of "The Long Shadow," which explored this scenario: Take two kids of the same age who grew up in the same city — maybe even the same neighborhood. What factors will make the difference for each? To find the answer, the Hopkins researchers undertook a massive study. They followed nearly 800 kids in Baltimore — from first grade until their late-20s.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/08/07/335285098/rich-kid-poor-kid-for-30-years-baltimore-study-tracked-who-gets-ahead

'Myths & Lies' That Threaten Our Schools: An Interview With David Berliner & Gene Glass

Education Week Classroom Q&A Blog By Larry Ferlazzo on July 30, 2014 8:11 PM

This summer, I'll be alternating between publishing thematic collections of past posts (ones onStudent Motivation, Implementing The Common Core, Teaching Reading & Writing, Parent Involvement, and Teaching Social Studies have already been published) and sharing interviews with authors of recent books I consider important and useful for us educators (Meenoo Rami was the first, co-authors Carmen Fariña & Laura Kotch were the second, Warren Berger was the third, and Annette Breaux and Todd Whitaker were the fourth). For today's author interview, David C. Berliner and Gene V. Glass have offered to answer a few questions about their book, 50 Myths & Lies That Threaten America's Public Schools.

http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/classroom_qa_with_larry_ferlazzo/2014/07/myths_lies_that_threaten_our_schools_an_interview_with_david_berliner_gene_glass.html

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE AUGUST CONGRESSIONAL RECESS: BACKGROUND & TALKING POINTS

National School Boards Action Center August 06, 2014 by Staff

Members of Congress return to their hometowns to meet with constituents locally and on September 8 they return to Washington, D.C. As a public education advocate, you can help to influence their decisions and votes on legislation affecting your local public schools by reaching out to your members of Congress. They will be especially interested in your concerns as this is an election year for the entire U.S. House of Representatives and one third of the Senate.

Read the latest on federal education issues on Capitol Hill in the NSBAC August Congressional Recess Talking Points and then contact your members of Congress during the August recess. You can call your members’ offices using the Capitol switchboard at 202.224.3121 or use the National School Boards Association’s legislative action center at nsba.org/advocacy. Consider becoming a Friend of Public Education to connect with National School Boards Action Center’s advocacy efforts and stay active year round.

http://nsbac.org/2014/08/06/taking-advantage-of-the-august-congressional-recess-background-talking-points/

Save the Date 2014 PAESSP State Conference October 19-21, 2014

Please join us for the 2014 PAESSP State Conference, “PRINCIPAL EFFECTIVENESS: Leading Schools in a New Age of Accountability,” to be held October 19-21 at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Featuring Keynote Speakers: Alan November, Michael Fullan & Dr. Ray Jorgensen

This year’s conference will provided PIL Act 45 hours, numerous workshops, exhibits, multiple resources and an opportunity to network with fellow principals from across the state.

Click Here to Register Now!

Interested in education policy? CPE has got the internship for you!

The EDifier August 6, 2014

The Center for Public Education seeks a policy research intern to work closely with CPE’s senior policy analyst in conducting education policy research. CPE is a national resource for accurate, timely, and credible information about public education and its importance to the well-being of our nation. CPE provides up-to-date research, data, and analysis on current education issues and explores ways to improve student achievement and engage public support for public schools. Primary duties include: Complete a major project such as a research report or writing a research article for NSBA’s magazine American School Board Journal. Other responsibilities include summarizing findings of significant education reports, updating CPE’s previous reports, and attending briefings/conferences in the Washington, DC area.

http://ht.ly/2Lkj7W

TOWN MEETING ON LOCAL CONTROL OF PHILLY SCHOOLS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 14TH 6:30 P.M. MONUMENTAL BAPTIST CHURCH

4948 LOCUST ST.

Philadelphia Coalition Advocating for Public Schools Posted on August 4, 2014by wearepcaps

Forty Thousand Philadelphia registered voters signed a petition this Spring to put the question of returning our schools to local control and abolishing the School Reform Commission on the ballot in the form of a non-binding referendum. But before this can happen City Council and the Mayor and have to approve. Come to the town meeting to find out how returning our schools to local control can improve education and how can bring pressure on our elected officials to let the people vote on this important question.

http://wearepcaps.org/2014/08/04/town-hall-meeting-on-local-control-of-schools/

Upcoming meetings on Philly District's school redesign initiative

the notebook By Marilyn Vaccaro on Jul 30, 2014 05:14 PM

The School District is planning a series of meetings and discussions about its new school redesign initiative, which was announced last week. Two informational sessions will be held, with the second on Aug. 12. Those who participate will be able to learn more about the application process and the specifics of the initiative itself. Through the initiative, the District is calling on teams of educators, parents, community groups, and other outside organizations to propose their own school turnaround plans. Ten winning design teams will be chosen in October and will receive grants of $30,000 to support planning costs.

http://thenotebook.org/blog/147503/upcoming-meetings-districts-school-redesign-initiative

Bucks Lehigh EduSummit Monday Aug 11th and Tuesday Aug 12th
Location: Southern Lehigh High School 5800 Main Street, Center Valley, PA 18034
Time: 8 AM - 3 PM Each Day(Registration starts at 7:30 AM. Keynote starts at 8:00 AM.)

The Bucks Lehigh EduSummit is a collaboratively organized and facilitated two day professional learning experience coordinated by educators in the Quakertown Community School District , Palisades School District, Salisbury Township School District, Southern Lehigh School District, Bucks County IU, and Carbon Lehigh IU, which are all located in northern Bucks county and southern Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Teachers in other neighboring districts are welcome to attend as well! The purpose of the EduSummit is to collaborate, connect, share, and learn together for the benefit of our kids. Focus areas include: Educational Technology, PA Core, Social Media, Best Practices, etc.
http://buckslehighedusummit2014.wikispaces.com/Home

Educational Collaborators Pennsylvania Summit Aug. 13-14

The Educational Collaborators, in partnership with the Wilson School District, is pleased to announce a unique event, the Pennsylvania Summit featuring Google for Education on August 13th and 14th, 2014! This summit is an open event primarily focused on Google Apps for Education, Chromebooks, Google Earth, YouTube, and many other effective and efficient technology integration solutions to help digitally convert a school district. These events are organized by members of the Google Apps for Education community.

https://sites.google.com/site/ecpasummit/home

PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference registration forms now available online
PSBA Website

Make plans today to attend the most talked about education conference of the year. This year's PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference promises to be one of the best with new ideas, innovations, networking opportunities and dynamic speakers. More details are being added every day. Online registration will be available in the next few weeks. If you just can't wait, registration forms are available online now. Other important links are available with more details on:

· Hotel registration (reservation deadline extended to Sept. 26)

· Educational Publications Contest (deadline Aug. 6)

· Student Celebration Showcase (deadline Sept. 19)

· Poster and Essay Contest (deadline Sept. 19)

Slate of candidates for PSBA offices now available online -- bios/videos now live
PSBA Website August 5, 2014

The slate of candidates for 2015 PSBA officer and at-large representatives is now available online. Photos, bios and videos also have been posted for each candidate. According to recent PSBA Bylaws changes, each member school entity casts one vote per office. Voting will again take place online through a secure, third-party website -- Simply Voting. Voting will openSept. 9 and closes Oct. 6. One person from the school entity (usually the board secretary) is authorized to cast the vote on behalf of the member school entity and each board will need to put on its agenda discussion and voting at one of its meetings in September. Each person authorized to cast the school entity's votes will be receiving an email in the coming weeks to verify the email address and confirm they are the person to cast the vote on behalf of their school entity.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

PA Ed Policy Roundup Aug 7: Philadelphia Ed Fund and Other Public School Advocates Push Governor for More Action to Guarantee Schools Open

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?

Keystone State Education Coalition

Grassroots Non-Partisan Public Education Advocacy

PA Ed Policy Roundup for August 7, 2014:

Philadelphia Ed Fund and Other Public School Advocates Push Governor for More Action to Guarantee Schools Open

Accountability: Should charter school ads paid for with tax dollars be required to include their PA School Performance Profile scores?

http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.blogspot.com/2014/07/pa-ed-policy-roundup-july-17-do-your.html

Pennsylvania Department of Education's nightly email purges get notice

TribLive By Brad Bumsted Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, 10:57 p.m.
HARRISBURG — If Pennsylvania Department of Education officials “delete and cleanse” emails nightly, as the agency's head acknowledged, the practice does not pass a “gut check” for proper email retention policy, the director of the state's Office of Open Records said on Wednesday.

Terry Mutchler, who helped establish the office six years ago when lawmakers amended the Right-to-Know Law, said ordinary citizens would not consider nightly email deletions to be reasonable for a government agency. “Any of us in public service who believe it's OK to delete email after a day, we ought to rethink it,” Mutchler said. Acting state Education Secretary Carolyn Dumaresq told ABC/27 TV in Harrisburg about the practice in an interview defending the Corbett administration's decision to keep former Education Secretary Ronald Tomalis on the payroll since July 2013, paying him a $139,542 salary. Critics have questioned how actively engaged Tomalis has been as Gov. Tom Corbett's adviser on higher education.

Tomalis has sent five emails and made about one phone call a day during that period, records show.

Philadelphia Ed Fund and Other Public School Advocates Push Governor for More Action to Guarantee Schools Open

PHILADELPHIA (August 6th, 2014) – Philadelphia’s leading public school advocacy organizations joined in calling for the Governor to back up his words with actions, this morning. In response to Governor Corbett’s call for the legislature to return to vote on the legislation authorizing the Philadelphia cigarette tax increase for schools, advocates expressed the need for a definitive agreement by the House and Senate leadership with Governor’s call for the lawmakers to return to work and vote the legislation before school starts on September 8th.

http://www.philaedfund.org/news-events/headlines

"Hite thanked the governor for "providing some certainty," but said the advance was "just another piece of information that we will use in our consideration for an announcement about schools leading up to the 15th of August." Hite says that if the school district's $81 million deficit hasn't been significantly closed by that date, he would choose between two bad options: Either layoff an additional 1,300 staffers, making some class sizes balloon to 41 students per teacher, or save money by truncating the school year. Since the $265 million advance does nothing to close the district's gap, Hite said he still couldn't guarantee that schools would open as scheduled on Sept. 8."

Corbett advances cash to Philly schools; Hite says on-time opening still not guaranteed

WHYY Newsworks BY KEVIN MCCORRY AUGUST 6, 2014

Governor Tom Corbett is authorizing a $265 million advance to the Philadelphia school district.

This is an early disbursement of money that the district was already scheduled to receive, and thus does not erase the district's $81 million budget gap.

Corbett, speaking at a press conference Wednesday at his southeastern regional office on South Broad Street, said his goal is to prevent further school layoffs and ensure that city schools open on time on Sept. 8. "Financially this action will assist the district with their cash-flow needs in the short term," Corbett said. "[It will] reduce the amount that the district will have to borrow, and as a result save the district $4-to-$5 million in borrowing costs."

The district says it asked for this advance in June, and has already included any borrowing related savings in its budget. (Most school districts routinely do short-term borrowing early in a school year to cover costs until tax revenues begin trickling in.)

At the presser, Corbett was flanked by Superintendent William Hite, School Reform Commissioners Farah Jimenez and Feather Houstoun, as well as Rep. Bill Adolph, R-Delaware County, who has been a major champion of the Philadelphia cigarette tax which Mayor Nutter and other local school advocates have touted as a source of new cash.

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/71289-corbett-advances-cash-to-philly-schools-hite-says-on-time-opening-still-not-guaranteed?linktype=hp_topstory

Corbett to advance $265M to Philly schools

KRISTEN A. GRAHAM, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER LAST UPDATED: Wednesday, August 6, 2014, 4:52 PM POSTED: Wednesday, August 6, 2014, 10:59 AM

Gov. Corbett said Wednesday that he will advance the troubled Philadelphia school system $265 million, but officials said that action - which represents no new revenue or savings - does not avert layoffs or guarantee schools that will open on time. Corbett traveled to Philadelphia to make the announcement, standing at a news conference flanked by officials including Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. and School Reform Commissioners Feather Houstoun and Farah Jimenez. Hite said he appreciated Corbett's affirmation, but underscored that the governor's advance does not touch the school district's $81 million shortfall. The district has planned on the $265 million since June, when it asked for that sum. Layoffs, a shortened school year and class sizes of 40 and more are all still possible, the superintendent said.

http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20140807_Corbett_to_advance__265M_to_Philly_schools.html#OMxRiXrXeFlI7i6g.99

Corbett OKs $265M to help Philly schools, but superintendent won't guarantee on-time opening

By KATHY MATHESON Associated Press Posted: August 06, 2014 - 5:24 pm Last Updated: August 06, 2014 - 5:26 pm

PHILADELPHIA — Gov. Tom Corbett announced Wednesday that the state would advance $265 million to the cash-strapped Philadelphia schools, but the superintendent said the money won't guarantee classes will start on time. Pennsylvania's largest district still has an $81 million budget gap, and officials continue to weigh options including massive layoffs, a delayed start and a shortened school year, Superintendent William Hite said. A decision will be made Aug. 15.

"It changes nothing about what we're considering," Hite said, adding the schools need funding "not just to start the year, but to ensure that the people we carry on payroll are still on payroll at the end of the year." The up-front funding authorized by Corbett represents early disbursement of cash the schools would normally receive throughout the academic year. Corbett contends it will save the district up to $5 million in short-term borrowing costs and allow buildings to open as planned Sept. 8.

http://m.therepublic.com/view/story/854d2b29f17c40b899732c51a2c8e33a/PA--Philadelphia-Schools

Gov. Corbett Advances $265 Million to Help Philadelphia District

Education Week District Dossier Blog By Denisa R. Superville on August 6, 2014 6:20 PM

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett has committed to advancing $265 million to help the financially strapped Philadelphia school district open schools on time. Corbett's announcement on Wednesday comes as the legislature declined to return to Harrisburg, the state capital, to vote on legislation allowing the city to levy a $2-a-pack cigarette tax that would have provided the schools with about $80 million in a full year and stave off the possibility of massive layoffs this year.

Both houses preliminarily approved the tax in July, but the proposal became mired in amendments and other issues unrelated to Philadelphia's schools. The legislators went on break without giving final approval to the bill.

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/District_Dossier/2014/08/gov_corbett_advances_265_milli.html

Rep. Brownlee: Corbett’s front-loading of cash not enough to save Philly schools

Rep. Brownlee's Website PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 6 – Gov. Tom Corbett’s announcement today to front-load money already promised to the School District of Philadelphia does not live up to an adequate state commitment when the city has already done so much to help itself, said state Rep. Michelle Brownlee. Brownlee pointed to several developments that Philadelphia, its teachers and the federal government have contributed over the past three fiscal years:

· The Philadelphia City Council has done its part by dedicating $120 million in increased sales-transfer tax revenue for schools and by approving $30 million in bond funds for this school year. For the past three years, City Council has increased taxes to help the school district address its fiscal difficulties.

· Last year, the federal government – not the state government – provided $45 million in forgiveness of a past debt owed to them.

· The district has closed 24 schools and eliminated over 3,500 employees – including assistant principals, guidance counselors and instructional aides – and has cut extracurricular activities.

· Taxpaying members of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers have done their part by shouldering the brunt of these cutbacks in jobs and in stepping in to fill the holes left from program cutbacks, including maximum class sizes of 30 students in elementary schools and 33 students in secondary schools.

Brownlee said that in addition to front-loading the $265 million for the schools, Corbett should do more to encourage leadership in his own party to help pass not only the authorization for a cigarette tax in Philadelphia, but real reform – including a basic education funding formula – to dedicate future revenue based on districts’ unique needs and not just enrollment numbers.

http://www.pahouse.com/PAHouseNews.asp?doc=39137

Pittsburgh Schools Unlikely to Follow Path of Troubled Philadelphia School District

WESA NPR Pittsburgh By DEANNA GARCIA August 6, 2014

As state lawmakers continue to work with Philadelphia officials on getting school to start on time this year, Pittsburgh Public Schools are slated to start on time, and with no layoffs. Philadelphia's school system faces a $81 million budget gap, and officials there say it could delay the start of the year and lead to layoffs and larger class sizes. Pittsburgh School Board President Thomas Sumpter said the schools are not in crisis mode, but the system does face challenges.

“It’s not so much the budget as the financial wherewithal that confronts the district as far as accelerated costs for pensions, other costs going up and trying to make sure we have enough cash on hand in reserve, and trying to find where we can cut cost in all areas, looking at any possible way to reduce expenditures,” Sumpter said.

Philadelphia operates 274 public schools and 85 charter schools and employs more than 16,800 people. It’s the eighth largest school district in the nation and the largest in Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh, the state’s second largest district, operates 54 schools and has about 3,900 employees.

http://wesa.fm/post/pittsburgh-schools-unlikely-follow-path-troubled-philadelphia-school-district

Gov. Tom Corbett on defense over his education spending record amid criticisms from opponent Tom Wolf

Wolf hammers at claims governor cut $1 billion.

By Steve Esack and Samantha Marcus, Of The Morning Call 11:50 a.m. EDT, August 6, 2014

As polls have predicted for more than a year, education funding has become the most tangible issue for voters in the upcoming governor's election. The candidates know it, as evidenced by commercials and news conferences across Pennsylvania.

For the past week, Republican Gov. Tom Corbett, his campaign team and supporters have been on a mission to change Corbett's image among many voters who remain angry at $1 billion in cuts he imposed on schools and universities in 2011-12.

At the same time, Democrat Tom Wolf, his campaign team and backers have orchestrated TV ads, emails, and public events critical of Corbett's 4-year-old budget decisions.

That messaging war continued Wednesday in the Lehigh Valley.

Pennsylvania's epidemic of sex abuse in schools demands action

TribLive Opinion By Paul Clymer & David Maloney Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, 9:00 p.m.
State Rep. Paul Clymer, R-Bucks, chairs the House Education Committee. State Rep. David Maloney, R-Berks, is a member of the House Education Committee and a former member of the Oley Valley School Board.

The Tribune-Review's investigative article “Pennsylvania near top of list for teacher impropriety” on sex abuse and misconduct cases among teachers and school employees in Pennsylvania reinforces our determination that further legislative action is critical to protect kids.

While state attorneys across the nation have registered 450 sex abuse cases against teachers this year, the Pennsylvania Department of Education recorded an astounding 482 in 2013 alone, according to the article. This is a crisis in our commonwealth, but one important piece of pending legislation will help close a loophole that allows sexual abuse to continue.

Seven charter school groups submit York City proposals

York Dispatch By ERIN JAMES 505-5439/@ydcity POSTED: 08/05/2014 09:25:46 PM EDT

Officials at the York City School District are poring over information detailed in hundreds of pages of documents submitted by seven groups interested in converting the district to charter schools next year. The proposals were due Friday and were released to the public Tuesday. David Meckley, the district's chief recovery officer, said he hasn't had a chance to read all 2,300 pages. But, he said, "I believe we do have some quality proposals in there." Both nonprofits and for-profit companies submitted proposals. Two proposals have ties to other York City charter school operators.

http://www.yorkdispatch.com/breaking/ci_26281976/seven-charter-school-groups-submit-york-city-proposals

Programs, staff at risk as Scranton schools deficit reaches $7.5 million

Times-Tribune SARAH HOFIUS HALL, STAFF WRITER Published: August 7, 2014

Faced with a 2015 deficit of at least $7.5 million, the Scranton School District will likely need to cut programs and positions, some school directors said this week.

After approving the fact finder’s report last week, members of the school board now have a better idea of what a new teachers contract will cost, and the tough decisions that will have to be made. A tax increase will not even come close to covering the deficit.

“I think it’s a crisis,” board President Kathleen McGuigan said. “It’s obvious it means we will have to cut programs, cut costs.” The 2014 budget of $126 million, balanced largely with one-time revenue sources, including borrowed money and the sale of property, helped create the deficit for next year. With increased pension costs of almost $3 million and a new teachers contract that will cost about $2.9 million, the deficit continues to grow.

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/programs-staff-at-risk-as-scranton-schools-deficit-reaches-7-5-million-1.1732063?utm_campaign=educationtt&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=twitterfeed

Attorney: Monday 'deadline' for Saucon Valley teachers contract

Teachers union attorney Andrew Muir said if contract isn't reached by Monday, teachers could strike.

By Jacqueline Palochko, Of The Morning Call 9:09 p.m. EDT, August 6, 2014

If Saucon Valley teachers don't receive a contract by Monday, they could strike.

Maybe. Andrew Muir, the attorney representing the teachers, said the union and the school district will negotiate Thursday night and Monday. Muir is looking at Monday as a "deadline," he said, but would not say for certain that teachers will strike if they don't have a contract.

Muir would only say that teachers have the right to strike and "could go on strike."

"I'm going to make some big announcements if something isn't worked out by Monday," Muir said. "We're definitely running out of time here."

Teachers, who went on strike in 2008 and 2009 during contract negotiations, have been without a contract for more than two years.

Gleason, recently named a “Reformer to Watch” by the Walton Foundation, declined Notebook requests for an interview, preferring to submit a written statement.

The path forward: A statement from PSP's Mark Gleason

the notebook By Bill Hangley Jr. on Aug 6, 2014 12:18 PM

As the head of the Philadelphia School Partnership, Mark Gleason sits at the heart of the school reform movement in Philadelphia. PSP is the conduit for tens of millions in philanthropic dollars, which it deploys to support what it calls “the transformation, expansion and startup of high-performing schools.” It measures success by “the number of students in Philadelphia who move out of failing schools to better-quality school options.”

PSP also staffs such collaborative efforts as the “Great Schools Compact” and lobbies elected officials behind the scenes. Among other things, it actively supported Bill Green for chair of the School Reform Commission, lobbying state legislators to support his candidacy.

http://thenotebook.org/blog/147528/path-forward-philadelphia-school-partnership-head-mark-gleason-talks-funding-accountabil

The Top Twitter Feeds in Education Policy 2014

Education Next By Michael J. Petrilli August 2014

It’s August, which can only mean one thing: it’s time for our annual list of top education-policy Twitter feeds. (Click for the 2013, 2012, and 2011 versions.) Klout scores are the primary metric (with ties broken by the number of Twitter followers); a main focus on K–12 education policy is the only eligibility requirement.

http://educationnext.org/top-twitter-feeds-education-policy-2014/

Schools 'holding breath' as immigrant children arrive

USA TODAY NETWORKJolie Lee, USA TODAY Network1:30 a.m. EDT August 7, 2014

Schools across the USA are bracing for as many as 50,000 immigrant children who would start school this fall, most of them unaccompanied by their families. "We haven't started school yet, so we are all just holding our breath to see what's going to come on the first day of school," says Caroline Woodason, assistant director of school support for Dalton Public Schools in Georgia.

Under federal law, all children are entitled to a free public education, regardless of their immigration status. It's nothing new for public schools to serve immigrant students. But Francisco Negron, general counsel for the National School Board Association, says, "One of the challenges here, though, is the large number of unaccompanied minors."

"This is a whole new wave of immigrant students that are coming without any guardians whatsoever," Negron says.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/08/06/public-schools-immigrant-children/13661353/

These Are The States With The Best And Worst School Systems, According To New Rankings

The Huffington Post | By Rebecca Klein Posted: 08/04/2014 2:53 pm EDT

A new education ranking released this week found that students in New Jersey are receiving a much better education than students in Mississippi. The ranking, from the personal finance site Wallethub, outlines the best and worst states for K-12 education, given the connection between one's education and future earning potential. The ranking was based on 12 factors, including student dropout rate, pupil/teacher ratio, test scores, rates of bullying and school safety measures.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/04/wallethub-education-rankings_n_5648067.html?&ir=Education&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000023