Wednesday, January 8, 2020

PA Ed Policy Roundup for Jan. 8, 2020 Letter to Gov. Wolf calls for increase of $100 million in special ed funding and more $$ in basic ed funding to close state’s massive adequacy gap


Started in November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors, administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, Wolf education transition team members, superintendents, school solicitors, principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations, education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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PA Ed Policy Roundup for Jan. 8, 2020


Letter to @GovernorTomWolf from dozens of PA orgs & advocates urges him to address significant unmet needs of over 270K students w #disabilities by increasing investment in #SpecialEducation and basic education in his FY2020-21 budget.
Tweet by @EdLawCenterPA January 7, 2020
…For the over 270,000 students with disabilities across Pennsylvania, the need for significant state investment in special education is urgent. We strongly urge you to commit to restoring the state’s share of special education funding back to its 2008- 09 level of 32%. This commitment will require significant ongoing investments in state funding for special education services. Such increases are needed to prevent the allocation of funding between state and local sources from becoming increasingly more inequitable and unsustainable and to ensure that children with disabilities receive the high-quality, inclusive education they need and to which they are legally entitled. Inadequate special education funding has resulted in an insufficient number of staff to support our students as well as deep cuts to critical resources and services that these students need to make educational progress. Relatedly, funding deficits in basic education also impact students with disabilities. We urge you to close the approximately $4 billion basic education funding adequacy gap that plagues our schools and children. By using the bipartisan basic education funding formula to distribute the increased investment, dollars will be allocated based on actual district and student need. This investment is crucial because, due to past divestment and inequitable distribution of funding, students with disabilities—and their classmates across the Commonwealth— are not receiving an adequate or equitable education.

On Tuesday, January 14th from 12:00-12:30, the Education Law Center and the Arc of Pennsylvania will be discussing special education funding.
The Education Law Center released a report in October, “Still Shortchanging Children with Disabilities: State Underfunding of Special Education Continues,” that found “Between 2008 and 2018, Pennsylvania increased state special education funding by $95 million, or about 10%. Yet during that time, total special education costs to local school districts increased by $1.7 billion ‒ or 58%.” Special education funding will be a hot topic during budget season in Harrisburg and this webinar will give you important information to use in advocating for the funding students with disabilities need and deserve.

Philly school board appointment process begins Wednesday
Interested residents can apply between Jan. 8 and 23.
the Notebook January 7 — 10:57 pm, 2020
The mayor will launch the process to appoint the nine members of the Board of Education on Wednesday, as required at the beginning of his new term. The appointment process begins with a meeting of the nominating panel, followed by a two-week application window. The panel reviews the applicants and selects 27 candidates for Mayor Kenney to choose from later this month. The tentative timeline is:
  • Jan. 8: Nominating Panel convenes
  • Jan. 23: Board of Education application closes
  • February: Nominating Panel recommends 27 candidates; date to be determined
  • February: Mayor shares his nominations with City Council; date to be determined
  • May 1: Appointed members of the Board of Education begin their four-year terms
“This will be the first four-year term for Board of Education members since we returned our public schools to local control,” Mayor Kenney said in a statement. “Nothing is more important than the education and well-being of our city’s children, and an experienced and dedicated Board of Education is vital to the success of our public education system. I look forward to working with the Nominating Panel and City Council during the appointment process.” Individuals who are interested in applying to the Board of Education can submit their application online. Paper applications will be available at City Hall, Room 115, or at the School District at 440 N. Broad St. beginning Jan. 8.

Six Beaver County school districts awarded $25,000 teacher workplace grants
Beaver County Times By J.D. Prose Posted at 3:04 PM
Six school districts will receive $25,000 each to send teachers into local businesses to learn about employers’ needs.
Six Beaver County school districts will receive grants to allow teachers to visit local businesses so they can take that experience back to classrooms. Beaver Area, Blackhawk, Freedom Area, Hopewell Area, Riverside and Western Beaver will each receive $25,000 through federally funded Teacher in the Workplace grants disbursed through the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In Lawrence County, districts receiving similar grants are Laurel, Mohawk Area, New Castle Area and Union City Area. “It’s critical that we connect our schools to local businesses so we can prepare students with the skills they need for in-demand jobs,” Gov. Tom Wolf said in a statement announcing more than $2 million in grants statewide. “By connecting directly with employers,” Wolf said, “teachers can learn firsthand about the skills and industry trends that will enhance their classroom instruction, student learning and career readiness.” Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera said in the same statement that the Teacher in the Workplace program “enables educators to participate in real-world, employer-based experiences that they can use to inform classroom instruction and prepare students for career, college and community success.”

Governor Wolf Announces $2.2 Million in Teacher in the Workplace Grants to Connect Schools and Local Employers
Governor Wolf’s Website January 06, 2020
Governor Tom Wolf today announced $2.2 million in Teacher in the Workplace grants have been awarded to 92 local education agencies (LEA) to enable teachers to visit local employers and learn the skills and industry trends to enhance their classroom instruction, student learning, and career readiness. Each LEA will receive a $25,000 Targeted Grant through the Department of Education (PDE). “It’s critical that we connect our schools to local businesses so we can prepare students with the skills they need for in-demand jobs,” said Governor Wolf. “By connecting directly with employers, teachers can learn first-hand about the skills and industry trends that will enhance their classroom instruction, student learning, and career readiness.” Building on the success of the program, the governor proposed to double Teacher in the Workforce grant funding to $5 million, which he signed into law in June. Grants are available through PDE and the Department of Labor and Industry (L&I). The L&I grants will be announced soon. “Local business leaders know what skills are needed for their employees to be successful in the workplace, so they can provide valuable insight to school administrators and teachers,” said Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera. “The Teacher in the Workplace program enables educators to participate in real-world, employer-based experiences that they can use to inform classroom instruction and prepare students for career, college and community success.”

Wolf Administration Announces PA Farm Bill Grant Funding to Increase Agriculture Education Opportunities
Governor Wolf’s Website January 06, 2020
Governor Tom Wolf today announced the approval of $500,000 in Ag and Youth Grants to fund 55 projects that will improve access to agriculture education in the commonwealth, with a goal of addressing the looming 75,000 workforce deficit Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry faces in the coming decade. “Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists, and agribusiness owners,” said Gov. Wolf. “This $500,000 is the seed to tomorrow’s bountiful future for Pennsylvania agriculture.” In July of this year, Governor Wolf signed Act 40 to reenact Pennsylvania’s Ag and Youth Grant Program as part of the state’s first-ever Pennsylvania Farm Bill. The program, funded at $500,000, provides youth organizations direct, non-matching grants of up to $7,500 to defray costs of eligible projects and matching reimbursement grants of up to $25,000 for capital projects or equipment purchases. Eligible projects included those that are for education or workforce development seminars or field trips; agricultural safety training programs; and capital projects or equipment. “All youth should have access to the same opportunities for growth and career development,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “These programs are urban, rural, or suburban, and they all further our mission to grow the industry’s future leaders. It’s experiences in these programs that we hope will influence PA youth for a lifetime.” The $500,000 in ag and youth grants approved for funding will benefit 55 projects in 25 counties. The approved projects include the following direct grant projects:

Houlahan: Funds secured by critical education programs in Chester, Berks counties
Pottstown Mercury MediaNews Group January 7, 2020
DOWNINGTOWN — This week, U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan announced federal grants totaling $4,730,485 to the Head Start Programs at the Berks County Intermediate Unit and the Chester County Intermediate Unit. This money helps fund early childhood education, particularly among English Language learners, in both Chester and Berks counties. Studies indicate that Head Start participation improves a student’s chance of pursuing and completing higher education and contributes positively to both economic and behavioral outcomes. "I’m immensely proud of and grateful to both the Berks County Intermediate Unit and the Chester County Intermediate Unit,” said Houlahan. “This week, I witnessed some of the work they do and recognize just how important it is to the youngest members of our community. Head Start provides a basis for literacy and enables kids to be on a successful pathway as lifetime learners. As a former educator, I know how critical these federal funds are, and it was my privilege to share the news with our fantastic Head Start programs.”

OP-ED: Schools must hire more black teachers
York Dispatch by Rann Miller, Tribune News Service Published 10:09 a.m. ET Jan. 5, 2020
A recent article from New Jersey news outlet NJ.com provided fresh evidence for something we’ve known for years: black students nationwide are disciplined more often than other kids. During the 2013-14 school year (the most recent for which state data are available), black students made up only 16% of New Jersey’s student population but represented 44% of all students suspended. Black students also accounted for much higher rates of school expulsions. Past inquiries into this phenomenon have found that black children are disciplined more than others because of zero-tolerance policies, a lack of school counselors and an increase in police presence at schools. They have also identified an underutilized solution: Hire more black teachers. Black students who have one or more black teacher have much better outcomes. They are more likely to graduate from high school, attend college and are less likely to drop out of school. Black students are also less likely to receive exclusionary discipline at the hands of a black teacher.

Turzai schedules March 17 special elections for three House seats
PA Capital Star By  Stephen Caruso January 7, 2020
Raising the ire of Democrats, House Speaker Mike Turzai has scheduled three special elections barely a month ahead of Pennsylvania’s 2020 presidential primary. I have called the special elections for the 8th, 18th and 58th legislative districts for March 17, 2019. I have also appointed Rep. Tom Murt to chair the Human Services Committee and Rep. Gary Day to chair the Aging Committee. The March 17 elections will allow voters to pick replacements for three Republican lawmakers who won election last November to municipal offices in Mercer, Westmoreland and Bucks counties for the 8th, 18th and 58th House Districts. Reps. Ted Nesbit, of Mercer County, and Justin Walsh, of Westmoreland County, won county judgeships. Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, a veteran moderate from Bucks County, won a county commissionership. In response, Democrats said Turzai was inconveniencing voters and election workers while wasting taxpayer dollars by not scheduling the elections for the April 28 presidential primary. “There’s no good reason to hold these elections on a separate date so close to the primary,” House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, D-Allegheny, said in a statement. “It’s a large cost, one that’s unbudgeted, and a needless complication that benefits nobody except a few political insiders.” 

House GOP retirements continue, as State Government Committee chair announces exit
PA Capital Star By  Stephen Caruso January 7, 2020
Add another tally to the retirement tracker. Rep. Garth Everett, R-Lycoming, told the Williamsport Sun-Gazette on Tuesday that he plans to retire at the end of his seventh term this year. Everett gave no reason for stepping down. He is the ninth House lawmaker to announce retirement plans for 2020, and the seventh Republican.

Killion announces re-election bid for 9th District Pa. Senate seat
Delco Times by MediaNews Group January 7, 2020
CHADDS FORD — State Sen. Tom Killion, whose district has been held by Republicans since the 1800s, has announced his re-election bid for the seat he has held since 2016, and which straddles the boundaries of two suburban Philadelphia counties that have recently seen Democratic victories at the polls. In his announcement, Killion, R-9 of Middletown, Delaware County, pointed to his efforts in Harrisburg on a number of suburban friendly issues as the keystone of his election run. “Whether it’s working to end gun violence, stopping repeat DUI offenders, protecting the environment, ensuring affordable healthcare, strengthening our schools or growing our economy, I’ve been fighting for real change for our families,” said Killion. “While we’ve accomplished much over the last few years, more must be done for our communities.” In 2018, Killion’s legislation to get guns out of the hands of domestic abusers with protection from abuse orders (PFAs) passed the Senate unanimously. The legislation was later incorporated into a larger domestic violence bill that was signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf.

Central Pa. lawmaker joins Democratic primary field for auditor general
Inquirer by Associated Press, Updated: January 7, 2020- 11:59 AM
HARRISBURG, Pa. — A seven-term state lawmaker from central Pennsylvania said Monday that he will seek the Democratic nomination to run for the open state auditor general’s office this year. Scott Conklin enters a crowded field ahead of Pennsylvania's Feb. 18 deadline to submit nomination petitions to the state elections bureau to get on the April primary ballot. Conklin, of Centre County, was also the party's nominee for lieutenant governor in 2010 on that year's failed Democratic gubernatorial ticket. Other Democrats who have said they are running include Pittsburgh’s third-term city controller Michael Lamb, Christina Hartman, a former congressional candidate from Lancaster County, Nina Ahmad, a former Philadelphia deputy mayor, and Tracie Fountain, a three-decade veteran employee of the auditor general's office. Pennsylvania’s current auditor general, Democrat Eugene DePasquale, is completing a second four-year term and is constitutionally barred from seeking another. On the Republican side, Lancaster County Commissioner Dennis Stuckey has said he will seek his party’s nomination. The last Republican to hold the office was Barbara Hafer, whose term ended in 1997.

Garth Everett isn’t running after finishing out 7th term
Williamsport Sun Gazette JAN 7, 2020
A Muncy area state lawmaker is calling it quits in November, after 14 years of service in the state House of Representatives. State Rep. Garth D. Everett, R-Pennsdale, told the Sun-Gazette editorial board Monday he would finish out his term ending then. Everett, who turns age 66 next month, is chairman of the state Government Committee. “This will be seven terms,” Everett said.


An Overlooked Danger: School Shootings After Hours
New York Times By Mitch Smith and Denise Lu Jan. 6, 2020
MOBILE, Ala. — Jarvis Murphy tried to get away. He joined a fleeing crowd, heard gunshots echo on the stadium concourse, felt a bullet pierce the ground a few inches from his left shoe. He kept running — toward the exit, toward his car, willing himself forward even as he got a jolt in one leg, then the other. Outside the stadium, Mr. Murphy fell to the ground. When he rolled up his jeans, he found a gunshot wound below each knee. And the worst pain he had experienced in his 18 years. “I was scared. I was really scared,” said Mr. Murphy, who was one of nine people shot in August after a high school football game in Mobile. He said he had never worried about someone bringing a gun to a game. “I’ll be cautious everywhere I go now. I’ll be scared something will happen.” Mr. Murphy became a casualty that evening of an overlooked epidemic of school shootings — the kind that happens after class lets out, the kind that draws little attention despite a national push to fortify schools and protect children. Since mid-August, gunfire has erupted more than 20 times at or near school sporting events around the country, more shootings than took place during school hours. Since the start of 2013, at least 19 people have been killed and more than 100 wounded in shootings with some connection to school sporting events.

Warren: 'We Are Failing on Our Country's Promise' to Children With Disabilities
Education Week By Corey Mitchell on January 2, 2020 4:10 PM
UPDATED: This post has been updated to reflect that Warren is a former speech-language pathologist who worked with students with disabilties.
Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren on Monday introduced a plan designed to protect the rights of people with disabilities, including children in the nation's public schools, and ensure equitable treatment for them. Warren's campaign released "Protecting the Rights and Equality of People with Disabilities" on Monday, providing more detail on her broader K-12 education plan and her pledge to commit an additional $20 billion in grant funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Act and expand the program to cover more services for children, ages 3 to 5. The document touches on some of the most glaring issues in special education: disparities for students with disabilities; school buildings that aren't Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant; and discipline practices that disproportionately affect black, Latino, and Native American students with disabilities. The national graduation rate for students with disabilities is 68 percent, roughly 18 percentage points lower than the rate for student without disabilities.

U.S. Schools See Surge in Number of Arabic- and Chinese-Speaking English-Learners
Education Week By Corey Mitchell on January 7, 2020 12:50 PM
Spanish remains the language most frequently spoken by English-learners in U.S. schools by a wide margin, with roughly 76 percent of the nation's 5 million English-learners speaking Spanish, but the numbers for several other languages are surging. Overall, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Somali were the top five languages spoken by English-language learners in the nation's K-12 public schools during the 2016-17 school year, according to recently released data from the U.S. Department of Education. The percentage of Arabic-speaking English-learners, the second-largest group, has increased 75 percent over the past eight years to 122,000. But even with the rapid growth of native Arabic speakers in U.S. schools, this group still accounts for only about 2.5 percent of the entire English-learner population.


WBAI Radio: Charter Schools Out of Control; Wednesday 10 am
Excited 2 hear @carolburris guests on  @WBAI Wednesday's #TalkOutOfSchool radio show - Retired teacher & blogger Peter Greene @palan57 & @EdVotersPA Executive Director @SusanSpicka You can tune in live Wed. 10 a.m. EST https://wbai.org/listen-live/ Call w/ ? (212) 209-2877

PA SCHOOLS WORK: Special Education Funding Webinar Tue, Jan 14, 2020 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM EST

Charter Schools; Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
PENNSYLVANIA BULLETIN PROPOSED RULEMAKING DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [ 22 PA. CODE CH. 711 ]

Training: Enhancing School Safety Jan. 9th, 8 am – 1 pm Council Rock High School South
The training is provided by the United States Secret Service and the Office PA Rep Wendi Thomas, in partnership with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit, Bucks County DA Matt Weintraub and PSEA.
Date: Thursday, January 9, 2020, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Council Rock High School South, 2002 Rock Way, Holland PA 18954
This is the region’s first presentation of the National Threat Assessment Center's (NTAC) 2020 research on actionable plans to prevent violence in schools. The training is provided by the United States Secret Service (USSS) and is based on updated operational research conducted by the USSS and the NTAC. The training will offer best practices on preventing incidents of targeted school violence. This workshop will focus solely on how to proactively identify, assess, and manage individuals exhibiting concerning behavior based on USSS methodologies.
At the conclusion of the training, attendees will be able to:
·     Understand operational research on preventing incidents of targeted school violence;
·     Be able to proactively identify, using USSS methodologies, concerning behaviors prior to an incident;
·     Be able to assess concerning behaviors using best practice standards and use identified methods to better manage individuals who exhibit concerning behaviors with the goal of preventing school violence.

PSBA New and Advanced School Director Training in Dec & Jan
Additional sessions now being offered in Bucks and Beaver Counties
Do you want high-impact, engaging training that newly elected and reseated school directors can attend to be certified in new and advanced required training? PSBA has been supporting new school directors for more than 50 years by enlisting statewide experts in school law, finance and governance to deliver a one-day foundational training. This year, we are adding a parallel track of sessions for those who need advanced school director training to meet their compliance requirements. These sessions will be delivered by the same experts but with advanced content. Look for a compact evening training or a longer Saturday session at a location near you. All sites will include one hour of trauma-informed training required by Act 18 of 2019. Weekend sites will include an extra hour for a legislative update from PSBA’s government affairs team.
New School Director Training
Week Nights: Registration opens 3:00 p.m., program starts 3:30 p.m. -9:00 p.m., dinner with break included
Saturdays: Registration opens at 8:00 a.m., program starts at 9:00 a.m. -3:30 p.m., lunch with break included
Advanced School Director Training
Week Nights: Registration with dinner provided opens at 4:30 p.m., program starts 5:30 p.m. -9:00 p.m.
Saturdays: Registration opens at 10:00 a.m., program starts at 11:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., lunch with break included
Locations and dates

Congress, Courts, and a National Election: 50 Million Children’s Futures Are at Stake. Be their champion at the 2020 Advocacy Institute.
NSBA Advocacy Institute Feb. 2-4, 2020 Marriot Marquis, Washington, D.C.
Join school leaders from across the country on Capitol Hill, Feb. 2-4, 2020 to influence the legislative agenda & shape decisions that impact public schools. Check out the schedule & more at https://nsba.org/Events/Advocacy-Institute

All school leaders are invited to attend Advocacy Day at the state Capitol in Harrisburg. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units (PAIU) and the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) are partnering together to strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center around meetings with legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public education. Click here for more information or register at http://www.mypsba.org/
School directors can register online now by logging in to myPSBA. If you need assistance logging in and registering contact Alysha Newingham, Member Data System Administrator at alysha.newingham@psba.org

Register now for Network for Public Education Action National Conference in Philadelphia March 28-29, 2020
Registration, hotel information, keynote speakers and panels:

Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may be affiliated with.


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