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The Keystone State Education Coalition is an endorsing member of The Campaign for Fair Education Funding
Keystone State Education Coalition
PA Ed Policy Roundup for February
26, 2015:
Wolf: “we
have to agree that we are going to have to spend some money, we are going to
have to make an investment.”
Education Voters of PA holding public forums on school funding
Lancaster County:
Tuesday, March 17, at 7:00 pm at Millersville University
York County: Wednesday,
March 25th, 6:30pm at the York Learning Center
Cumberland County:
Wednesday, April 1, 7:00 pm at the Grace Milliman Pollock Performing Arts
Center
Details/registration: http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/news/2015-events/
PSBA's website February 25, 2015
House Bill 530 is a charter school reform measure that was
introduced on Feb. 18 by Rep. Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland) and approved by the
House Education Committee on Feb. 25, 2015. It contains provisions similar to
legislation that was considered by the General Assembly in the 2013-14
legislative session under House Bill 618 and Senate Bill 1085. House Bill 530
was passed by the Education Committee with no amendments with a vote of 15-10,
with Republicans supporting the measure, and Democrats opposed.
PSBA is encouraged that Education Committee Chairman Rep.
Stan Saylor (R-York) is moving legislation that begins the process of making
charter schools’ spending and academic performance more accountable to the
taxpayers who fund them. The association looks forward to working with
legislators and staff in the House and Senate to pursue charter reform.
"The state used to have a set formula,
determined by 1966 and 1983 laws, but that formula was largely abandoned in the
early 1990s, Dufalla said. Since then, state funding has remained fairly level,
even as costs have increased, resulting in more burden placed on local property
taxes. The state created a commission
over the summer to study the education funding formula and it should issue a
recommendation by June."
The Almanac Published Feb 25, 2015 at 1:45 pm (Updated Feb 25,
2015 at 1:45 pm)
Four decades ago, state tax dollars made up about half of Bethel Park School District Campbell said.
A “circuit rider” from the Campaign for Fair Education Funding
addressed the board last month and asked that they pass a resolution in support
of a funding formula. Ronald Dufalla, a retired superintendent from Brentwood School District
The campaign is a partnership between various education groups,
including the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. Several representatives
from the campaign have been speaking at school board meetings across the state
in an effort to build support for a revamped funding system.
OP-ED: Legislators, not
school boards, created pension mess
We grouse when our school property taxes go up, yet the 500
school districts in Pennsylvania face a financial burden largely not of their
making called the Public School Employees' Retirement System. Pennsylvania has two pension systems, State
Employee' Retirement System and PSERS, but I will limit myself to PSERS. Last
week the state Senate commented that action to begin to address Pennsylvania's
pension crisis must happen in conjunction with this year's state budget. There
is a great need for this since as of 2013 PSERS was funded to about 63 percent
of obligations. That means the amount of money known to be needed to pay school
employees' retirements is short by 37 percent.
As you can imagine this will be a complex debate, but it is helpful to
understand the system and the genesis of the problem as legislators search for
a solution. Is PSERS too generous? How
did the system get so far in arrears? To understand the issue we need to
address both questions and go back just a few years to see how we got here.
Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf delivers
tough message on school funding to business groups
Delco Times By MARC
LEVY, Associated Press POSTED: 02/24/15, 12:07 PM EST |
HARRISBURG, Pa. >> Gov. Tom Wolf delivered a tough
message Tuesday on the need to increase public school funding as he reaches out
to business groups, a traditional ally of Republicans, ahead of a budget
proposal that is expected to seek higher taxes.
The Democrat, speaking at a suburban Harrisburg hotel, stressed his credentials as
a former business owner who understands the hardship of making payroll and how
government can affect businesses. But,
with many in the business community bracing for a Wolf proposal to substantially
overhaul tax structures, Wolf also told them that public schools must get more
money. …Wolf acknowledged to about 200
attendees that there will be disagreement over how to increase education
funding. Many of his proposals may get no consideration from the
Republican-controlled Legislature, but he insisted, “we have to agree that we
are going to have to spend some money, we are going to have to make an
investment.”
Wolf seeks to halve
Pennsylvania's corporate tax rate, close loopholes
By Karen Langley / Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau February 25, 2015 11:56 PM
They praised the concept behind the governor’s proposal to drop
the corporate net income tax rate from 9.99 percent to 4.99 percent by January
2018, saying it would create a better economic climate in Pennsylvania . But business groups warned, to varying
degrees, about his intention to institute “combined reporting,” a requirement
that multi-state corporations include profits from all subsidiaries in their Pennsylvania tax
report.
Wolf: Cut Pa.
CHRIS PALMER AND ANGELA COULOUMBIS, INQUIRER STAFF WRITERS February 26, 2015
Gov. Tom Wolf unveils his tax
and jobs budget plans
Morning Call By Steve
Esack Call Harrisburg
Bureau February 25, 2015
BETHLEHEM — Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday unveiled a plan to
reduce business taxes while also closing accounting loopholes and increasing
manufacturing jobs. Wolf's plan would
cut in half the state's 9.99 percent corporate net income tax, which is one of
the nation's highest, over two years. If Wolf succeeds in lowering the tax to
4.99 percent, Pennsylvania would have the fourth lowest such taxes in the
state. He would continue the phase out
of the capitol stock and franchise tax, which is levied on companies' physical
assets. That tax has been scheduled to end by 2016 under a stalled plan his
predecessor, Gov. Tom Corbett, had restarted upon taking office in 2011. As a former York County businessman, Wolf
said, he paid the capitol stock and franchise tax and he knows it is an unfair
tax.
On Wolf’s corporate tax
proposal, Republican leaders agree the devil is in the details
The PLS Reporter Author: Jason
Gottesman/Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday announced some of his budget plans for
the upcoming fiscal year, among them a substantial revision to Pennsylvania’s
corporate tax laws, but Republican leaders say they need to see the specifics
of the plan before casting any final judgment.
According to a news release form the Wolf administration, the governor
proposed at an event in Bethlehem Wednesday cutting Pennsylvania’s corporate
net income tax from the current rate of 9.99 percent to 4.99 percent over two
years. He is also calling for a final phase-out of the Capital Stock and
Franchise Tax and for combined reporting (also known as closing the Delaware
Loophole).
“The Commonwealth can help set the table for robust private
sector growth to create and retain good jobs while strengthening the middle
class,” Gov. Wolf was quoted as saying in the statement. “In order to create jobs that pay and an
economy that grows, we must acknowledge that success will require investment in
our companies and our people, and a new business climate that is welcoming and
fair.”
Responding to the news Wednesday afternoon, Senate Majority
Leader Jake Corman (R-Centre) said he needs to see the full proposal.
PA School Funding Lawsuit
Amicus Brief Filed in Commonwealth
Court
Opting out: Frustrated parents
pull kids from standardized tests
Penn Live By Candy Woodall |
cwoodall@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on February 25, 2015 at 11:35 AM, updated February 25, 2015 at 1:52 PM
on February 25, 2015 at 11:35 AM, updated February 25, 2015 at 1:52 PM
At least two things are expected to happen this spring when
millions of students sit down to take standardized tests born of the No Child
Left Behind mandate: The exams will be more exhaustive because of Common
Core standards and thousands of parents will cite religious exemptions
to keep their children from being tested.
The recoil is part of Opt Out - a national movement in which
participating parents, students and teachers rally against a federal education
policy they say has distorted public education and corrupted the examination
process.
Standardized tests in Pa.:
How many kids are taking, what they're for
Penn Live By Candy Woodall |
cwoodall@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on February 25, 2015 at 11:55 AM
on February 25, 2015 at 11:55 AM
To comply with federal and state education laws, school
districts must administer standardized tests.
The tests are used to evaluate the performance of students, teachers and
schools. These are tests that have upset parents to the point where they are
opting out, or keeping their kids from taking them. The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) and
Pennsylvania Alternative System of Assessment (PASA) are given every spring,
and the Keystone Exams are given at the end of each semester.
Where does your lawmaker
stand on No Child Left Behind education law?
Penn Live By Candy Woodall |
cwoodall@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on February 25, 2015 at 11:45 AM, updated February 25, 2015 at 11:46 AM
on February 25, 2015 at 11:45 AM, updated February 25, 2015 at 11:46 AM
A little more than 50 years ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson
asked Congress to join him in his goal of full educational opportunity. The president's speech on Jan. 12, 1965,
indicated he knew the challenge was great, but it was imperative enough he
asked the Legislature to spend $4.1 billion on education in his fiscal 1966
budget.
Charter school's application
rejected for second time by Pittsburgh
By Eleanor Chute / Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette February 25, 2015 9:37 PM
The board of Pittsburgh Public Schools tonight rejected its
only application for a new charter school this fall, the Robert L. Vann Charter
School
Community leaders, members
talk poverty, funding at forum about York
City School
District
Penn Live By Debbie Truong |
dtruong@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter on
February 25, 2015 at 7:00 AM, updated February 25, 2015 at 7:01 AM
YORK -- Community members, school district officials and city
councilors gathered at a community forum Tuesday night to try and get to the
root of how the York City School District came to be so troubled that it
faces a state takeover and possible conversion to charter schools.
The conversation was part of a town hall forum hosted by the
York County NAACP at the Crispus Attucks Community Center. More than 20 people
attended. In December, a York
County judge approved a petition from the Pennsylvania Department of Education
that granted
local businessman David Meckley sole authority over the district, except
for the ability to tax.
How do district, union offers
in Saucon Valley
stack up to other teacher contracts in Lehigh Valley
By Jacqueline
Palochko Of The Morning Call February 25, 2015
The Saucon
Valley School
District Lehigh Valley school districts forged new contracts,
agreeing to terms that are strikingly similar to those rejected by both sides
in Saucon Valley
We can learn lessons from
courageous teachers
Leslie Gates, Ph.D., is an art education professor at Millersville University
and co-founder of Lancaster
County
Just weeks after teachers from Feltonville School of Arts and
Sciences in Philadelphia faced “possible
disciplinary action” for notifying parents of the right to opt their children
out of standardized testing, the School
District of Philadelphia
As in the case of Feltonville, initial press reports described
possible sanctions these teachers faced. But the sanctions are generally
nebulous, and the districts take no disciplinary action.
Instead, two things consistently seem to result from teachers’
courageous actions to resist high-stakes, state-mandated tests. First, district
administrations reconsider their policies on testing; second, an increasing
number of parents opt out their children.
Wannabe mayors make their
pitches to Philadelphia
WHYY Newsworks BY KATIE
COLANERI BY KEVIN MCCORRY
FEBRUARY 26, 2015 NINETYNINE
Tuesday
night, it was the milliennials.
Wednesday afternoon, six of the Democrats vying to be Philadelphia 's next mayor pitched themselves
to members of the city's teachers union, hoping to score
another endorsement — or in several cases, any endorsement at all. The
Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) uses the forum to help decide who
gets its support and its maximum-allowable campaign contributions. Union president
Jerry Jordan says members will vote starting next week and announce a formal
endorsement by mid-March. Each candidate
was given five minutes to talk and ten minutes for questions from the audience,
ranging from how they'd raise money for public schools to the role of
standardized tests to their thoughts on resolving teacher contract negotiations
that have dragged on for more than two years.
Since it was a private union meeting, members of the press were not
allowed inside the auditorium at the Sheetmetal Workers Union Hall on Columbus Blvd.
However, NinetyNine and WHYY education reporter Kevin McCorry caught up with
the candidates as they walked out:
Trending: Mayoral Candidates
Should Ignore Schools
File it under really
bad ideas.
Philly Mag Citified BY PATRICK KERKSTRA | FEBRUARY
24, 2015 AT 1:56 PM
It’s becoming trendy to declare that, since the mayor doesn’t
directly control the School
District of Philadelphia
I’m not sure this campaign has a coherent
theme yet, but it’s certainly true that education is sucking up a lot of oxygen
so far. I understand the worry that the debate over schools—which does have
a Sisyphean feel to it—will sideline conversation about economic development
and tax policy, mobility planning and quality of life, infrastructure and
criminal justice, ethics and good government. A mayor’s portfolio is large, and
schools are just one page of the portfolio.
But schools are a damned important page,
and I find it bizarre to hear so many suggesting that the mayor's role in
education is more or less irrelevant. Let's consider a few points:
Read more at http://www.phillymag.com/citified/2015/02/24/mayoral-candidates-should-ignore-schools/#ui4Z1bUsvTH0XDKh.99
To Tom Wolf: Childhood trauma
is the elephant in the classroom
WHYY Newsworks Opinion by Daun Kauffman FEBRUARY 26,
2015 ESSAYWORKS
Dear Gov. Tom Wolf and Education Secretary-designee Pedro
Rivera:
I write regarding injured, marginalized children in Pennsylvania schools, to
ask that you include them explicitly in a broad, “Healthy PA” paradigm in your
new administration. I am an educator
serving children in elementary and middle school classrooms in my own
neighborhood in a major urban center for 14 years. I advocate today regarding
an aspect of education rarely discussed, but clearly visible to experienced
classroom educators. Childhood trauma is
a tragic, life-changing assault on the minds and lives of children in our
schools. Unaddressed (which is the general, present state), its ravages
continue, life-long. This applies to all neighborhoods in Pennsylvania .
Push-Out is
Gendered, Too
The weather has been messing up everyone’s plans lately. But
the community meeting about school push-out has been re-scheduled for this
Saturday, February 28th. Hosted by Great Public Schools Pittsburgh,
the Education Law Center, and the Center for Third World Organizing, the
conversation will run from 10AM-12PM at the Kingsley Center in East Liberty.
Speakers will include Sara Goodkind (a Yinzercation steering committee member)
and Jeff Shook, both from the School of Social Work at the University of
Pittsburgh.
At least the delay bought some extra time for media attention
to this important issue. Did you catch the banner headline article about the
upcoming meeting in Monday’s Post-Gazette at the top of the front
page? [Post-Gazette,
2-23-15]
"[School board members] really
are the ones that lead the public school system at the local level," NSBA
Executive Director Thomas J. Gentzel told Education Dive, "and given all
the challenges that we’re facing and some of the attacks that are being levied
against public education, we thought it was important to just really promote
the good things that are happening in public schools and to kind of challenge
some of the myths that are out there."
NSBA's Gentzel: Legislators
must see firsthand why public schools matter
Education Dive By Roger Riddell | February
24, 2015
It's no secret that in recent years, public schools have faced
significant funding cuts, as well as competition for funding and students from
voucher programs, for-profit-operated schools, and more. According to the National School Boards
Association, however, 90% of children are enrolled in public schools, and
PDK/Gallup polls show that 61% of respondents would like to see more public
school funding, 56% support school boards having more control over content, and
63% are against vouchers. The organization advocates for local school
board members nationwide, and last April, it launched the Stand Up 4 Public Schools campaign
to raise awareness of the issues facing schools. Adding to the initiatives
visibility is its support from the likes of Earvin "Magic" Johnson,
Montel Williams, and Khan Academy founder Sal Khan, and a series of ads features
quotes about how public schools made them who they are today.
White House Threatens Veto
For House Bill To Revise No Child Left Behind
Huffington Post by AP Posted: 02/25/2015 9:34 am EST
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House is threating to veto a
Republican bill to fix the widely criticized No Child Left Behind law that is
set for debate in the House on Wednesday, calling it "a significant step
backwards." Republicans say the
bill would restore local control in schools and stop top-down education
mandates. Democrats say it would allow billions in federal dollars to flow out
without ensuring they will improve student learning. The White House said the measure
"abdicates the historic federal role in elementary and secondary education
of ensuring the educational progress of all of America's students, including
students from low-income families, students with disabilities, English
learners, and students of color." The
White House's statement Wednesday is the latest in a series of veto threats
issued since both chambers of Congress went under Republican control last month
for the first time in Barack Obama's presidency. A vote is expected on Friday, and it's
possible that members will vote strictly along party lines. That's what
happened with a similar bill in 2013.
Efforts to Make NCLB Rewrite
More Conservative Could Snag Process
Education Week Politics K-12 Blog By Lauren
Camera on February 25, 2015 8:44 AM
The House committee that sets the rules for how bills are
debated on the floor of held a meeting Tuesday evening. And if you were lucky
enough to tune in, you got a little preview of what we'll likely see when
lawmakers in the House begin debating the Republican-backed rewrite of the No
Child Left Behind Act on Thursday. The
chairman of the education committee, U.S. Rep John Kline, R-Minn., was on hand
to present his bill, along with Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio (who was filling in
for Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., the top Democrat of the education committee).
Members of the rules committee got to ask questions about the measure before
deciding later today which of the
125 amendments filed will actually see the light of day when the bill
is brought to the floor.
"Already, the
Heritage Foundation, a conservative policy think tank based in Washington, has
emailed House Republicans underscoring that the bill doesn't include provisions
that would give states the option of fully opting out of accountability
requirements, does not do enough to reduce what it considers out-of-control
spending, and doesn't include language that would allow Title I funds for
low-income students to be used at private schools."
Success Academy Will Close
NYC Schools for Political Rally
Diane RaVITCH'S bLOG By dianeravitch February
25, 2015 //
Want proof that charter schools are not public schools? Public
school principals would be fired if they closed their schools for the day and
put the children on buses to the state Capitol to lobby for more funding.
Imagine if NYC principals brought 1 million students to Albany to demand money
for smaller classes, libraries, and the arts. It will never happen because it
is illegal.
But next week, Eva Moskowitz will close her NYC charter schools
and bring 9,000 children (mostly elementary ages) to lobby for more
charters. http://ny.chalkbeat.org/2015/01/30/success-academys-albany-rally-set-to-compete-with-uft-lobbying-day/#.VOyb4WS9Kc0
The William Penn School District Presents
A Workshop in Support of Fair
Funding and other Common Sense Reforms for Public Education
Saturday Feb 28th 9:30 am -
Noon Evans Elementary School Auditorium, 900 Baily Road, Yeadon, PA
Doors open at 9:00 with a continental breakfast
Speakers:
Shanee Garner, Education Policy Director, Public Citizens for
Children & Youth
Mike Wood, Research Director, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy
Center
Larry Feinberg, Co-Chairman, Keystone State Education Coalition
Questions Email rafi@thecavegroup.com
EPLC "Focus on
Education" TV Program on PCN - Sunday, March 1 at 3:00
p.m.
Topic 1: Education Voters of Pennsylvania
Susan Gobreski, Director, Education Voters of Pennsylvania
Topic 2: Preview of the 2015 Pennsylvania State Education
Budget Debate
EPLC "Focus on Education" TV shows are hosted by EPLC President Ron Cowell.
EPLC "Focus on Education" TV shows are hosted by EPLC President Ron Cowell.
Visit the EPLC and the Pennsylvania School Funding Project web sites for
various resources related to education and school funding issues.
Bucks County Forum on how to
run for school board March 2, 7 pm at Northampton library
Courier Times By Chris English Staff Writer
Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2015 1:00 am | Updated: 7:17 am, Tue Feb 24, 2015.
How to run for school board and what to do if you get elected
are two issues that will be explored during a forum at 7 p.m. March 2 at the
Free Library of Northampton Township. The event is free and open to the public. "Anyone in Bucks County who is interested
in school board elections is encouraged to attend," said event organizer
and Newtown Township resident Amy McIntyre.
A panel of present and former school board members from
throughout the county will lead a discussion and answer questions about the
process and requirements of running for school board, the time commitment,
responsibilities of board members and the resources available to teach new
board members about the job. Centennial
school board member and Pennsylvania School Board Association Vice President
Mark Miller will moderate.
PSBA Members Only: Annual
Pennsylvania
MAR 4, 2015 • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Join us for a special complimentary members-only Annual
Pennsylvania Education Budget Briefing webinar, Wednesday, March 4 at noon. The webinar features Acting Secretary of
Education Pedro Rivera and PSBA Senior Director of Government Affairs, John
Callahan, who will discuss Gov. Wolf’s 2015-16 proposed budget. You will have
the option to attend live at PSBA’s Headquarters in Mechanicsburg or join us
online through your computer. Both options will allow you to ask questions
during the webinar.
Lawsuit asks the Court to ensure that all
students -- including those living in low-wealth districts -- have the basic
resources they need to meet state academic standards.
Meet Us in Court on March 11th
Education Law Center
On Wednesday, March 11th at 9:30 a.m., the
Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania will hear oral arguments in our school
funding lawsuit which challenges the legislature's failure to adequately
support and maintain Pennsylvania's public school system. This historic case,
which the Education Law Center filed with the Public Interest Law Center of
Philadelphia and pro bono counsel O'Melveny & Meyers, asks the Court to
ensure that all students -- including those living in low-wealth districts --
have the basic resources they need to meet state academic standards. We ask the
court to hear this case and enforce the rights of our children to a
"thorough and efficient" system of public education as guaranteed to
them by our state constitution.
Please come and support us as we fight for vulnerable students and all public school students across the state. The hearing will be held at thePennsylvania Judicial
Center , 601 Commonwealth Avenue , Courtroom 5001
in Harrisburg , PA.
Please come and support us as we fight for vulnerable students and all public school students across the state. The hearing will be held at the
2015 Pennsylvania
Budget Summit
Wednesday, March 25, 2015 Hilton Hotel, Harrisburg
Pennsylvania
PA Budget and Policy Center
The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center will host its Annual
Budget Summit on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at the Hilton Harrisburg. Join us for
an in-depth look at the Governor's 2015-16 budget proposal, including what it
means for education, health and human services, and local communities. The
Summit will focus on the leading issues facing the commonwealth in 2015, with
workshops, lunch, a legislative panel discussion, and a keynote speech.
Space is limited, so fill out the form below to reserve your
spot at the Budget Summit.
"Test-In" &
Forum on High Stakes Testing
Thurs., Feb 26, 2015
(5-7pm) Free Library of Philadelphia –
Central Branch Room 406 & 407 1901 Vine St., Phila 19103 (between 19th and
20th Streets on the Parkway)
Caucus of Working Educators BY MAX
ROSEN-LONG 301SC ON FEBRUARY 16, 2015
Join parents, teachers, students, community members, higher ed
faculty, politicians, & district administrators at the...“Test-In” &
Forum on High Stakes Testing
-Answer sample PSSA and Keystone test questions.
-Hear teachers break the code of silence and reveal the injustice of high stakes testing from the classroom perspective.
-Hear students describe how the onslaught of testing has forced art, music, gym, and recess out of the school day.
-Hear school nurses describe the emotional and physical impact testing has on students.
-Learn exactly how much money and time is spent on testing annually in our schools.
-Discuss alternatives to high stakes testing.
-Learn how parents, teachers, and students have fought back again high stakes testing inChicago , New
York , Seattle
http://www.workingeducators.org/test_in_forum
-Answer sample PSSA and Keystone test questions.
-Hear teachers break the code of silence and reveal the injustice of high stakes testing from the classroom perspective.
-Hear students describe how the onslaught of testing has forced art, music, gym, and recess out of the school day.
-Hear school nurses describe the emotional and physical impact testing has on students.
-Learn exactly how much money and time is spent on testing annually in our schools.
-Discuss alternatives to high stakes testing.
-Learn how parents, teachers, and students have fought back again high stakes testing in
http://www.workingeducators.org/test_in_forum
The State of Public Education
Funding in Pennsylvania
Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia Tuesday, March
17, 2015 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM
United
Way Building, 1709 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-state-of-public-education-funding-in-pennsylvania-tickets-15816877707
Education Voters of PA will
hold a forum about public school funding in Lancaster County Tuesday, March 17,
at 7:00 pm at Millersville University
Education Voters of PA and the Millersville University
Education on Location program will be co-hosting a forum about public school
funding in Lancaster County on Tuesday, March 17, at 7:00 pm at Millersville
University, the Lehrer Room in the Bolger Conference Center.
This event is free and open to the public. It will give
Lancaster County residents the opportunity both to learn more about how state
funding issues impact their own school districts and to learn about how they
can make a positive difference for their schools and communities by advocating
for a state system of funding schools that is fair, adequate, and predictable
and will provide all students with an opportunity to learn.
Panelists for the forum include:
Dr. Brenda Becker, Hempfield Area SD, Superintendent
Dr. Bob Hollister, Elanco SD, Superintendent
Dr. Mike Leichliter, Penn Manor SD, Superintendent
Dr. Tim Shrom, Solanco SD, Business Manager
Ms. Idette Groff, Conestoga Valley SD, School Board Member
Mr. Tim Stayer, Ephrata Area SD, School Board Member
Ms. Susan Gobreski, Education Voters of PA
Dr. Brenda Becker, Hempfield Area SD, Superintendent
Dr. Bob Hollister, Elanco SD, Superintendent
Dr. Mike Leichliter, Penn Manor SD, Superintendent
Dr. Tim Shrom, Solanco SD, Business Manager
Ms. Idette Groff, Conestoga Valley SD, School Board Member
Mr. Tim Stayer, Ephrata Area SD, School Board Member
Ms. Susan Gobreski, Education Voters of PA
More info/registration: http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/news/2015-events/
Education Voters of PA will
hold a forum about public school funding in York: Wednesday, March 25th, 6:30pm
to 8pm at the York Learning Center, 300 E. 7th Avenue, York.
This forum will give York County residents the opportunity both to learn more about how state funding issues impact their own school districts and to learn about how they can make a positive difference for their schools and communities by advocating for a state system of funding schools that is fair, adequate, and predictable and will provide all students with an opportunity to learn.
This forum will give York County residents the opportunity both to learn more about how state funding issues impact their own school districts and to learn about how they can make a positive difference for their schools and communities by advocating for a state system of funding schools that is fair, adequate, and predictable and will provide all students with an opportunity to learn.
Panelists for the forum include:
Dr. Emilie Lonardi, West York SD, Superintendent
Dr. Scott Deisley, Red Lion Area SD, Superintendents
Mr. Brian Geller, Northeastern York SD, Director of Operations
Mr. Troy Wentz, Hanover Public SD, Business Manager
Mrs. Ellen Freireich, York Suburban SD, School Board Member
Mr. Eric Wolfgang, Central York SD, School Board Member
Dr. Scott Deisley, Red Lion Area SD, Superintendents
Mr. Brian Geller, Northeastern York SD, Director of Operations
Mr. Troy Wentz, Hanover Public SD, Business Manager
Mrs. Ellen Freireich, York Suburban SD, School Board Member
Mr. Eric Wolfgang, Central York SD, School Board Member
Guest Panelist: Mr. Jim Buckheit, Executive Director, PA
Association of School Administrators
Moderated by: Ms. Susan Spicka, Education Voters of PA
More info/registration: http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/news/2015-events/
Education Voters of PA will
hold a forum about public school funding in Cumberland County: Wednesday, April
1, 7:00 pm at the Grace Milliman Pollock Performing Arts Center, 340 North 21st
Street, Camp Hill.
This forum will give Cumberland County residents the opportunity both to learn more about how state funding issues impact their own school districts and to learn about how they can make a positive difference for their schools and communities by advocating for a state system of funding schools that is fair, adequate, and predictable and will provide all students with an opportunity to learn.
This forum will give Cumberland County residents the opportunity both to learn more about how state funding issues impact their own school districts and to learn about how they can make a positive difference for their schools and communities by advocating for a state system of funding schools that is fair, adequate, and predictable and will provide all students with an opportunity to learn.
Panelists for the forum include:
Mr. Richard Fry, Big Spring SD, Superintendent
Mr. John Friend, Carlisle Area SD, Superintendent
Dr. Mark Leidy, Mechanicsburg Area SD, Superintendent
Ms. Christine Hakes, Camp Hill Area SD, Business Manager
Mr. Matt Franchak, school board member, East Pennsboro SD, School Board Member
Guest Panelist: Mr. Dave Patti, President and CEO, Pennsylvania Business Council
Moderated by: Ms. Susan Spicka, Education Voters of PA
Mr. Richard Fry, Big Spring SD, Superintendent
Mr. John Friend, Carlisle Area SD, Superintendent
Dr. Mark Leidy, Mechanicsburg Area SD, Superintendent
Ms. Christine Hakes, Camp Hill Area SD, Business Manager
Mr. Matt Franchak, school board member, East Pennsboro SD, School Board Member
Guest Panelist: Mr. Dave Patti, President and CEO, Pennsylvania Business Council
Moderated by: Ms. Susan Spicka, Education Voters of PA
More info/registration: http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/news/2015-events/
PSBA 2015 Advocacy Forum
APR 19, 2015 • 8:00
AM - APR 20, 2015 • 5:00 PM
Join PSBA for the second annual Advocacy Forum on April 19-20,
2015. Hear from legislative experts on hot topics and issues regarding public
education on Sunday, April 19, at PSBA headquarters in Mechanicsburg. The next
day you and fellow advocates will meet with legislators at the state capitol.
This is your chance to learn how to successfully advocate on behalf of public
education and make your voice heard on the Hill.
·
Schedule of Events
·
Day One –PSBA headquarters
·
10 a.m. — Early Bird Arrival and Registration
·
10:30-12 p.m. — The State Education Agenda
The chairman of the Senate and House Education Committees will share their perspectives on the education agenda for the 2015-16 session of the General Assembly. Speakers: Senator Smucker, chairman, Senate Education Committee; and Representative Saylor, chairman, House Education Committee
The chairman of the Senate and House Education Committees will share their perspectives on the education agenda for the 2015-16 session of the General Assembly. Speakers: Senator Smucker, chairman, Senate Education Committee; and Representative Saylor, chairman, House Education Committee
·
Noon-1:15 p.m. — Welcome Lunch
·
1:00-12:15 p.m. — Special Welcome and
Introduction: Nathan Mains, PSBA Executive
Director and William LaCoff, PSBA President
·
12:30-1 p.m. — Speaker: Diane Ravitch, nationally known education
historian, policy analyst and author of Reign of Error.
·
1:15-2:00 p.m. — Education Priorities will be
discussed with the Education Secretary Pedro
Rivera
This session provides the latest information on the governor’s proposed state funding plans, the pension crisis and the latest on special education.
This session provides the latest information on the governor’s proposed state funding plans, the pension crisis and the latest on special education.
·
2:00-2:30 p.m. — Federal Education Update:
NSBA
Director of National Advocacy Services Kathleen Branch will join Director of Federal Programs Lucy Gettman from NSBA, to speak about federal advocacy.
Director of National Advocacy Services Kathleen Branch will join Director of Federal Programs Lucy Gettman from NSBA, to speak about federal advocacy.
·
2:30-3 p.m. — Social Media Training Mary
Curley, Communications Director for Chester County Intermediate Unit
·
3-3:15 p.m. — Break
·
3:15-3:45 p.m. — Grassroots Advocacy: How to
be an Effective Advocate
Hear from Allwein Advocacy Award winners Shauna D’Alessandro, school director from West Jefferson Hills SD and PSBA Allegheny Region 14 director, and Mark B. Miller, board vice president of Centennial SD and PSBA vice president.
Hear from Allwein Advocacy Award winners Shauna D’Alessandro, school director from West Jefferson Hills SD and PSBA Allegheny Region 14 director, and Mark B. Miller, board vice president of Centennial SD and PSBA vice president.
·
3:45-4:15 p.m. — Legislative Update and Lobby
Day Coordination
PSBA’s Senior Director of Government Affairs John Callahan will walk you through legislative issues and priorities that might be addressed the next day during legislative visits by members.
PSBA’s Senior Director of Government Affairs John Callahan will walk you through legislative issues and priorities that might be addressed the next day during legislative visits by members.
·
4:15-5 p.m. — Roundtable Discussion
Network with your fellow board members before visiting your legislator
Network with your fellow board members before visiting your legislator
·
5:00-5:15 p.m. — Break
·
5:15-6:30 p.m. — Dinner Buffet
Enjoy a legislative discussion on the 2015-16 budget and appropriations with Senator Browne
Enjoy a legislative discussion on the 2015-16 budget and appropriations with Senator Browne
·
6:30 p.m. — Adjourn
Campaign for Fair Education
Funding Seeks Campaign Manager
Campaign for Fair Education Funding February 2, 2015
The Campaign for Fair Education Funding seeks a campaign
manager who is a strategic thinker and an operational leader. This position
could be filled by an individual or firm. The manager will lead the day-to-day
operations of the campaign and its government relations, communications,
mobilization and research committees and work in partnership with the campaign
governing board to set and implement the campaign’s strategic direction.
Sign-up for weekly email updates from the
Campaign
The Campaign for Fair
Education Funding website
PA Basic Education Funding
Commission website
Thorough and Efficient: Pennsylvania
Education Funding Lawsuit website
Arguing that our state has failed to ensure that essential
resources are available for all of our public school students to meet state
academic standards.
Sign up for National School Boards Association’s Advocacy Network
Friends of
Public Education http://p2a.co/nsbac
Register
Now! EPLC 2015 Regional Workshops for School Board Candidates and Others
The Education Policy and Leadership Center, with the
Cooperation of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) and
Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO), will
conduct A Series of Regional Full-Day Workshops for 2015
Pennsylvania School Board Candidates. Incumbents,
non-incumbents, campaign supporters and all interested voters are invited to
participate in these workshops.
Harrisburg Region Saturday, March 7, 2015– 8:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Pennsylvania School Boards Association Headquarters, 400 Bent Creek Boulevard, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Pennsylvania School Boards Association Headquarters, 400 Bent Creek Boulevard, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Philadelphia Region Saturday, March 14, 2015 – 8:30 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m.
Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, 2 W. Lafayette Street, Norristown, PA 19401
Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, 2 W. Lafayette Street, Norristown, PA 19401
NPE 2015 Annual Conference –
Chicago April 24 - 26 – Early Bird Special Registration Open!
January 4, 2015 NPE 2015 Annual Conference, NPE National Conference
Early-bird discounted Registration for the Network for
Public Education’s Second Annual Conference is now available at this address:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/network-for-public-education-2015-annual-conference-tickets-15118560020
These low rates will last for the month of January.
The event is being held at the Drake Hotel in downtown
Chicago, and there is a link on the registration page for special hotel
registration rates. Here are some of the event details.
There will be a welcoming social event 7 pm Friday night,
at or near the Drake Hotel — details coming soon. Featured speakers will be:
§
Jitu Brown, National Director – Journey
for Justice, Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, Network for Public
Education Board of Directors
§
Tanaisa Brown, High School Senior, with
the Newark Student Union
§
Yong Zhao, Author, “Who’s Afraid of
the Big Bad Dragon?“
§
Diane Ravitch in conversation with
§
Lily Eskelsen Garcia, NEA President and
§
Randi Weingarten, AFT President
§
Karen Lewis, President, Chicago Teachers
Union
