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.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup for June 4, 2013: Roebuck: GOP cyber/charter bill (HB618) deserves a D+, doesn't save nearly enough

Daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now reach more than 1900 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors, administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher leaders, education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via emails, website, Facebook and Twitter.

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?

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

Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition

Follow us on Twitter at @lfeinberg

Keystone State Education Coalition:

Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup for June 4, 2013:

Roebuck: GOP cyber/charter bill (HB618) deserves a D+, doesn't save nearly enough

Education Voters PA Statewide Call to Action for Public Education
Mark your calendar today for Monday, June 10th – remember it just takes 10 minutes to do three things to make a difference!

http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/news/call-to-action-monday-june-10/

As we enter the final stretch of the 2013-14 budget discussions, it is critical that parents, voters, taxpayers, community members make one more push to ensure that our elected officials in Harrisburg are paying attention to input from real people. Here is where we stand: The Governor proposed a mere $90 million increase and did NOT propose improvements to the funding formula. House leaders proposed just a little more than the Governor (and when we say a little, we mean a little), proposing just $10 million more than the Governor (and by the way, they proposed more money for their own operations!)

http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/news/call-to-action-monday-june-10/

“If our lawmakers stand with Gov. Corbett and his cuts, the state will continue to shift the cost of education down to local home and business owners, and our children will continue to lose educational opportunities,” she said. “That just isn’t the right thing to do.”

Shippensburg community to rally for public schools Tuesday night

By Debbie Chestnut, The Sentinel June 3, 2013

Shippensburg Area School District students, parents and community members will come together for a Support our Schools rally at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at The Thought Lot on the corner of Orange and Earl streets. The event is open to the public and will be held rain or shine.

Education Matters in the Cumberland Valley will provide information about state funding cuts to the SASD and the current budget priorities of Gov. Tom Corbett and area lawmakers.

Susan Spicka, co-founder of Education Matters in the Cumberland Valley, said the purpose of the rally is to demonstrate the impact of inadequate state funding on students in public schools and the need for a change in budget priorities in Harrisburg.

http://cumberlink.com/news/local/education/shippensburg-community-to-rally-for-public-schools-tuesday-night/article_92ad596a-c8a9-11e2-b472-0019bb2963f4.html

Protesters present petition calling school board to demand more state education funds

By Gregg Bortz | The Express-Times on June 03, 2013 at 6:11 PM

A dozen protestors with a petition from hundreds more today sounded their concerns about proposed state budget cuts that threaten Allentown and other school districts, and demanded the school board take action to reverse them. The group said it gathered about 550 signatures from parents and other guardians at several of Allentown’s elementary schools.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/allentown/index.ssf/2013/06/allentown_protestors_call_on_s.html#incart_river

EPLC Education Notebook for June 3, 2013

Education Policy and Leadership Center

http://www.eplc.org/notebook2013/EducationNotebook060313.pdf

Roebuck: GOP cyber/charter bill (HB618) deserves a D+, doesn't save nearly enough

Rep. Roebuck’s website Press Release HARRISBURG, June 3 – State Rep. James Roebuck, D-Phila., Democratic chairman of the House Education Committee, said the Republican charter and cyber charter school bill reported out of the committee today deserves a D-plus grade because it doesn't include nearly enough taxpayer savings or financial reforms.

"I have introduced a bill that would save $365 million in the first year and include more financial accountability and more comprehensive reforms to these publicly funded schools. The Republican bill doesn't even come close, and I and other Democrats plan to offer amendments to it in the full House. Without changes, this bill deserves a D-plus because it doesn't save nearly enough," Roebuck said.

http://www.pahouse.com/Roebuck/PAHouseNews.asp?doc=29577

Cyber-schools are public schools: As I See It

By Patriot-News Op-Ed By Suzanne D. Hair on June 03, 2013 at 11:00 AM

Like Susan Spicka ("As lawmakers consider state budget, some things to consider," May 24), I, too, am the parent of a school-age child and am very concerned about how our lawmakers’ decisions impact my child’s educational future. The similarity ends there, however.

My son is a student at Commonwealth Connections Academy, a cyber-charter school. He had been enrolled there for the past three years. He previously attended a bricks-and-mortar public school.

http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/06/cyber-schools_are_public_schools_as_i_see_it.html#incart_river

PA House Republican budget moves forward, as Democrats push own plan

Patriot News By The Associated Press on June 03, 2013 at 7:16 PM,

The House Appropriations Committee on Monday approved a $28.3 billion state budget blueprint that closely tracks what Gov. Tom Corbett proposed, while Senate Democrats unveiled their own plan to compete against proposals backed by the Republican majority that controls both houses of the Legislature. The dual actions provided a lively start to what is expected to be a long month of work in June. Lawmakers' labors will include finalizing a budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year by the June 30 deadline and dealing with major issues being driven by Corbett, including additional funding for transportation systems, changes in the public pension systems and the privatization of wine and liquor sales before their summer vacation.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/06/pa_house_republican_budget_mov.html#incart_river

“Democrats say public schools need more money to offset a nearly $1 billion cut two years ago. They also bemoan the omission of a Medicaid expansion financed by mostly federal money and the inclusion of $360 million in broad-based business tax cuts Republican Gov. Tom Corbett proposed.”

Pa. House panel approves GOP $28.3B budget plan

Delco Times by AP Published: Monday, June 03, 2013

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee is sending a Republican-crafted state budget plan to the floor for debate.
Monday's 21-14 party-line vote followed a spirited discussion about state spending and policies.
Committee Chairman William Adolph says the $28.3 billion proposal would increase spending for public education and state police while avoiding any increase in taxes.
The Delaware County Republican stressed that it's only a starting point. Floor debate in the House is expected to start next week. The new fiscal year begins July 1.
http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2013/06/03/news/doc51acdec631085031057515.txt

Senate Democrats Budget Properly Funds Education, Job Creation, Social Services

Senator Costa’s website Harrisburg, June 3, 2013– Senate Democrats today presented their version of a 2013-14 state budget which they say is a responsible alternative to the short-sighted and ill-advised spending plans offered by Gov. Tom Corbett and House Republicans.

Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said that the $28.4 billion spending plan focuses on job creation, education and social service programs. He said it is a balanced plan that uses policy innovations and budget savings to make key investments.

http://www.pasenate.com/?p=14777

Senate Democrats' budget invests more heavily in education and funds job creation

By Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on June 03, 2013 at 3:20 PM, updated June 03, 2013 at 3:23 PM

Senate Democrats rolled out a $28.4 billion alternative budget plan today that includes $212 million more for education and an extra $125 million for job creation than the amounts Gov. Tom Corbett proposed in his budget.

At a Capitol news conference, Senate Democrats unveiled their budget proposal that also invests $39 million for distressed school districts and funding for small cities in economic distress, both of which would help financially strapped Harrisburg and its schools.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/06/senate_democrats_budget_invest.html

“The Democratic proposal calls for spending about $56 million more than the governor's $28.4 billion plan. It increases education funding by roughly $200 million over Corbett's budget.”

Pa. Dems push budget alternative in Harrisburg

WHYY Newsworks By Mary Wilson @marywilson June 3, 2013

Pennsylvania Senate Democrats are outlining their budget priorities with a proposal that depends on a "liquor modernization" plan; keeping a business tax Gov. Tom Corbett would like to eliminate; and the state opting into the expansion of the Medicaid program. The Corbett administration still hasn't agreed to expand Medicaid and has said the commonwealth wouldn't be ready for it by 2014, in an apparent move to take it off the table for budget negotiations.

But Democratic Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa says his caucus doesn't agree.

"We believe there's no question that the Department of Public Welfare has the ability to get the program up and running Jan. 1 of 2014 when it's implemented," said Costa, D-Allegheny. "What we hear from the administration are nothing but roadblocks and hurdles that they keep throwing out there."

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/55550-pa-dems-push-budget-alternative-in-harrisburg?utm_source=dlvr&utm_medium=twitterauto&utm_content=tstory&utm_campaign=social-inbound%0A

Pa. State Sen. Williams hopeful on more money for Philly schools

WHYY Newsworks By Tom MacDonald @TMacDonaldWHYY June 3, 2013

One state senator is optimistic that the Philadelphia schools will not have to open this fall with just the bare essentials. A lot will depend on whether new dollars flow from Harrisburg.

State Senator Anthony Hardy Williams says he's not sure how the money will be found for Philadelphia schools, but he knows other districts in need of funding from Harrisburg.

"There are a number of district across Pennsylvania if they don't get additional revenue they will be either severely crippled or not be able to operate," said Williams. "We saw that last year when they took care of Chester. My expectation is that they will as responsive to other parts of Pennsylvania to Philadelphia. As we speak there are other members who are clear that we need additional revenue, so we are working on ideas to that end."

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/taxipedia/item/55529-pa-state-sen-hopeful-on-more-money-for-philly-schools?utm_source=dlvr&utm_medium=twitterauto&utm_content=tstory&utm_campaign=social-inbound%0A

North Hills approves 2013-14 school year budget

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by Chris Checchio June 4, 2013 1:27 am

The North Hills School Board voted to pass a 2013-14 final budget totaling $69,747,422 at the Monday work session. The budget is a 1.6 percent increase in expenditures over the 2012-13 budget.

After five years and two strikes, Neshaminy teachers ratify new contract

WHYY Newsworks By Aaron Moselle, @awmoselle June 4, 2013

A five-year labor impasse between a Bucks County school district and its teachers union appears to be all but over. On Monday night, the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers ratified a new contract overwhelmingly. The vote was 487 to 21. "It's a relief," said Louise Boyd, president of the NFT, following a private, members-only meeting inside Carl Sandberg Middle School in Levittown, Pa. "I have said multiple times how respectful I am of the members. It has been a long way and they stuck through thick and thin and the atmosphere was very celebratory."

The seven-year contract, which is back-dated to 2008, still needs to be approved by the school board.

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/component/flexicontent/items/item/55575-after-five-years-and-two-strikes-neshaminy-teachers-ratify-new-contract?utm_source=dlvr&utm_medium=twitterauto&utm_content=tstory&utm_campaign=social-inbound%0A

Blackwell, activists call for elected Philly school board

Summer Ballentine, Inquirer Staff Writer POSTED: Tuesday, June 4, 2013, 3:01 AM

Residents and education activists joined City Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell in a call Monday for an elected school board to replace the School Reform Commission.

"Never has so much money had so little accountability," said Helen Gym, founder of Parents United for Public Education, during the hearing before Council's Committee on Education. She was spurred on by a crowd of about 50 with shouts and applause.

http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20130604_Blackwell__activists_call_for_elected_school_board.html

25 Western Pennsylvania school districts get grants for special projects

By Mary Niederberger / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette June 3, 2013 3:12 pm

Twenty-five school districts in Western Pennsylvania counties have been awarded $20,000 grants to create spaces to engage students in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics projects.

The grants were administered by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit's Center for Creativity with money provided by the Claude Worthington Benedum and the Grable foundations.

Teacher-quality study lacks quality

Philly.com Opinion by LISA HAVER POSTED: Tuesday, June 4, 2013, 3:01 AM

RECENTLY, the National Council on Teacher Quality released its "Teacher Quality Roadmap" in which it offered its criticisms and recommendations on policies and practices of the School District of Philadelphia. "Thank heavens," you're thinking. The district is so broke it's looking for loose change in the corner of desk drawers; thousands of students and teachers whose schools will close forever in June don't know where they'll be in September; parents wonder whether their children will have access to a nurse or counselor, or remember what a school librarian is; Harrisburg says don't call us - we'll call you.

Hot off the Press–the Arts Ed issue of NEA Arts!

Quarterly Magazine of the National Endowment for the Arts June 3, 2013

by Paulette Beete and Adam Kampe

http://arts.gov/about/NEARTS/2013_v1/index.html#webf

New data shows school “reformers” are full of it

Poor schools underperform largely because of economic forces, not because teachers have it too easy

Salon.com BY DAVID SIROTA MONDAY, JUN 3, 2013 12:30 PM EDT

In the great American debate over education, the education and technology corporations, bankrolled politicians and activist-profiteers who collectively comprise the so-called “reform” movement base their arguments on one central premise: that

America

should expect public schools to produce world-class academic achievement regardless of the negative forces bearing down on a school’s particular students. In recent days, though, the faults in that premise are being exposed by unavoidable reality.

Before getting to the big news, let’s review the dominant fairy tale: As embodied by New York City’s major education announcement this weekend, the “reform” fantasy pretends that a lack of teacher “accountability” is the major education problem and somehow wholly writes family economics out of the story (amazingly, this fantasy persists even in a place like the Big Apple where economic inequality is particularly crushing). That key — and deliberate — omission serves myriad political interests.

http://www.salon.com/2013/06/03/instead_of_a_war_on_teachers_how_about_one_on_poverty/

Need to feel good about the Common Core and Keystone Exams?

What would it take for us to see similar events focusing on high quality early childhood education and community schools? Generous sponsors?

“The Pennsylvania Education Summit is co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Business Council Education Foundation, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children and Team Pennsylvania Foundation with the support of generous sponsors.”

Pennsylvania Education Summit

Harrisburg, PA Thursday, June 13, 2013 from 8:00 AM to 3:45 PM (EDT)

The Pennsylvania Education Summit: Building a Pathway to College and Career Success will gather business leaders, teachers, school superintendents, curriculum specialists, state lawmakers, legislative staff, executive agency professionals, workforce investment board members and staff, and other education stakeholders for a civil conversation on the public policy required to ensure our Commonwealth's young people are "college and career ready." The Pennsylvania Education Summit will highlight and support the efforts of the Corbett Administration and Pennsylvania General Assembly to design and implement education reforms that increase student achievement and accountability in Pennsylvania's K-12 education system.

Agenda and registration here: http://educsummit.eventbrite.com/

“What’s the least bad option going forward? Who should bear the brunt of this legacy of fiscal irresponsibility? Current retirees? Today’s teachers? New teachers? School districts? Taxpayers? The students themselves?”

No Way Out? How to Solve the Teacher-Pension Problem

Live or Webinar June 6, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. EDT

The Thomas B. Fordham Institute, 1016 16th Street NW, 7th Floor Washington, DC 20036
America’s teacher-pension systems (with up to a trillion dollars in unfunded liabilities according to some estimates) present a raging public-policy dilemma. Career teachers absolutely deserve a secure retirement, but lawmakers promised them benefits that the system cannot afford, as those promises were based on short-term political considerations and bad math. Now the bill is coming due, and someone’s going to get soaked.

Panelists:

Sandi Jacobs, vice president and managing director of state policy, National Council on Teacher Quality
Josh B. McGee, vice president of public accountability, Laura and John Arnold Foundation
Charles Zogby, secretary of the budget, Pennsylvania
Leo Casey, executive director, Albert Shanker Institute

Moderator: Chester E. Finn, Jr., president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute

This event will be webcast. Visit our website,www.edexcellence.net, at 10:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday, June 6, to watch the proceedings live.

Register now to join the Thomas B. Fordham Institute and the National Council on Teacher Quality for a timely look at the teacher-pension crisis and various state efforts to address it.

Info and registration: http://www.edexcellence.net/events/no-way-out.html

EPLC Education Policy Fellowship Program – Apply Now

Applications are available now for the 2013-2014 Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP). The Education Policy Fellowship Program is sponsored in Pennsylvania by The Education Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC).

With more than 350 graduates in its first fourteen years, this Program is a premier professional development opportunity for educators, state and local policymakers, advocates, and community leaders. State Board of Accountancy (SBA) credits are available to certified public accountants.

Past participants include state policymakers, district superintendents and principals, school business officers, school board members, education deans/chairs, statewide association leaders, parent leaders, education advocates, and other education and community leaders. Fellows are typically sponsored by their employer or another organization.

The Fellowship Program begins with a two-day retreat on September 12-13, 2013 and continues to graduation in June 2014.

Application: http://www.eplc.org/notebook2013/2013-2014%20EPFP%20Application.pdf

http://www.eplc.org/leadership-programs/education-policy-fellowship-program/about-the-program/

Turning the Page for Change celebration, June 11, 2013

Please join us for the Notebook’s annual Turning the Page for Change celebration on June 11, 2013, from 4:30 - 7 p.m. at the University of The Arts, Hamilton Hall, 320 S. Broad Street. We will be honoring a member of the Notebook community for years of service to our mission as well as honoring several local high school journalists. Help us celebrate another year of achievement that included two awards from the Education Writers Association and coverage of other critical stories like the budget crisis and the school closing process.

More info: http://thenotebook.org/content/turning-page-change-celebration-2013

Building One America 2013 National Summit July 18-19, 2013 Washington, DC

Brookings Institution to present findings of their “Confronting Suburban Poverty” report

Building One America’s Second National Summit for Inclusive Suburbs and Sustainable Regions will involve local leaders and federal policy makers to seek bipartisan solutions to the unique but common challenges around housing, schools and infrastructure facing

America

’s metropolitan regions and its diverse middle-class suburbs. Participants will include local elected and grassroots leaders from America’s diverse middle class suburban towns and school districts, scholars and policy experts, members of the Obama Administration and Congress. The summit will identify comprehensive solutions and build bipartisan support for meaningful action to stabilize and support inclusive middle-class communities and promote sustainable, economically competitive regions.

Information and registration: https://buildingoneamerica.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=1

Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School FAST FACTS

Quakertown Community School District March 2013

http://www.markbmiller.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Pennsylvania-Cyber-Charter-School-FAST-FACTS-1.pdf

PA Charter Schools: $4 billion taxpayer dollars with no real oversight Keystone State Education Coalition (updated May 2, 2013)

Charter schools - public funding without public scrutiny; Proposed statewide authorization and direct payment would further diminish accountability and oversight for public tax dollars

http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.blogspot.com/2012/05/pa-charter-schools-4-billion-taxpayer.html

Monday, June 3, 2013

Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup for June 3, 2013: EITC: up to $150 million LESS tax revenue available to fund constitutionally mandated public education

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?

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

Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition

Follow us on Twitter at @lfeinberg

Keystone State Education Coalition:

Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup for June 3, 2013:

EITC: up to $150 million LESS tax revenue available to fund constitutionally mandated public education

Delay the cut in the capital stock and franchise tax

We urge the legislature to delay planned tax cuts rather than making additional budget cuts to schools, health care, and human services.

Help spread the message of the Pennsylvania School Funding Campaign for the 2013-2014 State Budget

http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.blogspot.com/2013/03/help-spread-message-of-pennsylvania.html

“Diminished state aid for education and human services over the years has steadily shifted costs to school districts and municipalities, overburdening local taxpayers”

Parkland school director to advocate for more education spending in Harrisburg

By Precious Petty | The Express-Times on June 01, 2013 at 5:00 AM

A Parkland School Board member is slated to be among at least nine officials who'll urge Gov. Tom Corbett and state legislators next week to put education and human services above corporate interests. Roberta Marcus, a Parkland school director and co-chair of the Keystone State Education Coalition, will join officials from across Pennsylvania in Harrisburg on Tuesday to push for a state budget that invests in schools and communities rather than tax breaks for corporations, according to a news release.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/lehigh-county/index.ssf/2013/06/parkland_school_director_harri.html#incart_river

Better Choices for PA Press Conference--Local Government Officials Raise Concern About Tax Cuts

Tuesday, June 4th at 1pm; Main Rotunda, State Capitol, Harrisburg PA

On Tuesday, June 4th, local government officials from across the state will gather inHarrisburg to make the case against new business tax cuts that are scheduled to take effect this year. Citing the need to restore funding to local schools and county human services, officials will argue that Pennsylvania simply cannot afford new tax cuts this year.

Please RSVP to atkins@pennbpc.org.

http://betterchoicesforpa.com/better-choices-pa-press-conference-local-government-officials-raise-concern-about-tax-cuts

Early Childhood Education Caucus to discuss state budget at June 4 news conference

Rep. Phyllis Mundy’s website May 30

The Early Childhood Education Caucus will hold a news conference at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 4, at the Capitol Media Center where its members will voice support for adequately funding early childhood care and education programs in the 2013-14 state budget. Speakers will include:

State Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-Luzerne, and state Sen. Pat Browne, R-Lehigh/Northampton/Monroe, co-chairmen of the caucus;
Lloyd Lamm, regional banking executive for the capital region of First National Bank of Pennsylvania;
Cumberland County District Attorney David Freed;
Retired Army Brigadier Gen. Jerry G. Beck who will represent Mission Readiness; and
Members of the caucus.

The 125-member Early Childhood Education Caucus is a bipartisan, bicameral alliance of legislators who advocate for the continued funding and development of high-quality early childhood care and education programs in Pennsylvania.

The caucus has worked together on many issues with the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission, whose co-chairman is Peter Danchak of northeasternPennsylvania.

http://www.pahouse.com/PAHouseNews.asp?doc=29564

PA House Education Committee Voting Meeting on HB 618

Monday June 3, 11:00 am Room G50 Irvis Office Building

Representative Emrick; Cyber Charter Pension Double Dip

Read text of bill here

Schwank Hears Pros, Cons of Bill Affecting Cyber Charter School Funding

Senator Schwank’s website on MAY 30, 2013

FREDERICKSBURG, May 30, 2013 – State Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and the Senate Education Committee today listened to school district and charter school officials about legislation affecting cyber charter school funding. Schwank’s Senate Bill 335 would exempt school districts from paying cyber charter schools if that district offers a cyber program similar to the one offered by the non-district cyber charter school.

“My goal is to alleviate the pressure school districts are experiencing in using limited fiscal resources to pay outside providers of cyber education. If a school district can offer a comparable or better cyber schooling option, then it shouldn’t have to pay for both options,” Schwank said while emphasizing she is not an opponent of charter schools. Schwank – who earlier this year was appointed to a new Special Education Funding Commission to recommend a new funding formula to more effectively pay for special education throughout the commonwealth – said districts would only be exempt from paying the cyber charter funds if that district had a comparable program within its borders.

http://www.senatorschwank.com/schwank-hears-pros-cons-of-bill-affecting-cyber-charter-school-funding

Senate Education Committee Hearing Held in North Lebanon

21 Century Cyber Charter School website by Kimberly Ely, May 31, 2013

On Thursday, May 30, the Senate Education Committee held a hearing at North Lebanon High School to discuss the charter and cyber charter funding formula effecting schools across the state. See the agenda for this hearing here. This has been a heated topic for many years, as the funding structure currently employed fails to support learning methods in an equitable way.

The hearing discussed Senate Bill 335, which was recently drafted by Senator Schwank of the 11^th District. Among other things, the most considerable piece of this legislation will allow school districts to retain 100% of student funds should that school district offer an in-house cyber program. This eliminates the concept of school choice for parents and their children, so long as a home school district develops and offers its own cyber program.

The hearings gave voice to several groups, offering opinions and perspectives from opposing sides of this argument.

http://21cccs.org/blog/2013/05/31/senate-education-committee-hearing-held-in-north-lebanon/

"The biggest problem is that no one owns the schools" - not Harrisburg, not City Council, not the mayor - "so no one owns the problem the schools have become," Katz said.
Philly: Budget will turn schools into empty warehouses for kids

The proposed school budget won't educate our kids. It will warehouse them.

This isn't school

RONNIE POLANECZKY, DAILY NEWS COLUMNIST

POSTED: Saturday, June 1, 2013, 10:14 AM

USED TO be, when young urban parents asked me if they should send their kids to Philadelphia public schools, I'd give them my "gap" speech. It was honed from 12 years of using district schools to educate my daughter, now a high-school junior. "When you use the public schools," went my patter, "there are gaps. Thankfully, my husband and I have been able to fill the gaps that come with educating a child in the chronically underfunded district."

Philadelphia passes ‘doomsday’ school budget

Washington Post Answer Sheet Blog By Valerie Strauss, Published: June 1, 2013 at 12:02 pm

It isn’t called a “doomsday” budget for nothing: Philadelphia’s School Reform Commission approved a budget this week that includes cuts so drastic that if they are implemented, schools will be forced to open in the fall without funding for things such as paper, new books, athletics, arts, music, counselors and more. The budget was passed Thursday night as parents and others shouted “Disgrace!” and other things at the commission members who ignored the warnings of more than 55 speakers about the importance of the programs being gutted, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/06/01/philadelphia-passes-doomsday-school-budget/

“Instead of yelling at Bill Hite, folks, why don't you hop on the Turnpike and go confront the main source of the problem? It's a building with a dome on it, and it ain't on Broad Street. It's by the Susquehanna.”

In Philly schools drama, many boo the wrong 'villains'

WHYY Newsworks By Chris Satullo June 3, 2013

I'm not sure how much of this I can take.

It's so painful to see so much well-meaning energy so misdirected through naivete and misconception. I speak, of course, again and ever more sadly, of the Philadelphia schools.

The School Reform Commission last week took a preliminary vote in favor of what has become known as its doomsday budget. Staring at a $300 million budget gap for next year, the commission approved a tentative budget that takes a meat cleaver to classrooms, cutting 3,000 jobs, including classroom aides, assistant principals and a lot more.

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/55506-in-philly-schools-drama-many-boo-the-wrong-villains?linktype=hp_topstorylist

State OKs Harrisburg School District's financial, academic recovery plan

By Emily Previti | epreviti@pennlive.com on May 31, 2013 at 2:56 PM

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Department of Education has approved the recovery plan for the capital city's public school system. The approval was contingent on Harrisburg School District providing clarification of some aspects of the plan that deal with real estate transactions, according to a letter written Friday by the department's Executive Deputy Secretary Amy Morton.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/05/state_oks_harrisburg_school_re.html

Pennsylvania’s EITC and EITC 2.0 programs divert up to $150 million in tax dollars that would be contributed to the state’s general fund (and available to fund constitutionally-mandated public education as part of the budget process) to private and religious schools with virtually no accountability for how those diverted tax dollars are spent or how the students in the program are performing academically.

Keep that $150 million in mind for context as this year’s budget process proceeds; special ed funding has been flat for six years, Philly is looking at “warehousing” students; the accountability block grant program is $171 million less than it was pre-ARRA stimulus, $65 million in tutoring budget line no longer exists, $226 million in charter school reimbursement to school districts no longer exists….

Private schools hope Pa. tax-credit program will grow larger

By Mary Niederberger / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette June 3, 2013 12:02 am

After a slow start, money is starting to come in to a tax-credit scholarship program aimed at providing scholarships for students who live within the attendance areas of the state's lowest-performing schools to transfer to other higher performing schools. Ronald Bowes, assistant superintendent for policy and development for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, said the diocese has raised about $500,000 for scholarships through the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit program and hopes to double that number by July 1, after which it will determine the number and amounts of scholarships it will be able to award for the 2013-14 school year.

Here’s a background piece from last year when the original EITC program was increased by $25 million (to $100 million) and the new EITC 2.0 program was created ($50 million).

Posted: Mon, Jul. 2, 2012, 3:01 AM

Pennsylvania corporate tax credit will pay for private-school scholarships

By Dan Hardy Inquirer Staff Writer July 2, 2012

Gov. Corbett, who has pushed hard for a school-voucher program, achieved much of that goal Saturday night through the expansion of a corporate tax credit that for the first time will pay for public school students to attend private schools. As part of the budget deal concluded just before midnight, the legislature broadened the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program (EITC), adding $50 million in tax breaks to businesses that donate money for scholarships to students in the state's lowest-performing schools.

http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20120702_Pennsylvania_corporate_tax_credit_will_pay_for_private-school_scholarships.html

Pension reform? What pension reform?: Friday Morning Coffee

By John L. Micek | jmicek@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on May 31, 2013 at 7:46 AM, updated May 31, 2013 at 8:16 AM

Good Friday Morning, Fellow Seekers.
If you've been paying even scant attention to state government these last few months, then you'll no doubt know that lawmakers and Gov. Tom Corbett were supposed to have been working on a Holy Trinity issues in the run-up to the June 30 budget deadline.

But just in case you've been trapped under something heavy and couldn't get to a newspaper, or, like us, you've been transfixed by that pretend mermaid show on Animal Planet, here's a quick refresher:

http://blog.pennlive.com/capitol-notebook/2013/05/pension_reform_what_pension_re.html#incart_river

Corbett has sold the pension crisis, but not his solution: analysis

By Robert J. Vickers | rvickers@pennlive.com
Email the author | Follow on Twitter on June 02, 2013 at 7:06 AM

There have been plenty of instances where Gov. Tom Corbett has gotten out ahead of an issue, only to find the matter didn't carry the weight he anticipated. The first-term Republican governor's efforts to change the way the state tallies its electoral college votes, require voter ID, privatize the state lottery, and mandate pre-abortion ultrasounds were largely seen as immaterial to the challenges facing the commonwealth. But unlike those ancillary distractions, Corbett has found his administration's cause celebre that should be grabbing the attention of voters and state lawmakers.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/06/corbett_has_sold_the_pension_c.html

Full-time flop: In June, the Legislature punts on the big issues

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Editorial June 2, 2013 12:08 am

The $23.8 billion budget proposed by House Republicans last week was $110 million short of the amount Gov. Tom Corbett put forward in the plan he unveiled in February. That's not all that was missing. The House blueprint does not incorporate three major initiatives under discussion that come with big revenue impacts: the new transportation funding package, the end of the government liquor monopoly and reform of the public employee pension system. All three issues are before the Legislature and all three have been crying out for resolution for years.

“Under the new system, 20 to 25 percent of each teacher’s rating score would be determined by state-approved measures of students’ growth, another 15 to 20 percent by measures established by the schools, and 55 to 60 percent would be based on in-class observations or performance assessed by video recording.”

New York to Evaluate Teachers With New System

By CHANNING JOSEPH Published: June 1, 2013

The New York State education commissioner broke a long and acrimonious impasse on Saturday by imposing a new evaluation system that would rate New York City teachers in part on their students’ test scores and streamline the disciplinary process. The new system, announced after three hectic days of meetings, testimony and arbitration that involved the Bloomberg administration and the teachers’ union, finally brought New York City into compliance with state law — the last district in the state to do so.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/02/nyregion/new-evaluation-system-for-new-york-teachers.html?ref=education&_r=0

“But many educators teach subjects for which there are no widely used tests. In response, the city is developing assessments in a range of subjects, including English as a second language, special education and music. City officials are also working on assessments for kindergarten, first grade and second grade, where exams are less common.”

NY Teacher Assessments Extending to Art and Gym

New York Times By JAVIER C. HERNÁNDEZ Published: June 2, 2013

New York City students have grown accustomed to the restless routine of state tests in math and reading every year. But soon they will face assessments in subjects typically spared from standardized testing, including art, gym and foreign languages.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/03/nyregion/new-york-teacher-assessments-extend-to-art-and-gym.html?ref=education&_r=0

The Network for Public Education

Newsletter Volume 1, Issue #10 May 31`, 2012

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs138/1112503958313/archive/1113622016219.html

Need to feel good about the Common Core and Keystone Exams?

What would it take for us to see similar events focusing on high quality early childhood education and community schools? Generous sponsors?

Pennsylvania Education Summit

Harrisburg, PA Thursday, June 13, 2013 from 8:00 AM to 3:45 PM (EDT)

Agenda and registration here: http://educsummit.eventbrite.com/

No Way Out? How to Solve the Teacher-Pension Problem

Live or Webinar June 6, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. EDT

Panelists:

Sandi Jacobs, vice president and managing director of state policy, National Council on Teacher Quality
Josh B. McGee, vice president of public accountability, Laura and John Arnold Foundation
Charles Zogby, secretary of the budget, Pennsylvania
Leo Casey, executive director, Albert Shanker Institute

Moderator: Chester E. Finn, Jr., president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute

This event will be webcast. Visit our website,www.edexcellence.net, at 10:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday, June 6, to watch the proceedings live.

Register now to join the Thomas B. Fordham Institute and the National Council on Teacher Quality for a timely look at the teacher-pension crisis and various state efforts to address it.

Info and registration: http://www.edexcellence.net/events/no-way-out.html

EPLC Education Policy Fellowship Program – Apply Now

The Fellowship Program begins with a two-day retreat on September 12-13, 2013 and continues to graduation in June 2014.

Application: http://www.eplc.org/notebook2013/2013-2014%20EPFP%20Application.pdf

http://www.eplc.org/leadership-programs/education-policy-fellowship-program/about-the-program/

Turning the Page for Change celebration, June 11, 2013

More info: http://thenotebook.org/content/turning-page-change-celebration-2013

Building One America 2013 National Summit July 18-19, 2013 Washington, DC

Brookings Institution to present findings of their “Confronting Suburban Poverty” report

America

Information and registration: https://buildingoneamerica.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=1

Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School FAST FACTS

Quakertown Community School District March 2013

http://www.markbmiller.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Pennsylvania-Cyber-Charter-School-FAST-FACTS-1.pdf

PA Charter Schools: $4 billion taxpayer dollars with no real oversight Keystone State Education Coalition (updated May 2, 2013)

Charter schools - public funding without public scrutiny; Proposed statewide authorization and direct payment would further diminish accountability and oversight for public tax dollars

http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.blogspot.com/2012/05/pa-charter-schools-4-billion-taxpayer.html

Keystone State Education Coalition

Pages

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup for June 4, 2013: Roebuck: GOP cyber/charter bill (HB618) deserves a D+, doesn't save nearly enough

Monday, June 3, 2013

Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup for June 3, 2013: EITC: up to $150 million LESS tax revenue available to fund constitutionally mandated public education

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