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Keystone State Education Coalition
PA Ed Policy Roundup for March
13, 2015:
In PA,
per-pupil spending in the poorest school districts is 33 percent lower than
per-pupil spending in the wealthiest school districts.
In 23 states, richer school
districts get more local funding than poorer districts
Children who live in poverty come to
school at a disadvantage, arriving at their classrooms with far more intensive
needs than their middle-class and affluent counterparts. Poor children also lag
their peers, on average, on almost every measure of academic achievement. But
in 23 states, state and local governments are together spending less per pupil
in the poorest school districts than they are in the most affluent school
districts, according to federal data from fiscal year 2012, the most recent
figures available. In some states the
differences are stark. In Pennsylvania ,
per-pupil spending in the poorest school districts is 33 percent lower than
per-pupil spending in the wealthiest school districts. In Vermont ,
the differential is 18 percent; in Missouri ,
17 percent.
Nationwide, states and localities are spending an average of 15
percent less per pupil in the poorest school districts (where average spending
is $9,270 per child) than they are in the most affluent (where average spending
is $10,721 per child).
Districts, parents take Pa.
WHYY Newsworks BY LAURA
BENSHOFF AND DALE MEZZACAPPA MARCH 12, 2015
Judges must order Pennsylvania 's
governor and legislature to guarantee the constitutional right of every student
to a "thorough and efficient" education, attorneys told a Commonwealth Court
panel Wednesday. Plaintiffs in the case
are six school districts, parents from five districts (including Philadelphia ), the
Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools (PARSS), and the NAACP
Pennsylvania State Conference. They are represented by attorneys from advocacy
groups the Education
Law Center Pennsylvania courts
declined to get involved in prior school funding cases brought in the 1990s,
attorneys told the judges. Specifically, they said that the legislature has now
established the benchmarks for a "thorough and efficient" education
through state standards and requirements that students pass Keystone exams in several
subjects in order to graduate. The
plaintiffs contend that through these requirements, the legislature has defined
a "thorough and efficient" education and the courts are
constitutionally obligated to make sure that each district has the means to
provide it. "Our argument was that the courts cannot give the
legislature carte blanche, that it's important they be held accountable,"
said Michael Churchill, an attorney with the Public Interest Law Center of
Philadelphia (PILCOP), which is representing the plaintiffs.
Penn Live By Christian
Alexandersen | calexandersen@pennlive.com Email the
author | Follow
on Twitter on March 12, 2015 at 10:10 AM, updated March 12, 2015
at 11:05 AM
A new
study by the National Association of State Retirement Administrators
finds that Pennsylvania has the second
most underfunded pension plan in the United States .
The study, published this month, analyzes state retirement
plans and their annual required contribution from 2001 to 2013. Over that time
period, New Jersey had the
most underfunded pension plan with Pennsylvania
in a close second place. "For both
states, the chronic underfunding began when required contributions had dropped
to very low levels by historical standards, including to as low as zero for some
plans, chiefly as a result of strong investment gains experienced from 1995 to
1999," the study said.
Basic Education Funding
Commission holds hearing on fair school funding distribution
FOX43 POSTED 6:18 PM, MARCH 12, 2015, BY ALYSA
POINDEXTER
State officials in Harrisburg
are continuing discussions about how to distribute funding for Pennsylvania schools. The Basic Education Funding Commission held a
hearing in Harrisburg
on Thursday. They’re trying to come up with a new formula for doling out basic
education funding to schools. The
15-member bipartisan commission heard from representatives from three Central Pennsylvania school districts who testified about
their recommendations for the funding in their districts. They talked about
classroom size, demographics of the school district and infrastructure needs. “Unique to Harrisburg , 48 percent of all properties are
exempt from property tax of which 40 percent is state-owned.” Harrisburg School
Board Vice President James Thompson said.
Q&A: How will Wolf’s
property tax relief plan work?
West Chester Daily
Local By Angie Mason amason@ydr.com @angiemason1 on Twitter
POSTED: 03/09/15, 6:59 PM EDT
Last week, many school advocates and district officials were
waiting for more details on exactly how Gov. Tom Wolf’s tax relief proposal for
2016 will work. Wolf, who announced his
first budget proposal last week, said the plan — which would also call for
increasing sales and personal income taxes — would direct $3.8 billion in
property tax relief around the state starting in October 2016. His proposal
aims to target more relief to high poverty, high tax districts.
Jay Himes, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association
of School Business Officials, said school districts are in a state of “data
immersion” in interpreting the budget details.
“There’s just a lot of stuff here,” he said, in terms of the
proposed budget’s complexity and the sheer volume of changes. “What we’ve said
is, it hits every hot button in school finance.”
Here’s a look at the tax relief proposal.
Questions persist over Allentown School District
By Jacqueline
Palochko Of The Morning Call March
12, 2015
Questions continue about Allentown School District
Questions about the Allentown
School District
At a special board meeting Thursday, Director Charlie Thiel
read a statement before the board voted to approve a study of the district's
business office. Thiel questioned the discrepancy in the district's fund
balance over the past few months. "From
taxpayers to teachers and ultimately students, we are making decisions that
affect people's lives," Thiel said. "I cannot make responsible
decisions when we have significant fund balance variances." The questions started in January after the
district announced it had $11.6 million more in its fund balance than
originally projected. Officials have given an explanation accounting for that
money, but some school directors haven't been satisfied.
Only a fair tax system will
fully fund Pa.
the notebook commentary By Bishop Dwayne Royster on Mar 12,
2015 01:21 PM
Members of POWER (Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower and Rebuild),
an interfaith organization that has prioritized the fight for full funding for
our schools, have been watching this debate as it unfolds and assessing what it
means for our children. As people of faith committed to a prophetic critique of
“the world as it is,” we must speak truth about what is being left unsaid. When
it comes to the funding of our schools, economic inequality and education
inequality in Pennsylvania
are intertwined -- and we are not moving fast enough to fix it.
In his proposal, the governor has taken an important first step
toward prioritizing public education by asking for a dramatic increase in
school funding. But his proposal is far from the “promised land.” Although we
applaud any boost to education, the $400 million increase he wants for basic
education spending is not nearly enough for districts statewide to restore
reasonable class sizes, art, music, nurses, libraries, and other essentials for
our children that many districts have cut back on or cut completely.
"Katz proposes raising some $45-50
million for schools from PILOTs (that's "payments in lieu of taxes")
that would be assessed on the city's increasingly influential non-profit
universities and hospitals ("eds and meds")."
Where is 'Citizen Sam' Katz on charter schools?
Where is 'Citizen Sam' Katz on charter schools?
Philly Daily News Attytood Blog by Will Bunch THURSDAY,
MARCH 12, 2015, 7:01 PM
Is Sam Katz,
the earnest 1970s Democrat turned Republican businessman turned documentary
filmmaker and political independent, running
for mayor again? Signs point to
'yes'...with an 'IF' in 72-point type. Katz came within a percentage point (and
maybe a torrential rainstorm on Election Day) from doing the unthinkable in
1999, winning the mayor's race as a Republican. How'd he do it? By positioning
himself mostly to the left of the Democratic nominee (and eventual winner) John Street . That
would be the strategy again...IF the current Dem frontrunner, state Sen. Tony
Williams, emerges in May. If Williams loses to the more progressive Jim Kenney,
the newly independent Katz probably sits it out. That's an informed guess.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/mayor/Katznow-and-forever.html#Uzotvy4YiEFC6qvM.99
On Pi Day, a serving of why
we need math
Philly.com Opinion By Darren Glass POSTED: Friday, March
13, 2015, 1:08 AM
Darren Glass is an
associate professor and the chair of mathematics at Gettysburg College
On Saturday, our Facebook feeds will be peppered with references to Pi Day, a day of celebration that has long been acknowledged by math fans and that Congress recognized in 2009. Every high schooler learns that pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter and that its decimal expansion begins 3.14 and goes on infinitely without repeating. Mathematicians love pi because there are many interesting facts surrounding it. Other people seem to get a kick out of dates that demonstrate patterns. Yet others enjoy any excuse to combine math puns and baked goods - one national food chain is selling pies in honor of the date.
On Saturday, our Facebook feeds will be peppered with references to Pi Day, a day of celebration that has long been acknowledged by math fans and that Congress recognized in 2009. Every high schooler learns that pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter and that its decimal expansion begins 3.14 and goes on infinitely without repeating. Mathematicians love pi because there are many interesting facts surrounding it. Other people seem to get a kick out of dates that demonstrate patterns. Yet others enjoy any excuse to combine math puns and baked goods - one national food chain is selling pies in honor of the date.
But why do we need a pi holiday?
Talking about Testing
The movement against high-stakes-testing has mushroomed this
year. Students, parents, teachers, principals, superintendents, school boards,
and even legislators across the country are talking about the overuse and
misuse of testing. A glimpse of what they are saying in a moment, but first:
here’s your chance to do some of the talking! Please hold these dates for two
important events next week:
1.
Wednesday, March 18th, 6-8PM
at Sci-Tech: The Great Public Schools (GPS) Pittsburgh community meeting will focus on
school funding issues, including a session led by Yinzercation steering
committee member, Kathy Newman, on the financial impact of high-stakes-testing.
Come learn about these un-funded mandates, how they are hurting our schools,
what they are costing state tax payers, and discuss what we can do about it.
Dinner at 5:30pm and free childcare available.
2.
Saturday, March 21st,
11:30AM-1:30PM at Carnegie Mellon, University Center: Yinzercation is hosting
a “Test In” for the community to come see the tests our kids are taking and
answer sample questions. The event will feature Dr. Greg Taranto (a PA middle school teacher of the
year and member of Gov. Wolf’s education transition team!) speaking about the
impact of high-stakes-testing on students. You might remember his op-ed
piece that went viral last year. We will also hear from several
teachers, including Yinzercation steering committee member Steve Singer. Keep
your eyes peeled for more information.
For this event, sponsored by Public Citizens for Children and
Youth (PCCY), local dentists will provide free screenings and cleanings for
children. Give Kids a Smile Day is especially for children who do not
have health insurance or who have not had a dental exam in the last six months.
Appointments are necessary, so please call PCCY at 215-563-5848 x32 to
schedule one starting Monday, March 16th. Volunteers will be
on hand to answer calls. Smile Day information can also be found on the school
district website and on PCCY’s website - http://www.pccy.org/resource/give-kids-a-smile-day/.
Nominations for PSBA offices
now open: Deadline April 30th
PSBA Leadership
Development Committee seeks strong leaders for the association
Members interested in becoming the next leaders of PSBA are
encouraged to complete an Application for Nomination no later than April
30. As a member-driven association, the Leadership Development
Committee (LDC) is seeking nominees with strong skills in leadership and
communication, and who have vision for PSBA. Persons seeking consideration for
a position as an officer or at-large representative of the Association shall
file at PSBA headquarters to the attention of the Leadership Development
Committee chair in an envelope marked CONFIDENTIAL an Application
for Nomination on the form approved by the PSBA Governing Board,
accompanied by a photograph, letters of recommendation and such other
supporting materials as may be specified on the Application for Nomination form
for the purpose of further documenting the candidate’s involvement in
activities of the association, relevant community service and leadership
experiences or other qualifications.
PCCY Spring Training:
Hit a School Funding Home Run for Kids Advocacy Training Workshop
March 18 or 21
This year we have an unprecedented opportunity to make public
education funding more fair and to get more of it for schools across
Pennsylvania. Voters spoke in November when an incumbent governor—widely
perceived to be responsible for drastic education cuts, was unseated while his
opponent ran on the promise to increase school funding. A funding commission
has been established to research and develop recommendations for a new funding
formula. Now is our time to let our elected officials know we take investment
in education seriously.
Please join Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) for
our annual advocacy training to learn how you can win fair and increased
funding for our students.
By participating, you’ll be joining a statewide movement. PCCY
is a part of a statewide coalition of 50 (and growing) organizations committed
to getting a fair funding formula passed by 2016.
Attend our training to:
·
Learn
o
Why education funding in PA is broken and how a
funding formula can fix it
o
Best practices for amplifying your voice for PA
kids
o
How to develop an advocacy plan tailored to fit
your schedule and strengths
·
Connect with
·
Others throughout our region who are as
passionate about public education as you are
·
Leave
·
Inspired and ready to take action for PA
Workshop Details:
When: The same workshop will be offered on two different
days for your convenience.
Wednesday, March 18th, 6:00-8:00pm or Saturday,
March 21st, 9 am - Noon
Where: United Way Building, 1709 Benjamin Franklin
Pkwy., Philadelphia, 19103
For additional information, email info@pccy.org.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is
requested. Children are welcome.
Click here to sign up:
Public Interest Law Center of
Philadelphia offering two special education seminars in March
Leaving Gifted Kids Behind Tuesday, March 24, 2015 1:00
-- 4:00 P.M.
In this session, participants will learn how Pennsylvania law affects and supports gifted children, as well as practical tips for ensuring gifted services. We will also discuss race and gifted services.
In this session, participants will learn how Pennsylvania law affects and supports gifted children, as well as practical tips for ensuring gifted services. We will also discuss race and gifted services.
This session is co-sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania
School of Policy and Practice, a Pre-approved Provider of Continuing Education
for Pennsylvania
licensed social workers.
Children with Emotional Problems: Avoiding the Juvenile Justice
System, and What Does Real Help Look Like? Friday, March 27, 2015 1:00
-- 4:00 P.M.
This session will focus on giving you the tools you need to
support children with emotional problems, including those in the foster care
system or those in the juvenile court system.
Note: This session was originally scheduled for February 17,
but had to be rescheduled due to inclement weather. Tickets purchased for the
original date still apply.
United Way Building 1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway,
Philadelphia, 19103
Tickets: Attorneys $200
General Public $100 Webinar $50
Pay What You Can" tickets are also available
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.
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
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.
More info/registration: http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/news/2015-events/
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.
More info/registration: http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/news/2015-events/
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.
Agenda/Speakers: https://www.psba.org/event/advocacy-forum-day-hill-2015/
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.
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:
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