Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup for September 26, 2013: If PA funded its fair share of education we probably would not need tax reform.

Daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now reach more than 3000 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors, administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's staff, 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

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

Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition

Follow us on Twitter at @lfeinberg

The Keystone State Education Coalition is pleased to be listed among the friends and allies of The Network for Public Education.  Are you a member?

Keystone State Education Coalition:

Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup for September 26, 2013:  If PA funded its fair share of education we probably would not need tax reform.

Pennsylvania contributes a smaller share of the cost of educating its students than most states, leaving local taxpayers to contribute more.

Good morning folks – just a quick heads-up that after publishing the Keystone State Education Coalition’s Education Policy Roundup 6 days a week since November 2010 we will be taking a brief hiatus beginning this Friday morning.

House Bill 618 “Charter School Reform” approved by the House 133-62.

Roll call vote: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/RC/Public/rc_view_action2.cfm?sess_yr=2013&sess_ind=0&rc_body=H&rc_nbr=711

“The ranking Democrat on the House Education Committee, Rep. James Roebuck of Philadelphia, has said the bill does not include enough taxpayer savings or financial reforms. He argues the change in pension funding should be extended to brick-and-mortar charter schools, not just cyber charter schools, and that charter schools should be banned from using public money for advertising.”
Pa. bill proposes review of charter school funding

House plan calls for commission to study regulations

By Karen Langley / Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau September 26, 2013 12:05 am

HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania House on Wednesday sent the Senate a package of revisions to charter school regulations, including a temporary change in payments to cyber charter schools while a commission examines charter funding.

The funding structure for cyber charter schools is frequently criticized for delivering disproportionate reimbursement for pension costs and for including expenses, such as cafeteria costs, that do not apply to online learning.

The House proposal, which passed 133-62, would allow school districts for the next two school years to deduct the full cost of their pension contributions and food service when calculating their per-pupil expenses for the purpose of tuition to cyber charter schools. The change would not apply to tuition payments to charter schools that students attend in person.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/pa-bill-proposes-review-of-charter-school-funding-704864/#ixzz2fzOdG0vn

Clymer Applauds Passage of Charter, Cyber Charter SchoolReform Bill

PA House Republican Caucus website 9/25/2013

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Paul Clymer (R-Bucks), chairman of the House Education Committee, today applauded House passage of legislation aimed at instituting much-needed reforms for Pennsylvania’s charter and cyber charter schools in order to ensure greater accountability, transparency, academic performance and cost savings to Pennsylvania taxpayers.

“With the rapid increase in the amount of charter and cyber charter schools available to students in Pennsylvania, we are now facing some very real and challenging funding issues,” said Clymer. “Basically, the state provides a per-pupil funding amount which follows the student, whether he or she attends a traditional public school, charter school or cyber charter school. However, not all schools are created equal. Cyber charter schools most of the time do not provide transportation or food services and do not have facility maintenance obligations like traditional public and charter schools have. It is because of these types of expenditure differences that modifications to the funding formula are needed.”

House Bill 618 would create a Charter School Funding Advisory Commission to explore funding issues related to charter and cyber charter schools and make appropriate recommendations to the General Assembly and the governor by March 30, 2014.

http://www.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=18568

“The scores are so bad, especially at the largest and most high-profile cyber schools, that even fervent advocates of online learning have begun to worry.”
Cyber schools flunk, but tax money keeps flowing

Politico By STEPHANIE SIMON | 9/25/13 11:14 PM EDT

Taxpayers send nearly $2 billion a year to cyber schools that let students from kindergarten through 12th grade receive a free public education entirely online.

The schools, many managed by for-profit companies, are great at driving up enrollment with catchy advertising. They excel at lobbying. They have a knack for making generous campaign donations.  But as new state report cards coming out now make clear, there’s one thing they’re not so good at: educating kids.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/cyber-schools-flunk-but-tax-money-keeps-flowing-97375.html#ixzz2fzLA8bHz

PA Special Education Funding Formula Commission Public Meeting Sept 26^th at AlverniaCollege in Reading from 9:30 am – 3:00 pm

To consider charter and cyber special education funding

Property Tax Elimination Bill Threatens Long-term Public School Funding

PA Budget and Policy Center Posted by Sharon Ward on September 25, 2013

Pennsylvaniacontributes a smaller share of the cost of educating its students than most states, leaving local taxpayers to contribute more. This makes the resources available to public education highly dependent on local wealth and property taxes burdensome for some individuals.

Restoring the state’s commitment to fund 50% of the cost of public schools would go a long way toward solving both problems — ensuring that students who live in modest and lower-wealth districts get the same high-quality education as their wealthier counterparts, and reducing the pressure on property taxpayers.

http://pennbpc.org/property-tax-elimination-bill-threatens-long-term-public-school-funding

"The majority of funds distributed for the current school year were based upon statistics from the 1989-90 school year. An additional $30 million was distributed to just 21 of our 500 school districts. Thirty-three of the 37 lawmakers who represent those 21 districts are legislative leaders, committee chairs, vice chairs or secretaries," said KSEC's Larry Feinberg.”

Advocates press for Pennsylvania public education funding formula

Chambersburg Public Opinion Online September 25, 2013

Parents, teachers, administrators, community members and other advocates of education on Monday urged state lawmakers to consider a data-driven, transparent school funding formula that is appropriately funded to ensure student success.  Those gathered at the Capitol reminded lawmakers that the only service Pennsylvania is required to provide per the state Constitution is a "thorough and efficient system of education." Supporters came from a wide range of school districts, including local Greencastle-Antrim, Shippensburg Area and Fannett-Metal, as well as Camp Hill, Cumberland Valley, Gettysburg, and others around the state.

The school funding formula in place was set aside in 2011, and the Keystone State Education Coalition contends that state legislators now allocate funding to school districts based on deal among themselves rather than a formula.

http://www.publicopiniononline.com/local/ci_24168272/advocates-press-pennsylvania-public-education-funding-formula?source=rss

“They worry, as we all should, about the quality of education programs. Said Mark Miller, vice president of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, “Some school districts have closed libraries, some school districts have ... cut athletics. The sizes of classes are going up, extracurricular activities are going down.”

Courier Times Editorial: Finding a fair funding formula

Bucks County Courier Times Posted: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 12:00 am

When people in Harrisburgsit down in a back room to cut deals, you know nothing good will come of it — at least not for the folks missing from the table.  And so it was that 21 Pennsylvania school districts recently were awarded a split of $30 million in so-called “supplementary funds.” Lucky them.

Not so lucky were the 479 districts that didn’t get a nickel.

And that’s why Pennsylvanianeeds a school funding formula that “fairly” divvies up state education money — what little there is. And “little” is an accurate description considering the state has long stiffed school districts by failing to meet its constitutional obligation of providing enough funding for a “thorough and efficient” school system. That, in part, is why local school taxes are out of control

http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/opinion/editorial/finding-a-fair-funding-forumla/article_622fd6df-13a0-5869-90ac-e137cd326400.html

“Sharon Ward, with the left-leaning Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, opposes efforts to eliminate the property tax, arguing that it incorrectly regards rapidly rising property taxes as the fault of school districts, when the indirect cause is that they are receiving less money from the state. She warns that replacing the property tax with other levies could "lock in" low state funding levels for education.”

Anti-property tax sentiment passionate, but diffuse

WITF Written by Mary Wilson, Capitol Bureau Chief | Sep 24, 2013 7:27 PM

Calls to eliminate school property taxes in Pennsylvaniastretch back decades, but the latest effort is moving at cross-purposes with other bills.  More than 100 people rallied on the steps of the state Capitol Tuesday in support of a plan to eliminate school property taxes in Pennsylvaniaonce and for all.

http://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2013/09/anti-property-tax-sentiment-passionate-but-diffuse.php

Sen. Dinniman calls for eliminating property taxes

By Frank Otto, The Pottstown Mercury POSTED: 09/24/13, 8:29 PM EDT

HARRISBURG — When supporters of legislation aimed at eliminating school property taxes stepped onto their Harrisburg-bound buses early Tuesday morning, they believed they were three senators away from achieving a majority.  Before lunchtime, state Sen. Andrew Dinniman, D-19th Dist., told The Mercury he was ready to sign on by the end of the week.

“My key thing is I wanted to understand whether things were revenue neutral,” Dinniman said. “And it appears they can be.”

http://www.pottsmerc.com/government-and-politics/20130924/sen-dinniman-calls-for-eliminating-property-taxes

PlanCon: Franklin County school districts face dwindling state reimbursement

Chambersburg Public Opinion Online By JIM HOOK @JimHookPO

Paying for school construction projects is falling squarely on the shoulders of local taxpayers.

The state Department of Education has frozen reimbursement for school construction projects.

School districts are looking at how to do major construction without an estimated 25 percent reimbursement from the state. They are already paying out of pocket what they thought the state would cover for the $14 million Franklin County Career and Technology Center. Some are footing the total bill for projects in their own districts.

http://www.publicopiniononline.com/local/ci_24174553/franklin-county-school-districts-face-dwindling-state-reimbursement

Pa. lawmaker proposes to create website to increase transparency of school spending

By Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com on September 25, 2013 at 6:23 PM

Citing the charges filed against officials associated with the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter Schools as a call for action, Rep. Jim Christiana, R-Beaver, wants public schools to put be more transparent about how they handle taxpayer dollars.  Christiana is proposing legislation that would create a SchoolWATCH website that would allow the public to sift through district and building-level data detailing revenues and expenditures.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/09/pa_lawmaker_proposes_to_create.html

Pew: School crisis defining Nutter's term as mayor, depressing the hell out of Philadelphians

CityPaper By Ryan Briggs Published: 09/25/2013

According to a study released today by the Pew Charitable Trusts, Philadelphians' love for their city and their mayor has plummeted, erasing years of positive momentum built on political reforms and population gains. A survey of 1,605 city residents revealed that despite a locally robust housing market and a recovering economy, only 37 percent of Philadelphians thought the city was headed "in the right direction," the lowest percentage recorded in five years. Only 25 percent of those surveyed thought the city "had become a better place to live in the last five years".    Mayor Michael Nutter's approval rating also hit an all time low of 39 percent, down from a high of 60 percent, with decreases recorded in every racial and socio-economic demographic surveyed.  City Council's approval rating also fell to 30 percent, although this was not as dramatic of a decrease over past years.

http://citypaper.net/article.php?Pew-School-crisis-defining-Nutter-s-term-as-mayor-depressing-the-hell-out-of-Philadelphians-16310

Philadelphia Seeks Salvation in Lessons from Model School

Education Week By Benjamin Herold Published Online: September 24, 2013

In little more than two years, the Philadelphiaschool district has stripped $400 million out of its annual budget, closed 30 schools, eliminated nearly 7,000 jobs, and lost more than 20,000 students.  The teetering city system, said Superintendent William R. Hite Jr., desperately needs "to show a win."

So Mr. Hite is placing a controversial bet: Although scores of schools opened here this month without regular guidance counselors, nurses, or basic supplies, the superintendent is pouring millions of dollars into expanding what he considers to be three of the city's most innovative schools. They include Science Leadership Academy, an acclaimed magnet high school at the forefront of the national effort to marry educational technology with so-called "deeper learning."  "We have to have an investment conversation about the types of schools we would love to see in our district," Mr. Hite said in an interview. "This whole conversation cannot just be about what we're taking away, what we are starving, what we are eliminating."

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2013/09/25/05techschool_ep.h33.html

Drexel eyes purchase of University City High School

Philly.com by JARED BREY , PLANPHILLY  September 25, 2013, 2:50 PM

Drexel University has its eye on University City High School. The school at 36th and Filbert streets in West Philadelphia was just one of 23 Philadelphia public schools shuttered in June, but it may be the one that’s least likely to sit empty for very long. The Office of Property Assessment put its value at nearly $23 million, and according to a number of sources, Drexel is not the only entity ready to make an offer on the empty property.  But it may be the only entity ready to make an offer that includes opening a new public school. Last year, the Philadelphia School Partnership made a grant to Powel Elementary, a small K-4 school near 38th and Poweltown Ave., to plan for its expansion and possible relocation. The planning involved Drexel Universityand Science LeadershipAcademy, a public high school that is itself a partnership between the School Districtand the Franklin Institute.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/education/Drexel_eyes_purchase_of_University_City_High_School.html#0wOUuhZVmQTAKWCy.99

Now on PennLive Opinion: Susquehanna SchoolStrife

By Patriot-News Editorial Board on September 25, 2013 at 10:09 AM

From allegations of mismanagement to concerns about declining academic standards and the criminal charges filed against an administrator, it's been a controversial couple of weeks for the Susquehanna School District.  To make it easier for you to find our op-Eds, letters, columns and editorials about this ongoing story, we've created a special section "Susquehanna School Strife." That's where you'll find all of the ongoing coverage by PennLive's Opinion section.

http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/09/now_on_pennlive_opinion_susquehanna_school_strife.html

Nobody's talking about Midland superintendent's role in Trombetta probe

By J.D. Prose jprose@timesonline.comPosted: Tuesday, September 24, 20138:00 pm

MIDLAND -- Although he is quoted and mentioned several times in the affidavit related to Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School founder Nick Trombetta's indictment, Midland School Superintendent Sean Tanner is not publicly talking and neither are other district officials.

Tanner, who is not charged, has not responded to requests for comment made by The Times since Friday, and Midland School Board President Richard Corradi and district solicitor Robert Masters have not returned calls. That silence leaves Tanner's status with the district, where he has been superintendent since 2006, unclear.

His photo on the school district's website was gone as of Thursday, but a school board member and Tanner's secretary both said Friday he was still the superintendent.

http://www.timesonline.com/news/local_news/nobody-s-talking-about-midland-superintendent-s-role-in-trombetta/article_8b2ed8a5-1e21-5b1e-be76-19ca31453cd4.html

¡Turn it Around!

EduShyster.com Blog Posted on September 23, 2013

What if there was a way to turn schools around without turning them upside down?

It’s field trip time, reader — and today we’re off to visit a real live school success story. FYI: it’s not the Massachusetts miracle turnaround school that got a shout-out at the Democratic National Convention, merited a visit by Yo Yo Ma, or whose students recently traveled to theWhite House in order to recite a Martin Luther King speech to President Obama. In other words, we’re NOT headed to OrchardGardens, which has received more adulatory press coverage than any other public school in Massachusetts… 

http://edushyster.com/?p=3296#more-3296

Business Leaders Rally Around Early Childhood Education

First Five Years Fund SEP 25, 2013

The chairman of PNC Financial supports it. The former CEO and chairman of Macy’s backs it. The former CEO of Procter & Gamble is for it. And so is the CEO of Kaiser Permanente. So what is it that all these business industry leaders support? Early childhood education.

Business leaders are finding that employees entering the workforce have not learned many of the skills necessary to succeed. Too many employees lack the essential capabilities that allow an individual to be persistent on the job and collaborate effectively with a team––skills that are fostered in the first five years of life and developed through high-quality early learning. 

http://www.ffyf.org/blog/business-leaders-rally-around-early-childhood-education

New SAT Results Show No Change in Average Scores

Education Week By Caralee J. Adams Published Online: September 26, 2013

SAT scores remained flat for students in the class of 2013, with just 43 percent performing well enough to be considered college-ready­—the same proportion as last year, according to new results issued Thursday.  Yet, African-American and Latino students in this year’s graduating class saw slight gains. Also, a record share of students taking the college-entrance exam (46 percent) were minorities.

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2013/09/26/06sat.h33.html?tkn=SVSFuQAMu4hI2604Z8tFEHet6r%2BSb1Rr9LN4&cmp=clp-edweek&utm_source=fb&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mrss

The Federal Fiscal Face-Off

Education Week September 25, 2013 Reporting & Analysis: Alyson Klein | Visualization & Design: Megan Garner and Doris Nhan

The budget uncertainty that education advocates and school districts have lived with for the past two years doesn't seem likely to go away anytime soon. The across-the-board cuts known as "sequestration" that went into effect last March are still in place. And now, a spending showdown driven by conservative Republicans in Congress over whether to defund the president's landmark health-care law means a government shutdown could be in the offing. Plus, there's likely to be yet another fight in October over raising the federal debt ceiling. Here's a handy guide to what's happened so far and what to watch for.

http://www.edweek.org/ew/section/multimedia/fiscal-face-off.html?cmp=clp-edweek&utm_source=fb&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mrss

Interested in keeping the “public” in public education?  Sign up for text grassroots alerts from the Network for Public Education.

Join NPE's NIXLE Group by texting "4NPE" to 888777.  After sending the initial text, NIXLE will ask for a "zipcode" - providing a zipcode will limit messages to local interest of each subscriber. Leave the zipcode blank if you want to receive all grassroot alerts from NPE.

PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference
October 15-18, 2013 | Hershey Lodge & Convention Center

Important change this year: Delegate Assembly (replaces the Legislative Policy Council) will be Tuesday Oct. 15 from 1 – 4:30 p.m.

The PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference is the largest gathering of elected officials in Pennsylvaniaand offers an impressive collection of professional development opportunities for school board members and other education leaders.

See Annual School Leadership Conference links for all program details.

Registration: https://www.psba.org/workshops/?workshop=17

PAESSP State Conference October 27-29, 2013

The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, State College, PA

The state conference is PAESSP’s premier professional development event for principals, assistant principals and other educational leaders. Attending will enable you to connect with fellow educators while learning from speakers and presenters who are respected experts in educational leadership.

 Featuring Keynote Speakers: Charlotte Danielson, Dr. Todd Whitaker, Will Richardson & David Andrews, Esq. (Legal Update).

 Click Here To Register Now!

Click Here To View and Print the Conference Registration Brochure.

PASCD Annual Conference ~ A Whole Child Education Powered by Blendedschools Network November 3-4, 2013 | Hershey Lodge & Convention Center

We invite you to join us for the Annual Conference, held at an earlier date this year, on Sunday, November 3^rd, through Monday, November 4^th, 2013 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center.  The Pre-Conference begins on Saturday with PIL Academies and Common Core sessions.  On Sunday and Monday, our features include keynote presentations by Chris Lehmann and ASCD Author Dr. Connie Moss, as well as numerous breakout sessions on PA’s most timely topics.

Click here for the 2013 Conference Schedule

Click here to register for the conference. 

Philadelphia Education Fund 2013 EDDY Awards November 19, 2013

Join us as we celebrate their accomplishments!
Tuesday, November 19, 2013 5:30 pm- 8:30 pm WHYY, 150 North 6th Street, Philadelphia
Invitations coming soon!

Register: http://tinyurl.com/m8emc4m

http://www.philaedfund.org/news-events/special-events/eddy-awards

Building One Pennsylvania

Fourth Annual Fundraiser and Awards Ceremony
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 20136:00-8:00 PM

IBEW Local 380   3900 Ridge Pike  Collegeville, PA 19426

Building One Pennsylvania is an emerging statewide non-partisan organization of leaders from diverse sectors - municipal, school, faith, business, labor and civic - who are joining together to stabilize and revitalize their communities, revitalize local economies and promote regional opportunity and sustainability. BuildingOnePa.org

Join the National School Boards Action CenterFriends of Public Education

Participate in a voluntary network to urge your U.S.Representatives and Senators to support federal legislation on Capitol Hill that is critical to providing high quality education to America’s schoolchildren

http://nsbac.org/?page_id=1873

PSBA members will elect officers electronically for the first time in 2013

PSBA 7/8/2013

Beginning in 2013, PSBA members will follow a completely new election process which will be done electronically during the month of September. The changes will have several benefits, including greater membership engagement and no more absentee ballot process.

Below is a quick Q&A related to the voting process this year, with more details to come in future issues of School Leader News and at www.psba.org. More information on the overall governance changes can be found in the February 2013 issue of the PSBA Bulletin:

http://www.psba.org/news-publications/headlines/details.asp?id=5787

Electing PSBA Officers: 2014 PSBA Slate of Candidates

Details on each candidate, including bios, statements, photos and video are online now

PSBA Website Posted 8/5/2013

The 2014 PSBA Slate of Candidates is being officially published to the members of the association. Details on each candidate, including bios, statements, photos and video are online at http://www.psba.org/elections/.

Proposed Amendments to PSBA Bylaws available online

PSBA website 9/17/2013

A special issue of the School Leader News with the notice of proposed PSBA Bylaws amendments has been mailed to all school directors and board secretaries.

This issue also is available online in the Members Only section by clicking here. Voting on PSBA Bylaws changes will take place at the new Delegate Assembly on Oct. 15, 2013, at the Hershey Lodge & Convention Center from 1-4 p.m. All member school entities should have appointed their voting delegates and submitted names to PSBA. Details on selecting an entity's voting delegate can be found in previous issues of the School Leader News.

- See more at: http://www.psba.org/news-publications/headlines/details.asp?id=6170#sthash.ezkO8nkH.dpuf

Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup for September 17, 2013: “Anyone want to see the “crisis in American education”? Come see how the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is denying a thorough and efficient education to the children of Pittsburgh.”

Daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now reach more than 3000 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors, administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's staff, 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

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

Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition

Follow us on Twitter at @lfeinberg

The Keystone State Education Coalition is pleased to be listed among the friends and allies of The Network for Public Education.  Are you a member?

Keystone State Education Coalition:

Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup for September 17, 2013:  “Anyone want to see the “crisis in American education”? Come see how the Commonwealthof Pennsylvania is denying a thorough and efficient education to the children of Pittsburgh.”

Pennsylvanians Want a School Funding Formula

Press Event Monday September 23^rd, 11:30 am Capitol Rotunda, Harrisburg

Every child in Pennsylvania deserves an opportunity to learn, whether they are from large or small, rich or not-so-rich, urban, suburban or rural school districts, charter schools or cyber schools; whether their legislator is a freshman state representative or a senate officer.

Grassroots Advocacy by Education Voters PA; Education Matters in the CumberlandValley and the Keystone StateEducation Coalition

More details here

Sign up here if you may be able to join us to represent your schools and community: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/104e0endYpVYcPxSyfG9V_DOIVAB0J3AVI0-20Q8Yylw/viewform 

Have you signed this petition yet?  Have your friends and colleagues?

One thing that all sides in the education debate in PA seem to agree upon is the need for a fair and adequate funding formula

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/a-fair-funding-formula?source=s.fwd&r_by=473539

“In her latest book, she tries to dispel myths that maintain American public schools and their students are failing. She said high school graduation rates are at an all-time high, high school dropouts are at an all-time low and test scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress are at their highest point.”
Education expert: Tide is turning

New York University professor and author counters the testing and privatization movement

By Eleanor Chute / PittsburghPost-Gazette September 17, 2013 12:03 am

New York University professor Diane Ravitch -- once a supporter of the education overhaul movement and now an outspoken critic of testing and privatization of public schools -- believes the tide is turning against a culture reliant on test scores and corporate profit.

Ms. Ravitch spoke Monday to more than 600 people at Temple Sinaiin Squirrel Hill where her appearance was hosted by Great Schools Pittsburgh, which includes Action United, One Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network, Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, Service Employees International Union and Yinzercation. The event took on the air of a pep rally, with student musicians performing and a group sing.

The visit was co-sponsored by the education schools or departments at Carlow, Chatham, Duquesne, Robert Morris and Slippery Rock universities, Universityof Pittsburgh and Westminster Collegeas well as Temple Sinai, First Unitarian Church Social Justice Endowment and Pennsylvania State Education Association.

Her speech came on the eve of the release of her latest book, "Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America's Public Schools."

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/education-expert-tide-is-turning-703626/#ixzz2f8qTcxbL

“Anyone want to see the “crisis in American education”? Come see how the Commonwealth of Pennsylvaniais denying a thorough and efficient education to the children of Pittsburgh. Especially the children of color.”

Lessons from Pittsburgh

Diane Ravitch’s Blog By dianerav September 17, 2013 //

I had a wonderful inaugural event in my book tour in Pittsburgh. It was organized by parent activist Jessie Ramey, who writes the blog Yinzercation, and union activist Kipp Dawson. It was co-sponsored by seven local universities, the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, and a galaxy of educational justice groups, including GPS (Great Pittsburgh Schools).

The audience included many elected officials, including the newly elected mayor, school board members, and Superintendent Linda Lane.

http://dianeravitch.net/2013/09/17/lessons-from-pittsburgh/

“Neither he nor school chief executive officer Michael Conti knew precisely what the school spent on Mr. Trombetta's legal representation, led by former U.S. attorney J. Alan Johnson, but they said it was in excess of $200,000.”

Pa. Cyber board cuts off legal fees for Trombetta

By Rich Lord / PittsburghPost-Gazette September 16, 2013 11:50 pm

The board of the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School voted Monday night to stop footing the bill for founder and former CEO Nick Trombetta's legal defense, in light of his indictment last month.

Board president Dave Jaskiewicz said the school's leaders decided in July 2012 to cover Mr. Trombetta's defense bills, though he had resigned the month before, because he had not then been accused of wrongdoing. The federal indictment, Mr. Jaskiewicz told the board, indicates that Mr. Trombetta "had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful."

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/pa-cyber-board-cuts-off-legal-fees-for-trombetta-703619/#ixzz2f8rfpVJj

Philadelphia Graph of the Day

School Finance 101 by Bruce Baker Posted on September 16, 2013

I just can’t drop the Philly issue, because of the complete absurdity of the reformy rhetoric about Philly schools and persistent willful ignorance regarding the role of equitable and adequate funding for Philly schools and the Commonwealth’s failure to provide any reasonable level of support.  For what it’s worth – and I’ve spent a great deal of time critiquing this and similar studies – the Commonwealth in the mid-2000s took on the task of determining the “costs” per pupil of what Pennsylvania school districts needed to get the job done. This cost analysis was then used to guide development of a new formula intended to drive appropriate levels of state aid to districts facing substantive gaps between current spending (2006-07) at the time, and cost estimates developed under state supervision, by independent consultants.

 [critique of these & related methods can be found here]

At the time, state officials found that districts including Philadelphia, Allentown and Reading faced funding (relative to cost) gaps between $4,000 and $6,000+ per pupil.

http://schoolfinance101.wordpress.com/2013/09/16/philadelphia-graph-of-the-day/

Nazareth Area School District saves more than $60,000 by powering down, superintendent says

By Pamela Sroka-Holzmann | The Express-Times on September 16, 2013 at 10:09 PM

The Nazareth Area School District has saved more than $60,000 since contracting last year with a private power supplier, Superintendent Dennis Rikerannounced tonight.

Riker said the district contracted during the 2012-13 school year with EnerNOC, an energy company that works in conjunction with PJM Interconnection, the grid operator spanning about 13 states.   When there is a high demand for energy across the states, Riker said PJM typically contacts EnerNOC and requests a shutdown in electricity. All schools with the exception of Nazareth Area Intermediate School, which runs on solar power, were shut down for the first time this school year on Sept. 9. There were two shutdowns over the summer.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/nazareth/index.ssf/2013/09/nazareth_area_school_district_33.html#incart_river

Huge crowd turns out for property tax forum

Bucks County Intelligencer by Gary Weckselblatt staff writerSeptember 13, 2013 11:00 am

About 350 showed up Thursday night to hear about the merits of legislation to fund schools in ways other than property taxes.  State Rep. Tina Davis, D-141, Bristol, set up the town hall to help inform constituents who have complained to her that the taxes on their homes have escalated to a point they can no longer afford.

“Most of the problems I deal with almost daily are with someone who can’t pay their property taxes,” Davissaid. “People are being forced to forgo their prescriptions to pay their tax bill. I don’t believe anyone deserves to have that worry at this time of life.”

http://www.theintell.com/news/local/huge-crowd-turns-out-for-property-tax-forum/article_5dd1f7b4-6bbb-54e9-82ed-dd525bf79841.html

Diane Ravitch Focuses on the Reign of Error

Education Week Finding Common Ground Blog By Peter DeWitt on September 17, 2013 5:44 AM

"One of the most disheartening aspects of the current reform movement is its disdain for the education profession. In many states, governors and mayors have sought out non-educators, or people with meager experience in education, for positions of leadership."Diane Ravitch

A few years ago I happened to turn on CSpan's Book Talk on a Saturday morning. It was not a show I watched regularly but it is a program I value. That morning Diane Ravitch was a guest and she was discussing her new book, The Death and Life of the Great American School System.

…..Her new book, Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America's Public Schools is released today (Tuesday, September 17th). I was fortunate enough to be given an advanced copy. I brought it to school to show my teachers with the same excitement that only JK Rowling fans can display when a new Harry Potter book comes out.

It is often said that lightning doesn't always strike twice, meaning that a writer who writes a best seller may never write a best seller again. In Diane's case, lightning has very much struck twice, and her critics don't have the intelligence nor the energy to keep up with her.

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/finding_common_ground/2013/09/diane_ravitch_focuses_on_the_reign_of_error.html

“Follow the money, Ravitch counsels. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has spent over a hundred million dollars to create and promote the Common Core. Joanne Weiss, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan's chief of staff, says that the initiative "means that education entrepreneurs will enjoy national markets." America spends over 500 billion dollars a year educating children between the ages of 5 and 18. The Common Core, like charter schools or vouchers, helps privatize America's public schools, in this case, by empowering educational vendors such as Pearson to "enjoy national markets."

Schools, Ravitch argues, follow a different logic than businesses. Businesses control their inputs and discard elements that don't produce. Public schools, to the contrary, must accept and educate all children.”

Ravitch to the Rescue

Huffington Post by Nicholas Tampio Assistant Professor of Political Science, Fordham University Posted: 09/16/2013 5:06 pm

…. How did parents lose the right to educate our own children or, at least, have a meaningful role to play in our school districts? How can we reclaim this right?

Enter Diane Ravitch, America's foremost historian and theorist of education policy. In her new book, Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America's Public Schools (2013), Ravitch explains how foundations, venture capitalists, and politicians have seized control of America's schools. She also highlights how parents and citizens may fight back against the corporate reform movement.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nicholas-tampio/ravitch-to-the-rescue_b_3935341.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

Ravitch’s Reign of Error: My Review (for teachers)

Deutsch29 Mercedes Schneider’s Edublog September 16, 2013

In considering my review of education historian Diane Ravitch’s latest book, Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools, I decided to write with traditional public school teachers in mind as my audience.

For one, I am a genuine public school teacher, the kind that makes a career of classroom teaching for love of the students and the profession.

Second, I began to directly experience the results of corporate reform when in November 2011 our state board of education (BESE) was officially bought and privatization officially reigned there and, in spring 2012, in the state legislature, so I am keenly aware of the pain privatization brings to my profession.

Third, I find that traditional public school teachers in general know that something is happening “to” them, some war has been declared upon them, but they are unaware of the details.

Fourth, once traditional public school teachers become aware of the details of this war, they will need some concrete advice on the courses of action to follow in order to take back their profession from those who have grabbed it and are systematically handing it over to corporations.

These are the reasons I advise all traditional public school teachers to read Ravitch’s book.

And now, I write expressly to my traditional public school teaching colleagues nationwide:

http://deutsch29.wordpress.com/2013/09/16/ravitchs-reign-of-error-my-review/

In D.C., Where Universal Free Preschool Is Becoming the Norm

New York Times By LAURA MOSER September 16, 2013, 2:02 pm 16 Comments

Last winter, my husband and I almost moved back to Brooklynwith our only child. We got as far as hiring movers and boxing up our home. Instead, we stayed in Washington, D.C., and achieved my long-nagged-at dream of having child No. 2. A big reason for this turnaround? Universal preschool.  Not just pre-K for 4-year-olds, as in Oklahoma’s widely praised program, or for poor children, as President Obama has proposed. Preschool that is (at least theoretically) for everyone, starting at age 3. That’s what we get in D.C.: five days a week, for nearly 10 months a year, from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., my taxes pay for my toddler’s education.

http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/16/in-d-c-where-universal-free-preschool-is-becoming-the-norm/?src=rechp&_r=0

Daring Arlington Countypublic school requires AP or IB courses for all students

Washington Post By Jay Mathews, Published: September 15

Two Arlington County ninth-graders told Washington-Lee High School Principal Gregg Robertson they had made a mistake. Advanced Placement world history, a college-level course, was too much for them. They wanted to switch to the regular world history course.

Robertson pointed to a banner in his office: “The only way out is through,” it said, inspired by an Alanis Morissette song. He made a deal with the students. If they stuck with AP through the end of the first semester, they could switch if they still wanted to. When the time came, they had adjusted to the heavy writing and reading load. They stayed and did well in the course.

With such stories in mind, Washington-Lee teachers, counselors and administrators are attempting something never done in any non-magnet suburban Washington school. If they succeed in their efforts, next spring every Washington-Lee graduating senior will have taken at least one AP or International Baccalaureate course and test.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/daring-public-school-requires-ap-or-ib-for-all/2013/09/15/4360dc72-1a45-11e3-8685-5021e0c41964_story.html

The Constitution Day quiz: Test yourself

Washington Post Answer Sheet Blog By Valerie Strauss, Published: September 17 at 6:00 am

Today is the 226th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution — and that means it is also Constitution Day. What’s Constitution Day, you ask? It’s a congressionally mandated moment in which schools — from kindergarten through college — must  focus in some fashion on the country’s founding document. The law, which passed in 2004,  requires all schools that get federal funding to offer an “educational program” on the Constitution, but doesn’t define what that is.  Here’s a quiz about our Constitution,  which was drafted and signed during the Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphiafrom May 14 to September 17, 1787. Take it and see how much you know — or don’t, as the case may be.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/09/17/the-constitution-day-quiz-test-yourself/

Is the ‘charter school gravy train’ running ‘express to fat city’?

Washington Post Answer Sheet Blog By Valerie Strauss, Published: September 17 at 12:41 am

Sometimes you find things in unexpected places, like this story, in Forbes magazine. The story, headlined “Charter School Gravy Train Runs Express To Fat City,” was written by a financial publisher and writer, not exactly the first person you’d think would take a hit at charter schools.

The author is Addison Wiggin, executive publisher of Agora Financial, LLC, described in his biography as “a fiercely independent economic forecasting and financial research firm based in Baltimore, Md.” Wiggin is also the creator and editorial director of Agora Financial’s daily 5 Min. Forecast and editorial director of Agora’s flagship publication The Daily Reckoning. He is the founder of Agora Entertainment and a best-selling author.

So what does he have to say about charter schools and the people who invest in them? A lot.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/09/17/is-the-charter-school-gravy-train-running-express-to-fat-city/

The Colbert Report hosts Arne Duncan September 17th

Tuesday's Guest. 11:00pm / 10:00c Arne Duncan. U.S. Secretary of Education, TEACH Campaign.

Education Law Center Annual Event Sept. 18^th, 2013

Featuring Morris Dees and honoring education advocates Barbara Minzenberg and the Philadelphia Student Union.  Wednesday, Sept. 18^th at 5:30 p.m., Crystal Tea Room, Wanamaker Building 100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia

Details and registration: http://elc-pa.givezooks.com/events/copy-of-morris-dees-a-passion-for-justice

PA Special Education Funding Formula Commission Public Meeting Sept 26^th at AlverniaCollege in Reading from 9:30 am – 3:00 p.

To consider charter and cyber special education funding

Diane Ravitch will be speaking in Philly at the Main Branch of the PhiladelphiaFree Library on September 17 at 7:30 pm.

Diane Ravitch | Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America's Public Schools
When: Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 7:30PM 
Where: Central Library
Cost: $15 General Admission, $7 Students
Ticket and Subscription Packages 
Tickets on sale here:

http://libwww.freelibrary.org/authorevents/index.cfm?ID=40337&type=2

Join the National School Boards Action CenterFriends of Public Education

Participate in a voluntary network to urge your U.S.Representatives and Senators to support federal legislation on Capitol Hill that is critical to providing high quality education to America’s schoolchildren

http://nsbac.org/?page_id=1873

PSBA members will elect officers electronically for the first time in 2013

PSBA 7/8/2013

Beginning in 2013, PSBA members will follow a completely new election process which will be done electronically during the month of September. The changes will have several benefits, including greater membership engagement and no more absentee ballot process.

Below is a quick Q&A related to the voting process this year, with more details to come in future issues of School Leader News and at www.psba.org. More information on the overall governance changes can be found in the February 2013 issue of the PSBA Bulletin:

http://www.psba.org/news-publications/headlines/details.asp?id=5787

Electing PSBA Officers: 2014 PSBA Slate of Candidates

Details on each candidate, including bios, statements, photos and video are online now

PSBA Website Posted 8/5/2013

The 2014 PSBA Slate of Candidates is being officially published to the members of the association. Details on each candidate, including bios, statements, photos and video are online at http://www.psba.org/elections/.

PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference
October 15-18, 2013 | Hershey Lodge & Convention Center

Important change this year: Delegate Assembly (replaces the Legislative Policy Council) will be Tuesday Oct. 15 from 1 – 4:30 p.m.

The PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference is the largest gathering of elected officials in Pennsylvaniaand offers an impressive collection of professional development opportunities for school board members and other education leaders.

See Annual School Leadership Conference links for all program details.

Registration: https://www.psba.org/workshops/?workshop=17

PAESSP State Conference October 27-29, 2013

The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, State College, PA

The state conference is PAESSP’s premier professional development event for principals, assistant principals and other educational leaders. Attending will enable you to connect with fellow educators while learning from speakers and presenters who are respected experts in educational leadership.

 Featuring Keynote Speakers: Charlotte Danielson, Dr. Todd Whitaker, Will Richardson & David Andrews, Esq. (Legal Update).

 Click Here To Register Now!

Click Here To View and Print the Conference Registration Brochure.

PASCD Annual Conference ~ A Whole Child Education Powered by Blendedschools Network November 3-4, 2013 | Hershey Lodge & Convention Center

We invite you to join us for the Annual Conference, held at an earlier date this year, on Sunday, November 3^rd, through Monday, November 4^th, 2013 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center.  The Pre-Conference begins on Saturday with PIL Academies and Common Core sessions.  On Sunday and Monday, our features include keynote presentations by Chris Lehmann and ASCD Author Dr. Connie Moss, as well as numerous breakout sessions on PA’s most timely topics.

Click here for the 2013 Conference Schedule

Click here to register for the conference.