EPLC News
Capitol Update

Report: The Need for Public Community College Programs in Rural Pennsylvania

The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee has released a report called The Need for Public Community College Programs in Rural Pennsylvania. To read the full report and highlights, visit the Committee’s web site and look in the Reports Released section, under the … Continue reading »


House Rejects Two Key Components of Gov. Corbett’s Education Reform Plan

  • On December 14, the House rejected an amendment to Senate Bill 560 which would have included two of the four pillars of Governor Corbett’s education reform package: expansion of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program (EITC) and revamping the Charter School Law– by a vote of 90-105.   House Republican leaders tried to garner support for a scaled back version of Senate Bill 1 , but backing from state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle was lacking and so no voucher language was included in the House defeated amendment. According to House Republican leaders, it is unlikely that a voucher bill will be considered any time during this current legislative session, which runs through November 30, 2012. 

House Education Panel Approves Statewide Teacher Evaluation Bill

  • On November 16, the House Education Committee reported as amended House Bill 1980 (Rep. Ryan Aument, R-41) which would implement a new statewide educator evaluation system.  Under HB 1980, all professional employees and temporary professional employees in public schools, cyber charter schools, charter schools, intermediate units and area vocational technical schools would be evaluated through an approved rating tool developed by the Secretary of Education in consultation with education experts, parents, teachers and administrators, including research and collaboration conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). 

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Featured News Stories

State Education Budget Promises More Burden for Local Taxpayers and Cuts for Students

From the Pennsylvania School Funding Campaign: State Education Budget Promises More Burden for Local Taxpayers and Cuts for Students. Budget proposal ignores need to create high quality learning opportunities for all of PA’s children

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Profits and Questions at Online Charter Schools

(The New York Times on December 12, 2011)

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