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EPLC Education Notebook Thursday, April 8, 2010
Content in this edition: The EPLC Education Notebook (current and past editions) also is available by visiting the EPLC website at www.eplc.org/ednotebook.html.
EPLC NEWS EPLC will host its Parent and Community Leadership Institute (PCLI) this spring in Philadelphia and in Harrisburg. The PCLI is a free twelve-hour, four-session introduction to Pennsylvania K-12 education policy and advocacy issues for parents, educators, advocates, community leaders and other interested citizens. Click here for details about the program and how you can apply.
PENNSYLVANIA POLICYMAKERS State House The House Finance Committee this week held its first hearing in a series on the challenges facing the state’s pension systems. Representatives of the Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) and State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS) prepared a joint statement for the Committee which provided an overview of the two pension systems, options for addressing the projected rate spike and plateau, and a comparison of future funding scenarios including the Governor’s proposal. PSERS and SERS testified that there is no single solution to the Systems’ funding issues and that the solution likely will require a combination of several approaches and will only smooth out the projected rate hike and lower the peak. Under all options, there is a need for significant additional funding for PSERS and SERS. State Board of Education The State Board of Education has released a draft of its proposed regulatory changes to Chapter 12 that address student nutrition and physical activity. The Board’s Health and Wellness Committee held its first public roundtable on the proposed changes on April 6 in Fort Washington, and will continue to solicit public feedback during future roundtables on April 20 in Lancaster and on April 26 in Clarion. Click here for more information about the roundtable times and locations and how you can participate. The changes proposed to Chapter 12 add new provisions that address nutritional content requirements of drinks and foods that are served in schools, physical activity practices during the school day, physical education curriculum, the safety and adequacy of facilities as they relate to physical education programs, and assessing students’ attainment of physical education learning objectives.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced this week that up to $350 million of the Race to the Top grant dollars have been set aside to support a consortia of states in developing and implementing valid and instructionally-useful assessments. The Race to the Top Assessment program is designed to ensure that new assessments provide accurate information about students’ knowledge and are anchored in standards to give students the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in college or the workplace by the time they graduate from high school. Funding will be awarded to consortia of states to create assessments that: Also, the USDE will award up to $30 million from the $350 million RTT Assessment program to fund better assessments for high schools. These “end-of-course” tests will support high school improvement efforts in consortium-member states by promoting broader and more equitable access to rigorous courses and a diverse set of course offerings in both academic and career/technical areas.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Govern for Kids will host a kick-off event on Wednesday, April 14 at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. The Southwestern PA coalition is asking gubernatorial candidates to step up as champions for children and support a pro-children agenda that addressed early care and education, K-12 education, children’s health, after school, drop-out re-engagement, college access and child welfare. Click here to learn more about the Govern for Kids campaign. How can you get involved with Govern for Kids? Click here to sign a letter to candidates asking them to make children’s issues a priority. And, if you live in Southwestern Pennsylvania, plan to attend the kick-off rally. Click here for details about the April 14 community kick-off event.
DATEBOOK The Pennsylvania Senate returns to session on Monday, April 12. The Pennsylvania House returns to session on Monday, April 19. Next week… The EPLC Education Notebook (current and past editions) also is available by visiting the EPLC website at www.eplc.org/ednotebook.html.
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