PAESSP Political Notes

January 24, 2005

   The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Board of Education met on January 20, 2005.  After a long discussion, the board approved moving ahead with the Keystone Educational Accountability (KEA) program. KEA was created by the legislation to establish and measure a series of standards covering school district operations and procedures.  The purpose is to encourage savings by improving school district management and use of resources, so that public confidence is increased.  The intent is that the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) will require a review for compliance every six years.  The 11 categories to be reviewed are:

v     Management structure (board and superintendent)

v     Performance accountability (goals)

v     Cost control systems (finance)

v     Administrative and instructional technology

v     Personnel systems and benefits

v     Facilities construction

v     Facilities maintenance

v     Transportation

v     Food service operators

v     Safety and security

v     Education service delivery (curriculum delivery)

   The timeline for PDE to develop the regulations and review the cycle is by January 2006. The first compliance reviews will be conducted from July-December 2006. The reviews will be conducted by outside consultants and not PDE staff.  The reviews are to be paid for by funds made available by the legislature to pay the consultants. It is unclear if school districts will receive any monies to offset their portion of the costs. If no funds are provided in the 2006-2007 state budget, then no reviews will be conducted, but the regulation will remain in place.

   The Committee on Higher Education Regulations (Chapter 31) presented a draft for intent to adopt.  It was revised to incorporate a number of revisions.  It would permit colleges to expand their distance learning education offerings. PAESSP feels this proposed regulation would be helpful to members because more distance learning programs for administrators may be available.  The regulations will start through the lengthy review process of the Commonwealth.

   The State Board announced they will, over the next year, make proposed changes to Chapter 49 Certification and Chapter 4 Academic Standards. PAESSP will continue to monitor these proposals and will report to membership when something is developed by the State Board.

   The State Board passed a resolution establishing Bridge II after much debate and consideration. Bridge II will allow special education, alternative education and ESL teachers to become Highly Qualified in one content area provided they complete Bridge I and pass the General PRAXIS TEST. They must also teach the other content area subjects successfully based on evaluation for one year. This will allow the teacher to meet the Highly Qualified Status that is required.

   While Bridge II was supported by the various educational groups, others feel it does not contain enough rigors to adequately prepare the current experienced staff.

   The State Board of Education did indicate there probably will be a Bridge III to deal with new teachers who do not qualify because of length of service and to resolve the issues of certification for college students in achieving Highly Qualified Status.

   The legislature will return next week with the Governor’s budget address on Tuesday,   February 8, 2005. The Secretary of Education will meet with the legislature on March 8, 2005 to discuss the educational portion of the budget.