PAESSP Political Notes

December 1, 2003

   The Pennsylvania legislature is currently in recess and is not expected back in session until December 8, 2003.  It is anticipated that they will meet during the weeks of December 8^th and 15^th.  Typically, they then adjourn until January.  The legislature has still been unable to resolve the education budget situation.  It is unknown at this time when they will address the issue or when a compromise may be forthcoming. Senate Republicans have basically offered what House Bill 113 contains, provided no increase to the personal income tax would occur.

   The State Board of Education met before Thanksgiving and gave final approval to a proposed amendment to a Chapter 14 regulation. The proposed amendment would remove the current practice of a school district to initiate a due process hearing for the placement of a child into a special education program without parental consent.  The proposed regulation will now go to both the Senate and House Education Committees for consideration.

   The State Board Committee on Chapter 49 regulations, as it pertains to professional personnel, is expected to have a draft of its results/findings in December.  The committee has added some draft language on World Languages, HIV/AIDS and substituting health physical education at the high school level if the student plays a sport coached by a certified physical education teacher. Work continues by the committees on changes to the revisions on the Chapter 11 regulations for student attendance. 

   The State Board of Education has been advised that work is progressing on the validity of the PSSA, with a report due in the spring.

   It has been reported that the General Fund of the Commonwealth has exceeded the official estimate by 135 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2003-2004.