Publications ›› Press Releases
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Friday, 03 February 2012 |
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Governor Tom Corbett is slated to present his 2012-13 state budget proposal before a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. Following the governor’s budget address, the Senate and House Appropriations Committees will convene hearings on specific components of the proposal. Senate budget hearings will be held: February 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 (PSERS), 27 (Education), 28 and 29. The House budget hearings will be held: February 21, 22, 23 (PSERS), 24, 27, 28, 29 and March 1, 5 (Education), 6, 7 and 8. Check our web site, Facebook and Twitter for budget updates. |
Publications ›› Press Releases
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Tuesday, 31 January 2012 |
The Center on Education Policy (CEP) recently released a new report that examines states’ efforts to transition to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in math and English language arts. As of January 2012, 45 states and the District of Columbia have adopted the Common Core Standards in English language arts and mathematics. According to the report, most states do not expect to have them in place until the 2014-15 school year or later. The report also finds that while state education agencies are taking steps to familiarize state and district officials with the new standards and are aligning curriculum and assessments, they caution that adequate resources and technology related to test administration remain major challenges to full implementation of the CCSS.
Reflecting the complex nature of the transition to the CCSS, implementation is moving at different rates in different states. Six states in the survey expect to fully implement these standards before or during school year 2012-13. Nine states anticipate full implementation in 2013-14, 16 in 2014-15 and one in 2015-16. These state timelines are affected somewhat by the work of two state-led consortia, which are developing assessments aligned to the CCSS and do not expect their tests to be ready until 2014-15.
On a relate note, Pennsylvania’s State Board of Education adopted the Common Core Standards in July 2010. Since then, work has been ongoing in the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to get the state ready for implementation. Click here to see detailed information on PDE’s work as posted on the Standards Aligned System (SAS) web site. In a report provided to the State Board earlier this month, PDE noted that the Assessment Anchor and Eligible content for English Language Arts and math have been rewritten to match the Common Core. The Bureau of Assessment has a draft of Anchor and Eligible Content for writing that will be reviewed soon. In addition, PDE provided to the State Board an updated proposed timeline:
October 2011 – Revise Anchor/Eligible Content in math and reading in grades 3, 4, 5,6,7,8 and 11 to align to Common Core Standards.
January 2012 – Revise PA Academic Standards in reading and math to create a set of PA Common Core Standards.
January 2012 – Begin development of Common Core aligned PSSA reading and math tests.
February 2012 – Post Common Core Standards on the SAS web site.
February 2012 – Develop PA Common Core train the trainer modules for IU delivery to local education agencies (LEA).
February- May 2012 – Offer training sessions to LEAs.
February 2012- ongoing – Align SAS resources to PA Common Core Standards.
Spring 2014 – Implement Common Core aligned PSSA tests, grades 3-5.
Spring 2015 – Implement Common Core aligned PSA tests, grades 6-8.
Source: PSBA Legislative Report, Jan. 27, 2012. |
Publications ›› Press Releases
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For Immediate Release
Contact:
Leisl Moriarty, NASSP
703-860-7308
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January 23, 2012
Louis Angelo Named
Pennsylvania Assistant Principal of the Year
Upper St. Clair High School
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Louis Angelo, assistant principal at Upper St. Clair High School, has been named the Pennsylvania Assistant Principal of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP). Now designated a state winner by PAESSP, Angelo is eligible in consideration to be the 2012 NASSP/Virco National Assistant Principal of the Year.
The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and Virco Inc. come together annually to honor a winner from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools. From this pool of outstanding administrators, three national finalists will be named in January. From those finalists one national winner will be selected and announced at NASSP’s national conference on March 10, 2012, in Tampa, Florida. The National finalists each receive a grant of $1,500 and the National winner receives a grant of $5,000.
As an assistant principal, Angelo has proven success in involving the local community in the life of the school, astute awareness of current and emerging issues, and passion in improving the school’s learning environment. All state winners, including Angelo, will be honored at a three-day event in Washington, DC, April 18-21, 2012. Event highlights feature a national speaker, visits to Capitol Hill to meet with legislators, and networking with some of the best assistant principals across the nation. The event culminates with a black-tie gala to recognize the achievements of each of the state honorees, the national finalists, and the national winner.
“Assistant principals play a key role in the success of secondary schools across the nation,” said Brian True, Virco’s Director of Sales. “Virco is honored to recognize their achievements and is committed to contributing to their professional development.”
“Research shows that principals and assistant principals create the conditions for schools to be successful and for students to succeed. Recognizing and acknowledging the quality of our school leaders is an honor.” said JoAnn D. Bartoletti, NASSP Executive Director.
Additional information about the NASSP/Virco National Assistant Principal of the Year program can be found at www.nassp.org/apoy or by contacting NASSP at 800-253-7746 or
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.
About Virco Inc.
As America's leading manufacturer and supplier of furniture and equipment for K-12 schools, Virco is proud to support NASSP. Virco's great classroom furniture selection includes best-selling ZUMA(r) models, traditional chairs and desks, popular TEXT(r), Metaphor(r) and Telos(r) items, and and all-new Parameter(r) desks and workstations for teachers and administrators. In 2005, ZUMA and ZUMAfrd(tm) became the first classroom furniture products to earn GREENGUARD(r) Children & Schools certification; now, Virco has hundreds of Greenguard-certified products. Virco offers classroom furniture industry's only Take-Back Program that helps schools recycle their out-of-service furniture. you're faced with a major FF&E purchasing project, check out Virco's stress-free PlanSCAPE(r) service! For more information on Virco Inc., visit www.virco.com.
About NASSP
In existence since 1916, The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the preeminent organization of and national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and aspiring school leaders from across the United States and more than 45 countries around the world. NASSP’s mission is to promote excellence in school leadership. The National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and National Association of Student Councils are all programs of NASSP. For more information about NASSP, located in Reston, Virginia, visit www.nassp.org or call 703-860-0200.
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Publications ›› Press Releases
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Thursday, 26 January 2012 |
NOTE: Locations of Live Presentation Sites Have Changed
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) will conduct training sessions on the administration of the 2012 PSSA on February 16, 17 and 22, at the Harrisburg, King of Prussia, and Pittsburgh PaTTAN office locations. The information being presented is critical to the administration of the 2012 PSSAs and it is required that every LEA send at least one representative to a training session. These are train-the-trainer sessions and it is expected that the representatives deliver the information to their coordinators and test administrators.
The training sessions will be presented live at each of the PaTTAN sites listed below. The live presentations will simultaneously be broadcasted to additional PaTTAN locations and intermediate units for individuals who cannot make it to the live sessions. To register for a live session and view a list of available locations that will be broadcasting the event visit PaTTAN’s website at http://www.pattan.net/category/Training/Calendar/2012/February .
Live Sessions
February 16, 2012
PaTTAN Harrisburg (two live sessions) – NOTE Live Site has changed
9a.m. – 11a.m.
1p.m. – 3p.m.
February 17, 2012
PaTTAN King of Prussia (two live sessions) – NOTE Live Site has changed
9a.m. – 11a.m.
1p.m. – 3p.m.
February 22, 2012
PaTTAN Pittsburgh (two live sessions)
9a.m. – 11a.m.
1p.m. – 3p.m. |
Publications ›› Press Releases
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Wednesday, 18 January 2012 |
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U.S. Rep. Todd Platts, R-York, announced [this afternoon] he will not seek a seventh term in office. Click here for full story.
Source: pennlive.com, Jan. 17, 2012. |
Publications ›› Press Releases
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Wednesday, 18 January 2012 |
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Brian L. Cashman, Sr., a former PAESSP board member and retired principal in the Southern York County School District, has been appointed by the PAESSP president to serve as the chairperson of the 2012 PAESSP Nominations Committee. Wayne R. McAllister, an elementary principal in the Upper Darby School District, and Marshall J. Wagner, a retired secondary principal in the Hollidaysburg Area School District, will also serve on the committee.
If you have any questions regarding the election, the positions available or the responsibilities, please contact the Nominations chairperson, Mr. Cashman, at
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. Watch www.paessp.org
for more information, including the duties and responsibilities for the president-elect and the regional representative positions.
If you are interested in running for one of these positions, please contact the PAESSP office at
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or (717) 732-4999 for an application. Applications must be received in the PAESSP office by Friday, February 17, 2012.
Statewide Elected Positions
- President-Elect – Must be an Secondary Member
- Secretary – Either Elementary or Secondary Member
Regional Rep Positions
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Region
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Level
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Current BOD Member
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Counties Represented
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East I
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Elementary
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Paul L. Stefani
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Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Wayne,
Wyoming
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East II
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Secondary
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Dennis F. Nemes
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Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Pike,
Schuylkill
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Central III
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Elementary
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Robert J. Gildea
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Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon,
Juniata, Mifflin, Somerset
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Central I
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Secondary
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Curtis E. Johnson
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Bradford, Cameron, Center, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk,
Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Sullivan, Tioga
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West II
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Elementary
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Gregg L. Paladina
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Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Indiana, Lawrence,
Mercer
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West II
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Secondary
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Leonard A. Rich
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Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Indiana, Lawrence,
Mercer
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Click Here for the Duties and Responsibilities of the Regional Representative. |
Publications ›› Press Releases
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Tuesday, 17 January 2012 |
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Last week, Education Week published Quality Counts 2012, its annual report card for the nation and individual states for education performance. Pennsylvania ranked 7th in the nation for K-12 achievement and 13th in the nation overall when graded across the six distinct areas of policy and performance tracked by the report. The report shows that Pennsylvania received a grade at above the average state score on five of the six areas.
Source: PSBA Legislative Report, Jan. 13, 2012. |
Publications ›› Press Releases
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Tuesday, 10 January 2012 |
Applications are currently being accepted for two of the former Pennsylvania Governor’s Schools, the PA School for Global Entrepreneurship at Lehigh University and the University of Pittsburgh Health Career Scholars Academy. Applications for both programs are due by February 15, 2012.
Benefits for the student include the opportunity to work as a consultant on a real company business project; live and work as a team with international students; network with international and local faculty and professionals; an amazing pre-college experience; an edge in the college application process, and more. Please share the opportunity about the residential summer programs with guidance counselors, gifted teachers, high school students and/or their parents who you believe may be interested in this opportunity.
Applications and further information on the Global Entrepreneurship program can be found at http://www.iacocca-lehigh.org/govschool/overview1.html. For specific questions, please contact Trisha Alexy, director, at
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For applications and further information on the Health Career Scholars Academy, visit the http://www.hcsa.pitt.edu web site or contact Karen Narkevic, director, at
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Publications ›› Press Releases
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Monday, 09 January 2012 |
In October 2011, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced that it would participate in the pilot year of Green Ribbon Schools, which was created by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) to recognize those schools that have achieved or made considerable progress toward energy efficient buildings, healthy students and school environment and the environmental literacy of all graduates.
The Green Ribbon Schools Application is now available on the PDE web site and at the Pathways to Green Schools’ web site. Interested public and private schools throughout the Commonwealth will submit their application for consideration to PDE. The deadline to apply is Thursday, February 23, 2012.
Once all applications are received and reviewed, the department will nominate up to four schools to the USDE to be designated as Pennsylvania’s Green Ribbon School. From those nominated by each state, it is expected that up to 50 awards will be presented by USDE.
All public and private schools that have configuration of K-12 are eligible to apply, including charter schools, career and technical centers, and those educational schools operated by intermediate units. All applicants must meet college- and career-ready standards, be in compliance with federal civil rights laws and all federal, state and local health and safety standards and regulations.
To access the Green Ribbon Schools Application, visit www.pathwaystogreenschools.org.
To learn more about the Green Ribbon Schools program, visit the USDE’s web site
at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/index.html. |
Publications ›› Press Releases
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Wednesday, 28 December 2011 |
Governor Tom Corbett announced that Pennsylvania has been awarded $41,326,299 under the federally-funded “Race to the Top” grant program.
The funding will be used to supplement the state’s support of student-specific educational choices in grades K-12, and the current efforts to increase the number of outstanding teachers working in Pennsylvania classrooms.
“I know, from my time spent as a teacher and with my own two children, that a one-size-fits-all approach to education does not create a successful learning environment,” Corbett said. “Our students need quality options that fit their academic abilities and their aspirations for the future. We must have educators who are prepared and capable of meeting the needs of our diverse student population.”
Pennsylvania joins 22 other states that have received Race to the Top grants. The grant will be allocated over the next four years by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
A significant focus of this grant will be used for the statewide implementation of a new teacher evaluation, which is currently being piloted in more than 100 school districts, charter schools, career and technical centers, and intermediate units. It will also provide the necessary means to develop a new principal evaluation, which is planned to be piloted during the 2012-13 school year.
“The focus of our grant application is to improve public education for every student,” Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis said. “The funds awarded to Pennsylvania will support the work already being done by Governor Corbett and the department to ensure that, regardless of ZIP code or socioeconomic status, every child receives an education that provides them with the opportunity to be successful.”
The new teacher and principal evaluation is a cornerstone of Corbett’s education reform agenda. Once developed, the evaluations will give parents, taxpayers and school leaders the ability to assess the quality of individuals tasked with educating students. Evaluations will also provide individual teachers and principals with meaningful feedback to help them to better serve students and increase achievement.
“The state House of Representative’s Education Committee recently voted out legislation that would base a significant portion of an educator’s and a principal’s assessment on multiple measures of student achievement,” Tomalis said. “This is an important piece of legislation that will benefit all students across the state.”
In addition, funding will also be directed to further develop Pennsylvania Standards Aligned System, which provides educators with valuable tools and resources to improve student achievement. Funding will also be allocated to provide students with greater access to quality charter schools and online curricular options that may not be available in their district, especially science, technology, engineering and math courses.
“As a result of the Race to the Top Grant award, funds will be allocated to increase transparency at Pennsylvania’s public schools,” Tomalis said. “Ultimately, the goal is to provide parents with the information necessary to make informed decisions regarding their child’s educational future.”
Half of the grant funding will be appropriated to local education agencies, such as school districts and intermediate units.
In addition to the new Race to the Top grant, Pennsylvania was awarded $38 million in September as part of the Striving Readers Grant Comprehensive Literacy Program grant. Under this initiative, Pennsylvania is pursuing a broad approach to improving literacy outcomes for all children.
In total, nearly $80 million has been awarded to Pennsylvania to improve educational opportunities for students.
Source: Press Release, PA Office of the Governor and PDE, Dec. 23, 2011. |
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