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Through the years there have been many bitter teacher strikes and too many student protests to count. But a principals’ revolt?

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Source: www.nytimes.com, Nov. 27, 2011.

Poll shows voters believe state should provide more funding for public schools

The Education Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC) has released poll results that show Pennsylvania voters overwhelmingly value public education, support an increase in state funding for the 500 school districts statewide, and support public school choices, while opposing the use of taxpayer funds for private school tuition. The polling, commissioned by EPLC, was conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research, which is based in Harrisburg.

The results of the new Annual Pennsylvania Education Issues Poll showed that Pennsylvanians place high value on quality public education and believe that a strong educational system is essential for a strong economy. Ninety-three percent of those surveyed agreed that “high quality public schools are vital for the success of Pennsylvania’s economy,” and 95 percent agreed that “all students in Pennsylvania should be legally entitled to the opportunity to receive a quality education.”

Also apparent in the results is bipartisan support for increased funding for public education at the state level. From a list of seven issues, the registered voters surveyed listed “increasing state funding for and improving education” as the second most important priority for the governor and legislature, trailing only job creation and improving the economy.

In addition to supporting a higher level of state funding in general, and specifically for the significant increases provided during 2008, 2009 and 2010, respondents expressed support for increasing state funding in poorer school districts to reduce the funding disparity with wealthier districts. Sixty-two percent were in favor of doing so, 23 percent opposed.

On another question, 82 percent agreed with the statement that adequate funding for school districts “should be maintained in both good and poor economic times, even if it means lawmakers must make politically difficult decisions concerning additional state revenues and/or cuts to other programs.”

The poll showed strong support for providing important academic opportunities to all eligible students within the public school system, such as arts education, advanced placement courses, and career-technical courses. By 53 percent to 35 percent, voters also expressed support for charter schools within the public school system.

However, by a ratio of more than 2-1, 67 percent to 30 percent, voters said they opposed using taxpayer funds to support “tuition for students attending non-public schools like religious or private schools.”

The survey was conducted between October 24th and 31st, and included responses from roughly 800 registered voters statewide. More detailed results can be found at www.eplc.org.

Poll Highlights: PA Voters Reaffirm Strong Support for Public Education and Schools (PDF)
Final: Top Line Survey Results (PDF)

Source: Excerpts from EPLC Press Release, Nov. 21, 2011.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) recently conducted a webinar for school districts that wanted to learn more about the process for the development and validation of local assessments that would supplant or supplement the use of Keystone Exams as a graduation requirement. The webinar and all of the accompanying documents are posted on the SAS portion of PDE’s web site. Click on these links for the audio of the webinar, the PowerPoint presentation, the summary of requirements and the evaluation handbook. PDE will update this information as more information about costs and timelines are better known.

Here is the tentative timeline:
School entities will have time between now and June 2012 to review the requirements and decide if they want to pursue this option, and if so, what type of technical assistance they may need from PDE.

By July 30, schools will inform PDE if they will pursue the local assessment option, and have between August 2012-June 2013 to develop and refine their local assessments and gather validity evidence.

No tentative date has been scheduled for schools to finalize and administer their assessments, as PDE will wait to see how the process unfolds and the amount of funding in next year’s state budget that may be available.

Questions are welcome and should be directed via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . PDE will post questions and answers on its web site.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, 11/18/11.

Former Governor Edward Rendell was joined by Democratic leaders [yesterday] to discuss the 2011 results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for Pennsylvania public education students. Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said he believes that former Governor Rendell made significant changes through the investments made in public education during his eight years as governor. He further stated that the gains in education have been significant and are backed by the evidence. Sen. Costa gave an overview of the results for the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) -- known as The Nation’s Report Card™ -- noting that Pennsylvania was one of a few states with “significant progress” from 2003 to 2011 in all grades and subjects. He also stated that score gaps between higher and lower income students narrowed as well. He closed by stating that Pennsylvania cannot continue to not make investments in education or change course. Sen. Costa questioned what test scores may look like under continued education budget cuts.

Click here to download or browse the full report for reading and or mathematics or Pennsylvania's reports. Click here for the summary report.

Source: myPLS, The Eye Opener, Nov. 16, 2011.