PAESSP Updates

Quality Early Learning Can Avert Lifetime Damage Caused by Extreme Childhood Stress

Tue, 21 Jul 2015 8:49:09 AM EDT

Quality early learning programs can improve the health and lifetime success of children exposed to extreme stress in their early years.

In childhood, fleeting stress can be positive, helping children build resilience and problem-solving abilities. Other stress is tolerable if supportive adults help buffer the effects. In the early years, different parts of the brain develop the circuitry for vision and such executive functioning skills as working memory, problem solving, and planning. Problems in those areas are easier to correct if caught early because of the brain’s plasticity. That’s when positive reinforcement, such as the sound of an adult reading aloud or babbling back and forth, can encourage the brain to strengthen its circuitry. But plasticity can have a flip side, when stresses derail healthy development, and the lack of positive reinforcement causes the brain to prune away the unused connections – even those that would have facilitated such positive activities as reading and problem-solving.

An intriguing study from University of Wisconsin, asking children to spot the point in photo arrays where happy expressions changed to fearful and sad, showed that children who had experienced early life adversity were likelier to sense the signs of looming anger. The “constant activation of alarms” is a hallmark of toxic stress, causing more wear and tear on the heart and reducing neural connections when the brain should be building new ones.

As adults, children exposed to toxic stress are prone to such adverse health outcomes as greater likelihood of heart attacks and out-of-control eating. But the effects can be minimized if children are exposed to nurturing, stable, and engaging environments.

In the scale of life, positive experiences can outweigh the negative, tipping the child’s scale toward good outcomes. But some children are more sensitive to stress than others. Moving the fulcrum on the scale affects its disposition toward the positive or negative, and the accumulation of positive experiences and coping skills can shift the fulcrum to help children achieve positive outcomes.

Capabilities that help to promote brain development and resilience include focusing attention, planning ahead, behavior regulation, controlling impulses, adjusting to new circumstances, and problem-solving so that children learn to recognize difficulties and brainstorm ways of dealing with them.

These are all particularly good things to focus on because they’re positive. The child will use circuits to do these things again and again and again, and those circuits will be strengthened, but they’ll also shift the fulcrum. If children learn these skills, they will be much more sensitive to positive things in their life and much more able to deal with negative stresses.

Stable, caring adult relationships, such as those found in quality early learning programs, make a world of difference in the developing child’s ability to cope with stress. They help children build mastery of executive functioning skills and self-regulation. A community that offers structure such as this can help children no matter what is going on in their personal lives.

SOURCE: Dr. Judy Cameron, Professor of Psychiatry, Director of Science Outreach, University of Pittsburgh, as shared at the PA Early Learning Investment Commission (ELIC) Summit of April 15, 2015, in Harrisburg, PA. For more information and the full recording of Dr. Cameron’s presentation see the PA ELIC website: http://pa-elic.org/events/economic-summit/2015-summit/

Put Kids First, Not Gas Companies

Mon, 20 Jul 2015 11:06:58 AM EDT

Click here for article.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 19, 2015 12:00 AM.

Contact your Senators NOW!

Thu, 16 Jul 2015 11:15:24 AM EDT

Congress has finally taken significant action to enact a full reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) – also known as the No Child Left Behind Act – that will provide teachers and principals with the support they need to offer a high quality education for every student.

This afternoon, the Senate will vote on final passage of the Every Child Achieves Act (S.1177). We are asking you to send an email to your senators now to let them know that you support S.1177 because it will ensure that students and all educators will be better off than under the current No Child Left Behind-test-and-punish laws and regulations.

While the bill is not perfect, it represents a bipartisan comprised renewal of the law that is important for the nation’s education system. NAESP, in collaboration with the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the American Federation of School Administrators, were pleased to see several of our recommendations included in the bill the Senate will vote on:

The elimination of Adequate Years Progress (AYP) measures and the 100 percent proficiency requirements
Clarification of the term “School Leader” as the principal of an elementary, middle, or high school
Inclusion of use of funds in Title II for a “School Leader Residency Program”
Updated school leadership focused activities to improve the recruitment, preparation, placement, support, and retention of effective principals and other school leaders in high-need schools
The removal of the unworkable school turnaround models that are required under the School Improvement Grants (SIG) program regulations
The continued disaggregation of subgroup data and reporting
Allowable use of local Title II funds to develop induction and mentoring programs that are designed to improve school leadership and provide opportunities for mentor principals and other educators who are experienced, effective, and have demonstrated an ability to work with adult learners, as well as provide “personalized” professional development for educators
Includes coordinated services and alignment with early childhood education, as well as use of funds to support professional development for principals in leading Pre-K-3 alignment in their learning communities

As a leader in your school and in your community, your voice is extremely powerful in this debate. Please take a moment to take action and send an email to your senators in Congress to urge them to vote YES on passage of S. 1177, the Every Child Achieves Act. While a sample letter has been provided for you, we strongly urge you to personalize the letter where possible.

Click here to send a letter to your senator.

Thank you for your leadership and advocacy in improving public school education for all children.

Sincerely,

The NAESP Advocacy Team

Principals Support the Every Child Achieves Act (S. 1177)

Wed, 15 Jul 2015 10:02:21 AM EDT

Congress has taken significant action to enact a full reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) - currently known as the No Child Left Behind Act.

Earlier this month, the Senate began consideration of the Every Child Achieves Act (S. 1177) to renew the outdated law. We are asking you to send an email to your senators to let them know that you support S. 1177 because it will provide teachers and principals with the support they need to offer a high quality education for every student.

While the bill is not perfect, it represents a bipartisan comprise of the laws renewal that is important for the nation's education system. NASSP, in collaboration with the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the American Federation of School Administrators, we're pleased to see several of our recommendations included in S. 1177, and specifically support the following provisions of the bill:

The elimination of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) measures and the 100 percent proficiency requirements
Clarification of the term "School Leader" as the principal of an elementary, middle, or high school
Inclusion of use of funds in Title II for a "School Leader Residency Program"
Updated school leadership-focused activities to improve the recruitment, preparation, placement, support, and retention of effective principals and other school leaders in high-need schools
The removal of the unworkable school turnaround models that are required under the School Improvement Grants (SIG) program regulations
The continued disaggregation of subgroup data and reporting
Allowable use of local Title II funds to develop induction and mentoring programs that are designed to improve school leadership and provide opportunities for mentor principals and other educators who are experienced, effective, and have demonstrated an ability to work with adult learners as well as provide "personalized" professional development for educators

As a leader in your school and community, your voice is extremely powerful in this debate. Please take a moment to send an email to your senators in Congress, and urge them to consider the voice of principals in the reauthorization of ESEA. While a sample letter has been provided for you, we strongly urge you to personalize the letter where possible.

Click the link below to log in and send your message:
https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/HAnIIHdZKOI5CgPMl5FMhw

2014-2015 Assessment Information

Wed, 15 Jul 2015 9:57:14 AM EDT

This week, the State Board of Education approved the new PSSA cut scores for our students as the next step in a process that began several years ago. Now, as we prepare to receive official student and district PSSA data in the coming weeks it is important to remember a few things:

1. The PA Core Standards that were adopted in 2013 were expected to be much more rigorous.

2. The PSSAs in English Language Arts and Mathematics administered this past spring were comprised solely of the new, more challenging standards.

3. Our new, more rigorous standards have resulted in lower standardized test scores, particularly in Mathematics.

It is important to note that these anticipated results represent a snapshot in time of student progress on a more rigorous assessment. The PA Core standards that were adopted in 2013 set the bar high, purposefully, in order to better prepare our students to be college and career ready when they graduate, and be successful in the 21st century work force. Our students haven't changed, but the assessment has.

At PDE we understand there are secondary impacts of these scores, and we're committed to helping you --- the state's educators, school administrators and stakeholders -- in improving student achievement and communicating the new assessments and the results in your communities. Further, I assure you that we understand that standardized test results should not be the sole indicator of a student's or school's success, and will be part of a larger conversation on accountability and how we best serve our students.

You can see the new PSSA cut scores and preliminary impact data by visiting PDE's website: http://www.education.pa.gov/, under the K-12 tab: Assessment and Accountability. We [PDE] will be reaching out again in a few weeks with additional materials you may find useful in your discussions around this year's results.

--Pedro A. Rivera, PA Secretary of Education

Congress Might Finally Overhaul No Child Left Behind. Here's What That Means For Kids

Wed, 08 Jul 2015 10:28:02 AM EDT

The No Child Left Behind Act, a George W. Bush-era law that expired in 2007, may finally be on its way to becoming fully defunct. On Tuesday, the Senate debated its version of a No Child Left Behind rewrite, called the Every Child Achieves Act. Later this week, the House of Representatives is set to do the same with its version, called the Student Success Act. It is currently unclear where a final bill may land, but civil rights groups, politicians and teachers unions agree -- it is time for an update. The No Child Left Behind Act, a 2002 bipartisan law enacted by Bush, emphasizes standardized tests and penalties for bad scores. Since 2011, the Obama administration has offered waivers to states, allowing them to elude some of the law's most stringent requirements. Amid this patchwork of state waivers, previous attempts to overhaul the law have failed. This time around, Congress appears determined to make something work. Here are three things you should know about the Senate and House bills that are up for debate.

Click here for full article.

Source: The Huffington Post By Rebecca Klein 07/07/2015 7:57 pm EDT Updated: 07/07/2015 10:59 pm EDT.

NSBA Applauds Lawmakers for Promising Movement Toward No Child Left Behind Rewrite

Wed, 08 Jul 2015 10:25:36 AM EDT

The National School Boards Association (NSBA) commends the U.S. Congress for taking up the outdated No Child Left Behind law. As debate commenced today for floor action of the Senate’s Every Child Achieves Act (S. 1177), NSBA sent a letter to all 100 U.S. Senators urging their strong support for moving forward on a final bill that restores community ownership to local school districts, maximizes authorized funding for Title I, and advances academic achievement among all students. During the Senate floor action, key amendments were introduced for debate and consideration. NSBA is pleased that Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) introduced a bipartisan amendment focused on strengthening local governance. NSBA worked closely with Senator Fischer and Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Angus King (I-ME), who co-sponsored the amendment, to assure that S. 1177 includes strong support for local autonomy in managing school administration, budget development and related operations that support school district responsibilities for student achievement. Additionally, the White House released a Statement of Administration Policy affirming the President’s intent not to veto the final Senate bill.

Click here for full article.

Source: NSBA Press Release, July 7, 2015.

BEF Formula Explained in New PSBA Video

Wed, 08 Jul 2015 9:25:07 AM EDT

Math not your thing? Confused by the proposed formula proposed by the Basic Education Funding Commission? You're not alone. PSBA has produced a short video to help explain the formula and how it works with a real example.

Source: PSBA Daily Edition, July 8, 2015.

Editorial: Budget Deals Must Be Reached Before Standoff Does Substantial Harm

Wed, 08 Jul 2015 9:24:29 AM EDT

Harrisburg's budget impasse isn't just a partisan staring contest threatening to hobble the commonwealth and those who count on it. There are principles at stake. Unfortunately, they include the principles that fossil fuels should be tax-free and the government should own all the liquor stores.
Click here for article.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, July 8, 2015.

Act II in Pennsylvania Budget Theatre Opens, Quietly

Tue, 07 Jul 2015 2:13:57 PM EDT

Gov. Tom Wolf and top Republican legislative leaders resumed their on-again, off-again talks on Pennsylvania's delayed state budget Monday. While there was plenty of action, it was hard to see any discernible progress.

Click here for article.

Source: Pennlive.com, July 7, 2015.

With Hundreds of Volunteers, School Districts Scrambling to Comply with Background Check Law

Tue, 07 Jul 2015 2:13:21 PM EDT

School districts across the Lehigh Valley are plodding ahead to comply with a new background check law that has been mired in confusion over who, among the hundreds of volunteers, requires clearances. A bill that passed the Legislature last month is supposed to bring clarity to the requirements that cover anyone who works with children. But even with the changes, educators say the new mandate is a major undertaking.

Click here for article.
Source: Allentown Morning Call, July 6, 2015.

Senate to Begin Overhaul of No Child Left Behind Act

Tue, 07 Jul 2015 2:03:05 PM EDT

The Senate today begins debate on a sweeping overhaul of the No Child Left Behind Act, which set national education standards but quickly became unpopular with teachers and parents because of its emphasis on standardized testing.

Click here for article.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 7, 2015.

Campaign for Fair Education Funding Issues Statement on Governor?s Veto of Budget Bill

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 10:02:01 AM EDT

HARRISBURG (JULY 1, 2015) – In response to Governor Wolf’s veto of the FY2015-16 budget bill passed by the legislature, The Campaign for Fair Education Funding today called on the governor and General Assembly to come together to fix the state’s flawed basic education funding system.

“We’re disappointed that all sides could not reach agreement on a timely budget,” said Charlie Lyons, spokesperson for the Campaign. “We urge them to now come together in good faith and in a bipartisan way to enact a fair funding formula and to pass a budget with sufficient basic education dollars to address the impact of prior cuts and move Pennsylvania toward the goal of ensuring that all students have an opportunity for success no matter where they live.”

“The bipartisan Basic Education Funding Commission, which unanimously approved strong recommendations for a new school funding formula, is an example of what can be accomplished when the Governor’s Office and legislators work together,” Lyons added. “We hope they will now approach the budget negotiations in the same spirit and quickly reach agreement on a budget that is good for all of Pennsylvania’s students.”

“Our Campaign members will continue to serve as a resource for all parties as they work to ensure that every student, in every school, has access to the resources they need to meet state academic standards,” said Lyons.

The campaign is made up of more than 50 member organizations representing educators, labor, business leaders, faith-based organizations, child advocates, charter schools, traditional public schools, with representatives from rural, urban and growing school districts. Learn more about the Campaign for Fair Education Funding at www.fairfundingpa.org.

# # #

Source: Campaign for Fair Education Funding Press Release, July 1, 2015.

Pennsylvania Principals Lead with Service

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 9:59:09 AM EDT

(Harrisburg, Pa.) — A group of principals from across Pennsylvania will spend time this summer “giving back” to the community. Members of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), the only professional organization to solely serve principals, assistant principals and other educational leaders in Pennsylvania, work tirelessly on a daily basis to make a difference in the life of a child and to ensure that every child receives a quality education. In order to do that, it is crucial to support the communities where these children live and go to school.

Click here for the full press release.

How Are You Recharging This Summer?

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 9:55:56 AM EDT

Click here for blog post. Dr. Bill Ziegler is principal of Pottsgrove High School in Pottsgrove, PA. Follow him on Twitter @drbillziegler.

Gov. Tom Wolf Vetoes Republican Budget

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 9:28:09 AM EDT

After a whirl of activity Tuesday, the Republican majorities of the Pennsylvania House and Senate sent the governor a GOP-crafted budget, along with legislation to disband the state system of wine and liquor sales and end defined-benefit pensions for most future state and public school workers. Shortly after 9 p.m., Gov. Tom Wolf undid their planning on the budget.

Click here for the article.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 30, 2015; ; PSBA Daily EDition, July 1, 2015.

Bill on Cyber Bullying Sent to Wolf

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 9:26:08 AM EDT

A bill that would make cyber bullying of children a punishable crime is awaiting Gov. Wolf's signature.

Click here for article.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, July 1, 2015; ; PSBA Daily EDition, July 1, 2015.

New Bill Would Modify Background Checks

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 9:24:43 AM EDT

Changes to child-protection laws mandating background checks that passed in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal may be among the few bills Gov. Wolf signs this budget season.

Click here for the article.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, July 1, 2015 ; PSBA Daily EDition, July 1, 2015.

Changes to Child Abuse Clearance Law Pass Legislature

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 9:11:14 AM EDT

A bill to exempt more people who work with children from background checks has passed the Legislature and has been sent to Gov. Tom Wolf.

Click here for the article.

Source: LancasterOnline, June 30, 2015; PSBA Daily EDition, July 1, 2015.

Campaign for Fair Education Funding: More Needed in State Budget for Basic Education Funding

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 8:21:36 AM EDT

The Campaign for Fair Education Funding [today] said that the FY2015-16 state budget passed by the General Assembly does not provide the state dollars needed to begin closing the funding gap between the state’s poorest and wealthiest districts, which is the widest disparity of any state in the country. Nor does it appropriate enough to prevent more teacher and other staff layoffs, academic program cuts, and local property tax increases.

Click here for full press release.

Source: Campaing for Fair Education Funding Press Release, June 30, 2015.

Tell Your Legislators to Vote YES for a New School Funding Formula

Tue, 30 Jun 2015 9:51:01 AM EDT

These next few days are critical in the budget-making process, and one of the most important issues to be decided is funding for basic education. Legislators will be working over the weekend to craft a budget to meet the June 30 deadline, and the decisions made in these hours could impact your school district greatly.

Your help is needed right now to make sure that all of the work done over the past year by the bi-partisan legislative Basic Education Funding Commission (BEFC) and public school stakeholders to develop a new funding formula is not lost. We need to ensure that every legislator hears from school officials on this issue.

Contact your members of the Senate and House of Representatives and tell them to support the recommendations of the Commission as set under Senate Bill 910 (Sen. Smucker, R-Lancaster) or House Bill 1390 (Rep. Saylor, R- York).

Timing is important! Please take a moment right now to make a phone call, send an email or text message, or use the prepared letter available by clicking on “Take Action” at the top right corner of this alert. When you click on the link, the letter is at the bottom of the web page that appears. After completing the address information required, the letter will automatically be emailed from you to your legislators. Please note: the prepared letter is editable so that you can add information about the impact on your district, if you wish.

What is the new formula?

The new formula will benefit school districts, children and parents by using factors reflecting student and community differences such as poverty, local tax effort and capacity, and rural and small district conditions. The recommendations also maintain hold harmless by distributing new money through the formula using a base year, protecting those affected districts from redistribution of existing funds.

Using the formula with Gov. Wolf’s proposed budget, the administration plans to provide a $410 million increase in 2015-16 for all school districts, and an additional $400 million in 2016-17. It restores cuts to the most at-risk students and levels the field for the poorest districts. The goal is to provide sufficient funding to all school districts.

Click here to read the full report of the BEFC.

Advantages of the new formula

* It meets the needs of all school districts, and every district receives an increase.

* It is fair, predictable and transparent. It allows school districts to plan more accurately for each school year’s budget.

* It will help to close the gap between poor and affluent districts, with the poorest 25% of districts receiving 55% of new funds.

* It considers districts with high enrollments of English language learners, districts with growing enrollments, and those rural and small districts with more sparse populations.

* It takes into account several student-based factors, with weights assigned to each category to help determine the degree to which each factor drives up the cost of educating a student.

* It helps school districts by including a weight for charter school enrollment (students attending both brick and mortar, and cyber charters).

* Poverty will no longer be measured using free and reduced lunch poverty indicators. Instead, it will be measured by federal census data by school district and updated annually. Further, factors for poverty will include separate weights for levels of poverty.

* It considers local tax effort and capacity, and district wealth. It replaces aid ratio as a measure of local wealth with a Median Household Income Index using federal census data.

The recommendations follow months of extensive study and talking with a wide-range of experts and advocates in the education field as well as parents, from urban, suburban and rural school districts throughout the state. The lack of a reliable funding formula in Pennsylvania has led the state’s property owners down a road of enduring tax increases. This new formula will ultimately help the taxpayers. This has been a bi-partisan effort, and it deserves to be enacted.

Thank you for your advocacy efforts -- every message sent is important!

Source: PSBA Legislative Alert, June 26, 2015.

Update on Campaign for Fair Education Funding

Tue, 30 Jun 2015 8:53:25 AM EDT

On Sunday, the House passed a budget that includes an increase in the Basic Education Funding line item of $100 million. There is some dispute that, coupled with other school funding changes in the budget, the increase is actually only $8 million. However, even if the increase was $100 million, it would not be enough.

The Campaign for Fair Education Funding wants legislators to: increase basic education funding by at least $410 million to help restore past funding cuts, targeted at bringing districts back to the 2010 funding level as base year; and begin implementation of the new funding formula as unanimously adopted by the Basic Education Funding Commission.

Click here for a leave behind for legislative visits that explains the Commission’s proposed formula. Click here for a one pager, “Please fix our school funding system.”

Click here for a new action message to legislators, it includes a sample Tweet and Facebook post for legislators.

Effective Principals Key to Teacher, Student Success

Fri, 26 Jun 2015 9:29:26 AM EDT

Effective principals are critical in building a culture of high-quality teaching and learning, according to a new paper released [today] by the National Governors Association (NGA).

School principals manage the staff and help build the school community. Their quality affects every aspect of learning, from the strength of the teachers to the health of the school environment. As state leaders continue to raise expectations by implementing college- and career-ready standards and other reforms, governors and state policymakers can make decisions to support developing high-quality principals.

Improving Educational Outcomes: How State Policy Can Support School Principals to Lead Change examines actions governors and state policymakers can take to focus on improving principals’ training, maintaining their ongoing professional development and better evaluating their performance.

“Principals serve as linchpins to our schools’ and communities’ success,” said Delaware Gov. Jack Markell. “Governors are well-positioned to ensure their training, development and performance is supported when crafting our education policy agendas.”

Governors and policymakers can employ a variety of strategies to support principals’ and schools’ success, including:

Providing guidance and resources for designing and implementing performance-evaluation systems that reflect higher education standards;
Preparing and certifying the next generation of principals to enable them to lead schools in which all students can meet the higher standards; and
Identifying and tracking key measures of educational performance and making strategic changes when those measurements indicate lagging performance.

To learn more about the NGA Center for Best Practices Education Division, please visit http://www.nga.org/cms/center/edu.

Source: NGA Press Release, June 25, 2015.

Don?t Miss Tuesday, June 30, 8 p.m. #FairFundingPA Chat on Twitter

Wed, 24 Jun 2015 11:54:57 AM EDT

You are invited to join the next monthly Twitter chat with Pennsylvania’s major education leadership organizations on Tuesday, June 30 at 8 p.m. They will discuss details of the recommendations for a fair, school funding formula made by the General Assembly’s Basic Education Funding Commission. Use hashtag #FairFundingPA to participate and follow the conversation.

Click here for more information and how to participate.

New School Funding Formula Passes First Hurdle in Senate

Wed, 24 Jun 2015 9:28:27 AM EDT

The Senate Education Committee on Tuesday unanimously voted to approve legislation that provide for a new funding formula designed to more equitably distribute state dollars to school districts.

Click here for article.

Source: Pennlive.com, June 23, 2015.

House Passes Bill Ending Seniority-Based Teacher Layoffs

Wed, 24 Jun 2015 9:26:58 AM EDT

The state House voted on Tuesday to end seniority-based teacher layoffs in Pennsylvania and tie those decisions to job performance evaluations. By a narrow vote of 100-91 that drew no support from any Democratic member, the chamber approved a bill that its sponsor, Rep. Steve Bloom, R-North Middleton Twp., said ensures "the very best teachers remain in the classroom" in the event layoffs are necessary.

Click here for article.

Source: Pennlive.com, June 23, 2015.

Sabres Rattle Over Dueling Pa. State Budget Priorities... But Meetings are Continuing

Wed, 24 Jun 2015 9:25:45 AM EDT

Public exasperation is starting to show at the state Capitol with the slow progress of Pennsylvania's budget talks. Gov. Tom Wolf, frustrated with what he increasingly sees as a Republican obsession with privatizating liquor sales, said Tuesday he told GOP leaders the budget talks "can't be held hostage to booze."

Click here for article.

Source: Pennlive.com, June 23, 2015.

PAESSP Joins Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom

Mon, 22 Jun 2015 12:34:51 PM EDT

Through an amazing grant opportunity offered by the Food Research and Action Center, NAESP Foundation and several other groups, recently joined the Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom to bring the Breakfast in the Classroom program to Pennsylvania school districts.

Breakfast in the Classroom takes the traditional school breakfast approach and improves it by moving it to the classroom. Breakfast is available to every child, no matter the family's income level, making it possible for all children to participate. There are more than 25 million children in our nation's schools, many of whom come to school hungry. What happens next is heartbreaking. Their attention spans shorten. Their energy levels plummet. Their productivity wanes. Learning suffers. Lives suffer. It's time to start a movement to change that. The solution? Breakfast in the Classroom. It's a fact: eating breakfast at school helps children learn. Studies show that children who eat breakfast at the start of their school day have higher math and reading scores.

In addition, a number of PA organizations are working to increase breakfast participation in Pennsylvania and to do so, they are sponsoring the Second Pennsylvania School Breakfast Challenge to help highlight the importance of school breakfast and offer incentives to schools that make meaningful changes to increase student access to school breakfast: http://www.hungercoalition.org/breakfast.

PAESSP will continue to promote the Breakfast in the Classroom program in our publications, website, broadcast emails and at the annual conference. Other Pennsylvania partners include: Public Citizens for Children and Youth, the Pennsylvania State Education Association and the School Nutrition Association of Pennsylvania.

With generous funding from the Walmart Foundation, grants are available to start a Breakfast in the Classroom program in your school district and/or school. For more information, contact Etienne Melcher at EMelcher@frac.org.

If you require more information about the partnership and/or the Breakfast in the Classroom program, please check out the links below:

Website: http://breakfastintheclassroom.org/
FRAC's Breakfast for Learning brief: http://frac.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/breakfastforlearning.pdf

FRAC's School Breakfast Scorecard with PA stats: http://frac.org/pdf/School_Breakfast_Scorecard_SY_2013_2014.pdf

New School Funding Formula on the Move But When Will it Take Effect?

Mon, 22 Jun 2015 10:17:38 AM EDT

An overhaul of the way Pennsylvania funds its 500 school districts could begin to move in the state House and Senate as soon as next week. And, while Republican and Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf seem to embrace the recommended funding formula approved on Thursday by the Basic Education Funding Commission, the GOP and Wolf disagree on one thing: when to start using it.

Click here for article.

Source: Pennlive.com, June 19, 2015.

Editorial: What Will Blow Up the Budget? One Word - 'Pensions'

Mon, 22 Jun 2015 10:10:14 AM EDT

Just 90 words in a letter from a mid-level program analyst in the Department of Labor and Industry to a handful of state human service providers warning of the mere possibility of a failure to pass a 2015-16 budget by July 1 is all that it took last week to raise the specter of the disruptions of Commonwealth funding crises of the past.

Click here for editorial.

Source: Pennlive.com, June 21, 2015.

Basic Education Funding Commission Report Released Today

Thu, 18 Jun 2015 3:07:05 PM EDT

The Basic Education Funding Commission, created through Act 51 of 2014, released its long-awaited report on a new formula for distributing basic education funding to Pennsylvania schools today. Click on the link below for the full report.

basiceducationfundingcommission.pasenategop.com/files/2014/08/final-report-2015.pdf

F&M Poll: Pennsylvania Voters Want Action on Education Funding, Property Taxes

Thu, 18 Jun 2015 10:07:31 AM EDT

Most of Pennsylvania’s registered voters are in favor of legalizing medical marijuana.

About half (49 percent) support Gov. Tom Wolf’s death penalty moratorium, versus 37 percent who oppose it. And they want action on increasing education funding and property tax reform.

Those are some of the findings of the latest Franklin & Marshall College poll, released Thursday.

F&M political scientist G. Terry Madonna, who directs the poll, said he wanted to gauge public sentiment on some of the main issues before the state Legislature.

Click here for article.

Source: Lancaster Online, By TIM STUHLDREHER, Staff Writer, Thursday, June 18, 2015 6:00 am.

Measure Tying Teacher Layoffs to Job Performance Narrowly Survives Preliminary Test in Pa. House

Thu, 18 Jun 2015 10:05:29 AM EDT

A bill permitting Pennsylvania school districts to tie future teacher layoffs to job performance evaluations narrowly survived an early-round vote in the state House Wednesday. The 95-94 vote on an amendment drafted by House Education Committee Chairman Stan Saylor, R-Red Lion, left the bill's immediate future anything but a slam dunk, as supporters try to rally the votes needed for final passage. The bill essentially adds budget shortfalls to the list of reasons a district can lay off classroom teachers, and administrators - when using that reason - would be required to first eliminate affected personnel with "failing," or "needs improvement," ratings.

Click here for article.

Source: Pennlive.com, By Charles Thompson, June 17, 2015 at 9:35 PM, updated June 17, 2015 at 10:36 PM.

House Passes Revisions to State's Background Checks Law

Thu, 18 Jun 2015 10:04:09 AM EDT

Pennsylvania House members voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to exempt more people from a state law that requires background checks for those who work with children. The 180-9 vote sent the Senate the proposal to limit the checks for adult volunteers and employees at schools, child care facilities and similar places to those who have direct and routine interaction with children.

The more vigorous checks were enacted last year as part of the Legislature's response to the child sex abuse case against former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky and scandals involving church clergy. Some lawmakers said they hoped the Senate will remove a provision that exempts school or university workers who do not interact with students or prospective students who are less than 16 years old.

Click here for the article.

Source: Pennlive.com, By PennLive staff and wire reports, June 17, 2015 at 7:22 PM.

Lawmakers Work to Correct 25-Year School Funding Disparity

Thu, 18 Jun 2015 8:17:46 AM EDT

In theory, Pennsylvania school districts whose communities are similar economically are supposed to receive about the same amount of money per student from the state. But, with politics muscling in on how public school aid was distributed in the last two decades, officials have long complained about gaping disparities in public school aid.

Some communities now get half as much per-student aid as those with similar economic circumstances.

On Thursday, a panel of lawmakers and top advisers to Gov. Tom Wolf is set to recommend a way to close the gap, an effort that comes as Wolf is seeking the biggest one-year boost in public school aid in the state's history.

An Associated Press review of state data shows per-student funding differences can be great.

Click here for the full article.

Source: Associated Press, By Marc Levy, June 17, 2015.

Basic Education Funding Commission to Release Report Thursday, June 18th at 10 a.m.

Wed, 17 Jun 2015 9:18:47 AM EDT

The Basic Education Funding Commission, Co-Chaired by Senator Pat Browne (R-16 Lehigh) and Representative Mike Vereb (R-150 Montgomery), will meet on Thursday, June 18^th at 10 a.m. to consider recommendations and a funding formula and release its report to the General Assembly and the public. The Basic Education Funding Commission was established through Act 51 of 2014 to develop a new formula for the distribution of state funding for basic education to Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts. The 15-member commission has undertaken a comprehensive study of a number of factors, held 15 hearings over the past 11 months and heard from a wide-range of experts and advocates in the education field, as well as parents, before arriving ultimately at a consensus on a new formula. The meeting will be held in the Majority Caucus Room of the House of Representatives. The recommendations of the commission will not go into effect, however, without legislation approved by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor. Barring any unforeseen technical difficulties, the hearing will stream live on www.pasenategop.com and www.pahousegop.com.

Click here for more.

Source: PA Senate Republican website, June 16, 2015; PA Education Policy Roundup, June 17, 2015.

Educators Say Senate Vote to Delay Keystone Exams as Graduation Requirement is 'Good First Step'

Wed, 17 Jun 2015 9:17:49 AM EDT

School districts across Pennsylvania, in a panic over what to do with the students who fail the Keystone Exams, were handed a lifeline this week when the state Senate agreed to place a moratorium on making the tests a graduation requirement.

Click here for article.

Source: Allentown Morning Call, June 16, 2015; PSBA Daily EDition, June 17, 2015.

School Districts Across Pa. Anticipate Tax Increases, Staff and Program Cuts

Wed, 17 Jun 2015 9:08:58 AM EDT

If school budgets were television shows, 2015-16 would be filled with reruns of past episodes. Facing such pressures as significant hikes in pension costs and increases in charter school tuition and health care costs, 71% of Pennsylvania districts that responded to a recent survey said they plan to raise taxes. Additionally, 41% indicated they plan to cut staff by eliminating positions, furloughing employees or instituting a hiring freeze and 23% plan to cut programs.

Click here for article.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 16, 2015; PSBA Daily EDition, June 17, 2015

Pa. Senate Approves Delay in Keystone Exams

Tue, 16 Jun 2015 8:42:49 AM EDT

The state Senate unanimously passed a bill Monday that would delay by two years a requirement that high school students pass Pennsylvania's Keystone exams to graduate. Under the plan, the proficiency tests - in algebra 1, biology, and literature - will not go in effect for incoming freshmen until the 2018-19 school year.

Click here for article.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, June 16, 2015; PSBA Daily Edition, June 16, 2015.

Budget Negotiators Have Defined Pennsylvania's 'Structural Deficit' at $1.2 Billion

Tue, 16 Jun 2015 8:41:40 AM EDT

Pennsylvania's budget negotiators appear to have reached a qualified agreement in their quest to hammer out a new spending plan for state government. Not the agreement. But an agreement, and that's some progress. The agreement in question is — at least as confirmed by several legislators and senior staffers Monday — that the state needs $1.2 billion to cover one-time revenue sources tapped this fiscal year, plus major mandated costs looming for the next.

Click here for article.

Source: Pennlive.com, June 15, 2015; PSBA Daily Edition, June 16, 2015.

Pa. Education Commission 'Tweaking' Report on Funding Schools

Tue, 16 Jun 2015 8:30:20 AM EDT

Putting more taxpayer money toward education is a fundamental piece of Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed budget, and this week, a special commission is expected to introduce a formula for distributing education funding to schools.

Click here for article.

Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, June 15, 2015; PSBA Daily Edition, June 16, 2015.

New Rating System Finds Nearly All Pennsylvania Teachers are Qualified

Mon, 15 Jun 2015 10:33:37 AM EDT

In the first year of many school districts using a new statewide teacher evaluation system, a greater portion of teachers was rated satisfactory than under the old system. In figures released by the state Department of Education, 98.2 percent of all teachers were rated as satisfactory in 2013-14 — the highest percentage in five years — despite a new system that some thought would increase the number of unsatisfactory ratings.

Click here for article.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 15, 2015; PSBA Daily EDition, June 15, 2015.

Schools, Lawmakers Tackle Truancy

Mon, 15 Jun 2015 10:28:57 AM EDT

A “one-size fits all” approach to truancy may not be an effective way to deal with absenteeism within a particular school district, according to East Stroudsburg Area School District Superintendent Sharon Laverdure.

Click here for article.

Source: Pocono Record, June 13, 2015; PSBA Daily Edition, June 15, 2015.

Last Chance to Apply for $3,500 Arts Education Grant!

Mon, 15 Jun 2015 10:01:49 AM EDT

Apply now for a grant to strengthen arts education in your school! You can win $3,500 from Crayola and NAESP.

Sponsored by Crayola and NAESP, the Champion Creatively Alive Children grant program helps educators integrate the arts across the curriculum to build students' 21st century skills.

Up to 20 schools will receive grants to implement, document and share results of an innovative arts-infused project. Each winning school receives $2,500 and $1,000 worth of Crayola products.

Apply online before the June 22 deadline.

http://www.naesp.org/champion-creatively-alive-children-0

Join PAESSP for Principals' Lobby Day 2015 - Tuesday, June 23 at The Capitol - Deadline Extended!

Mon, 15 Jun 2015 9:45:16 AM EDT

PAESSP Members: Join us at the Capitol in Harrisburg on Tuesday, June 23, 2015, for the first annual Principals' Lobby Day! Deadline to register has been extended: Thursday, June 18, 2015.

To register for Principals' Lobby Day, please contact Stephanie Kinner (with your name and school district) at kinner@paessp.org by Thursday, June 18, 2015 (deadline has been extended). Upon registration, you will be sent further details regarding the event.

Also, June 23rd is All for Education Day in Harrisburg. PAESSP will join with parent, education advocacy, faith and labor organizations as well as school, municipal and community officials at the Capitol to hold a press conference and rally at 12:00 p.m. in the Main Rotunda. We must speak up for the importance of funding our schools, fairly and at sufficient levels so all students have an opportunity to learn.

Click here to view the Lobby Day flyer (includes important issues to discuss with your legislators).

If you do not know your legislator/s, click here.

PA's Office of Child Development and Early Learning Approves GrapeSEED for Early Childhood Education

Mon, 15 Jun 2015 8:55:48 AM EDT

The GrapeSEED program is now officially aligned with the Pennsylvania Pre-Kindergarten Learning Standards for Early Childhood in the key learning area of Language and Literacy Development.

Click here for more.

Pa. Governor Waives Fees for Volunteers Seeking Background Checks

Thu, 11 Jun 2015 8:44:39 AM EDT

After several legislators expressed concerns that new requirements for background checks would be cost-prohibitive and unfair to volunteers who work with children, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Wednesday that some of the fees will be waived starting July 25. Fees for child-abuse clearances and criminal background checks will be waived, saving volunteers who work with children $16 in clearance fees.

Click here for the article.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 10, 2015.

Pennsylvania Education Funding Commission Extends Report Deadline

Wed, 10 Jun 2015 9:14:06 AM EDT

The state Basic Education Funding Commission, which is charged with developing a fair funding formula for Pennsylvania, needs more time to finish its report. According to the legislative action that created it, the 15-member commission was to have produced a report by today. But Tuesday afternoon, the commission said it was extending the deadline a week. In a phone interview, state Rep. Mike Vereb, R-Montgomery, a co-chair of the panel, said commission members have been working together, but it has proved challenging to synthesize information gathered amid the transition from the administrations of former Gov. Tom Corbett and current Gov. Tom Wolf.

“We’re going to take another week,” he said. “We’re going to give every effort to get there.”

He continued, “All the members of the commission have been working fluidly together. We all understand the goal is to provide for a fair funding formula for the commonwealth.”

The report will be a recommendation, not a final decision. The final formula will be up to the Legislature and Mr. Wolf.

Click here for article.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by Eleanor Chute and Karen Langley, June 10, 2015 12:00 AM; PSBA Daily EDition, June 10, 2015.

SB880: Graduation Testing Requirement Could Be Delayed

Wed, 10 Jun 2015 9:06:28 AM EDT

The Senate Education Committee moved a bill Tuesday that would delay the use of the Keystone Exams as a graduation requirement and project-based assessment until 2018-2019. "Changes will need to be made to the graduation requirement. There are unintended impacts, or consequences, of the graduation requirement as it's currently laid out" said the bill's sponsor, committee Chairman Lloyd Smucker, who voiced concerns that some students who failed to pass their Keystone Exams were held back in remediation classes until they do. "The project-based assessment is not working," said Smucker, a Lancaster County Republican. Sen. Andy Dinniman, the ranking Democrat on the committee who supports the bill, said he was "astounded" at the opposition that came from the school districts. "They felt 26 hours of testing is destructive to education and destroying the curriculum," said Dinniman, D-Chester County.

Click here for article.

Source: PennLive.com, by Madison Russ on June 09, 2015 at 4:09 PM; PSBA Daily EDition, June 10, 2015.

Pa. Panel Votes to Soften Background-Check Law

Tue, 09 Jun 2015 9:41:10 AM EDT

After complaints from schools, youth groups and others, a state House committee voted overwhelmingly Monday to lessen the scope of a new Pennsylvania law that requires background checks for all those who work or volunteer with children.

Click here for the article.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, June 9, 2015.

Senate Confirms Pedro Rivera as Education Secretary

Tue, 09 Jun 2015 8:32:10 AM EDT

Last week, the Senate unanimously confirmed the governor’s appointment of Pedro Rivera as education secretary. Click on the links below for more.

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2015/06/03/Pennsylvania-Senate-approves-Wolf-s-nominations-for-education-DEP-and-insurance-commission-posts/stories/201506030248

http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/three_more_wolf_cabinet_office.html#0

http://www.wgal.com/news/pedro-rivera-confirmed-as-pa-secretary-of-education/33385176

http://www.witf.org/news/2015/06/3-more-of-wolfs-cabinet-nominees-get-confirmed-by-senate.php

Call to Action Day ? It?s Time for a Fair Budget for PA?s Students!

Thu, 04 Jun 2015 11:18:26 AM EDT

Next Monday, June 15, PAESSP will be participating in a statewide "Call to Action for Public Education Day!”

The message is simple: Harrisburg’s top priority this year must be enacting a new system that provides sufficient funding for public schools so every child has an opportunity to learn. In addition, state funding MUST be driven out to districts using a formula that is based on the real costs of delivering services to students.

WHEN: Monday, June 15 – Save the date!

WHAT: Call to Action for Public Education – Support fair and sufficient funding for PA’s schools!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Click here for instructions, and here for resources to use as talking points.

It is incredibly important for legislators to hear that people are paying attention and that we are spreading the word about what is happening to our schools!

Thank you for your participation. Let’s make our voices heard on June 15!

Octorara School Board, Union Disagree on Fact-Finder's Report

Wed, 03 Jun 2015 1:37:49 PM EDT

This is the last week of school for students in the Octorara Area School District, but the school board and teachers' union still have some unfinished business. The Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board on May 20 issued a formal fact-finding report with recommendations for a new collective bargaining agreement after 21 months of negotiations between the school board and union failed.

Click here for article.

Sources: LancasterOnline, June 2, 2015; PSBA Daily Edition, June 3, 2015.

Three Takeaways from State House Hearing on Pension System Reforms

Wed, 03 Jun 2015 1:34:37 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania House's State Government Committee held the first of two days of scheduled hearings on the Senate-authored public employee pension reform bill Tuesday. The sessions are significant mostly because there were no such hearings in the Senate, which fast-tracked the bill last month in an effort to get it passed before the primary election recess.

Click here for article.

Sources: Pennlive.com, June 2, 2015; PSBA Daily Edition, June 3, 2015.

State Budget: Wolf, GOP Leaders Talks Begin to Lay a Foundation

Wed, 03 Jun 2015 1:30:41 PM EDT

A day after House Republicans sent a message to Gov. Tom Wolf that they are not on board with his $29.9 billion spending plan or the tax package he proposed to support it, GOP leaders from both legislative chambers met behind closed doors at the budget table with the governor.

Click here for full article

Sources: Pennlive.com, June 2, 2015; PSBA Daily EDition, June 3, 2015.

Wolf, Lawmakers Must Solve Pennsylvania Pension Crisis Now

Wed, 03 Jun 2015 9:45:15 AM EDT

PAESSP recently participated, along with several other education groups, in a meeting with the LNP Editorial Board (Lancaster newspaper) regarding the Pennsylvania pension crisis. The article (link) appears below.

THE ISSUE

Pennsylvania’s two large pension funds — for teachers and state employees (the latter including state lawmakers, on the theory that they work) — are significantly underfunded. According to their own reports, they have a combined $53 billion in unfunded liabilities. In a March report, the National Association of State Retirement Administrators put the two funds at only 41 percent of annual required contribution, second-worst in the nation.

Five representatives of groups that speak for public school administrators and school board members told the LNP Editorial Board on Monday that Pennsylvania’s pension crisis must be addressed as part of this year’s budget.

“If you increase basic education (funding from the state to Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed 50 percent), in the absence of solving the pension crisis, it’s going to be gobbled up by pension costs,” said Joseph Clapper, assistant executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals. Clapper, who retired after eight years as superintendent of the Quaker Valley School District about a year ago, said he understands this, having worked on his final budget just 10 months ago.

Click here for the full article.

Source: LancasterOnline, Posted Wednesday, June 3, 2015 6:00 a.m., The LNP Editorial Board.

Keystone Exam Project-Based Assessment Service

Wed, 03 Jun 2015 8:46:30 AM EDT

Beginning with the graduating class of 2017, Pennsylvania’s Chapter 4 regulations require that students demonstrate proficiency in Algebra I, Biology and Literature. For students who are unable to demonstrate proficiency via the Keystone Exams, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has developed a project-based assessment system (PBA) that is aligned with the modules for each Algebra I, Biology and Literature Keystone Exam. Successful completion of a PBA aligned to the Keystone Exam or Keystone Exam module on which a student did not demonstrate proficiency shall satisfy the state graduation requirement.

Midwestern Intermediate Unit (MIU) will host the Project-Based Assessment Tutoring this summer at its central office in Grove City, PA. Program features include:

Cohorts for all modules of Algebra, Biology and Literature will run concurrently.
On-site tutors support learners throughout each module to maximize the learning experience.
A repository of support materials available on site.
Four day sessions held in MIU IV’s conference rooms.
Students complete PBA requirement under the supervision of MIU IV’s certified, highly qualified PBA tutors.
MIU IV provides materials, technology and staff support.

Three on-site summer cohorts are available as folllows:

Summer Session #1 cohort is June 22-25, 2015
(enrollment window May 4 - June 12)
Summer Session #2 cohort is July 13-16, 2015
(enrollment window July 1 - July 10)
Summer Session #3 cohort is August 10-13, 2015
(enrollment window is July 27 - August 5).

Online registration is available at: www.miu4.org/keystone.pba.

The cost of Keystone Project-Based Assessment Service is as follows: $150 per student/per module.

Please contact Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV if you need additional information to register students: Dr. Cathleen J. Cubelic at 724-458-6700, x 1227; or cathleen.cubelic@miu4.org.

West Chester School District Superintendent Pressures State to Re-evaluate Keystone Exams

Tue, 02 Jun 2015 9:59:14 AM EDT

Pennsylvania school students are wrapping up a month of standardized testing, and one local district superintendent is now advocating an end to at least one of those tests.

Click here for article.

Source: CBS Philly, June 1, 2015; PSBA Daily EDition, June 1, 2015.

Register Now for Principals? Lobby Day 2015

Tue, 02 Jun 2015 9:56:35 AM EDT

Join PAESSP on June 23, 2015 for its first annual Principals’ Lobby Day. Meet with legislators at the Capitol and make your voice heard on important issues! Click here to view the Lobby Day flyer (includes important issues to discuss with your legislators).

To register for Principals' Lobby Day, please contact Stephanie Kinner at kinner@paessp.org by Tuesday, June 16, 2015. Upon registration, you will be sent further details regarding the event.

Also, June 23^rd is All for Education Day in Harrisburg. PAESSP will join with parent, education advocacy, faith and labor organizations as well as school, municipal and community officials at the Capitol to hold a press conference and rally at 12:00 p.m. in the Main Rotunda. We must speak up for the importance of funding our schools, fairly and at sufficient levels so all students have an opportunity to learn.

If you do not know your legislator/s, click here.

Cyber Schools Would Have to Check Truancy Under Pennsylvania Bill

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 2:48:12 PM EDT

What began as a conversation between two local children’s advocates recently made its way to the state House of Representatives in the form of a bill to address truancy in charter and cyber charter schools. The legislation, introduced last month by state Rep. Dom Costa, D-Stanton Heights, would require such institutions to enforce compulsory attendance laws for their students.

Click here for article.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 1, 2015.

School Board Calls for Drastic Measure to Highlight Pension Crisis

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 2:44:05 PM EDT

The Quakertown Community School Board (Bucks Co.) recently called for all school boards to participate in an act of civil disobedience by violating state law and withholding their September pension payment to the Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) as a way to highlight the pension issue. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) understands the frustration Quakertown Community and all other school entities are experiencing with the gridlock in solving the pension crisis. Below is a link to a letter from PSBA President William LaCoff and Executive Director Nathan Mains explaining why PSBA cannot support such actions and outlining the ramifications of doing so.

Letter to Quakertown Community School Board and legal opinion for Michael I. Levin, PSBA legal counsel

Source: PSBA Daily Edition, June 1, 2015.

CATS System

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 1:35:58 PM EDT

As you know, the Career and Technical Education System (CATS), serves as the official record of a school entity’s approved career and technical education program and is used to verify the data which forms the basis for the Secondary Career and Technical Education Subsidy calculation. As the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) reviews the information submitted in CATS, there are noticeable inconsistencies between the information in CATS and the information found in the Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS).

Over-reporting students - One example/possible scenario:

In some instances, schools hold approval to operate a two-year program or programs, but are delivering programs to three grade levels and are seeking the Secondary Career and Technical Education Subsidy for each of those grade levels. If, for example, schools are actually operating a three-year program when the school only holds approval to operate a two-year program, the school must either seek approval for a three-year program or change its delivery practices. This holds true for all delivery models: one-year, two-year, three-year and four-year. Simply stated, the information in CATS must reflect the actual delivery at the school level.

Under-reporting students - One example/possible scenario:

In some instances, schools who hold approval to operate a four-year program are delivering the program to only three grade levels. Again, this holds true for all delivery models: one-year, two-year, three-year and four-year. The information in CATS must reflect the actual delivery at the school level.

Please review the information submitted into the CATS system and, based on your review, make any revision or seek new program approvals, as appropriate. For funding purposes, ensure that the number of years noted in the CATS system is equal to the number of years the program is being delivered at the school.

Please direct any questions about the above information to Lee Burket, PDE’s bureau director for Career and Technical Education, at lburket@pa.gov or 717-787-5530.

Carroll To Propose Moratorium on Keystone Exams as Graduation Requirement

Fri, 29 May 2015 10:08:38 AM EDT

State Rep. Mike Carroll, D-Luzerne/Lackawanna, will introduce an omnibus Public School Code bill that would establish a moratorium on Keystone Exams being used as a requirement for graduation. Carroll said this suspension would benefit students and their families, while offering much-needed relief to school districts that face significant financial and educational obstacles to fully implement the graduation requirement. "It has become ever more apparent to me that the linkage of Keystone exam passage to graduation is riddled with problems and that more thought is required to assess students with a wide range of abilities," said Carroll, a member of the House Education Committee. "A one-size-fits-all approach seldom works in the real word and the Keystone exam requirement is no exception."

Click here for article.

Source: http://www.pahouse.com, Press Release, May 28, 2015.

Pa. Must Change Public School Funding

Fri, 29 May 2015 10:05:25 AM EDT

Pennsylvania's school funding system is broken, and students in classrooms across the state are paying the consequences. Recent cuts in state funding, combined with the fact that the state does not have a predictable, sustainable and fair basic education funding system to distribute dollars where they are needed, have put our students at a disadvantage. There should be no question that money matters. Data shows that student performance in our state has tracked with state funding levels. A study comparing changes in state test scores with changes in state funding between 2003 and 2011 found that performance in the 50 lowest-achieving districts increased by 50 percent, on average, as basic education funding to those districts increased by about 40 percent. By contrast, as state school funding levels fell between 2011 and 2014, leading many schools to cut programs, lay off teachers and increase class sizes, student performance lagged among all students, but particularly for those facing additional challenges.

Click here for the article.

Source: Erie Times-News, By Frederick C. Johnson Contributing writer, May 28, 2015.

Fair Distribution, Not Simply More Money, the Answer for Pa. Schools

Fri, 29 May 2015 10:02:30 AM EDT

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Pennsylvania schools are the most inequitably funded in the entire country, with poorer school districts receiving 33.5 percent less in education funding than more affluent school districts across the state. The Commonwealth Foundation’s School Spending Database, which breaks down education expenditures per student by school district, and School Tax Database, which breaks down local education revenue by county, support this data. These discrepancies have not only garnered negative attention nationally, embarrassing legislators in Harrisburg, but also have spurred members of the General Assembly and policymakers in the governor’s office to address these egregious variations across the state. For the most part, their efforts have focused on changing the way Pennsylvania finances education, with the intention of increasing funding for schools. Unfortunately, the current proposals do not appear to go far enough to redress the current problem. They seem only to increase funding for education without fully resolving the spending inequalities.

Click here for the article.

Source: WHYY Newsworks Commentary, By Andrea C. Anastasi, May 29, 2015, Essayworks.

Cost of Business: Exploring Public School Legal Fees in Pennsylvania

Thu, 28 May 2015 1:36:37 PM EDT

As part of PennLive's look at legal fees charged to the Harrisburg School District, we also delved into legal fees charged to public school districts and charter schools across the state. We compiled the data from state State Department of Education reports on secondary education costs for a 10-year time span.

Click here for article.

Source: Pennlive.com, May 27, 2015

Borrowing To Replenish Depleted Pensions

Thu, 28 May 2015 1:33:32 PM EDT

Facing a shortfall of more than $50 billion in his state’s pensions, and with no simple solution at hand, Gov. Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania is proposing to issue $3 billion in bonds, despite the role that such bonds have already played in the fiscal woes of other places.

Click here for article.

Source: The New York Times, May 27, 2015.

Wagner Says Schools in PA Not Underfunded, Wolf Continues Push for More $

Thu, 28 May 2015 1:30:58 PM EDT

Senator Scott Wagner (R-York) is sick of what he calls the myth of underfunded schools in Pennsylvania. He so wanted to make his point that he chartered a helicopter and flew us over a few of the Midstate’s larger school districts.

Click here for article.

Source: abc27, May 27, 2015.

Leadership Opportunity to Help Eliminate the Achievement Gap

Thu, 28 May 2015 8:30:12 AM EDT

Pennsylvania school administrators are invited to take advantage of an excellent leadership opportunity that will help eliminate the achievement gap within their school and district. The Early Childhood Executive Leadership Institute (ECELI), a PA Inspired Leadership course, bring together K-3 and early education leaders in a cooperative, professional learning community.

Through this training, K-3 administrators have the opportunity to acquire deeper knowledge and greater leadership skills to successfully identify and navigate the challenges and opportunities in creating Prenatal to Grade 3 (P3) alignment. Promoting access to high quality K-3 classrooms for children at risk for school failure due to poverty, disability, dual language learning and other high risk factors is a focus of all school administrators in eliminating the achievement gap and is addressed in a P3 approach.

The Early Childhood Executive Leadership Institutes are ideal for those leaders who want to take a deeper dive into collaborative learning and relationship building around early learning and P3 alignment. Participation in the ECELI encourages a partnership between the school-based and early care and learning systems which children and families navigate. It also builds relationships to create coordinated, aligned, and coherent learning experiences for students and their families.

Click here to see the dates, locations and application information.

Information is also available on the PA Department of Education website: http://www.education.pa.gov/Teachers%20–%20Administrators/PA%20Inspired%20Leaders/Pages/default.aspx#.VPndoX4o6Uk

Struggling Readers Achieving Fluency with Oral Language Focus

Wed, 20 May 2015 3:29:33 PM EDT

GrapeSEED is hosting a Web Seminar on Tuesday, June 2, 2015, from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. EST

Research has shown that oral language has a profound effect on children’s reading success throughout their academic career. Presenters will share how and why oral language acquisition and critical listening strategies are significantly improving reading fluency in young English learners and test scores for all student populations. They will also cover oral language concepts, why it works, research findings and teacher stories based on their experiences.

Click on the link below for more information and to register.

http://www.grapeseed.com/us/webinars

2015 Attributions for Federal and State Accountability Reporting Training Announcement

Wed, 20 May 2015 10:49:02 AM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) will be offering training on the 2015 Attributions for Federal and State Accountability Reporting. This training will use the 2015 Attribution Map, discuss the Data Recognition Corporation Attribution window in eDIRECT, and the impact these attributions have on federal and state accountability and teacher effectiveness.

Please download the 2015 Attribution Map prior to the presentation from PDE's website at www.education.pa/gov > K-12 > Assessment and Accountability > Pennsylvania Accountability System (PAS) > 2015 Attribution Map v.1.

There will be four sessions of the 2015 Attributions for Federal and State Accountability Reporting training webinar. The training will consist of presenters from PDE's Divisions of Performance Analysis and Reporting and Data Quality, along with Data Recognition Corporation. Please select the link that uniquely identifies the date and time you will attend.

May 26, 2015 from 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

https://datarecognitioncorpaudio.webex.com/datarecognitioncorpaudio/onstage/g.php?MTID=e4213ebe556872d23e93a787d1be7b21e

May 26, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

https://datarecognitioncorpaudio.webex.com/datarecognitioncorpaudio/onstage/g.php?MTID=edf198f5cf14ade308cd93851bc7caaae

May 27, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

https://datarecognitioncorpaudio.webex.com/datarecognitioncorpaudio/onstage/g.php?MTID=e744bcd9c443c85f992041531e1305c60

May 27, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

https://datarecognitioncorpaudio.webex.com/datarecognitioncorpaudio/onstage/g.php?MTID=e676372cb5a1131722330af02693ceb1e

Please contact PDE's division of Performance Analysis and Reporting with any questions at (717) 705-2343 or ra-pas@pa.gov.

Pollster Terry Madonna Joins the Next #FairFundingPA Chat on Twitter

Mon, 18 May 2015 10:46:21 AM EDT

Terry Madonna will join the next monthly Twitter chat with Pennsylvania’s major education leadership organizations on Tuesday, May 26 at 8 p.m. Madonna is Professor of Public Affairs and Director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College. He is also the Director of the Franklin and Marshall College Poll.

Topics will include, but not be limited to: Property tax reform, Governor Wolf’s budget proposal, and of course the need for a fair, predictable basic education funding formula. Use hashtag #FairFundingPA to participate and follow the conversation.

On the last Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m., the following organizations go to Twitter to discuss timely topics, ask questions and listen to the public’s responses:

The Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA);
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA);
The Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO);
The Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP)
The Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools (PARSS)

Join the conversation. Share your ideas, lurk, learn and let us know what you think about the state’s support for public schools. It’s a simple, free and fast-paced way to communicate and share information. If you’ve never tweeted before, here are directions and a few tips:

How to Get Started

Log-on to www.twitter.com, sign-up, create your profile, find people and organizations you are interested in following and start tweeting out messages in 140 characters or less. Be sure to follow our Twitter chat participants:

@PASASupts – Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators
@PSBA – Pennsylvania School Boards Association
@PASBO_org – Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials
@PAESSP – Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals/Assistant Principals
@PARSS2go – Pennsylvania Association of Rural and School Schools

What is a Twitter Chat?

Twitter chats happen when a group of people all tweet about the same topic using a specific tag (#), called a hashtag, which allows it to be followed like a transcript on Twitter.

Follow the Conversation or Check Back Later

To follow a Twitter chat live or to read the conversation later, log-on to Twitter, click on the #Discover link, then search for #FairFundingPA. You will see all recent tweets on that topic. Read, reply and post your own thoughts and messages. It’s That Easy. Join the Conversation!

It's On to the Pennsylvania House for Pension Reform; Hearings Set for June

Thu, 14 May 2015 9:44:13 AM EDT

Sweeping aside decades of legal precedent and policy-making tradition, Senate Republicans passed a pension reform bill Wednesday that, as written, would change benefit formulas mid-career for more than 360,000 current state workers and school employees. The 28-19 vote was a ringing endorsement for Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman's insistence that killing Pennsylvania's tax-eating pension tapeworm is a must-have for the 30-member Senate GOP caucus in this spring's state budget talks.

Click here for full article.

Source: Penn Live, by Charles Thompson | cthompson@pennlive.com, on May 13, 2015 at 9:30 PM, updated May 13, 2015 at 9:35 PM; PA Ed Policy Roundup, May 14, 2015.

Pa. Senate Republicans Stand Together, Pass Pension Reform Bill

Thu, 14 May 2015 9:39:45 AM EDT

On a 28-19 vote, the Senate's Republican majority carried a major public employee pension reform measure to passage Wednesday afternoon. All Republicans present voted for the bill except one, Sen. Stewart Greenleaf of Montgomery County. All Democrats present voted against it. The bill, as passed, would for the first time in more than 30 years attempt to roll back future pension benefit formulas for current state employees and school teachers, albeit only for their work after its enactment. Supporters say it is needed to rid the state budget of a fiscal tapeworm that is crowding out other needed investments. Opponents, including the state's major public sector unions, have vowed a court challenge if that kind of language is passed into law.

Click here for full article.

Source: Penn Live, by Charles Thompson | cthompson@pennlive.com, May 13, 2015 at 3:28 PM, updated May 13, 2015 at 5:18 PM; PA Ed Policy Roundup, May 14, 2015.

Senate Pension Bill Savings of $18 billion Iffy

Thu, 14 May 2015 9:32:57 AM EDT

A Senate bill to overhaul the state's two debt-ridden pension systems could save taxpayers $18.2 billion over 30 years by reducing benefits for current and future state workers and school employees. Or maybe not.

Under Pennsylvania law, legislation that alters public pensions must receive an independent mathematical review to determine potential taxpayer costs and savings. But the actuarial firm hired by the Pennsylvania Employee Retirement Commission to review Senate Bill 1 said it was not given enough time to read the 410-page legislation, which was unveiled Friday. The alleged savings may not be accurate, the firm cautioned in a report released Tuesday. "We are disclosing that the time available for preparing this letter was insufficient to perform a complete review and thus this letter should be considered preliminary in nature," Chester County firm Milliman wrote.

Click here for full article.

Source: Morning Call, By Steve Esack Morning Call Harrisburg Bureau, May 13, 2015; PA Ed Policy Roundup, May 14, 2015.

State Pension Reform Bill Clears Senate Committee on Party-Line Vote

Tue, 12 May 2015 9:25:13 AM EDT

A state Senate committee on Monday approved a bill that would reduce retirement benefits or increase paycheck contributions for most state and public school workers, the first step toward legislative floor votes expected this week on the headliner issues of overhauling the pension and property tax systems. With a party-line vote, the Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee endorsed a measure that also would close the traditional pension system to new hires, enrolling them instead in a defined-contribution plan. In the House, the Republican leader's office said members today will take up proposals designed to shift the burden of paying for schools from locally assessed property taxes to increases in the sales and personal income taxes. Both House Republicans and Gov. Tom Wolf have offered plans with that general outline, but the Republicans complain that Mr. Wolf would direct some revenue from the rate increases to other projects.

Click here to read article.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, By Karen Langley, May 12, 2015; PA Ed Policy Roundup, May 12, 2015.

PA's Kindergarten Entry Inventory Tool - Available at No Cost to School Districts

Tue, 12 May 2015 9:02:17 AM EDT

Pennsylvania’s Kindergarten Entry Inventory (KEI) is a reliable reporting tool available at no cost to school districts. The Kindergarten Entry Inventory offers teachers an instructional strategy for understanding and tracking students’ proficiency across both cognitive and non-cognitive domains at kindergarten entry. The Kindergarten Entry Inventory is aligned to the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards and Pennsylvania Core Standards, and therefore it complements and can help improve existing assessments and teaching practices.

More than 200 schools in 22 school districts implemented the Kindergarten Entry Inventory in 2014, the first year it was available statewide. “As the principal I always struggle with getting to know our kindergarten classes at the start of the school year. We have a half-day program and they are all new to our school. Being involved with the KEI process, actively assisting in the observation process, has allowed me to connect with the kindergartens in a way I haven’t been able to in the past.”

Using the Kindergarten Entry Inventory, teachers observe and report a child’s skills in the first 45 calendar days on 30 standards-based indicators that address cognitive and non-cognitive skills. These indicators directly align with the Pre-Kindergarten Early Learning Outcomes Framework. Having a comprehensive picture of the strengths and needs of students and classroom trends, teachers can adjust their instruction, access resources and professional development, and partner with families to meet the unique needs of their students.

This touchpoint of a child’s skills when they enter kindergarten provides an opportunity for families, teachers, schools and communities to work together to improve student achievement. For example, schools and early childhood programs can evaluate aggregate information to align expectations, curriculum, professional development and family involvement to best prepare students for kindergarten.

Schools interested in implementing the Inventory in the 2015-16 school year must register by August 15, 2015. Email RA-PWOCDELKEI@pa.gov for more information and instructions on how to register staff.

To watch the five-minute introductory video, read the 2014 summary report and other informational materials, and register for the Kindergarten Entry Inventory, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education website at www.education.pa.gov and click on K-12: Assessment and Accountability or go to http://bit.ly/1PegqAP.

This initiative is part of Pennsylvania's Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge grant. Schools must register by August 15, 2015 for the 2015-16 school year.

Pennsylvania Senate Expected To Pass Public Employee Pension Overhaul

Mon, 11 May 2015 3:22:07 PM EDT

A Senate vote this week on a bill to eliminate guaranteed pension benefits for state and school employees sets the stage for budget negotiations between Republicans controlling the legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat.
Click here to read article.

Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, May 11, 2015; PSBA Daily EDition, May 11, 2015.

Another Year of Missed Pre-K Opportunities

Mon, 11 May 2015 2:14:31 PM EDT

When it comes to offering high-quality pre-k, Pennsylvania still isn't making progress, according to a new report out today from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER).

NIEER's latest State of Preschool report finds that, among states offering publicly funded pre-k programs:

Pennsylvania has dropped to 15th in the nation (down from 14th last year) in pre-k access for 3-year olds. Five years ago, we ranked 11th nationally.
Pennsylvania remains stuck at 30th in the nation in pre-k access for 4-year olds - the same ranking we held last year. Five years ago we ranked 24th nationally.

The good news is that we know how to turn this around - and you can help.

The governor has proposed increasing state funding for high-quality pre-k by $120 million in the coming fiscal year so that about 14,000 more Pennsylvania 3- and 4-year olds can benefit from this once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity. This investment would increase access to publicly funded, high-quality pre-k from about 1 in 6 of our 3- and 4-year olds to about 1 in 4. It's a big step in a much longer journey to make high-quality pre-k available to every family that wants it for their child.

Here's how you can help: Tuesday, May 12 is Early Childhood Action Day at the state Capitol. Join us in Harrisburg to let state lawmakers know we need to invest more in high-quality pre-k. Can't make it? You can still lend your voice by taking part in Virtual Action Day tomorrow.

You can also join the Pre-K for PA campaign's Capitol Caravan and make a trip to the Capitol at your convenience to talk to your lawmakers.

With your help, more Pennsylvania children can benefit from high-quality pre-k and the lifelong advantages it offers.

Call to Action Day ? It?s Time for a Fair Budget for PA?s Students!

Mon, 11 May 2015 1:37:40 PM EDT

On Thursday, May 14, PAESSP will be participating in a statewide “Call to Action for Public Education Day.” Join thousands of parents, students, teachers and community members from across the state to SPEAK UP in support of our public schools.

This Thursday do three things in five minutes to make a difference:

Call your state Senator.
Call your state Representative.
Call Gov. Wolf’s office at (717) 787-2500 and encourage him to hold strong on his support for fair funding for public schools.

(Talking points and instructions on how to find your legislator are available at fairfundingpa.org.)

We know that just 10 calls to one legislator in one day is extremely effective. Please take five minutes on Thursday to help ensure a bright future for Pennsylvania!

Call to Action Day ? It?s Time for a Fair Budget for PA?s Students!

Fri, 08 May 2015 8:38:01 AM EDT

Next Thursday, May 14, PAESSP will be participating in a statewide "Call to Action for Public Education Day!”

WHEN: Thursday, May 14 – Save the date!

WHAT: Call to Action for Public Education – Support fair and adequate funding for PA’s schools!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE: See the flyer for instructions. You can also refer to the Campaign for Fair Education Funding handout.

It is incredibly important for legislators to hear that people are paying attention and that we are spreading the word about what is happening to our schools!

Please find attached a flyer that you with instructions on how to find your legislators and key points about what we need legislators to support in this year’s budget.

Thank you for your participation. Let’s make our voices heard on May 14!

Click here for instructions on how to participate.

Click here for The Campaign for Fair Education Funding handout.

Principal Certification Program at Penn State Harrisburg

Tue, 05 May 2015 8:27:32 AM EDT

Principal Certification Program -- A program offering of Penn State Harrisburg's School of Behavioral Sciences and Education. The Principal Certification Program has been nationally recognized by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

For complete program information, visit:

http://harrisburg.psu.edu/behavioral-sciences-and-education/teacher-education/principal-certification-program

For registration procedures, see: http://harrisburg.psu.edu/academics/registration-instructions

For additional Summer 2015 courses for teachers, refer to: http://harrisburg.psu.edu/summer/educators/courses

PAESSP Executive Staff Meet with Acting Secretary of Education

Wed, 29 Apr 2015 10:54:54 AM EDT

PAESSP Executive Director, Dr. Paul Healey (right), and PAESSP Assistant Executive Director, Dr. Joseph Clapper (left), met today with Acting Secretary of Education Rivera.

PAESSP Talking Points on Current Issues

Wed, 29 Apr 2015 9:18:30 AM EDT

PAESSP Members: We have been advocating on your behalf on current issues over at Harrisburg and thought we would share the PAESSP positions on these issues. Please feel free to use these talking points as you discuss the issues within your community and with local legislators. As always, please let me know if you need additional information.

Talking Points on Current Issues.

Dr. Paul M. Healey, PAESSP Executive Director

REGISTER NOW FOR PAESSP'S ASPIRING PRINCIPALS' WORKSHOPS - May 8 & 9 - Pittsburgh

Tue, 28 Apr 2015 8:29:31 AM EDT

PAESSP has announced its Aspiring Principals Workshop schedule for May 2015 - Previewing the Principalship (May 8) and Getting the Job-Done Right! (May 9) to be held at the Sheraton Pittsburgh at Station Square. The workshops will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and lunch will be provided. The cost for each workshop is $175, but are now being offered for $150, provided to you at a discounted rate through a grant from The Horace Mann Companies.

Workshop Schedule

- Friday, May 8 - Sheraton Pittsburgh at Station Square

Previewing the Principalship-- A hands-on workshop designed to familiarize participants with the daily functions of the principalship.

- Saturday, May 9 - Sheraton Pittsburgh at Station Square

Getting the Job-Done Right! -- A workshop designed as a follow-up to Previewing the Principalship. Activities include: resume writing, creating your professional portfolio and enhancing your interview skills.

Click here for the Registration Form.

(Note: The form is writeable, but you must open the file in a different viewer at the top of your screen. Then, click on Open With to access the writeable file.

Click here for the Session Descriptions.

Click here for the 2015 Workshop Flyer.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE WORKSHOP

State Representative Seth Grove Joins the Next #FairFundingPA Chat on Twitter - April 28th

Wed, 22 Apr 2015 2:08:03 PM EDT

State Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover Township) will join the next monthly Twitter chat with Pennsylvania’s major educationleadership organizations on Tuesday, April 28 at 8 p.m.

Topics will include, but not be limited to: PlanCon, Property Tax, Governor Wolf’s budget proposal and of course the need for a fair, predictable basic education funding formula.

Use hashtag #FairFundingPA to participate and follow the conversation.

On the last Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m., the following organizations go to Twitter to discuss timely topics, ask questions and listen to the public’s responses:

The Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA);
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA);
The Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO);
The Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP)
The Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools (PARSS)

How to Get Started

@PASASupts – Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators
@PSBA – Pennsylvania School Boards Association
@PASBO_org – Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials
@PAESSP -- Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals/Assistant Principals

@PARSS2go – Pennsylvania Association of Rural and School Schools

What is a Twitter Chat?

Twitter chats happen when a group of people all tweet about the same topic using a specific tag (#), called a hashtag, which allows it to be followed like a transcript on Twitter. The chats are at a specific time, once, and often repeated at announced times.

Follow the Conversation or Check Back Later

To follow a Twitter chat live or to read the conversation later, log-on to Twitter, click on the #Discover link, then search for #FairFundingPA. By search for the hashtag, you can see all of the recent tweets on that topic. Then, read, reply and post your own thoughts and messages.

It’s That Easy to Join the Conversation!

Principals as Evaluators & Coaches: Strategies for Success

Wed, 22 Apr 2015 1:51:32 PM EDT

A Principals as Evaluators and Coaches Workshop, Stragegies for Success, will be held on Monday, May 4, 2015 at the Capital Union Building, Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, Pa., from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. The workshop is sponsored by Project EXCELLENCE-A PDE Funded Project.

Principals have many roles in today's schools and the demands of the job can be overwhelming. This morning workshop will focus on building Principal's capacity as an evaluator and as a coach to promote effective teaching and student learning. Three top experts will share research-based strategies and information related to these roles. Click here for the workshop flyer.

Any questions, please contact Jane Wilburne (jmw41@psu.edu).

To register, please check out the evite link below:

https://principalsandevaluators.eventbrite.com

Administrative Certificate and Principal Position Requirements - Public Schools, including Charter

Wed, 22 Apr 2015 12:43:00 PM EDT

All public school principals, including charter and cyber charter school principals, are subject to the applicable certification requirements of the Public School Code ( 24 P.S. § 11-1109) as well as any Act 45 continuing education and Pennsylvania Inspired Leaders (PIL) requirements. In keeping with the intent of section 1109, any person who devotes half or more of their time to supervision or administration in a public school, without an identified principal, is serving as the "principal" of the school regardless of the locally titled position (i.e., school director, head teacher, etc.). Such individuals must hold a valid administrative certificate and comply with all applicable Act 45 and PIL requirements. In addition, the public school should properly identify the individual as a principal in PIMS/PERMS regardless of the local title utilized.

Public schools should not create and utilize local titles to avoid employing a principal and circumvent the mandates of Public School Code (24 P.S. § 11-1109) and the Act 45 continuing education requirements.

For further clarification please visit the following links on PDE's website www.education.pa.gov:

http://www.education.pa.gov/Teachers%20-%20Administrators/PA%20Inspired%20Leaders/Pages/default.aspx#.VTT8V2TD_Vg

http://www.education.pa.gov/Teachers%20-%20Administrators/Certifications/Pennsylvania%20Certification/Pages/Administrative-Supervision-Certification.aspx#.VTT77GTD_Vg

For additional inquiries, a ticket may be submitted to the Help Desk through the Help & Contact Info section of PDE's website.

New Online Tool Helps Families Prepare their Children for Success in Kindergarten

Wed, 22 Apr 2015 11:08:41 AM EDT

Research shows that children who have access to high quality early education experiences with families engaged in their early development are more likely to be prepared for and succeed in kindergarten. Families always want what’s best for their young children, but may not know where to start.

The new Early Learning GPS, www.earlylearninggps.com, is a great tool for all families who want to learn what they need to know and can do to help their young child learn and grow. This is a great resource for teachers and schools to share with families who have children in pre-kindergarten and the elementary grades. Because the Early Learning GPS is online, schools can post the logo and link to their websites and internet portals.

The Early Learning GPS helps families get reliable answers to questions like “how do I know if my child will be ready for kindergarten?”

After a family answers a question, they receive a simple video tip and links to reliable resources. Families can save their favorite tips and resources to their child’s map as well as:

Follow their child’s milestones;
Find fun family activities based on Pennsylvania’s Early Learning Standards; and
Compare child care/ early learning programs.

The child’s map will grow with him until kindergarten!

All of the information is from reliable sources like Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning.

Visit www.earlylearninggps.com to get started. Professionals can access tips, ways to share the GPS with families, and professional development at www.papromiseforchildren.com /gps.

Schools may also order free Early Learning GPS promotional kits with bookmarks, table tents and posters that they can display in school offices and classrooms and include with other parent communications at http://www.childcorepublishing.com/index.php/pa-only-materials.html.

The Early Learning GPS is developed by Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children in partnership with Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning with funding from Pennsylvania’s Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge Grant. For more information, visit www.papromiseforchildren.com.

Suit Challenging School Funding Headed to Top Pa. Court

Wed, 22 Apr 2015 8:42:48 AM EDT

A lawsuit contending that Pennsylvania's system of school funding is broken will move to the state's top court, attorneys vowed Tuesday after a lower court dismissed the case brought by school districts, parents, and advocates. Lawyers said they would appeal to the state Supreme Court after the Commonwealth Court ruled that education funding was a legislative issue and not a legal matter.

Click here to read the article.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, April 22, 2015.

And the Nominees Are... Department of Education Sec. Rivera

Wed, 22 Apr 2015 8:40:20 AM EDT

Meet Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education Pedro Rivera. Learn about his background in education, his goals for the department, and what he likes to do in his down time.

http://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/672/And-the-nominees-are-Department-of-Education-Sec-Rivera-.aspx

Source: The PLS Reporter, Author: Alanna Koll/Tuesday, April 21, 2015 Video runtime 4:08.

Senate Panel Gives Nod to Rivera's Confirmation as Education Secretary

Wed, 22 Apr 2015 8:34:46 AM EDT

Following a healthy discussion that touched on a myriad of educational issues, the Senate Education Committee voted on Tuesday to recommend Pedro Rivera's nomination as Gov. Tom Wolf's education secretary for confirmation by the full Senate. Rivera, 45, emphasized to the committee his commitment to transparency, being accountable, being responsive, listening to stakeholders and being focused on improving student learning. "We want our successes to outlast us all. So whether I'm secretary or whomever is secretary next, I hope to build a culture and legacy that's going to serve the children of the commonwealth for 50 to 100 years," Rivera said, as his wife Erika watched from the first row of seats in the hearing room.

Click here to read the article.

Source: Pennlive.com By Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com on April 21, 2015 at 3:10 PM, updated April 21, 2015 at 3:11 PM.

Wolf?s Education Pick to Begin Confirmation Process

Tue, 21 Apr 2015 3:42:41 PM EDT

On Tuesday, lawmakers will begin the confirmation process for Governor Tom Wolf’s pick to lead the State Department of Education. Pedro Rivera is the former superintendent of the Lancaster School District. Wolf appointed him in January. As education secretary, he would run the state’s 500 school districts. Tuesday morning, an 11 member panel from the Senate Education Committee will ask questions to determine if they believe he is qualified. If they approve, the next step will be to confirm him with a vote by the full Senate. That would likely happen in May.

Click here for full story.

Source: abc27 By Ali Lanyon Published: April 21, 2015, 3:39 am.

Pennsylvania's State Plan to Ensure Equitable Access for All Students to Excellent Teachers and Prin

Mon, 20 Apr 2015 2:28:22 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is required to develop and submit to the U.S. Department of Education by June 1, 2015, a state plan that ensures equitable access for all students to excellent teachers and principals. Essential to the development of Pennsylvania's state plan is the engagement and involvement of an external stakeholders group, which include representatives from: educational associations/organizations; urban and rural districts; intermediate units; higher education teacher preparation institutions; nonpublic schools; charter schools; parents; federal program coordinators; teachers' unions; and business and community groups/organizations.

Consistent with ESEA sections 1111(a)(1), 1119b)(8)(C) and 9304(a)(3)(B), Pennsylvania's state plan is required to include:

1. Description and documentation related to steps taken to consult with LEAs, teachers, principals, pupil services personnel, administrators, other staff and parents.

2. Identify equity gaps using the most recent data available to calculate differences, if any, between the rates poor and minority children are taught by "inexperienced, unqualified, or out-of-field" teachers when compared to other children.

3. Explanation of the likely causes of the identified equity gaps.

4. Strategies to eliminate the identified equity gaps, timelines for implementation of strategies and monitoring activities.

5. Description of measures, methods and timelines for evaluating progress toward eliminating equity gaps.

6. Description of how POE will publicly report on its progress in eliminating equity gaps.

The recording from the first stakeholders meeting (conducted as a webinar) is available for anyone. To access it, visit http://vclass.cciu.org/, then click on the "recordings" tab at the left, then select April 7 from the calendar on the right.

Stakeholders have been asked to enlist local support from peers, colleagues, local community, teachers, principals, and others by sharing information about Pennsylvania's strategies for ensuring equitable access for all students to excellent teachers and principals.

A resource account (RA-equity@pa.gov) has been created to gather feedback and suggestions throughout the development of Pennsylvania's state plan.

If an educational association or organization contacts you for feedback or if you listen to the stakeholders' webinar, please follow-up via email to the above resource account (RA-equity@pa.gov).

Next steps include the following:

*Convening a statewide workgroup to assist in identifying: existing gaps in local strategic management of human resources (recruitment, hiring, retention, professional development); and school climate that affect hiring and retention of teachers and principals (these are areas that are not reported to POE);

*Continuing to analyze Pennsylvania's data metrics (number of teachers who are not certified, not highly qualified, working outside the scope of their existing Pennsylvania teaching certificate; years of teaching experience; principal education levels; teacher turnover; etc.) for purposes of identifying equity gaps;

*Conducting a root cause analysis with members of Pennsylvania's Educator Equity Stakeholder Group and identifying strategies for overcoming equity gaps; and

*Implementing a cycle of continually incorporating workgroup and stakeholder group feedback and suggestions into Pennsylvania's draft state plan.

Grell To Leave State House for PSERS Post

Wed, 15 Apr 2015 8:46:38 AM EDT

State Representative Glen Grell (R-Cumberland) will become the Executive Director of the Public Schools Employee Retirement System (PSERS), sources confirmed for abc27. Click here for more.

Source: ABC27, April 14, 2015; PSBA Daily EDition, April 15, 2015.

Saylor Introduces Property Tax Relief Bill

Tue, 14 Apr 2015 10:23:45 AM EDT

A York County representative has introduced a bill in the House that promises to, on average, halve school property taxes by increasing earned income and sales taxes. Click here to read the full article.

Source: York Dispatch, April 13, 2015.

Senate ESEA Bill

Mon, 13 Apr 2015 8:26:26 AM EDT

Click here for the letter that NASSP, NAESP and the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) sent to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee in response to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Reauthorization Bill that was released last week.

In addition, below is a summary that has been posted on NASSP’s Principals’ Policy Blog. The Committee will be marking up the bill this week (scheduled for Tuesday, April 14).

http://nasspblogs.org/principalspolicy/2015/04/senate-releases-bipartisan-esea-bill-markup-scheduled-next-tuesday/

PAESSP Announces 2015 Election Results

Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:53:31 PM EDT

The results of PAESSP’s 2015 Election have been announced thanks to our Nominations Committee – Dr. Dina Wert, chairperson, and members, Dr. Barry Purvis and Dr. Betsy Adams.

After our members voted online, we are proud to report that the following are your newly-elected President-Elect and Regional Representatives:

President-Elect (Elem. Division): – Beth A. Haldeman, Cocalico School District (successful candidate)

Regional Representatives:

East I Elementary –    Paul L. Stefani, Scranton School District* (uncontested)

East II Secondary–   Frank Derrick, Allentown School District (successful candidate)

Central III Elementary–   Darren J. McLaurin, Cambria Heights School District* (uncontested)

Central I Secondary–   Curtis E. Johnson, State College Area School District* (uncontested)

West II Elementary–   Carol Sprinker, Blackhawk School District (uncontested)

West II Secondary–    Raymond C. Omer, Mohawk Area School District* (uncontested)

*Incumbent

Celebrate National Assistant Principals Week

Wed, 08 Apr 2015 8:51:26 AM EDT

NASSP and NAESP, in cooperation with the American Federation of School Administrators, are in high gear preparing for next week’s celebration of National Assistant Principals Week. Join them in celebrating the great work assistant principals do by participating in these activities:

Send Your AP an E-Card. Principals and other members of the education community can simply choose an e-card, add a message, and schedule the date and time for the card to be sent. APs will receive the e-card along with a special AP Week gift.

#APchat on Twitter. Join your colleagues for a Twitter chat about the AP’s leadership role on Sunday, April 12, at 8:00 p.m. (ET).

#APweek hashtag. Use #APweek on Twitter and Instagram to share your notes of appreciation, celebration images and other acknowledgments of the great work APs do year-round.

Additionally, NASSP will host a Google Hangout (similar to a webinar) in cooperation with the Wallace Foundation about developing APs; and conduct its annual Assistant Principal of the Year Forum, which gathers the state winners on Capitol Hill for meetings with their elected officials (#APOY15).

Visit www.nassp.org/apweek for additional details, a promotional video and ideas to celebrate.

#FairFundingPA Chat - March 2015

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 8:50:43 AM EDT

#FairFundingPA Chat - March 2015 -- Pennsylvania's major education leadership organizations meet on Twitter at 8 p.m. the last Tuesday of each month to discuss basic education funding and other issues. This story captures our March 2015 chat with Acting Education Secretary Pedro Rivera, and Policy and Planning Secretary John Hanger.

https://storify.com/PARSS2go/fairfundingpa-chat-march-2015?utm_source=t.co&utm_content=storify-pingback&utm_medium=sfy.co-twitter&utm_campaign=&awesm=sfy.co_h0Tx7

NAESP Welcomes New President-Elect, Vice President, Board Members

Thu, 26 Mar 2015 3:34:55 PM EDT

President-elect Steven D. Geis will join Brian K. Partin, Adam Drummond, Dave Steckler, Dwight C. Cooper and Kimbrelle Lewis as new members of NAESP’s Board of Directors. Click here for the full press release.

Join Fair School Funding Twitter Chat on Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Thu, 26 Mar 2015 8:26:20 AM EDT

John Hanger, the Governor's Secretary of Policy and Planning, will participate in the Fair School Funding Twitter Chat (#FairFundingPA) scheduled for next Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at 8 p.m. EST.

Cast Your Vote in the PAESSP Election - March 25 - April 8, 2015

Tue, 24 Mar 2015 1:14:24 PM EDT

PAESSP members will soon receive an e-mail with a code that enables you to click on the link, access your ballot and VOTE in the election, but only if we have your e-mail address! The e-mail with the link for your ballot will be sent to you on Wednesday, March 25, 2015.

On your ballot, you will only see the positions for which you are eligible to vote in the election. All members will vote for the statewide office of president-elect. Members in the regions with a position up for election will also vote for their regional representative.

Reminder e-mail messages will be sent to those who have not voted. The deadline for voting is 12 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2015. The election is once again being conducted by Vote-Now, a secure, web-based provider of voting services for professional organizations (www.vote-now.com). Please add vote-now.com to your address book OR ask your IT staff person to add vote-now.com to your district’s spam filter list so that the e-mail can get through.

We appreciate and value your participation!

PSSC Presents: Pension "Reform" and the Unfunded Liability - Two Grand Challenges - March 27, 2015!

Tue, 24 Mar 2015 9:37:00 AM EDT

A one hour recorded web presentation, Pension "Reform" and the Unfunded Liability - Two Grand Challenges, is being offered by the PA School Study Council (PSSC) and is being made available to registered districts beginning on March 27, 2015, after 12:00 noon.

Dr. James A Pawelczyk is the featured speaker. Dr. Pawelcyzk is a second-term school board director for the State College Area School District and an associate professor of Physiology and Kinesiology at the Pennsylvania State University.

There is a special reduced rate for PAESSP Members.

Click here for the flyer and for registration information.

Recognition of Talented Educators - Seeking Talent Pool Recommendations

Mon, 23 Mar 2015 2:11:14 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) maintains a file of emerging classroom leaders that consists of a cadre of distinguished teachers and principals. These educators may be considered for membership on advisory boards and task forces, as well as candidates for special recognition programs. Please consider completing a recommendation form to identify educators who will be of great value to your community and state and who may also ultimately receive prestigious recognition. Completed forms are due no later than June 15, 2015.

The talent pool seeks secondary educators (Grade 6-12 teachers and principals) with a minimum of five years of experience in education and who are likely to remain in education for the next 15-25 years. Specific criteria should include the following:

* Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and school

* Exemplary educational accomplishments beyond the classroom that provide models of excellence for the profession

* Individuals whose contributions to education are largely unheralded yet worthy of the spotlight

* Early to mid-career educators who offer strong, long range potential for professional and policy leadership

* Engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students colleagues and the community

Talent pool candidates must be building-level personnel. They are typically classroom teachers, but a principal or specialist may be considered.

PDE seeks your assistance in identifying one to three candidates via the Talent Pool Recommendation Form available in the RSS Feed at www.pdesas.org. Information provided is CONFIDENTIAL and should not be shared with the individual(s) nominated. Questions can be directed to Marlene Kanuck at (717) 783-9294 or mkanuck@pa.gov.

Complete information must be sent by U.S. Mail and posted marked no later than June 15, 2015, to:

Marlene Kanuck
Division of Planning
Bureau of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction Pennsylvania
Department of Education
333 Market Street, 3rd Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333

Date Changes for the PSSA and Keystone Exam Accountability Reporting Internal Snapshots

Thu, 19 Mar 2015 1:32:12 PM EDT

On behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), the Division of Performance Analysis and Reporting is announcing a change for the PSSA Accountability Reporting internal snapshot to May 14, 2015. PDE learned from LEAs that there would be an issue in meeting the expected turnaround time for each assessment testing window, in order to submit data to PIMS. In an attempt to lessen the burden, PDE analyzed the PSSA and Keystone internal snapshot process and calendar to see if there were opportunities to consolidate some of our individual internal snapshots.

To that end, PDE is pleased to announce that the internal snapshots scheduled for PSSA Accountability (4/17/2015, 4/24/2015, 5/1/2015 and 5/8/2015) will be performed during the scheduled 5/14/2015 internal snapshot.

Additionally, the Winter and Spring Keystone Exam Accountability Reporting internal snapshot scheduled for 5/27/2015 will be changed to 5/29/2015 to ensure that LEAs have enough time to validate their data at the end of the testing window prior to uploading to PIMS for the internal snapshot.

The revised PIMS Elementary Secondary Consolidated Collection Calendar 2014-2015 rev 1.9, which includes the changes outlined above, has been published on the PIMS web page. It is located at: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pims-pennsylvania_information_management_system/8959

LEAs are encouraged to use the sandbox as a tool to test and prepare data for successful data submission. LEAs should be aware that data submitted in this internal snapshot will be used to calculate participation and performance rates. It is important to start early and submit data on time. There is no correction window so there is no opportunity to update or change data after the deadline.

Contact Pennsylvania Information Management System customer support at 800.661.2423 or help@pimssupport.org for help with uploading data. The direct link to submit an electronic ticket is https://paitsm.service-now.com/pde_wizard_redirect.do.

Please contact PDE's Division of Performance Analysis and Reporting with questions at 717.705.2343 or ra-pas@pa.gov.

Editorial: Gov. Wolf's Plan Moves to Resolve State's Pension Problem

Wed, 18 Mar 2015 8:52:39 AM EDT

Gov. Wolf is ushering in a new political opportunity in Pennsylvania. His budget is a home run for Pennsylvanians, actually focusing on things that matter to voters — quality education, more and better jobs, government that works.

Click here for full article.

Source: PSBA Daily EDition, March 18, 2015; Allentown Morning Call, March 17, 2015.

PA Education Chief Asks School Districts To Provide Plans for Spending New Funding

Wed, 18 Mar 2015 8:50:01 AM EDT

To receive their share of the proposed $400 million increase in basic education funding, school districts will have to submit spending plans to the state by May 15.

Click here for full article.

Source: PSBA Daily EDition, March 18, 2015; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 17, 2015.

Wolf Administration Wants to Know How Districts Would Spend $400M

Wed, 18 Mar 2015 8:19:20 AM EDT

One week after Senate Republican leaders warned superintendents against counting on the $400 million increase in direct support to school districts that Gov. Tom Wolf proposed in his budget, the Wolf administration is asking districts to detail how they will spend it.

Click here for full article.

Source: www.pennlive.com, by Jan Murphy, posted on March 17, 2015.

NASSP?s National Advisory List (Contest and Activities for Students)

Tue, 17 Mar 2015 8:48:15 AM EDT

The NASSP List of Contests and Activities for Students is produced by NASSP through its National Committee on Student Contests and Activities. The purpose of the national list is to provide information to assist principals, teachers, parents and students in making decisions regarding participation in a wide variety of program opportunities. Click here for the annual list.

How Will Your District Fare with the Proposed Budget?

Wed, 04 Mar 2015 9:57:00 AM EST

How will your district fare with the proposed budget? Check out the links below to see the impact of the proposals on your school district.

Click here for 2015-16 Proposed Basic and Special Education Funding.

Click here for 2015-16 Proposed Budget.

Click here for Property Tax Reduction Proposal.

Joint Statement: General Assembly Must Support Budget With Adequate School Funding

Tue, 03 Mar 2015 12:59:11 PM EST

As state legislators consider Governor Tom Wolf’s 2015-16 budget proposal, citizens of the Commonwealth are watching to see if their elected officials will support a quality education for children in every community. Pennsylvania’s major education leadership organizations, representing all 500 school districts, today called on the General Assembly to approve Governor Wolf’s budget request and adopt a new state funding formula that will ensure equity and adequate funding for all schools beginning next school year.

Click here for the press release.

Governor Wolf Targets Major Changes in Education in Budget Address

Tue, 03 Mar 2015 12:53:35 PM EST

Governor Wolf targets major changes in education in his budget address. Here are some ideas presented today:

Education is the heart of everything else

During the past 4 years, we took a step backwards in supporting education

The budget will restore 1 billion dollars in cuts that occurred in previous administration

There will be increases at every grade level

It expands access to Early Childhood Education

It includes increases in funding to community colleges

It asks institutions of higher education to freeze tuition

Accountability measures will be put into place to make sure the money goes to classrooms

It increases the State share for education to 50% up from the current level of 35%

It calls for a fair funding formula which should be based on need rather than on politics

We will pay for the increases in investment in education by applying a severance tax on natural gas which should generate 1 billion dollars

Property taxes will be reduced by 50% as well

Available for Use: Pennsylvania?s Educator Effectiveness Rating System (PEERS)

Mon, 02 Mar 2015 1:38:14 PM EST

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has announced that Pennsylvania’s Educator Effectiveness Rating System (PEERS) is now available online for use by LEAs (as of March 2, 2015). This online tool provides local education agencies (LEAs) a free, voluntary, web-based version of the Act 82 Educator Effectiveness final rating tools (PDE 82-1, 82-2, and 82-3), providing users with an efficient and effective process to not only complete the summative rating forms, but to be able to use the data effectively for teacher, principal, and school/district growth and improvement.

LEAs do NOT need to register or sign up to use the system. PEERS is now live, online for any LEA to use at any time as of March 2, 2015. PEERS has been pre-populated with LEA name, school names, staff names, a final rating form based on the PIMS position code (LEA may edit) and School Performance Profile (SPP) data for all LEAs.

PEERS is hosted within the existing PVAAS web application, allowing PVAAS account holders access to PEERS through the existing PVAAS account system. It may be used alone, in lieu of the PDE 82-1, 82-2, 82-3 Excel documents, or in concert with other tools that LEAs are using to manage the supervision and evaluation process.

Access to the forms is granted by the LEAs and all information is securely and confidentially maintained by SAS EVAAS, requiring second levels of authentication. PDE does not have access to the summative evaluation information housed within the PEERS.

Through PEERS:

Teachers, principals/administrators, and non-teaching specialists are linked to a most likely defaulted rating form based on PIMS data submitted by each LEA, with the ability to change to a different form as per local LEA decision.
Demographic information including district name, school name, educator name and PPID is pre-populated.
The School Performance Profile (SPP) Score is pre-populated by the PVAAS web application, with the flexibility to change the school, allow multiple schools and/or choose current year or prior year.
Starting with SY2015-2016 PVAAS reporting, the PVAAS score for 3 year rolling average will be pre-populated into the final rating form
Rating information is aggregated to summary-level reporting.

SAS EVAAS, in conjunction with PDE, is providing a training webinar on March 10, 2015 from 3:00 to 4:00 PM for all LEAs interested in using PEERS and/or learning more about this free, voluntary tool. This webinar will be archived and available for accessing on the PVAAS website within one week of this date.

Details to participate in the live webinar are included below. Pre-registration is not necessary.

Webinar Date and Time: March 10, 2015, 3:00 – 4:00 pm

Computer & Phone Connection Information:

https://sasmeetings.webex.com/sasmeetings/j.php?J=710756117

Audio Access: 1-888-682-4285 Attendee code: 474-456-2 #

Questions regarding accessing PEERS may be sent to the “Contact Us” link on the PVAAS website at https://pvaas.sas.com

Questions specific to Act 82 Educator Effectiveness are to be directed to ra-edeff@pa.gov.

Advocacy Win in the ESEA Bill

Mon, 02 Mar 2015 10:22:50 AM EST

NASSP has announced that its collaborative work with NAESP and the American Federation of School Administrators has resulted in a big advocacy win in the House ESEA bill. They were successful in getting an amendment passed by voice vote that would make it explicit that the definition of “school leader” means a principal or assistant principal IN THE SCHOOL BUILDING. The amendment was introduced by Reps. Susan Davis (D-CA), Bob Dold (R-IL) and Jared Polis (D-CO), and the bipartisan support was definitely instrumental…in addition to support from the NEA after we explained the purpose and rationale of the amendment.

Work on this issue is not yet done. Our national associations are still urging members of Congress to vote NO on HR 5. If you have not done so already, please send a message to your Representative through PLAC (https://www.votervoice.net/NASSP/Campaigns/38971/Respond). And please continue to spread the word!

Fair Education Funding

Thu, 26 Feb 2015 12:57:51 PM EST

Message from Executive Director: PAESSP is part of the Campaign for Fair Education Funding. The campaign released today their proposal for a new Basic Education Funding formula to boost student outcomes in all parts of the state by helping close funding shortfalls in all school districts and narrow the growing gap between wealthy and poorer districts. Please see the two following links, which provide an overview about the campaign and the proposed formula. PAESSP is one of approximately 40 organizations involved in this critical work and working on behalf of school leaders across the Commonwealth.

Click here for executive summary.

Click here for press release.

Act Now! Tell Your Representative to Vote NO on H.R. 5

Wed, 25 Feb 2015 3:45:40 PM EST

As you are well aware, the current version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), does not provide principals and assistant principals with adequate support, training and resources but still holds them accountable for student achievement. Congress is now rapidly working to reauthorize ESEA, which presents a tremendous opportunity to elevate the role of principals in improving student achievement, and have their voices heard.

The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) recently submitted detailed comments in response to legislation passed by the Committee on Education and the Workforce in the U.S. House of Representatives to reauthorize the law. The comments note many concerns with the bill, with one of the most important being its lack of acknowledgement and support for the vital role of principals, and providing them with the necessary professional support to ensure better teaching and improved learning for all students.

At a minimum, the Student Success Act of 2015 must the following top concerns:

Clearly define the term “school leader” to mean principals and assistant principals working inside the school building, not non-building staff such as teacher leaders, superintendents and other district personnel;
Require districts that receive Title II funding to allocate no less than 10 percent of the funds available for professional development for elementary, middle, and high school principals to improve instructional leadership;
Require that state principal evaluation systems be designed in collaboration with practitioners, and ensure that they are based on more than just student test scores. We recommend that any principal evaluation focus on the six key domains of leadership responsibility within a principal’s sphere of influence: student growth and achievement, school planning and progress, school culture, stakeholder support and engagement, professional qualities and practices, and professional growth and learning;
Oppose any and all efforts to transform Title I funding—which is designed to assist public schools with high concentrations of poverty and high-need students—into a private school voucher.

As a leader in your school and in your community, your voice is extremely powerful in this debate. H.R. 5 is on the House Floor the last week of February, and principals must take action to let your representatives in Congress know these concerns must be addressed. While a sample letter has been provided for you, we strongly urge you to personalize the letter where possible.

Click here to send a letter to your Congressional representative.

PASA-PASBO Survey: Challenging Financial Conditions Getting Worse for School Districts Statewide

Tue, 24 Feb 2015 9:01:49 AM EST

Challenging situations are getting worse in schools statewide according to an update to the annual Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) and Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO) budget survey.

Click here for press release.

Click here for full report.

School Leaders Respond to Budget Survey; Call for Action, Equity and Adequate Funding

“The current PASA-PASBO report highlights the critical need for a fair education funding formula. Our members have been expressing concerns about cuts in programs and people, which directly affect the students in a negative way. The low hanging fruit has been picked clean and we need the State to take action on fixing the way we fund education in order to protect our most precious resource – our children.”

– Dr. Paul M. Healey, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals

Click here for more comments.

PAESSP Sponsors Real Life / Real Issues Forum

Tue, 24 Feb 2015 8:58:57 AM EST

If your area did not pick up the Real Life / Real Issues Community Forum on public television, please click the link below to access this important piece on Drugs and Young People: http://video.witf.org/video/2365429481/

Under Pedro Rivera, a New Direction for Pennsylvania Education Policy

Mon, 23 Feb 2015 10:29:23 AM EST

In a recent interview, Mr. Rivera, now serving as acting education secretary, made it clear that he has not forgotten where he came from and the challenges faced by students and families in impoverished neighborhoods.
Click here for the full article.

Source: PSBA Daily EDition, Feb. 23, 2015; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Feb. 22, 2015.

ESEA Updates: NAESP Stands Up for Principals

Mon, 23 Feb 2015 8:35:20 AM EST

The latest from Washington, D.C., is that Congress is acting fast to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Here is what NAESP is doing to make sure ESEA meets principals' needs -- and how you can be part of the process.

Raising Principals' Voices

There are a lot of moving pieces in the ESEA reauthorization process. Here's a quick guide to what's happened so far:

NAESP filed comments on sections of the Senate's discussion draft bill.
NAESP submitted comments on the House of Representatives' bill, which will be marked up next week.
NAESP partnered with the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the American Federation of School Administrators to urge Congress to support the re-introduction of the Principal Recruitment and Training Act of 2015, a bill to help recruit, prepare, and support principals in the profession.

Plus, in the midst of these critical debates, NAESP is bringing 200 principals to meet with lawmakers during the annual National Leaders Conference, Feb. 22-24. Conference participants will engage with top education and policy thought leaders, as well as receive leadership development and training focused on strategic advocacy in preparation for Capitol Hill meetings.

Read the messages they will take to the Hill on ESEA and the federal budget.

How to Take Action

Here are several ways that you can add your voice to NAESP's advocacy efforts on ESEA.

Speak up on the House bill (Student Success Act, H.R. 5), which NAESP does not support. Watch for an email alert with timely information on the bill, and then tell lawmakers to Vote No using NAESP's easy-to-use Legislative Action Center.
Follow the #naespNLC hashtag on Twitter for updates from the National Leaders Conference.
Read reflections from the National Leaders Conference in the forthcoming February issue of Communicator.
Join the Federal Relations Network community on edWeb for our advocacy staff's updates from Capitol Hill.

During the coming weeks as ESEA moves on its path toward reauthorization, NAESP will continue to stand for principals' interests and will make sure school leaders have a seat at the federal policy table.

NEW PVAAS Student Projections to ACT, PSAT & SAT on Currently Enrolled Students in Grades 6-12

Fri, 20 Feb 2015 8:37:26 AM EST

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is pleased to announce the release of PVAAS Student Projections to ACT, PSAT and SAT for students currently enrolled in your school(s)/LEA. These projections are useful to assess – and address – students’ postsecondary and career readiness, even before they take the ACT, PSAT or SAT or before they attend high school. They also provide a statewide perspective on postsecondary readiness that extends beyond performance on PSSA and Keystones or the local community. Furthermore, Pennsylvania’s School Performance Profile (SPP) includes data on student participation in the PSAT, as well as participation/performance on the ACT and SAT.

The new projections to ACT, PSAT and SAT may answer questions like…

Are students who are already on the path to success on these assessments in fact participating in these assessments?
Are there students with a high likelihood of success who do not consider themselves college candidates? Once identified, educators can support and encourage these students.
Are there students who are at-risk for remediation in college?
Are there students who are underprepared for the college readiness benchmarks? Once identified, educators can ascertain which courses, resources and supports may increase the students’ likelihood of success on the ACT/SAT and in their college readiness.

Access to the NEW PVAAS Student Projections to ACT, PSAT and SAT is available on the password-protected PVAAS website. PVAAS account holders with student level access will have access to these new projections for students currently enrolled in their respective school/LEA.

Existing statewide assessment data from PSSAs and Keystones are used to yield these additional PVAAS student projections for LEAs, which will include projections to various PSAT, ACT and SAT benchmarks that indicate readiness in a variety of courses and colleges. These projections are available for the following students:

PVAAS Student Projections to PSAT for students currently enrolled in grades 6 to 11;
PVAAS Student Projections to ACT for students currently enrolled in grades 9 to 12; and
PVAAS Student Projections to SAT for students currently enrolled in grades 9 to 12.

SAS® EVAAS® is making available an archived web session for all LEAs interested in learning more about these new PVAAS Student Projections to Act, PSAT and SAT. This session will address the following topics:

Overview of Methodology for PVAAS Student Projections to SAT, PSAT and ACT
Benchmark Scores Used for PVAAS Student Projections to SAT, PSAT and ACT
Students/Grade Levels Receiving PVAAS Student Projections to SAT, PSAT and ACT
Offer Guidance on How to Use These New Projections
Offer Guidance on How to Use Them to Help Students Plan for College

This web session will be available on the PVAAS website, https://pvaas.sas.com under the e-Learning Link no later than March 10, 2015.

Questions regarding the new PVAAS Student Projections to ACT, PSAT and SAT can be directed to pdepvaas@iu13.org.

Principals? Groups Applaud Introduction of Bill to Support School Leadership

Thu, 19 Feb 2015 11:07:29 AM EST

The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), and the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA), applaud the reintroduction of a bill to improve federal programs for the nation’s principals and assistant principals. S.476 and H.R.930, The School Principal Recruitment and Training Act of 2015, was introduced by Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) and Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA), to amend Title II, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to recruit, prepare, and support principals through capacity-building measures that will improve student academic achievement in high-need schools. The legislation emphasizes mentoring programs for principals, especially for aspiring and early-career principals.

Click here for more.

Source: NASSP, NAESP, AFSA Press Release, Feb. 19, 2015.

Correction to KEI Link - Kindergarten Entry Inventory - Cohort 2

Wed, 18 Feb 2015 11:53:39 AM EST

Pennsylvania's Kindergarten Entry Inventory (KEI) is a reliable reporting tool that offers teachers an instructional strategy for understanding and tracking a student's proficiency at kindergarten entry. The tool collects information on a consistent set of standards-based indicators across the commonwealth. The KEI is based on Pennsylvania's Learning Standards for Early Childhood and the Pennsylvania Core Standards. KEI includes 30 indicators and provides a comprehensive profile that includes the domains of: Social and Emotional Development; English Language Arts; Mathematics; Approaches to Learning; and Health, Wellness and Physical Development. KEI is intended to be used by kindergarten teachers to record a student's demonstration of skills within the first 45 calendar days of the kindergarten year. It is a snapshot of skills upon entry into kindergarten. Skills levels will be determined by multiple sources of evidence. For more information about the Kindergarten Entry Inventory please visit, http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/departmental_offices/7235/p/1852080.

All focus and priority schools are required to implement the Kindergarten Entry Inventory as part of their school improvement efforts. Intermediate unit curriculum coordinators and academic recovery liaisons (priority schools) are ready to assist you in the KEI implementation process.

This also serves as an invitation for all non-focus and priority schools who wish to implement Pennsylvania's Kindergarten Entry Inventory on a voluntary basis beginning in the 2015-16 school year. The Kindergarten Entry Inventory is available to all school districts at no cost.

In order to implement the Kindergarten Entry Inventory, a Kindergarten Entry Inventory Point of Contact (KEI-POC) is required. The KEI-POC will act as the liaison between local education agency (LEA) administrative staff, implementing kindergarten teachers, and OCDEL and data systems staff. Having a dedicated KEI-POC will ensure that effective communication and implementation occurs throughout the KEI process. Please send the KEI-POC name, email address and phone number to RA-PWOCDELKEI@pa.gov by March 13, 2015. Receipt of this information will initiate participation in Cohort 2: 2015 Kindergarten Entry Inventory.

Please note: If your LEA participated in Cohort 1: 2014 Kindergarten Entry Inventory, a KEI-POC must be assigned for 2015 implementation.

All kindergarten teachers who have not previously participated must complete skills and scoring practice professional development and complete a proficient user assignment in order to gain access to the web-based data system. Teachers with a proficient user certificate of completion do not need to repeat the professional development protocol.

The tentative training schedule is as follows:

March - June:

Face-to-face skills and scoring practice professional development available/ dependent on number of teachers and availability of OCDEL staff

March -September:

Asynchronous webinar available for skills and scoring practice professional development

ALL implementing kindergarten teachers without a proficient user certificate of completion MUST complete either face-to-face or asynchronous training.

August-September:

KEI systems professional development opportunities available

By the start of school:

Implementing kindergarten teachers must have proficient user certificate of completion on file in order to gain systems access

45 calendar days from start of school:

Observation and evidence collection/scoring completed

60 calendar days from start of school:

Data submissions (student outcomes) finalized within data system

Questions about this communication may be sent to RA-PWOCDELKEI@pa.gov.

Submit an Article for the May 2015 Pennsylvania Administrator Theme Issue

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 1:45:28 PM EST

The May 2015 issue of the Pennsylvania Administrator focuses on the theme, "Teacher Effectiveness: Celebrations and Challenges."

The passage of Act 82 in 2012 has given Pennsylvania educators new guidelines for assessing the effectiveness of both school teachers and administrators. With any new implementation, there comes trials and tribulations (or celebrations and challenges). The May issue of the Pennsylvania Administrator will focus on stories from the field as districts implement the new effectiveness processes. In particular, we are interested in articles from the field that address some of the following:

How the district has aligned the Act 82 guidelines with a differentiated supervision plan.
How the district is dealing with the teacher specific component.
How the district has handled the student learning objective (SLO) component with both the teacher and principal.
Any issues that have surfaced with the Act 82 forms.
Effective tools school leaders are using with the processes.

Articles should be no longer than 1,500 words and must be submitted via e-mail as a Microsoft Word document. A biographical sketch and a high resolution (300 dpi is preferred), color photograph of the author(s) (saved as a JPEG or a TIFF file) must accompany all articles. E-mail articles to sherit@paessp.org. The deadline to submit an article is March 6, 2015.

NASSP Opposes Current ESEA Changes (H.R. 5)

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 10:46:13 AM EST

NASSP opposes current ESEA changes (H.R. 5). See link below to read more about what changes are being proposed.

http://www.paessp.org/resource/images/stories/documents/legislative/esea_issues_sheet.pdf

PAESSP Sponsors Community Forum on Drugs To Air Thursday Evening

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 10:20:37 AM EST

Real Life / Real Issues WITF Community Forum is a PAESSP-sponsored event and tackles the issues of drug use and young people. This televised forum will air on WITF and its affiliate stations on Thursday, February 19, 2015, from 8:30-10:00 p.m. You won't want to miss the stories shared by parents who lost a child due to heroin, and the panel of experts who will discuss current problems and solutions. Look for broadcast information in your area on public television stations.

PAESSP Gets Some Snippets on Upcoming Governor?s Budget

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 10:38:11 AM EST

PAESSP is one of the educational organizations that has been invited to the table for periodic education policy updates from the Governor’s office. I attended the first briefing under the new administration this morning and we were provided with some insights into the upcoming Governor’s proposed budget. Sarah Galbally, Deputy Secretary of Policy and Planning in the Office of the Governor, shared the following:

Much of the attention has been dedicated to the crafting of the budget and the budget address on March 3, 2015.

The budget will reflect the Governor’s commitment to education and it will be his number one priority.

The Governor is an advocate for a fair funding formula and the budget will also address this area and his office is very interested in working with the Basic Education Commission on a formula.

Beyond funding, the Governor will explore issues with accountability for new funding leading to better outcomes for students, early childhood education, career and technical schools, higher education and the PlanCon process.

Each organization had an opportunity to share its major platform issues and PAESSP forwarded the following:

Fair Education Funding Formula.
Pension Reform – we pointed out that the increases have had a devastating impact on our schools and our leaders are faced with both program and people cuts which directly affect our students.
Charter and Cyber School Funding.
Mandate Relief.

Dr. Paul M. Healey
PAESSP Executive Director

Kindergarten Entry Inventory - Cohort 2

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 10:29:53 AM EST

This message also serves as an invitation for all non-focus and priority schools who wish to implement Pennsylvania's Kindergarten Entry Inventory on a voluntary basis beginning in the 2015-16 school year. The Kindergarten Entry Inventory is available to all school districts at no cost.

In order to implement the Kindergarten Entry Inventory, a Kindergarten Entry Inventory Point of Contact (KEI-POC) is required. The KEI-POC will act as the liaison between local education agency (LEA) administrative staff, implementing kindergarten teachers, and OCDEL and data systems staff. Having a dedicated KEI-POC will ensure that effective communication and implementation occurs throughout the KEI process. Please send the KEI-POC name, email address and phone number to RA-PWOCDKEI@pa.gov by March 13, 2015. Receipt of this information will initiate participation in Cohort 2: 2015 Kindergarten Entry Inventory.

Please note: If your LEA participated in Cohort 1: 2014 Kindergarten Entry Inventory, a KEI-POC must be assigned for 2015 implementation.

The tentative training schedule is as follows:

March - June:

Face-to-face skills and scoring practice professional development available/ dependent on number of teachers and availability of OCDEL staff

March -September:

Asynchronous webinar available for skills and scoring practice professional development

ALL implementing kindergarten teachers without a proficient user certificate of completion MUST complete either face-to-face or asynchronous training.

August-September:

KEI systems professional development opportunities available

By the start of school:

Implementing kindergarten teachers must have proficient user certificate of completion on file in order to gain systems access

45 calendar days from start of school:

Observation and evidence collection/scoring completed

60 calendar days from start of school:

Data submissions (student outcomes) finalized within data system

Winter Keystone Corrections Window and Matching Records to PIMS

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 8:35:47 AM EST

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has been notified that certain local education agencies (LEA) have student records from the 2014-15 winter Keystone Exams that do not match to Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS) data. If you received a message from Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) that your LEA has been identified, your LEA must log into DRC eDIRECT Keystone Corrections System and attempt to match these students to PIMS records.

The 2014-15 winter Keystone Corrections System will be available Feb. 11-18, 2015. The Keystone Corrections System is available via eDIRECT at https://pa.drcedirect.com.

This online corrections system must be used to update the student matching criteria (PAsecureID, Last Name, First Name, and Date of Birth) for any student record that is not matched to PIMS data. These records are typically unmatched because the information provided for the student is not exactly the same as the data that was provided to DRC in the PIMS Keystone reporting file. The information could have been bubbled incorrectly on an answer booklet for a student using a district/school label or provided incorrectly when student data was uploaded directly into eDIRECT.

The unmatched student records can be identified by an 'N' found in the PIMS match column within the corrections system. It is the LEA's responsibility to log into the corrections system and attempt to match every student to PIMS.

Note: If the unmatched student record was not uploaded to PIMS prior to the production of the winter Keystone reporting file, updating the matching criteria will not produce a successful match.

If you have questions about the corrections system, please contact a DRC Pennsylvania Customer Service Representative at 1.800.451.7849 or pacustomerservice@datarecognitioncorp.com.

For all other questions, please contact PDE's Division of Performance Analysis and Reporting at 717.705.2343 or ra-pas@pa.gov.

New Legislation Introduced Regarding Keystone Exams

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 8:09:50 AM EST

State Rep. Mike Tobash has introduced HB 168, which amends the Public School Code to eliminate all Keystone Exam subjects except Algebra I, literature and biology and prohibits the exam from being used as a statewide graduation requirement.

PASA Women's Caucus Conference - May 3-5: Registration Now Open

Thu, 05 Feb 2015 9:07:10 AM EST

Registration is now open for the WOMEN'S CAUCUS 2015 ANNUAL SPRING CONFERENCE, Sunday, May 3 - Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at The Hotel Hershey in Hershey, PA -- a professional development program offered by the Women's Caucus of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA). The focus is "Leading and Learning in a Diverse and Challenging World."

This conference features speakers, numerous educational sessions, and many opportunities for networking and professional growth.

Featured presenters this year include:

* Dr. Dana Lightman, author and founder of POWER Optimism - "Leadership with a Positive Edge"

* Mary Curley, director of communications, Chester Co. I.U. - "Establishing and Implementing Effective Communication Strategies"

* Hannah Barrick, director of advocacy, PASA/PASBO - "Legislative Update: Changing Faces, Continuing Challenges"

Featured educational sessions include:

* Building a Global Competence Within Our Students

* Literacy Achievement

* Growing Inequality and Diversity for Leadership

* Update from the PDE

* Insights and Inspirations from the Superintendency

* Legal Update

* Is Everybody Welcome? Building Diverse Classrooms

Entire conference: $325 for PASA members/$445 for non-members. (Additional registration options available.) Fee includes materials for the conference, meals and receptions.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARTICIPANT. Deadline: April 3. See the conference registration form for details.

TO REGISTER: See the PASA web site at www.pasa-net.org/workshopWC2015.asp for a registration form, directions for making hotel reservations and other conference information, or call PASA at (717) 540-4448.

Register Now: Supporting Principal Leadership for Pre-K ? 3rd Grade Learning Communities

Wed, 04 Feb 2015 3:15:26 PM EST

Register now for a webinar, "Supporting Principal Leadership for Pre-K - 3rd Grade Learning Communities," will be held on Monday, March 2, 2015 from 3:00 - 4:15 PM (Eastern). The webinar is presented by The Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (CEELO); National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP); and National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education (NAECS-SDE).

The evolving role of today’s elementary principal offers an unprecedented opportunity to provide leadership to pre-K – 3rd grade learning communities, often extending beyond school walls to work with diverse community partners. Yet most principals have little training in effective early childhood instruction and pedagogy; and there are few resources that provide clear guidance to principals in this critical role. NAESP’s recently released, “Leading Pre-K-3 Learning Communities: Competencies for Effective Practice” offers principals, teachers, family members, and others best practices, relevant resources, and indicators to guide new efforts to align early care and education with early elementary grades.

Click here to register and for more information.

OPEN BOARD POSITIONS FOR 2015 PAESSP ELECTION

Wed, 04 Feb 2015 10:53:00 AM EST

Dr. Dina G. Wert, a former National Distinguished Principal (NDP) and an elementary principal in the Downingtown Area School District, has been appointed by the PAESSP president to serve as the chairperson of the 2015 PAESSP Nominations Committee. The committee also includes Dr. Barry L. Purvis, a retired secondary principal in the Chambersburg Area School District, and Dr. Betsy Adams, a retired secondary principal in the Conrad Weiser Area School District.

If you are interested in running for one of the open board positions (president-elect must be an elementary member; or regional representative – click on link below for open positions) in the 2015 PAESSP election, please contact the PAESSP office at snyder@paessp.org or (717) 732-4999 for an application. Applications must be received in the PAESSP office by Monday, Feb. 23, 2015.

Statewide Elected Position:

President-Elect – Must be an Elementary Member

Click here for the President-Elect Duties and Responsibilities (From the PAESSP Policy Manual).

Click Here for the Open Regional Representative Positions

Click here for the Regional Representative Duties and Responsibilities (From the PAESSP Policy Manual).

The National Exercise Program

Wed, 04 Feb 2015 9:08:00 AM EST

The National Exercise Program (NEP) consists of whole community exercises from across the country that align to national strategic goals - Principals' Objectives - set every two years by the White House's Homeland Security Council/Principals Committee. For each two-year NEP cycle, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) works with exercise sponsors within all levels of government, the private sector and non-governmental organizations to incorporate their existing planned or scheduled exercises into the NEP. The NEP may be used to assist in safe school initiatives and to create greater coordination and collaboration in a community to move toward a more secure and resilient nation.

To visit the NEP website, click here.

For facts about NEP, click here.

For a nomination form, click here.

Fair School Funding Twitter Chat Wrap-Up

Tue, 03 Feb 2015 8:12:17 AM EST

If you missed the last #FairFundingPA Twitter chat, click this link to read the comments: http://sfy.co/a0CeD

Updated Salary Data Available

Mon, 02 Feb 2015 11:29:58 AM EST

Attention PAESSP Members: The updated salary data for 2013-2014 from PDE is now available on our web site. Click on PAESSP Salary Search on the Home Page. A new PRINT feature has been added, which allows you to print your results. You must log in to access this information.

Senate and House Committees Finalized

Fri, 23 Jan 2015 9:15:48 AM EST

The Senate and House of Representatives have finalized the rosters for the standing committees in their chambers. Here are the rosters for the State Education Committees:
Senate Education Committee: Republicans: Lloyd Smucker, chairman; Mike Folmer, Vice Chairman; Patrick Browne; John Eichelberger; Dominic Pileggi; Robert M. Tomlinson. Democrats: Andrew Dinniman, Democratic chairman; Daylin Leach; Rob Teplitz; Anthony Hardy Williams.

House Education Committee: Republicans: Stanley Saylor, chairman; Rosemary Brown; Jim Christiana; Hal English; Mark Gillen; Seth Grove; Kristin Phillips Hill; Harry Lewis; Bernie O'Neill; Thomas Quigley; Kathy Rapp; Mike Reese; Craig Staats; Will Tallman; Mike Tobash; DanTruitt. Democrats: James Roebuck, James R., Jr., Democratic chairman; Michael Carroll; Scott Conklin; Patrick Harkins; Patty Kim; Mark Longietti; Dan Miller; Gerald Mullery; Michael O'Brien; Steve Santarsiero; Kevin Schreiber.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, Jan. 23, 2015.

INVITATION: Twitter Chat on Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding Commission?s Work

Thu, 22 Jan 2015 10:44:55 AM EST

The first monthly Twitter chat of 2015 with Pennsylvania’s major education leadership organizations is set for Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. The January chat will focus on a fair, predictable public school funding formula and the on-going work of the state’s basic education funding commission. Use hashtag #PAEdFunding to participate and follow the conversation.

On the last Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m., the following organizations go to Twitter to discuss timely topics, ask questions and listen to the public’s responses:

The Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA);
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA);
The Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO);
The Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP)
The Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools (PARSS)

How to Get Started

@PASASupts – Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators
@PSBA – Pennsylvania School Boards Association
@PASBO_org – Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials
@PAESSP -- Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals
@PARSS2go – Pennsylvania Association of Rural and School Schools

What is a Twitter Chat?

Follow the Conversation or Check Back Later

To follow a Twitter chat live or to read the conversation later, log-on to Twitter, click on the #Discover link, then search for #PAEdFunding. Search for the hashtag. You can see all of the recent tweets on that topic. Then, read, reply and post your own thoughts and messages.

It’s That Easy to Join the Conversation!

NASSP Honors Three Principals for Technology Leadership

Thu, 22 Jan 2015 10:06:46 AM EST

2015 Digital Principal honors awarded to leaders in Marlyland, Michigan, and Pennsylvania

Click here for the full press release.

Scarnati Announces Senate Republican Standing Committee Memberships for 2015 -2016

Tue, 20 Jan 2015 9:51:27 AM EST

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25) [today] announced the Republican members for each of the 22 Senate Standing Committees for the 2015-2016 legislative session. “Senate Committees provide a strong and experienced environment for legislation to be vetted and shaped before moving on to the full Senate,” Scarnati said. “We are fortunate to have members from diverse backgrounds who will offer insightful perspective as issues advance and policies are formed.” Click here for the full article.

Source: Senator Scarnati's website, January 19, 2015.

Mt. Pleasant Area Principal/PAESSP Member Appears in Golden Globe-Nominated 'Foxcatcher'

Tue, 20 Jan 2015 8:48:46 AM EST

Those associated with Mt. Pleasant Area Junior-Senior High School who venture out to see the major motion picture “Foxcatcher,” might see a familiar face or two on the silver screen.

The Golden Globe Award-nominated film was filmed in western Pennsylvania in the fall of 2012, and appearing in the production will be school Principal Ken Williams and junior high school health and physical education instructor B.J. Mikeska.

Read more: http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourmtpleasant/7361734-74/williams-movie-wrestling#ixzz3PN0geHRU

Source: TribLive, Dec. 17, 2014.
Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook

Joint Statement: Education Leaders Believe Selection of Rivera Signals Fairness, Equity

Tue, 20 Jan 2015 8:03:49 AM EST

Pennsylvania’s major education leadership organizations released the following statement today [Jan. 19] on the news that Governor-elect Tom Wolf named Pedro A. Rivera to serve as Secretary of Education. Click here for the joint statement.

Click on the links below for more:

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/01/wolf_names_nominees_for_secret.html

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20150120_Wolf_names_Phila__native_Pedro_Rivera_as_his_Secretary_of_Education.html

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2015/01/19/Tom-Wolf-Lancaster-superintendent-Pedro-Rivera-lead-Pennsylvania-Department-Education/stories/201501190134

Invitation to Apply -- P-3 Governor?s Institute

Wed, 14 Jan 2015 1:01:06 PM EST

The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning is pleased to announce the 2015 Prekindergarten to Grade 3 (P-3) Governor’s Institute: P-3 Collaboration-Working Together for Student Success. The purpose of Pennsylvania’s P-3 Governor’s Institute is to help school districts, early learning providers and community organizations throughout the commonwealth make the vital connections and collaborations necessary for student success from birth through grade 3. The 2015 P-3 Governor’s Institutes are being offered regionally for the
following dates/locations:

Each institute begins on Sunday evening and ends on Wednesday at noon:

•     June 14-17 Radisson Hotel Valley Forge—King of Prussia
•     June 21-24 Doubletree—Monroeville
•     July 12-15 The Ambassador Center—Erie
•     July 26-29 Hilton—Scranton

Participation in the 2015 institute is limited to 28 teams per region. Participating teams will be selected through an application process. Districts may submit applications for more than one team. Teams should be built around a specific elementary school, its feeder early learning programs and the local community. Selected teams will participate in this 4-day event focusing on Kristie Kauerz’ Framework for Planning, Implementing and Evaluating Pre-K-3^rd Grade Approaches. Professional development will be offered to support team specific implementation of P-3 efforts.

The framework can be accessed at:

http://depts.washington.edu/pthru3/PreK-3rd_Framework_Legal%20paper.pdf

Most expenses will be covered for participating teams using Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge grant funds. Act 48 professional development
credits and Pennsylvania Quality Assurance System (PQAS) hours will be offered.

To be considered for participation in this event, participating teams must agree to the following:

Attend the entire 4-day event;
Bring a core team of no less than four educators (maximum participating team of eight members): a 0-5 administrator, a 0-5
practitioner, a K-3 administrator and a K-3 practitioner. Preference will be given to applicants who include up to four of the following; family
representative or family liaison, Early Intervention representative community member, librarian, curriculum specialist, higher education partner, intermediate unit representative;
Engage in continuous improvement via implementation and sharing of strategies/programs that will enhance student achievement; and
Maintain an active role in the Governor’s Institute cohort subsequent to the event (e.g., professional learning community, webinars, monthly
follow up).

Deadline to complete the application is February 23, 2015.

The application can be accessed at: 2014 P-3 Governor's Institute

If you have any questions, please contact Jolie Phillips at
jolphillip@pa.gov.

GrapeSEED Oral Language Acquisition Program Preview

Tue, 13 Jan 2015 12:54:37 PM EST

You are invited to an exclusive educational event in your area, at no charge, on GrapeSEED, the oral language and critical listening program for preschool-K-2 that's being hailed as a game-changer by educators in the US and globally.

The just-released 2013-14 research studies by Oakland University involving Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and English as a Second Language (ESL) students provide a clear evidence of highly significant gains by schools that implemented GrapeSEED.

Agenda:

1. Why educators are excited about GrapeSEED!

2. How GrapeSEED works to close the language achievement gap naturally

3. Analysis of Oakland University's latest studies involving preschool and K-2 classrooms

Watch & hear testimonials, videos and songs, and experience for yourself what makes GrapeSEED a fun and learning experience for children!

Learn more about our Previews.

Location: Allegheny Intermediate Unit - AIU3

475 East Waterfront Drive

Homestead, PA 15120

Date: Thursday Jan 29, 2015

Time: 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM Eastern Time. Dinner is included at no charge.

Directions:

https://goo.gl/maps/zJWvj

Sign up | Check out other locations and dates

Education, Spending Roles Finally Being Cast

Tue, 13 Jan 2015 9:21:09 AM EST

The state House and Senate GOP leaders have named the chairs of their education committees. Lawmakers expect the panels to see a lot of action in the coming legislative session, since Gov.-elect Tom Wolf has underlined education funding as his top priority upon entering office.

Click here for the full story.

Source: WITF, Jan. 12, 2015.

Smucker Tapped To Lead Senate Education Committee

Tue, 13 Jan 2015 9:11:10 AM EST

Lloyd Smucker has a new job in the state Legislature. The Republican state senator will lead the high-profile Education Committee for the two-year legislative session that started last week.

The West Lampeter Township lawmaker is taking over the position previously held by Sen. Mike Folmer of Lebanon County. Folmer was chosen to head the State Government Committee — Smucker’s old post. Meanwhile, Ryan Aument was chosen to serve as chairman of the Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee. The panel is responsible for reviewing proposals to restructure state government, cut costs and improve government efficiency.

As chairman of the Education Committee, Smucker has been given the assignment to oversee a public education system that has been strained in part by the underfunded Public School Employees’ Retirement System. Smucker discussed in a press release the importance of his new position, why he feels he is the right person to tackle the problems facing the system and what he hopes to accomplish.

Click here for press release.

Source: Lancaster Online by Karen Shuey, staff writer, posted: Monday, January 12, 2015 11:25 a.m.

PA Senate Bill 1 Pension Reform Likely to Include Defined Contribution Plan

Fri, 09 Jan 2015 10:23:00 AM EST

Pension reform has been given the key moniker of Senate Bill 1 and will likely take the form of a defined contribution plan, a key player in the process told The PLS Reporter this week.

During Tuesday’s swearing-in day ceremonies in the Senate, newly re-elected President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) raised the prospects of pension reform legislation to a new level by declaring a pension reform bill will take on the prestigious title of Senate Bill 1, a more-than-symbolic gesture emphasizing the importance of the issue to the Senate.

“Moving the state pension system more in line with that of the private sector is one of the most significant means we have to gain more revenue, for needs like education,” Sen. Scarnati stated during Tuesday’s ceremony. “Pension reform will be Senate Bill 1 and a top priority this session.”

According to Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), a longtime pensionphile and current chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the pension reforms included in the bill are likely to include a shift to a defined contribution plan from the current defined benefit plan.

“I would expect that its platform would include a defined contribution plan for new school district and state workers as the foundation of the proposal,” he told The PLS Reporter.

Click here for the full article.

Source: The PLS Reporter, Author: Jason Gottesman, Thursday, January 8, 2015.

ESEA Priorities Letter Sent to Congress

Fri, 09 Jan 2015 10:07:04 AM EST

A letter on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reauthorization was sent yesterday to congressional leaders by NAESP, NASSP and the American Federation of School Administrators. (See links below.)

There has been a lot of talk that the Senate will move very quickly this winter on a bill to reauthorize ESEA. NASSP and NAESP have been and will continue to conduct meetings with Senate Education Committee staff regarding the bill and our priorities.

ESEA Letter 1

ESEA Letter 2

Attend WITF's Real Life / Real Issues: Drugs and Young People Forum on January 17, 2015

Fri, 09 Jan 2015 8:34:00 AM EST

Attention PAESSP Members: You are invited to attend the Real Life / Real Issues: Drugs and Young People Community Forum on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 12 p.m. (noon) at the WITF Public Media Center, 4801, Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111 - for a discussion of the dangers facing young Pennsylvanians. A reception will be held at noon, followed by the viewing as an audience member of the live taping of "Real Life / Real Issues: Drugs and Young People." PAESSP is a prime sponsor of this program.

Heroin has undergone a resurrection. A powerful opioid drug that was once only the scourge of inner cities is now widely available, cheap and being abused in the middle class suburbs and even the most rural areas of Pennsylvania. But heroin isn't the only story. In fact, prescription medications, especially painkillers, are abused more often.

The snow date is Saturday, February 7, 2015.

Click on this link for more information: http://www.witf.org/community/witf-events/2015/01/please-join-us-for-an-important-community-forum.php

Register Now for PAESSP's Aspiring Principals' Workshops - Feb. 6-7 - Lancaster

Thu, 08 Jan 2015 11:33:45 AM EST

PAESSP has announced its Aspiring Principals Workshop schedule for 2015 - Previewing the Principalship and Getting the Job-Done Right! - to be held in two locations: the Eden Resort, Lancaster, and the Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh (see below for the Workshop Schedule). The workshops will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and lunch will be provided. The cost for each workshop is $175, but are now being offered for $150, provided to you at a discounted rate through a grant from The Horace Mann Companies.

2015 Workshop Schedule

Previewing the Principalship-- A hands-on workshop designed to familiarize participants with the daily functions of the principalship.

- Friday, February 6 - Eden Resort, Lancaster

- Friday, May 8 - Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh

- Saturday, February 7 - Eden Resort, Lancaster

- Saturday, May 9 - Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh

Click here for the Registration Form.

(Note: The form is writeable, but you must open the file in a different viewer at the top of your screen. Then, click on Open With to access the writeable file.

Click here for the Session Descriptions.

Click here for the 2015 Workshop Flyer.

Child Abuse Fact Sheet -- Clearances

Tue, 23 Dec 2014 11:08:55 AM EST

There are new regulations involving Child Abuse Clearances and this Fact Sheet produced by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) is an excellent overview of the changes. Click here for the Fact Sheet.

Act 168: Required Employment History Review and Forms

Mon, 22 Dec 2014 10:45:33 AM EST

Required Employment History Review Procedure and Forms

Act 168 of 2014 amends the Public School Code of 1949, to provide direction regarding employment history reviews for all new employees who will have direct contact with children. The Act also requires the Pennsylvania Department of Education ("Department") to obtain and monitor arrest and case disposition information for educators.

The information below focuses on the process for employment history review as dictated by Act 168, explain the use of forms related to the employment history review and explain the process for accessing information regarding "pending criminal charge" information as directed by Act 168.

_______________________________________________________________

As of December 22, 2014, all school entities and/or independent contractors of a school entity (collectively referred to herein as "hiring entity") must conduct an employment history review for any prospective employee prior to hiring, if the employee will be hired for a position where he/she will have direct contact with children. Direct contact with children is defined as the "possibility of care, supervision, guidance, control or routine interaction with children."

Summary of Act 168 Requirements

In addition to satisfying pre-existing employment requirements of the Public School Code and the Child Protective Services Law, the hiring entity must require an applicant under consideration for employment in a position where he/she will have direct contact with children to provide contact information for the following:

1. Current employer (regardless of whether the current employer is a school entity or where the applicant is employed in a position that involves direct contact with children); 2. All former employers that were school entities; and 3. All former employers where the applicant was employed in a position that involved direct contact with children.

The above information must be provided on the Department's form titled "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Sexual Misconduct/Abuse Disclosure Release" form: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/http;/www.portal.state.pa.us;80/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_148494_1464556_0_0_18/Form-DPTT.pdf.

A separate form must be filled out for each current and former employer. The applicant must also consent to the current/former employer's disclosure of any information regarding abuse and/or sexual misconduct. An applicant for a position involving direct contact with children cannot be hired unless the applicant provides the required information.

In addition to disclosing current/former employers, an applicant must respond affirmatively or negatively to the following questions on the Sexual Misconduct/Abuse Disclosure Release form: whether they have ever been the subject of an abuse or sexual misconduct investigation by any employer, state licensing agency, law enforcement agency or child protective services agency; whether they were disciplined, discharged, non-renewed, asked to resign from employment, resigned from or otherwise separated from employment while allegations of abuse or sexual misconduct were pending or under investigation or due to adjudication or findings of abuse or sexual misconduct; and/or had a license, professional license or certificate suspended, surrendered or revoked while allegations of abuse or sexual misconduct were pending or under investigation or due to an adjudication or findings of abuse or sexual misconduct.

Upon receipt of the completed Sexual Misconduct/Abuse Disclosure Release form(s), the hiring entity, if the applicant is still under consideration for employment, must then submit the form(s) to the current/former employer(s) to verify the information provided by the applicant by completing section 2 of the form. The current/former employer(s) have 20 days to respond to the request. Failure by the current/former employer(s) to respond and provide the information requested can result in civil penalties and/or violations of the Educator Misconduct Act.

Any affirmative response by the current/former employer(s) to the questions regarding abuse and/or sexual misconduct could terminate the applicant's opportunity for employment or the hiring entity could decide to continue to consider the applicant for employment. If the applicant is still being considered for employment, the hiring entity must submit the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Sexual Misconduct/Abuse Disclosure Information Request" form to the affirmatively responding current/former employer(s). In response to receipt of a Sexual Misconduct/Abuse Disclosure Information Request, the current/former employer(s) must disclose all information and documentation related to the allegations within 60 days. Sexual Misconduct/Abuse Disclosure Information Request form: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/http;/www.portal.state.pa.us;80/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_148494_1464555_0_0_18/Form%20-%20DPTT%20-%20employer%20follow%20up.pdf.

Provisional employment of applicants pending responses by current/former employers can be made for up to 90 days of employment, if the applicant meets certain requirements.

Verifying Employment Eligibility or Certification and Pending Criminal Charges

In addition to verifying the applicant's history regarding abuse and/or sexual misconduct, Act 168 also requires that when the applicant is an educator who holds public or private school certification and/or has been assigned a Professional Personnel Identification number ("PPID"), the hiring entity must ensure that the applicant has a valid and active certification appropriate for the position, determine whether the applicant has been the subject of public professional discipline, and ascertain whether the educator has pending criminal charges.

Information concerning certification status and public professional discipline can be found in the Teacher Information Management System ("TIMS"). In addition, information concerning pending criminal charges will also now be available through TIMS. Hiring entities that are provisioned users of TIMS can determine whether an educator has pending criminal charges by searching the educator by name or PPID and clicking on "View Complete Profile. Hiring entities that are not provisioned can access the same information by searching the educator by PPID from the public access site: http://www.teachercertification.pa.gov/Screens/wfSearchEducators.aspx.

For example, for an educator with pending criminal charges, you would see the following notation in the Educator Complete Profile: Pending Criminal Charges: Yes - The Department has information of pending criminal charges. Please contact the Pennsylvania Department of Education Office of Chief Counsel at 717-787-5500.

For an educator without pending criminal charges, you would see the following: Pending Criminal Charges: No - The Department has no information of pending criminal charges. The Department provides this information pursuant to Act 168 which does not relieve a public or private school entity from its duty to obtain any and all required criminal clearances pursuant to 24 P.S. §1-111.

A "Pending Criminal Charges" indicator means that the educator has been criminally charged with a misdemeanor or felony crime, which includes pending pre-trial diversionary program completion (i.e. an ARD program).

The information reflected in TIMS regarding pending criminal charges has been received by the Department from the Pennsylvania Justice Network ("JNET"), which provides the Department with limited public information about criminal charges. If it is noted that the applicant has pending criminal charges in TIMS, the hiring entity may contact the Department's Office of Chief Counsel at 717-787-5500 for information regarding charge information, the date of the charges and the county where the charges were incurred. Hiring entities may also verify the charges and obtain this information by accessing the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal, which is a free database of publicly available criminal information. Access to the portal can be made at https://ujsportal.pacourts.us.

Please note that the information available on TIMS is only provided for educators holding a Pennsylvania public or private teaching certification and/or a PPID number. Information for any other applicants is not available on TIMS.

U.S. Department of Education Principal Ambassador Fellowship Program

Fri, 19 Dec 2014 8:08:52 AM EST

Applications are now available for the U.S. Department of Education Principal Ambassador Fellowship Program (2015-2016 school year) at: http://www.ed.gov/blog/2014/12/2015-2016-teaching-and-principal-ambassador-fellowship-program-applications-now-available/. The deadline for submission is January 20, 2015.

Live, Online Session - School Bullying & Social Emotional Learning

Tue, 16 Dec 2014 11:41:25 AM EST

The Center for Safe Schools has announced the third session in the 2014-2015 Third Thursday Bullying Prevention Online Learning Series. On Thursday, December 18, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., "School Bullying and Social Emotional Learning", a live online learning session for educators will be held.

Supported with funding from the Highmark Foundation, this session will be presented by Stacie Molnar-Main, Ed.D. of the Center for Safe Schools.

In recent years, the focus of most bullying prevention efforts in schools has been on systemic approaches to improving school climate and bystander behavior. This focus is warranted based upon what is known about the social and ecological nature of bullying. Yet, bullying is more than a climate issue. It is also a matter that affects individual children. This webinar focuses on the relationship between social-emotional development in individuals and involvement in bullying. The session introduces a new tool designed to assist schools in assessing school-wide bullying prevention strategies and in identifying class-level and individual-level interventions that support bullying prevention.

The Center for Schools and Communities, as a division of the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, is offering Act 48 professional development credit for those with Pennsylvania teaching or administrative certificates. Participants must attend the online session from beginning to end to receive credit. Only specified professional development sessions are available for credit. The Record of Attendance will be e-mailed to participants upon completion of the session. If you are interested in receiving Act 48 credit, please check the appropriate box on the registration form.

Please register for "School Bullying and Social Emotional Learning" on December 18, 2014 3:00 PM EDT at:

http://www.safeschools.info/bullying-prevention/professional-development

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming Third Thursdays Bullying Prevention dates:

- January 15, 2015 The Role of Physicians in Bullying Prevention, Intervention & Recovery

- February 19, 2015 Dating Violence

- March 19, 2015 Cultivating Empathy for Healthy Relationships and Collaborative Programs

- April 16, 2015 Fostering Cultural Competence: Using Children's Literature to Talk About Difficult Issues in K-12 Classrooms

- May 21, 2015 Bullying in Sports: The Injuries We Don't See

2013-14 Graduation Attribution System - URGENT

Tue, 16 Dec 2014 10:51:33 AM EST

Please be aware that an error in Cohort Graduation Rate programming used to generate the most recent DRC Graduation Attribution System data contained an error that resulted in the attribution of IEP students educated at their school of attendance within the district of residence to their district of residence only. At 6 p.m. December 15, 2014, these students were to be attributed back to their districts and schools of attendance, via the DRC Attribution System, and will appear in your Student Attribution Sending Report and your Student Attribution Receiving Report on the DRC website.

Unfortunately, any attribution that was performed on the impacted students by you will be overwritten by the correction applied on December 15, 2014. Please review your Student Attribution Receiving Report beginning December 16, 2014 and if you find any students need reattributed, please send a new request to DRC.

If you have any questions please contact the RA-CohortGraduation@pa.gov.

Principals Named to Wolf Transition Review Team for Education

Tue, 16 Dec 2014 8:10:59 AM EST

Two Pennsylvania principals and PAESSP members have been named to Governor-elect Wolf's 250+-member transition review teams (representing education). Dr. Gregory Taranto, principal at Canonsburg Middle School in the Canon-McMillan School District, and Sonia Vazquez, princpal at Donegan Elementary School in the Bethlehem Area School District, have been selected to represent K-12 education and principals across the Commonwealth.

Click here for the full article.

Source: www.pennlive.com, Dec. 15, 2014.

Call Your Senators Today!

Fri, 12 Dec 2014 8:22:36 AM EST

Thanks to your efforts the CRomnibus cleared the first hurdle by passing the House last night! However, the Senate still needs to pass the CRomnibus and a vote in the Senate could come as early as today (Friday). Last night, both the House and Senate approved a two day Continuing Resolution to keep the government up and running, however that expires on Saturday so the Senate must act by then.

Please call your Senators and share this message:

On behalf of the nation’s secondary school principals, I urge you to vote YES on H.R. 83, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015. While the CRomnibus is not a perfect bill, it will provide needed investments in foundational education programs such as Title I and IDEA, and a level of fiscal stability and certainty to our nation’s students, schools, teachers and principals.

You can find your Senators’ contact information at www.senate.gov.

Principal Certification Program

Fri, 05 Dec 2014 10:02:27 AM EST

Dear PAESSP Member: Do you have teachers in your building who are considering a career as a school leader? If so, Penn State Harrisburg has just revamped its Principal Certification Program with the working individual in mind. The new program combines face-to-face learning with online learning and an individual can complete the program within one year. Please distribute this information below as you see fit to any aspiring leaders. I can attest to the quality of this program as I was involved in overseeing this program for Penn State Harrisburg before my arrival at PAESSP.

Thanks,
Dr. Paul M. Healey, PAESSP Executive Director

________________________________

Principal Certification Program Revisions Mean Greater Flexibility

The Principal Certification Program has been nationally recognized by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The program features:

Greater flexibility and a condensed time frame to complete the requirements for principal certification in Pennsylvania
Five courses (15 credits) and an internship that can be completed in one year via blended delivery of face-to-face and online instruction
Students take courses at their own pace and may enter the program at the start of any semester
Topics include: principles and practices of school administrators, school law, school improvement, financial management and instructional supervision
Faculty who hold doctoral degree and are practitioners in regional school districts
Successful placement of our graduates
Four of the five required courses can also count toward the M.Ed. in Teaching and Curriculum offered at Penn State Harrisburg - http://harrisburg.psu.edu/programs/master-education-teaching-and-curriculum
Courses that are also appropriate for any teachers intending to fill leadership roles in their schools

Spring 2015 courses:
Financial Management for Schools (EDLDR 579) - January 17-February 26 + web
Principles of Instructional Supervision (EDLDR 560) - March 19-May 1 + web

For more information about the Principal Certification Program, contact Dr. Denise G. Meister at 717-948-6539 or dgm122@psu.edu.

For complete program information, visit http://harrisburg.psu.edu/programs/principal-certification-program.

Revisions Made to Teacher Rating Tool - 82-1

Wed, 03 Dec 2014 1:50:16 PM EST

Attention PAESSP Members: Today, I received information that revisions have been made to the Teacher rating tool - 82-1. The webinar below (click on the link) is a very good overview explaining the revisions and how to use the tool this year. As always, we will continue to monitor both the teacher and principal tools and push out information when we receive it. --Dr. Paul M. Healey, PAESSP Executive Director

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuGTy1m8lbIÂ

Governor Corbett Announces $2.6 Million in Safe Schools Targeted Grants

Fri, 21 Nov 2014 2:20:24 PM EST

Gov. Tom Corbett today announced that $2.6 million has been awarded to 123 schools through the Safe Schools Targeted Grant program. This funding will be used for training and the purchase of equipment to establish or expand programs to prevent and reduce incidents of violence in public schools.

Click here for full press release.

Source: PDE Press Release, http://www.education.state.pa.us/, Nov. 21, 2014.

Wolf Plans ?To Find Funds? To Raise Education Spending

Fri, 21 Nov 2014 9:35:29 AM EST

After warnings from his team about Pennsylvania’s nearly $2 billion projected shortfall, governor-elect Tom Wolf says he still plans to push to increase education funding next year, but the newly elected Democrat acknowledges the end result will depend on negotiations with the General Assembly, which even larger Republican majorities will control in January.

“The key is that we have a $29 billion budget, and with that amount of money, part of what any governor needs to do is look at priorities,” Mr. Wolf said in a telephone interview Thursday. “There’s still plenty of money to make sure that our commonwealth is spending whatever dollars it has intelligently and that we establish the right priorities.”

“Education has to be a priority,” he said. “We’re going to have to find the funds.”

Click here for the full article.

Source: Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau, November 21, 2014 12:00 AM.

3rd Annual iPad Summit at the CAIU on December 15

Wed, 19 Nov 2014 2:22:20 PM EST

The schedule for the 3^rd Annual iPad Summit at the Capital Area Intermediate Unit (CAIU), Summerdale, Pa., on December 15, 2014, has been announced. Amazing presentations will showcase creative and innovative ways teachers are utilizing iPads in the classroom, as well as information and resources for those involved in the technical and leadership areas. There will also be poster sessions that participants can visit during the lunch break to learn about effective and efficient ways to integrate iPads.

Visit the event wikispace to view the schedule of sessions and the link for registration: http://caiuipadsummit2014.wiki.caiu.org/Home Register now. Space is limited.

Gov.-Elect Tom Wolf Names Transition Steering Committee

Wed, 19 Nov 2014 8:48:27 AM EST

Governor-elect Tom Wolf named the Steering Committee for his transition team. The steering committee will work with already named leadership on efforts to review state agencies, commissions, departments and functions. "As we begin to understand the complexity of the fiscal crisis my administration will face, it is important that my Transition Team move forward," said Governor-elect Tom Wolf. "Today's announcement, which rounds out my steering committee, continues that momentum, and I look forward to working with these individuals to address the steep fiscal and economic challenges ahead."

http://wolftransitionpa.com/sections/blog/tom-wolf-transition-steering-committee

Source: November 18, 2014 by Wolf Transition.

Pennsylvania Learns: iTunes U Course Development

Tue, 18 Nov 2014 8:24:50 AM EST

Pennsylvania is continuing its development of a series of online courses in iTunes U. Courses, aligned to the Pennsylvania standards, are designed as course resource collections and are available at no cost.

Pennsylvania educators are invited to join a Pennsylvania Learns iTunes U digital content team to assist in this work. The winter 2015 teams will convene to address the following subjects and grade levels:

* English Language Arts - Grades K-5

* Mathematics - Grades K-2; Algebra II and Geometry

* Science - Grades 5-8

This round of course development will occur on January 21, 22 and 23, 2015, at PaTTAN Harrisburg, with two additional days scheduled for February 11 and 12, 2015. PDE will pay mileage and expenses, as appropriate, and reimburse districts up to $100/day for substitute coverage.

Go to http://www.pdesas.org/Main/News/589409 to access the application to participate in this event. Deadline to apply is December 16, 2014.

Required 2015 Winter Keystone Exam Administration Training Sessions

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 2:48:48 PM EST

Click here for more information.

Big Win for Student Broadband Access

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 2:05:35 PM EST

After more than a year of intensive advocacy by NASSP and its partners, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today announced its intention to permanently increase funding for the federal E-Rate program by more than 60 percent to $3.9 billion.

As you likely know, E-Rate is the primary source of federal funding for technology infrastructure to U.S. schools and libraries. When it was first created in 1997, the E-Rate program was funded at $2.25 billion, and received only a nominal inflationary increase starting in 2010. Total funding for the program in fiscal year 2013 was $2.43 billion.

Quite simply, the funding increase translates into broadband Internet access for many more students. Funding the E-Rate program at $3.9 billion provides necessary funding to cover telecommunications services and Internet access requests, and also ensures that at least 10 million of our neediest students—particularly in rural areas—will gain access to broadband in 2015.

NASSP applauds the FCC’s and Chairman Tom Wheeler’s effort to expand educational opportunities for our nation’s students.

Principals remind us regularly that they cannot prepare students for this century without tools of this century. Modernizing E-Rate will put those tools in more students’ hands, and it will help fulfill principals’ aspirations of more personalized, student-empowered learning.

Please read more about the FCC proposal on the Principal’s Policy Blog.

Release of 2014 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment Writing Assessments

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 10:25:52 AM EST

In response to a request from several superintendents, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has initiated a plan with its Pennsylvania System of School Assessment vendor, Data Recognition Corporation, to provide districts the opportunity to receive electronic copies of their students’ writing responses from the 2014 Spring Pennsylvania System of School Assessment Writing assessment. The writing prompts from the “legacy” writing assessment will not be used in the new Pennsylvania System of School Assessment English Language Arts assessment. As such, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has approved the release of these items in response to district requests to use information from the legacy writing assessment to help gauge student writing skills and guide curriculum.

If your district is interested in receiving its students’ writing responses from the 2014 Spring Pennsylvania System of School Assessment Writing assessment, you will need to contact Data Recognition Corporation to make the necessary arrangements. Data Recognition Corporation will provide your student responses on a DVD format that will include the capability to utilize student-identifying data to search for specific results. The cost to receive a DVD containing all of the 2014 Writing assessment responses for your district is $1,600. The cost of the Writing-response DVD must be paid directly to DRC (all invoicing and logistics will be handled by Data Recognition Corporation).

Pennsylvania Pension System History

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 8:48:59 AM EST

Click on the link below for a PowerPoint presentation on Pennsylvania's Pension System History (by the Pennsylvania Department of Education): http://www.paessp.org/resource/images/stories/documents/legislative/pension_history_powerpoint.pdf

For more information, please visit PDE’s website at www.education.state.pa.us

Required 2015 Winter Keystone Exam Administration Training Sessions

Thu, 13 Nov 2014 11:04:10 AM EST

LIVE LOCATION DATE START TIMES VIDEOCONFERENCE SITES

PaTTAN Pittsburgh Nov. 18, 2014 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. PaTTAN Harrisburg, PaTTAN KOP, other IUs

PaTTAN Harrisburg (Hbg.) Nov. 20, 2014 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. PaTTAN Pittsburgh, PaTTAN KOP, other IUs

PaTTAN King of Prussia Nov. 21, 2014 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. PaTTAN Pittsburgh, PaTTAN Hbg., other IUs
(KOP)

The information being presented is critical to the administration of the winter Keystone Exams; therefore, it is required that every LEA participating in the 2014-15 Winter Keystone Exams send at least one representative to a training session. These are train-the-trainer sessions and are designed so that the representative who attends in-person can deliver the same information to his or her coordinators and administrators.

To register for the 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/2014/November.

2015-2016 SENATE AND HOUSE LEADERSHIP ELECTION RESULTS

Thu, 13 Nov 2014 9:08:10 AM EST

Click here for the 2015-2016 Senate and House Leadership Election Results.

PA Academic Review Website

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 2:33:37 PM EST

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is now fully populated with Eligible Content for English Language Arts and Mathematics in grades 3 through 8 and in Algebra I and Literature at the secondary level.

The academic review site is designed to promote awareness and understanding of our Eligible Content. The goal will be to inform and seek feedback from our educators, parents and other community members on the Eligible Content statements, their purpose and value. If after feedback is gathered and it is concluded that significant changes need to be made, PDE will engage in a revision process via public hearings.

Please encourage educators, parents, community members and other interested parties to visit http://paacademicreview.org and review the content. The feedback we receive will be invaluable as we evaluate and refine our career and postsecondary expectations for our students.

PAESSP -- Prime Sponsor of WITF's Real Life | Real Issues Drugs & Young People Program

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 11:13:38 AM EST

WITF launched its new Real Life | Real Issues Program this week. WITF's Real Life | Real Issues is a multimedia series devoted to providing several angles on a single issue of interest to Central PA. The goal is to provide in-depth coverage of the topic on all WITF media, including WITF 89.5 & 93.3, WITF TV, Central PA Magazine and witf.org. Real Life | Real Issues also engages listeners, viewers and readers on WITF's Facebook and Twitter accounts to discuss the issues with other members of the community.

WITF will explore the topic of school-aged students and dangerous drugs in-depth between November 2014 and June 2015. PAESSP is a prime sponsor of the drugs & young people topic.

This comprehensive multimedia project called Real Life l Real Issues: Drugs and young people will consist of a combination of the following: broadcast features on both TV and radio, plus print, web and social media components, as well as a public forum and workshops for parents.

RLRI link

http://www.witf.org/real/

RLRI Tumblr blog

http://real-life-addiction-in-pa.tumblr.com/

PSSC Webinar Regarding the Teacher & Principal Effectiveness Process, Dec. 15, 2014

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 9:24:42 AM EST

PSSC Webinar Regarding the Teacher & Principal Effectiveness Process With Dr. Paul Healey and Dr. Joseph Clapper, Dec. 15, 2014 at 10:30 a.m.

The Pennsylvania School Study Council (PSSC) presents a webinar regarding the Teacher and Principal Effectiveness Process titled, "Teacher and Principal Effectiveness -- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, from the Krause Innovation Studio in the College of Education at The Pennsylvania State University. Hear from the Executive Director and Assistant Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), Dr. Paul Healey and Dr. Joseph Clapper.

Topics of discussion include:
- Learn the position of PAESSP on the Act 82 Educator Effectiveness Process
- Clear up concerns
- Reinforce progress and compliance
- Provide suggestions

The cost for registration is $20 per school ($10 for PSSC and PAESSP members).

Click here for more information and a registration form.

The deadline to register is Dec. 10, 2014.

PA School Report Cards Coming Out on Thursday

Thu, 06 Nov 2014 9:13:03 AM EST

Report card on Pennsylvania schools is set for Thursday [Nov. 7] barring any unforeseen issues arising at the last minute, according to the state Department of Education. The department is expected to release the School Performance Profiles that provide parents, taxpayers, educators and students with a look at how well their school performed in 2013-14 on various measures.

The profiles provide information on graduation rate, attendance rate, promotion rate, student's academic growth and various other measures. Along with that, each school will receive an academic score. New to this year's profiles is a trend line that will include information about a school's performance on the various indicators from the 2012-13 school year. The plan is to ultimately show a five-year trend line on each school's performance, said department spokesman Tim Eller.

Click here for full article.

Source: Penn Live by Jan Murphy, November 05, 2014 at 2:55 p.m.

Tom Wolf Elected PA's 47th Governor, Defeating Republican Incumbent Tom Corbett

Wed, 05 Nov 2014 2:07:56 PM EST

On Tuesday, Nov. 4, Democrat Tom Wolf was elected as Pennsylvania’s 47th governor, defeating Republican incumbent Tom Corbett with 55% to 45% of the vote. The new Lieutenant Governor is Mike Stack, Democratic Senator from the 5th senatorial district in Philadelphia. Wolf’s election breaks the traditional cycle of the governor’s office changing parties every eight years.

Click here for Patriot-News article (www.pennlive.com).

Click here for more election results.

BE HEARD! - VOTE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4!

Tue, 04 Nov 2014 8:43:15 AM EST

Pennsylvania voters have told pollsters and candidates for months that education issues, especially education funding issues, are the most important issues in the 2014 election.

Now voters have a chance to express themselves where it really counts --- at the polls on Tuesday, November 4. The polls are open in Pennsylvania on Tuesday from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. On the ballot are candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, State House and (in some places) State Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives.

If unsure where your polling place is located, go to votespa.com

Source: EPLC Education Notebook, Monday, November 3, 2014.

Jacqueline Clarke Havrilla Named President of State Principals? Association

Fri, 31 Oct 2014 2:34:24 PM EDT

TO: News Editor/News Director

CONTACT: Sheri L. Thompson, Director of Communications, Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals

122 Valley Road, P.O. Box 39, Summerdale, PA 17093

(717) 732-4999 (Phone)

(717) 732-4890 (Fax)

sherit@paessp.org

RELEASE: UPON RECEIPT

Jacqueline Clarke Havrilla Named President of State Principals’ Association

(Harrisburg, Pa.) — Jacqueline Clarke Havrilla, principal of Evans Elementary School in the Spring-Ford Area School District, was recently named President of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa. Havrilla assumed her new position on PAESSP’s Board of Directors following the association’s annual business meeting held October 21, 2014 during its 22^nd annual state conference held in Pittsburgh.

"It is my privilege to serve the principals of Pennsylvania, especially during a time when being linked isn't an option, but a requirement, in this quickly changing world. It is important as leaders to continue to learn and grow as professionals. We have at our fingertips the means to connect that were not possible only a few years ago, and the effect that this can have on our schools and districts is limitless. PAESSP is the perfect organization to foster those connections and to give principals the tools needed to better prepare Pennsylvania's youth in the 21^stcentury," said Havrilla.

Havrilla began her education career in 1973 as an elementary school teacher at Turnpike Elementary School in the Sullivan County School District. After 21 years with Turnpike Elementary School, she became the assistant principal at Schuylkill Valley Intermediate/Middle School in the Schuylkill Valley School District from 1994-1995. She then went on to serve as assistant principal of Schuylkill Elementary School from 1995-1997; and from 1997-2002, as principal of Schuylkill Elementary School. She served as principal of Limerick Elementary School in the Spring-Ford Area School District (2002-2007) before assuming the principalship at Evans Elementary School, also in the Spring-Ford Area School District.

Havrilla has been a member of PAESSP/NAESP for 20 years. She most recently served the association as President-Elect, and from 2011-2013, she served as the East-III Elementary Regional Representative on the PAESSP Board of Directors. In addition, she is an NAESP National Certified Mentor; has served as a panelist for PAESSP’s Aspiring Principals’ Workshops; and is an Alumni Board Member at Point Park University.

Havrilla received a Bachelor of Arts degree in early childhood education from Point Park University. She also earned masters’ degrees in secondary guidance and rehabilitation counseling from the University of Scranton. Additionally, she received her K-12 administration certification from Bucknell University.

PAESSP’s membership of approximately 3,800 is comprised of elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals and other educational leaders and is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

###

PAESSP’s Mission: To ensure a quality education for every child by comprehensively supporting the educational leaders of our schools.

PAESSP’s Vision: To be the best service organization of its kind in the United States.

GoToWebinar(tm) Recording Link -"Getting Ready" for the 2015 State Assessments Recording

Fri, 31 Oct 2014 1:38:17 PM EDT

For anyone who was unable to attend one of the "Getting Ready" for the 2015 State Assessments webinars, a recording of the training session is now available at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/856561818.

2014-15 Pennsylvania State Test Administration Training

Fri, 31 Oct 2014 1:36:57 PM EDT

The revised and updated 2014-15 online training for the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) and Keystone Exams test administrators has been posted to the Pennsylvania State Test Administration Training website at https://www.pssatraining.com.

Free Seminar for School Leaders - Featuring Wayne Callender - in Two Locations: 11/5 and 11/6!

Thu, 30 Oct 2014 8:31:00 AM EDT

Leading School Improvement Efforts, a FREE seminar for school leaders featuring Wayne Callender, and sponsored by PAESSP and McGraw-Hill Education, will be held in two locations in November. The first seminar will be held Wednesday, November 5, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Four Points by Sheraton Pittsburgh North. The second seminar will be held November 6, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at Maggiano's in the King of Prussia Mall.

Click here for more information and the registration form. The deadline to register has been extended to Monday, November 3, 2014.

PAESSP Has an Approved Act 45 Program For Your Administrative Team

Wed, 29 Oct 2014 1:30:38 PM EDT

Linking Student Learning to Teacher Supervision and Evaluation is an approved 30-hour Act 45 program that PAESSP will bring to your district. It is available to any school leader who needs Act 45 hours or your entire administrative team. The cost is $150 per individual with a minimum of six participants (you can coordinate with a neighboring school district, too). For more information, contact Dr. Paul Healey, PAESSP executive director, at (717) 732-4999 or healey@paessp.org. For more information on the program, click here for the program flyer.

Data Collection for PSSA Precodes

Tue, 28 Oct 2014 10:36:10 AM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is providing an opportunity for local education agencies (LEA) to attend an online training that will address how the data from the Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS) is used by Data Recognition Corporation to produce pre-code labels for PSSA. This training will explain the templates required in this PIMS internal snapshot and the relevance to accurate data submission and reporting. The training will be followed by a question and answer period.

PDE will be offering four webinar sessions via GoToMeeting on Nov. 4, 2014, and Nov. 5, 2014. Presenters include representatives from PDE's Division of Performance Analysis and Reporting and Data Quality (PIMS). Trainings on both days will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

To register, please select one of the links provided below. Each session has a distinct registration link. Be sure to click the link associated with the session you plan to attend.

Note: Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email with the specific system requirements and link for joining each webinar:

Nov. 4, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/454832058

Nov. 4, 2014, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/714272682

Nov. 5, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/748164178

Nov. 5, 2014, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/785867954

Please contact PDE's Division of Performance Analysis and Reporting with any questions at 717.705.2343 or ra-pas@pa.gov

Eligible Content Review Website

Fri, 24 Oct 2014 1:13:19 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has developed a website to solicit feedback from the public on the eligible content in English language arts and mathematics in grades three through eight, and Algebra I and Literature at the secondary level.

Pennsylvania’s eligible content statements are a straightforward set of what the Department wants students to know and do at each grade level, and serve as the blueprint for the state assessments.

This website was designed to promote public awareness and understanding of the eligible content and obtain feedback from Pennsylvania educators, parents and the general public on the eligible content statements, their purpose and value.

If after gathering feedback PDE concludes that significant changes are needed, it will engage in a revision process via statewide public hearings.

The website is currently populated with eligible content for grade three English language arts and mathematics and is available for public review.

By mid-November, the website will be expanded to encompass the eligible content for grades three through eight and Algebra I and Literature.

Please share this information with educators, parents, community members and other interested parties and encourage them to visit http://paacademicreview.org and review the content. The feedback that is received will be invaluable as we evaluate and refine our career and postsecondary expectations for our students.

State and Federal Accountability

Mon, 13 Oct 2014 1:06:12 PM EDT

Performance Profile (SPP) in the 2012-13 school year, the Pennsylvania Department of Education recognized that special circumstances may contribute to a school's federal designation or its state School Performance Profile score. The Pennsylvania Department of Education allows schools to notify the Department of these special circumstances only if the circumstance creates an error in a school's designation or School Performance Profile score. While the Pennsylvania Department of Education is not re-designating "priority" and "focus" schools in the 2013-14 school year, we are designating a list of "reward" schools. Therefore, the Department is able to recognize two of the following three special circumstances that may impact a school's designation or school performance score: 1) the 1 percent cap; 2) participation rate; and 3) schools with no tested grades. Remember that federal designations apply only to Title I schools. An explanation of each circumstance follows:

1 percent cap: For purposes of the Federal Accountability Designation, the 1 percent cap on students who participated in the alternate assessment applies; for purposes of the School Performance Profile, the 1 percent cap does not apply. Requesting an increase in the 1 percent cap for federal purposes requires schools to petition the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Bureau of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction for a higher cap prior to the administration of the assessment. Therefore, it is too late for this special circumstance to apply. Details concerning this request for future use can be provided by contacting John Nau in the Bureau's Division of Performance Analysis and Reporting via email at jnau@pa.gov or by phone at 717.214.9391.

Participation rate: If a school fails to meet the required 95 percent participation rate for federal accountability, and this failure is due to circumstances beyond the control of the school, such as parental opt-out, the school may notify Dana Klouser via email, at RA-EDSPECCIRSPP@pa.gov, of the circumstance that led to the insufficient participation rate. Failure to meet the 95 percent participation can disqualify a school from being identified as a "reward" school.

New, Free, Voluntary Act 82 Tool for LEAs: Pennsylvania's Educator Effectiveness Rating System (PEER

Mon, 13 Oct 2014 12:30:38 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education is pleased to announce Pennsylvania's Educator Effectiveness Rating System (PEERS), a free, voluntary, web-based version of the Act 82 Educator Effectiveness final rating tools (PDE 82-1, 82-2 and 82-3). This online tool will be available to local education agencies for the summative evaluation of teaching professionals, non-teaching professionals and principals/administrators during the second half of the 2014-15 school year.

PEERS will be hosted within the existing PVAAS web application, allowing all account holders to have ease of access to the online rating tools for the 82-1, 82-2, and 82-3 using the existing PVAAS account system. Through PEERS, the School Performance Profile (SPP) Score will be pre-populated by the PVAAS web application, with the flexibility to change the school or allow multiple schools. When available, PVAAS teacher measures will also be pre-populated into PEERS. As part of the web delivery, rating information will be aggregated to summary-level reporting.

PEERS is aligned to the 82-1, 82-2 and 82-3 .xls documents provided to LEAs on the PDE Educator Effectiveness webpage, with the added benefit of web-enabling the three forms to maximize the capabilities of a web interface and the online management of these forms. The system will link teachers, principals/administrators, and non-teaching specialists to a possible final rating form based on PIMS data submitted by each LEA, with the ability to change the form as per local decision.

Use of PEERS is free, voluntary, and may be used alone or in concert with other tools that LEAs are using to manage the supervision and evaluation process. Access to the forms is granted by the LEAs.

Opportunity for Input:

During the development and implementation process, PDE and SAS (the PVAAS provider) are interested in gaining input from administrators in the field in order to design and deliver a system that provides users with an efficient and effective process to not only complete the summative rating forms, but to be able to use the data effectively for teacher, principal and school/district growth and improvement.

To that end, focus groups will be established to provide feedback, with the overall intent to elicit input as to the effectiveness of the online tool in meeting the needs of LEAs.

PDE is asking for a maximum of a three member LEA administrator team - representatives of large and small LEAs from rural, urban and suburban areas across Pennsylvania. Feedback is sought from those who plan to use the tool during the second half of SY14-15, those considering using the tool, and those who may use the tool along with other systems they already have in place.

Focus groups will be convened a maximum of twice during this school year to meet with SAS (the PVAAS provider), as well as completing a maximum of two online surveys about the design and development of PEERS.

Any LEA/District that is interested in serving on the PEERS focus group should email pdepvaas@iu13.org by October 15, 2014. One person from the LEA should email the name, role and email address for each person from your 1-3 member administrator team for the PEERS focus group.

To learn more information about the specific capabilities of this tool, please access the PVAAS site at https://pvaas.sas.com for more details about PEERS.

PSERS Executive Director Announces Retirement

Wed, 08 Oct 2014 1:39:35 PM EDT

PSERS Board of Trustees announced yesterday the retirement of Executive Director Jeffrey B. Clay, effective March 6, 2015. Clay has served as Executive Director of the $53 billion pension fund since October 2003. Prior to his tenure at the pension systems, Mr. Clay was a judicial law clerk at Commonwealth Court and spent 10 years in private practice with the law firm of McNees, Wallace and Nurick, specializing in real estate and appellate litigation. PSERS’ Board will conduct a national search for Clay’s replacement.

Source: PSBA Daily Edition, October 8, 2014.

PAESSP Executive Director to Speak on Educator Effectiveness at SR PASCD Meeting - Oct. 23

Wed, 08 Oct 2014 9:19:20 AM EDT

Join the Southern Region of PASCD for a breakfast meeting with Dr. Paul Healey, PAESSP executive director, and Dr. Joseph Clapper, PAESSP assistant executive director, on October 23, 2014 from 7:30 - 8:15 (Registration) and 8:15-9:30 a.m. (Dr. Healey and Clapper will speak) at the Capital Area Intermediate Unit (Susquehanna Room).

Dr. Healey and Dr. Clapper will take time to discuss Act 82 of 2012: Educator Effectiveness Systems. What does this mean to principals and the superintendents who rate them? All educators, administrators and teachers aspiring to the principalship in the Southern Region are invited to join the group for a light continental breakfast and an informative discussion. There is no cost for this event!

More than 40 Organizations Together Kick-off Campaign for Fair Education Funding

Tue, 07 Oct 2014 11:24:39 AM EDT

A coalition of more than 40 organizations [today] kicked off the Campaign for Fair Education Funding to ensure that every student has access to a quality education no matter where they live.

Click here for full story.

Source: Chambersburg Public Opinion, Oct. 6, 2014.

Photos from The Campaign for Fair Education Funding press conference can be browsed through and downloaded here:

https://plus.google.com/photos/114657393330805065946/albums/6067481501697118161

PAESSP Requests PDE Alter the Implementation of the Principal Effectiveness System for 2014-15

Tue, 07 Oct 2014 11:20:48 AM EDT

PAESSP Executive Director, Dr. Paul Healey, requests that PDE alter the implementation of the Principal Effectiveness System for 2014-15. I am making a formal request on behalf of the school leaders across the state in reference to the Principal Effectiveness System. We are asking PDE to immediately consider suspending the Correlation piece (15%) for the 2014-15 school year and make it optional this year along with the elective/SLO piece and require it for 2015-16 instead. Our request is based on the following reasons:

The current training for the Correlation and SLO pieces has just begun and it is already October and thus it is safe to say that many school leaders and superintendents will not be trained until early December
The training on the correlation piece suggests that school leaders examine their data over the summer and then begin the critical conversations with their supervisors in late Summer or Early Fall. This certainly makes sense because the correlation piece should inform the SLOs to be developed, thus they should work in partnership
Because the training is now just starting, school leaders do not have ample time to concentrate on these critical conversations and thus will not have a full year to work on their "plans" which will become part of their annual evaluation
In addition, we believe implementing this piece right now when school leaders are concentrating on the teacher effectiveness pieces as well as the framework for learning for themselves places a heavy burden on them and risks a poor implementation of the new system
The teacher effectiveness system was implemented in phases in which the first phase only required the 50% observation and building level data. We believe the principal effectiveness system should also be phased in whereby only the new framework for leadership and the building level data are required for 2014-15.
Finally, as we have been traveling around the state meeting with our members, we have clearly heard their frustrations about feeling overwhelmed with the implementation of PA Core, Keystones, Teacher Effectiveness and Principal Effectiveness. These are people who sincerely want to do a good job with all of these initiatives, but feel the plate is now overflowing.

Therefore, we respectfully request that PDE reconsider the current phase in cycle for Principal Effectiveness and only require the framework for leadership and the building level data for 2014 15 and the other two components (correlation and elective/SLO) required for 2015-16.

We thank you in advance for your consideration and are willing to discuss this matter at any time in the very near future.

Thanks, Paul

New, Free, Voluntary Act 82 Tool for LEAs: PA's Educator Effectiveness Rating System (PEERS)

Thu, 02 Oct 2014 1:45:12 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has announced its Pennsylvania's Educator Effectiveness Rating System (PEERS), a free, voluntary, web-based version of the Act 82 Educator Effectiveness final rating tools (PDE 82-1, 82-2, and 82-3). This online tool will be available to local education agencies for the summative evaluation of teaching professionals, non-teaching professionals and principals/administrators during the second half of the 2014-15 school year.

Use of PEERS is free, voluntary, and may be used alone or in concert with other tools that LEAs are using to manage the supervision and evaluation process. Access to the forms is granted by the LEAs.

Opportunity for Input:

To that end, focus groups will be established to provide feedback, with the overall intent to elicit input as to the effectiveness of the online tool in meeting the needs of LEAs.

To learn more information about the specific capabilities of this tool, please access the PVAAS site at https://pvaas.sas.com for more details about PEERS.

Release Dates for SY13-14 PVAAS Teacher-Specific Reporting

Wed, 01 Oct 2014 8:49:03 AM EDT

SY13-14 PVAAS Teacher-Specific Reporting will be released on the following dates:

· The night of October 23, 2014: PVAAS District Admin (1 per LEA) and School Admin Account Holders (1 per school)

· The night of October 30, 2014: Teachers

PVAAS Teacher Specific Reporting will be provided in Reading and Math (grades 4-8), Science (grades 4 & 8), and Keystone content areas (Algebra I, Literature, Biology).

PVAAS Teacher-Specific Reporting will NOT be provided in PSSA writing (Grades 5 & 8) for the following reasons: (1) Moving to PSSA ELA; and (2) lower than preferred correlations at the teacher level.

Questions can be directed to pdepvaas@iu13.org.

DATE EXTENSION for the PIMS Data Collection for Precodes on the Winter Keystone Exams

Mon, 29 Sep 2014 11:49:56 AM EDT

It has come to PDE’s attention that some LEAs may be planning to use the Data Recognition Corporation’s (DRC) eDIRECT system instead of using Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS) in order to generate precode labels for the Winter Keystone Exams. By not submitting your precode data to PIMS, assessment results for students may not match PIMS data. This becomes critical as Keystone Exams become a graduation requirement. If student data does not match the data in PIMS, students may not have record of meeting graduation requirements, which becomes crucial beginning with the class of 2017.

Further, the Pennsylvania Code (22 PA Code §4.51(K)) states that the Secretary will report data and pertinent information about the state assessment system to the Board of Education and the General Assembly each September. In order for the Secretary of Education to report these data, PIMS must be the primary data source.

PDE recognizes that the Data Collection Consolidation (DCC) calendar is new and LEAs are struggling to meet the Sept. 29, 2014, deadline for data submission for the Winter Keystone Exam precodes. For this reason, PDE is extending the internal snapshot from Sept. 29 to Oct. 6, 2014, to allow LEAs to submit the Student, School Enrollment and Programs Fact templates that are required for this collection. Local education agencies (LEA) have until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 6, 2014, to upload data to PIMS to be able to generate precodes for the Winter Keystone Exams. It is expected that all LEAs will comply.

Please contact the PIMS help desk if you have questions on data fields or you need assistance with uploading your data. The contact information is 800.661.2423 or ra-DDQDataCollections@pa.gov.

Please contact PDE’s Division of Performance Analysis and Reporting (PAR) with other questions at 717.705.2343 or ra-pas@pa.gov.

October is National Principals Month

Wed, 24 Sep 2014 3:10:57 PM EDT

On September 23, 2014, the Pennsylvania Senate introduced and adopted Senate Resolution 453 (Sen. Pat Vance, R-31), recognizing October 2014 as “National Principals Month” in Pennsylvania.

Join PAESSP, the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the National Association of Elementary School Principals to celebrate principals in Pennsylvania and across the country during National Principals Month!

National Principals Month is an opportunity to say “thank you” to principals everywhere and to share with the community all the great things that principals do.

As you plan your National Principals Month activities, be sure to check out the national associations’ “Ideas for Celebrating” and the “interactive National Principals Month wall,” where you can read about and post activities happening in schools and communities nationwide.

Please visit http://www.principalsmonth.org/

Acting Secretary of Education Announces Flexible Instructional Days Pilot Program for PA Schools

Tue, 23 Sep 2014 3:31:38 PM EDT

Acting Secretary of Education Carolyn Dumaresq announced that a Flexible Instructional Days pilot program is available to schools across the commonwealth. Flexible Instructional Days offer schools the ability to use non-traditional educational delivery methods on regularly scheduled school days in which circumstances, such as inclement weather, necessitate an alternate approach. The program is effective in the current school year.

Click here for the full press release.

Source: PA Department of Education Press Release, http://www.education.state.pa.us, Sept. 22, 2014.

Attention Secondary Members -- Congress Shadowing Visits

Tue, 23 Sep 2014 11:17:16 AM EDT

You know that outstanding school leaders make for outstanding schools, but sometimes it's not easy to communicate the numerous ways that good principals enhance their school communities. We firmly believe that one of the most powerful methods for conveying this message to policymakers is simply to let them see for themselves.

To supplement the exceptional efforts of our grassroots network of principals in advocacy, we encourage you to ask one of your members of Congress to shadow you for a day over the Columbus Day congressional recess. Shadowing provides a wonderful opportunity for members of Congress and congressional staffers to experience firsthand the role and responsibilities of exemplary principals. Furthermore, it provides the perfect occasion for you to highlight the excellence in leadership NASSP principals provide to schools, educators and students around the country.

If you like, you can email your member of Congress this template invitation to participate in the shadowing program.

Use the following web address to invite a representative to shadow you for a day.

http://www.principalsmonth.org/shadowing.php

Legislators Eye State Pension System Fix

Mon, 22 Sep 2014 2:19:42 PM EDT

State Rep. Mike Tobash rolled out a new website this month to outline Pennsylvania’s current pension crisis. The site also includes details about the hybrid pension plan solution. It features a video that outlines the current public pension crisis, and its $50 billion debt and explains how the state acquired this unsustainable debt.

Click here to read the full article.

Source: The Philadelphia Tribune, Sept. 18, 2014.

Register Now for the 2014 Annual Safe Schools Conference

Wed, 17 Sep 2014 11:37:30 AM EDT

Registration is now open for the 2014 annual Safe Schools Conference, "Keeping Our Children Safe: Strategies for Schools and Communities Safe Schools." This year's conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg/Hershey located in Grantville, Pa., on October 8-9, 2014. Click here for more information and to register.

PIMS Training on the Data Collection for Precodes on the Winter Keystone Exams

Tue, 16 Sep 2014 1:00:16 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is providing an opportunity for local education agencies (LEA) to attend an online training that will address the data elements required to be uploaded to the Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS), an explanation of the student and school enrollment templates, the internal snapshot, and data used for generating precodes. The training will be followed by a question and answer period.

PDE will be offering four webinar sessions via "GoToMeeting" on Sept. 18-19, 2014. Presenters will be from PDE’s Divisions of Performance Analysis and Reporting and Data Quality (PIMS).

To register, please select one of the links provided below. Each session has a distinct registration link. Be sure to select the link associated with the session you plan to attend. Upon registration, a link will be emailed to you.

Note: Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email with the specific system requirements and link for joining the webinar you selected:

Sept. 18, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/536749194

Sept. 18, 2014, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/274826834

Sept. 19, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/305414770

Sept. 19, 2014, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/332043650

Please contact PDE’s Division of Performance Analysis and Reporting with any questions at 717.705.2343.

Pennsylvania Earns ''A'' for Academic Achievement in U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Report

Mon, 15 Sep 2014 8:57:57 AM EDT

Governor Tom Corbett congratulated Pennsylvania’s students, parents, taxpayers, educators and school leaders for earning an “A” in academic achievement, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Leaders and Laggards: A State-by-State Report Card on K-12 Educational Effectiveness.

As noted in the chamber’s report, “student performance in Pennsylvania is very strong,” based upon results of the 2013 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which found that:

44 percent of fourth graders performed at or above grade level in math, compared to the national average of 42 percent;
40 percent of fourth graders performed at or above grade level in reading, compared to 34 percent nationally;
42 percent of eighth graders performed at or above grade level in math, compared to 34 percent nationally; and
42 percent of eighth graders performed at or above grade level in reading, compared to the national average of 35 percent.

Pennsylvania also received high marks for postsecondary and workforce readiness and international competitiveness.

The 2014-15 state budget invests nearly $12 billion into early, basic and postsecondary education, which represents 41 percent of total state spending.

More than $10 billion has been allocated for public schools this year, which is an increase of $1.5 billion, or 17 percent, since the Governor took office.

This year’s budget also provides $374 million for the state’s high-quality early education programs, such as Pre-K Counts, Head Start Supplemental Assistance and Early Intervention. This is an increase of $19.5 million, or 5.5 percent, over last year. The state budget also allocates more than $1.6 billion for postsecondary education, such as student grants and institutional support.

New this year is the Governor’s Ready to Succeed Scholarship, which will offset the cost of postsecondary education for middle-income students. This $5 million program provides up to $2,000 to eligible students whose families earn up to $110,000.

In 2012, the Governor signed into law legislation that revised the state’s educator evaluation system for teachers and principals. The new system not only considers traditional teacher practice, such as observations and lesson planning, but also, for the first time, includes multiple measures of student achievement. This will provide educators with information about their strengths as well as areas that are in need of improvement.

Last year, the state launched the new School Performance Profile, which provides student, parents and taxpayers with comprehensive information on how public schools are performing.

The profile includes numerous indicators of a school’s academic health, such as student performance on the state assessments; student academic growth; graduation, promotion and attendance rates; advance placement course work; ACT; and SAT.

The Chamber’s report highlighted an area in need of significant attention: the state’s pension systems, which continue to consume a greater portion of the state budget.

The Governor noted the fiscal strain on the state and its taxpayers as a result of the pension crisis:

Property taxes are rising: One hundred sixty-three school districts requested exemptions to increase property taxes, 99.4 percent of which cited pension costs as the reason for the exemption.
Pension costs mean less money for important programs and services: Pension costs are consuming more than 60 cents of every new dollar of state general fund revenues.
Our pension debt is growing quickly: Pennsylvania’s pension costs are approximately $50 billion, and in just three years, those costs will rise to $65 billion. Each Pennsylvania taxpayer would need to contribute approximately $13,000 to eliminate the current debt.

Source: PDE Press Release (excerpts), Sept. 12, 2014.

Statewide Virtual Kick-Off Event - Campaign for Fair Education Funding - 9/30/14

Fri, 12 Sep 2014 11:17:45 AM EDT

PAESSP is a governing board partner with the Campaign for Fair Education Funding. An informational Statewide Virtual Kick-Off event will occur on Tuesday, September 30, 2014, and be broadcast at all IUs across the state. We urge all school leaders to attend the session at their own local IU to learn about the issues surrounding school funding and how we can work together to assure fair funding for all children.

Please click here for the flyer to register for the event.

Public Review Site for Academic Content in English Language Arts and Mathematics

Fri, 12 Sep 2014 9:38:37 AM EDT

The Pensylvania Department of Education’s (PDE) Eligible Content review site is scheduled to go live soon.

This site is designed with three goals in mind:

Increase awareness and understanding of our state’s Eligible Content – the grade by grade statements that define what we want our students to be able to know and do
Solicit actionable feedback on the Eligible Content as part of the Pennsylania Department of Education’s review process
Provide PSSA/Keystone Exam sample questions for English Language Arts and Mathematics for each tested grade/subject.

Click here for more information.

Click here for the State Board Proposal – Focusing on Academic Content in ELA and Mathematics.

2014 Safe Schools Conference

Wed, 10 Sep 2014 1:28:33 PM EDT

This professional development opportunity will focus on creating a positive school culture that supports academic success and provides a safe teaching and learning environment. The event will feature state and national experts presenting the latest research in school safety and youth violence prevention, effective program models, promising practices, networking opportunities and more during institutes, plenary sessions and workshops.

School administrators, student support personnel, teachers, school nurses, Student Assistance Program team members, school resource officers, local law enforcement and other community partners are encouraged to attend.

This event is presented by the Center for Safe Schools and the Highmark Foundation in partnership with Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Mid-Atlantic Equity Assistance Center.

For more information and to register, please visit: http://www.safeschools.info/professional-development/2014-safe-schools-conference

Training Opportunity - ?Getting Ready? for the 2015 State Assessments

Mon, 08 Sep 2014 12:59:31 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is providing the following training opportunity: “GETTING READY” for the 2015 State Assessments

Assessment specialists from the Division of Instructional Quality will present information on the:

• Winter Wave 1 Keystone Exams to be administered Dec. 3 – 17, 2014

• Winter Wave 2 Keystone Exams to be administered Jan. 7 – 21, 2015

• PSSA Grades 3 – 8 English Language Arts to be administered April 13 –17, 2015

• PSSA Grades 3 – 8 Mathematics to be administered April 20 – 24, 2015

• PSSA Grades 4 and 8 Science to be administered April 27 – May 1, 2015

• PSSA Make-Ups to be administered May 4 – 8, 2015 (or sooner)

• Spring Keystone Exams to be administered May 13 – 27, 2015

• Summer Keystone Exams to be administered July 27 –31, 2015

The many changes from previous test administrations will be highlighted. In addition, information on Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English state-to-state for English Language Learners (ACCESS for ELLs) and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) will be discussed. Opportunities will be provided for questions.

Presentations will be made via “GoToMeeting™.” To register, go to the link provided for each session:

October 22, 2014 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., the link is: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/454209778

October 23, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., the link is: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/856561818

October 23, 2014 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., the link is: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/170158466

A link to the recording of one of the sessions, along with the PowerPoint, will be posted to the PDE website as soon as possible following the sessions. For more information, contact the Bureau of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction, PDE, at 717-265-7655.

Project-Based Assessment Evaluators - Statewide Review Panel

Mon, 08 Sep 2014 9:58:05 AM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is seeking qualified educators to assist in the evaluation of completed Project-Based Assessments in Algebra I, Biolog, and Literature. Teachers, principals and curriculum specialists are welcome to apply. Evaluators must hold certification in the subject area in which they are applying to evaluate.

Educators will participate in online training and will receive projects electronically via a secure site. Act 48 hours will be awarded for training and project evaluation.

More information on the Project-Based Assessments is available on the Standards Aligned System website at http://www.pdesas.org/module/assessment/About.aspx.

Applicants may submit an application at http://pba.pdesas.org/signup.

Questions may be directed to helpdesk@pdesas.org.

Development of Project-Based Assessments

Mon, 08 Sep 2014 9:56:56 AM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is seeking educators interested in participating in the development of Project-Based Assessments for Algebra I, Biology and Literature. Project-Based Assessments are for students who are unable to meet Chapter 4 requirements relating to high school graduation through the Keystone Exams.

Pennsylvania educators certified to teach these subjects are welcome to apply. The initial session is scheduled for October 14, 15 and 16, 2014, at PaTTAN Harrisburg. Two additional days, if needed, are scheduled for November 5 and 6. PDE will reimburse participants for expenses and will offer a substitute stipend not to exceed $100/day.

To submit an application to participate in this work, go to http://www.pdesas.org/Main/News/576150 to download the application.

Questions: contact Ashley Hale at ahale@pls3rdlearning.com.

Principals Question Role of Test Scores in New Evaluation Process

Fri, 05 Sep 2014 8:53:41 AM EDT

When Alle-Kiski Valley school superintendents evaluate their principals' performance this year, student achievement will be half the equation. This school year, the principals' performance will be evaluated through a set of criteria designed to improve performance and accountability, under the state's Educator Effectiveness Project. A similar evaluation tool was put into play last year for teachers. “A lot of it is in line with what we are implementing now,” said Matthew Curci, Apollo-Ridge superintendent. “A lot of it has to do with documentation. Obviously, we'll have to tweak a little bit to fall in line with the state process, but what they're asking for is similar.”

One aspect of the new evaluation process for principals — that educators don't like — is the inclusion of how students perform on standardized tests.

Click here for the full article.

Source: Trib Live (www.triblive.com), Tom Yerace, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014, 12:51 a.m.

Special Education State Performance Plan Stakeholders? Input ? DEADLINE EXTENDED

Thu, 04 Sep 2014 1:26:32 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW), is working on its State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report. The State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report will describe how the Commonwealth will improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities, ages birth-21, and comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). States must submit their new State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report to the United States Department of Education by Feb. 1, 2015, and it must include a description of targets and strategies to guide improvement through federal fiscal year 2018.

The State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report is built upon federally mandated indicators of compliance and performance. Each indicator includes baseline data, annual measurable and rigorous targets, and improvement activities. It is being developed with significant input from the Pennsylvania Special Education Advisory Panel, the State Interagency Coordinating Council for Early Intervention, and other stakeholders. PDE and DPW are requesting stakeholders’ input on targets and improvement activities for the following indicators:

School-Age Indicators

Indicator 2 Dropout Rates

Indicator 3B Participation in Statewide Assessment

Indicator 4A Suspension and Expulsion Rates

Indicator 5 Educational Placement (Least Restrictive Environment, or LRE)

Indicator 8 School Facilitated Parent Involvement

Indicator 14 Postsecondary Employment and/or Education

Indicator 15 Due Process Resolution Session Agreements

Indicator 16 Mediation Agreements

Indicator 17 State Systemic Improvement Plan

Persons interested in submitting comments in writing will be able to do so by visiting the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network’s website at www.pattan.net through Sept. 19, 2014.

Questions regarding the State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report may be addressed to Sandy Zeleznik, Special Education Adviser, at szeleznik@pa.gov.

State Tries To Improve its Rollout of School Profiles

Mon, 25 Aug 2014 1:03:03 PM EDT

Almost a year since the state bungled its disclosure of school performance profiles, Pennsylvania lacks an official release date for its latest batch, Department of Education spokesman Tim Eller said on Friday. “We're thinking late September, but we won't have anything set in stone for at least another week,” he said.

Click here for the full article

Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Aug. 23, 2014.

New PDK/Gallup Poll Finds Declining Public Confidence in Uncle Sam?s Education Policies

Wed, 20 Aug 2014 10:02:44 AM EDT

The American public has sharpened its belief that the federal government should not play a dominant role in public education, with a majority saying they simply do not support initiatives that they believe were created or promoted by federal policymakers, a new survey shows. Moreover, only 27 percent of respondents give President Barack Obama a grade of “A” or “B” for his performance in support of public schools – down from 41 percent in 2011. A majority of those surveyed, 54 percent, do not think standardized tests are helpful to teachers; many do not understand how charter schools work, and the number of Americans saying they are familiar with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) has skyrocketed in just one year, with a majority saying they oppose the standards.

Those and other findings are contained in the 46^th edition of the PDK/Gallup Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward the Public Schools, released August 20, 2014.

Click here for the full press release.

46^th Annual PDK/Gallup Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward the Public Schools

PAESSP Partners with PDE on Launch of Pennsylvania Learns

Wed, 20 Aug 2014 9:23:16 AM EDT

PAESSP proudly partnered with PDE on a new initiative known as Pennsylvania Learns. PA Learns combines the latest technologies with rich and relevant content and offers educators a vital resource in delivering lessons and courses to students. The material is available FREE of charge to educators and is hosted on iTunesU which is accessible by downloading the app on your iPad or iPhone. Once in iTunesU, you simply search for Pennsylvania Learns and the courses will populate.

School leaders have been asking for a resource such as this especially for remediation of the keystones. The lessons and courses are aligned to the new state standards and the courses in Biology, Algebra and English Language Arts can be used by students for both remediation and enrichment. We hope all educators will become familiar with what Pennsylvania Learns and utilize this valuable resource with students.

I was in attendance at the press release in Garnet Valley School District and here is an excerpt from the event:

Governor Tom Corbett today was joined by lawmakers, superintendents, teachers, higher education representatives and education partners at Garnet Valley School District, Delaware County, to launch Pennsylvania Learns on iTunes U - a collection of free, online, educational resources.

Pennsylvania Learns on iTunes U brings state standards-aligned resources to the world's largest online catalog of free educational content that helps educators create courses, including lectures, assignments, books, quizzes and syllabi and offer them to millions of iOS users.

"This initiative, which is the culmination of nearly a year of work among various education partners, is designed to provide middle and high school students, parents and teachers with access to no-cost, high-quality, state standards-aligned resources to increase student achievement," Gov. Corbett said. "I want to thank all of the educators as well as the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units, the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals and the Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development for their contributions to this project, and their continued commitment to students."

~ Paul M. Healey, Ph.D., PAESSP Executive Director

Manderino To Head New School Funding Campaign

Tue, 19 Aug 2014 10:11:00 AM EDT

A former state lawmaker with a reputation for consensus-building will manage a newly formed, non-partisan campaign to address one of Pennsylvania’s most important and challenging issues: the funding of its public schools. Kathy Manderino has been named campaign manager for a new school funding campaign that includes more than 40 organizations representing educators, business, labor, faith-based organizations and civic and child advocacy groups who want to see the commonwealth find a long-term solution to adequately and equitably fund public schools. “School funding is, without question, one of the toughest issues facing Pennsylvania, but it’s also arguably the most important,” Manderino said. “So many facets of our commonwealth – jobs, culture, community, quality of life – are dependent upon and shaped by the education we provide for our children. How we fund that education really does dictate the future of Pennsylvania, and I’m excited to help advance such a critical discussion.”

Click here for the full article.

Source: EPLC Website, August 18, 2014 (Text of August 18 press release from Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children).

Ron Tomalis Resigns Under Pressure as Tom Corbett's Education Adviser

Wed, 13 Aug 2014 11:58:44 AM EDT

Ron Tomalis is resigning from his nearly $140,000 job as Gov. Tom Corbett's special adviser on higher education. The move, announced Tuesday and effective Aug. 26, comes after weeks of pressure on Tomalis to step down after news reports revealed little evidence of work done in the role Corbett created for him in June 2013. Click here for the full article.
Source: Allentown Morning Call, Aug. 13, 2014.

PAESSP Seeking Applications for Secondary School Leader Awards

Tue, 12 Aug 2014 11:49:12 AM EDT

PAESSP is currently accepting nominations for High School Principal of the Year, Middle Level Principal of the Year and Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year awards. These are State awards which will be given at the annual banquet in October in Pittsburgh. Anyone interested (secondary members only) in applying for one of these awards should complete and forward the attached application to the PAESSP office by September 8, 2014.

Click here for a description or the award criteria, or click here for the award application. We look forward to honoring some secondary school leaders at our conference. Thanks for all you do on behalf of the many children across the Commonwealth.

Grell's Pension Reform Plan Produces Some Savings But Only By Borrowing $9 Billion

Thu, 31 Jul 2014 9:48:27 AM EDT

Rep. Glen Grell's pension reform idea that would impact future state and school employees would produce savings that range between $27 billion and $30.5 billion savings for the two state pension funds over 30 years, according to an actuarial review of his plan released on Wednesday. But for taxpayers who foot the bill, the bulk of those savings for the Public School Employees' Retirement System and State Employees' Retirement System would be offset by having to pay off a $9 billion pension obligation bond that the Hampden Twp. Republican lawmaker's plan would require.
Click here for the full article.

Source: Harrisburg Patriot-News, July 30, 2014.

PA Not Alone in Having Pension Woes, Pew Notes

Thu, 31 Jul 2014 8:43:46 AM EDT

Pennsylvania is not alone in its public pension problems. Other states have struggled as well.

Nationwide, total debt facing state pension plans is $915 billion, according to the Public Sector Retirement Systems project of the Pew Charitable Trusts. “Only 15 states have consistently made at least 95 percent of the full actuarially required contributions for their pension plans from 2010 through 2012; the remaining 35 states (including Pennsylvania) fell short in at least one year,” according to the project website. And since last fall, the director of that project, Greg Mennis, has been trying to help Pennsylvania solve its pension problems.

In an interview last week, Mennis said his group has offered three basic pieces of advice to Mike Brubaker, R-36th, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and John P. Blake, D-22nd, the committee’s minority chair. “First, Pennsylvania has to commit to paying the current bill; second, we think they should establish a funding task force or study commission to come up with a comprehensive and transparent solution to this long-standing problem; and third, if that solution is some kind of hybrid plan design, that they consider a simple and proven hybrid model,” Mennis said.

Click here to read the full story.

Source: Daily Local News, www.dailylocal.com, by Evan Brandt, posted 07/28/14, 4:55 PM EDT.

Student Performance Measures for Classroom Teachers - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Wed, 23 Jul 2014 11:25:29 AM EDT

Attention Members: Dr. Paul Healey, PAESSP executive director, wanted you to have this important information regarding Student Performance Measures for Classroom Teachers.

The following FAQs are provided for guidance purposes only. It is recommended that any decision or action taken by a Local Education Agency (LEA) related to evaluation of its professional and temporary professional employees be made in consultation with the LEA's solicitor.

Click here for the FAQs.

Hopewell Principal Begins Term as President-Elect of National Educational Leadership Organization

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 12:08:07 PM EDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 9, 2014

Contact: Bob Farrace, NASSP Director of Public Affairs - farraceb@nassp.org - 703-860-7257

Hopewell Principal Begins Term as President-Elect of National Educational Leadership Organization

Longtime principal Michael Allison to represent school leaders nationwide

Click here for full press release.

PAESSP Conference Early Bird Registration Discount Deadline Has Been Extended - August 1, 2014!

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 11:59:25 AM EDT

The Early Bird Registration Discount Deadline has been extended for the PAESSP Conference until Friday, August 1, 2014. The cost for a member is: $300. The cost for a non-member is: $400.

Click here to register now!

Being Poor Helps Districts When it Comes to State Education Funding

Tue, 15 Jul 2014 2:09:39 PM EDT

When it comes to divvying up the state dollars going into public education, it's good to be poor.

A good chunk of the $12 billion going into education in the recently enacted 2014-15 state budget that Gov. Tom Corbett signed last week is driven out by a distribution formula that directs a disproportionate amount of state funding to poorer districts. "The premise of it has always been to provide more state funding to less wealthy school districts just because of their inability to raise local funds," said Tim Eller, press secretary for the state Department of Education.

Click here for full story.

Source: www.pennlive.com (Patriot-News), by Jan Murphy on July 14, 2014 at 3:21 PM, updated July 14, 2014 at 4:32 PM.

REVISED -- The Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment 1 Percent Cap

Mon, 14 Jul 2014 12:30:08 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is re-sending this PENN*LINK to add the password needed to join the webinar on July 14-15, 2014.

PDE is providing an opportunity for local education agencies (LEA) to attend an online training that will address information about the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA) 1 percent cap and a demonstration of the Data Recognition Corporation eDIRECT system followed by a question and answer period.

PDE will be offering four webinar sessions via WebEx on July 15-16, 2014. Presenters will be from PDE's Divisions of Performance Analysis and Reporting and the Division of Data Quality, along with the Data Recognition Corporation.

To register, please select one of the links provided below. Each session has a distinct registration link. Be sure to select the link associated with the session you plan to attend.

REVISED: Please use the password "train1" to access the webinar.

July 15, 2014, from 10 a.m. to noon

https://datarecognitioncorpaudio.webex.com/datarecognitioncorpaudio/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=800456765

July 15, 2014, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

https://datarecognitioncorpaudio.webex.com/datarecognitioncorpaudio/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=803344381

July 16, 2014, from 10 a.m. to noon

https://datarecognitioncorpaudio.webex.com/datarecognitioncorpaudio/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=805555905

July 16, 2014, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

https://datarecognitioncorpaudio.webex.com/datarecognitioncorpaudio/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=803313723

The training will be recorded and posted on the PDE webpage at www.education.state.pa.us/pas. Please contact PDE's Bureau of Assessment and Accountability with any questions at 717.705.2343 or ra-pas@pa.gov.

Updated Links to Various Subsidies as Posted by the PA Department of Education

Mon, 14 Jul 2014 9:14:26 AM EDT

Summary of State Education Appropriations -- Click here to see a summary of the enacted funding levels for 2014-15 Department of Education appropriations.

Basic Subsidy – The budget provides level funding at $5.26 billion. Click here to see the basic subsidy distribution for each school district.

Ready to Learn Block Grant – The budget provides $241 million in new Ready to Learn funding for public schools that focus on student achievement and academic success, and funding for the Accountability Block Grant that supports pre-kindergarten, full-day kindergarten and other proven educational programs at the current level of $100 million. Click here to see the RTL Block Grant distribution for each school district and charter school.

Special Education -- Each school district will receive the same special education payments as it did in 2013-14. An additional $19.8 million will be distributed using a new three-tier formula that factors in categorical student costs, district scarcity/size, and market-value aid ratio. Click here to see the distribution of special education funds for each school district.

Secondary Career and Technical Education Subsidy -- The budget includes $62 million for the Career and Technical Education appropriation. This amount is the same amount appropriated in 2013-14. This appropriation allocates an estimated $49.6 million for the Secondary Career and Technical Education Subsidy (SCTES). Click here for more information and subsidies.

Source: PSBA Legislative Update, July 10, 2014.

2014-15 State Budget Signed Into Law

Mon, 14 Jul 2014 9:05:25 AM EDT

Governor Corbett signed into law the 2014-15 state budget and its enabling legislation that allocates more than $10 billion in state support of public schools.

Below are highlights of the enacted 2014-15 state budget:

Basic Education Funding – $5.53 billion
- Each school district will receive the same amount it received in 2013-14.
- Ready to Learn Block Grant – $200 million – increased funding of $100 million
  - Each school district will receive an amount equal to its 2013-14 Accountability Block Grant allocation pursuant to Section 2599.2 of the Public School Code.
  - Each school entity (school district and charter school) will receive a Student-Focused Funding Supplement calculated as the sum of the following:
    - A per-student factor equal to $231 multiplied by the product of each school entity’s average daily membership (ADM) and its market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR).
    - An English language learner factor equal to $34.65 ($231 x 15%) multiplied by the product of the number students in the school entity identified as limited English proficient and its MV/PI AR.
    - A poverty factor equal to $57.75 ($231 x 25%) multiplied by the product of the number of students in the school entity identified as economically disadvantaged and its MV/PI AR.
School entities can use their Ready to Learn Block Grant to enhance learning opportunities for students through initiatives, such as:
- The eligible uses under the Accountability Block Grant program.
- Pre-kindergarten to grade 3 curriculum alignment;
- Ensuring that all students are performing at grade level by third grade in both reading and math;
- Extended learning opportunities for supplemental and customized student instruction for pre-kindergarten to grade 3;
- Training to support early literacy;
- Supplemental instruction in biology, English language arts and algebra I;
- Instructional coaches;
- Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education;
- Implementation of the State Literacy Plan; and
- Hybrid learning.
- Special Education – 1.05 billion – an increase of $20 million.
  - These new dollars will be distributed based on categories of support for students with disabilities.
  - Contingency funds (1 percent of the special education allocation) is distributed in the following manner:
    - For school districts and charter schools that submit contingency fund applications for students whose costs are $75,000 to $100,000, the department will subtract the state subsidy and multiply the difference by the school entities’ market value/personal income aid ratio.
    - School entities that submit contingency fund applications for students whose costs are greater than $100,000, the department will subtract the state subsidy.
    - The contingency fund will be capped at approximately $300,000 for any school entity.
Note: No changes will be made to the calculation for how charter schools receive funding for students with disabilities.
Career and Technical Education – $62 million
Career and Technical Education Equipment Grants – $3 million
Pupil Transportation – $625.3 million
School Employees’ Social Security – $500.8 million – an increase of $14.5 million
School Employees’ Retirement – $1.16 billion – an increase of $151 million
Special Education, Approved Private Schools – $95.3 million
Pre-K Counts – $97.3 million – an increase of $10 million
Head Start Supplemental Assistance – $39.2 million
Early Intervention – $237.5 million – an increase of $9.5 million
Pennsylvania Charter Schools for the Deaf and Blind – $42.8 million – an increase of $1.1 million
School Food Services – $32.5 million – an increase of $467,000

To obtain additional information about the enacted 2014-15 budget, or to view school entity allocations, visit www.education.state.pa.us/budget.

2012-13 District Performance Profile Scores

Tue, 08 Jul 2014 2:28:26 PM EDT

Please be advised that the Pennsylvania Department of Education has received a request under the Right to Know Law from the media regarding the 2012-13 District Performance Profile scores. This data was provided to all local education agencies in February as part of the Ready to Learn Block Grant that the Governor proposed in the 2014-15 budget.

The District Performance Profile scores will be released to the media and made public in early August.

If you have any questions, please email ra-educationsecretary@pa.gov.

The Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment 1 Percent Cap

Tue, 08 Jul 2014 2:24:01 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is providing an opportunity for local education agencies (LEAs) to attend an online training that will address information about the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA) 1 percent cap and a demonstration of the Data Recognition Corporation eDIRECT system followed by a question and answer period.

PDE will be offering four webinar sessions via WebEx on July 15-16, 2014. Presenters will be from PDE’s Divisions of Performance Analysis and Reporting and the Division of Data Quality, along with the Data Recognition Corporation.

To register, please select one of the links provided below. Each session has a distinct registration link. Be sure to select the link associated with the session you plan to attend.

July 15, 2014, from 10 a.m. to noon

https://datarecognitioncorpaudio.webex.com/datarecognitioncorpaudio/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=800456765

July 15, 2014, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

https://datarecognitioncorpaudio.webex.com/datarecognitioncorpaudio/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=803344381

July 16, 2014, from 10 a.m. to noon

https://datarecognitioncorpaudio.webex.com/datarecognitioncorpaudio/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=805555905

July 16, 2014, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

https://datarecognitioncorpaudio.webex.com/datarecognitioncorpaudio/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=803313723

The training will be recorded and posted on the PDE webpage at www.education.state.pa.us/pas. Please contact PDE’s Bureau of Assessment and Accountability with any questions at 717.705.2343 or ra-pas@pa.gov.

Pensions, Social Services Driving Costs of Proposed PA Budget

Tue, 08 Jul 2014 9:25:32 AM EDT

While the budget wrangling in the Capitol isn’t complete — Gov. Tom Corbett hasn’t indicated if he will sign the $29.1 billion spending plan the General Assembly sent him last week — this article takes a look at some of the budget highlights as the plan is written.

Click here to read the article.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 7, 2014.

Proposed Budget has Few Increases for Education in Pennsylvania

Mon, 07 Jul 2014 10:39:22 AM EDT

Modest increases in special education and block grant funding in the state budget that the Legislature approved will not be enough to overcome the challenge of flat funding in the $5.526 billion basic education subsidy for school districts, according to school officials.

Click here for the full article.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 5, 2014.

Governor Reiterates Call for Pension Legislation; Budget Signing on Hold

Thu, 03 Jul 2014 9:49:13 AM EDT

The standstill over the state budget continued through a second day of the fiscal year Wednesday as Gov. Tom Corbett again urged legislators to send him a bill remaking the pensions of future state and school workers.

Click here for the article.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 2, 2014.

Information on the Rights of All Children to Enroll in Schools

Wed, 02 Jul 2014 1:15:55 PM EDT

The United States Department of Education and United States Department of Justice have updated guidance to state education agencies to assist public elementary and secondary institutions to ensure enrollment processes are consistent with federal law and provide all students with equal access to an education.

The updated documents urge local education agencies (LEA) to review the list of documents used to establish proof of residency, proof of age, use of social security numbers, and documentation of race and ethnicity to ensure that these do not bar or discourage a student who is undocumented or whose parents are undocumented from enrolling. Furthermore, LEAs are encouraged to review enrollment data for precipitous drops in enrollment of any group of students that may signal barriers to their participation.

A guidance letter, fact sheet, and a question and answer document designed to provide LEAs with additional tools and practical guidance can be accessed in English and Spanish at the links below. This updated guidance includes examples of permissible and impermissible practices in the areas of proof of residency, proof of age, use of social security numbers and documentation of race and ethnicity.

The English guidance documents:

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201405.pdf

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/qa-201405.pdf

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-factsheet-201405.pdf

The Spanish guidance documents:

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201405-sp.pdf

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/qa-201405-sp.pdf

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-factsheet-201405-sp.pdf

For general information about equal access to public education, please visit the U.S. Department of Justice's website at http://www.justice.gov/crt/edo and the U.S. Department of Education's website at http://www2.ed.gov/ocr/index.html.

For Pennsylvania-specific guidance related to enrollment of students in Pennsylvania public schools, please consult the Enrollment of Students Basic Education Circular (BEC) at http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/purdon's_statutes/7503/enrollment_of_students/507350.

You may also contact the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Educational Opportunities Section, at (877) 292-3804 or at education@usdoj.gov. As well as the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at (800) 421-3481 or at ocr@ed.gov or the Department of Education's Office of the General Counsel at (202) 401-6000.

You may also visit the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights at http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/OCR/contactus.cfm, for the OCR enforcement office that serves your area.

House Kills Pension Bill; Senate Goes Home in Budget Stalemate with Gov. Tom Corbett

Wed, 02 Jul 2014 8:42:06 AM EDT

The House tossed Gov. Tom Corbett's pension gauntlet back in his lap Tuesday, a day after he vowed not to sign a new budget until lawmakers vote to reform the state's two debt-laden retirement systems. Fifteen Republicans in the GOP-controlled House joined 92 Democrats in voting to ship the leading pension bill to a committee chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, R-Bucks, who has disagreed with several pieces of the Republican governor's agenda in the last three years.

Click here for full story.

Source: Allentown Morning Call, July 1, 2014; PSBA Daily EDition, July 2, 2014.

Pennsylvania Pension Reform Takes a Blow as Tobash Plan is Steered into an Ardent Foe's Committee

Tue, 01 Jul 2014 3:17:39 PM EDT

Gov. Tom Corbett's full-court press for public employee pension reform in Pennsylvania took a direct hit Tuesday morning as debate on his preferred option was quickly steered into a House committee headed by a reform foe.

Click here to read more.

Source: Pennlive.com, By Charles Thompson, Posted on July 01, 2014 at 1:14 PM, updated July 01, 2014 at 2:21 PM.

Corbett Wants General Assembly To Send Him 'Meaningful Pension Reform' Before Signing the Budget

Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:00:00 AM EDT

Update: Corbett promises review of budget; make no promises of a result

When Gov. Tom Corbett took a look at the $29.1 billion general fund budget plan that the General Assembly sent to him on Monday, it was missing something he wanted.

It lacked any meaningful pension reform to address the single expenditure in the budget that is eating up 60 cents of every new dollar.

Source: Pennlive.com, by Jan Murphy, Posted July 01, 2014 at 12:08 AM, updated July 01, 2014 at 3:07 AM.

Corbett Won't Sign Pa. No-Tax Budget Yet

Tue, 01 Jul 2014 10:55:00 AM EDT

Gov. Corbett refused late Monday to sign a $29.1 billion budget that the Republican-controlled legislature scrambled to deliver to him just 90 minutes before the midnight deadline.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20140701_As_deadline_looms__Pa__Senate_takes_up_no-tax_budget.html#O5KOFKmwRzqe1Mc2.99

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer, Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau, Posted online at www.Philly.com, June 30, 2014.

How Much of the Ready-to-Learn Block Grant Money Will Your School District Receive?

Tue, 01 Jul 2014 10:07:16 AM EDT

Public schools across Pennsylvania will all be eligible to receive a share of the $200 million set aside in the proposed 2014-15 state budget for a newly named block grant program named Ready to Learn.
Click here for the full story.

Source: Harrisburg Patriot-News, June 30, 2014.

Legislation To Change Keystone Exam Requirements

Tue, 01 Jul 2014 10:00:00 AM EDT

Passing the Keystone Exams might never become a requirement to graduate from high school in Pennsylvania. The State Senate Education Committee has approved legislation that would leave it up to school districts to determine the effects of not passing the exam.

Click here to read more: http://wesa.fm/post/legislation-change-keystone-exam-requirements

Source: WESA-FM, June 30, 2014.

POSTPONED: PDE?s June 19, 2014, Budget Update and Pension Reform Videoconferences

Wed, 18 Jun 2014 11:16:49 AM EDT

PDE’s Budget Update and Pension Reform Videoconferences scheduled for 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2014, are being postponed until later this month.

Governor Corbett continues to work with the General Assembly on pension reform as well as the budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year.

Governor Corbett has stated that pension reform is a significant issue that must be addressed before enacting a budget for next year.

As soon as more information is available, Acting Secretary Dumaresq will schedule webinars to provide an update.

If you have any questions, please email them to ra-educationsecretary@pa.gov.

PDE Releases New Principal Effectiveness Brochure

Wed, 18 Jun 2014 8:47:29 AM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has released a new brochure on Principal Effectiveness. The .pdf version highlights the various components of the system that will be implemented during the 2014-15 school year. As always, if you have any questions about the Principal Effectiveness System, please don’t hesitate to contact the PAESSP office, (717) 732-4999.

Click here to view and download the brochure.

SB1316: Senate Vote Expected on Overhauled Special Education Funding Formula

Wed, 18 Jun 2014 8:42:18 AM EDT

The state Senate is poised to vote on Wednesday on a bill that overhauls the way the state distributes special education funding to public schools. The new formula distributes resources based on a three-tiered system of funding based on the cost of providing services to special education students and incidence of disability. It moves away from a funding system that assumed all districts had 15 percent of their students with mild disabilities and 1 percent with severe disabilities to educate. The proposed formula is the product of a bipartisan Special Education Funding Commission's work and some last-minute negotiations to make adjustments to address charter schools' concerns about how it treats their special education funding.

The Senate today voted 35-15 to accept an amendment offered by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware County, to reflect the outcome of the negotiations over the formula's treatment of charter schools. Pileggi said the amendment's intention is to implement the new formula "in a way that allows public charter schools to continue to grow and to thrive."

Click here to read the full article.

Source: www.pennlive.com, by Jan Murphy, Posted on June 17, 2014.

Pennsylvania Legislative Leaders Have Same Goals as Gov. Corbett; Attaining Them May Be a Different

Wed, 18 Jun 2014 8:29:43 AM EDT

Meeting shortly after Gov. Tom Corbett's call for action on pension reform as an essential first part of a 2014-15 budget plan, Pennsylvania House and Senate Republican leaders voiced broad support for the governor's goals. But the GOP legislative leaders cautioned Tuesday that they may be forced to operate on a different order of priorities. "Our concern in the Senate is first to make sure that we pass a responsible, sustainable budget," Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware County, said earlier Tuesday. "That's our Constitutional obligation. These other bills (public pension reformand liberalization of Pennsylvania's alcohol sales laws) are important bills that we're working on and will continue to work on. "That's not in conflict with the governor's position," Pileggi continued. "But maybe our priorities are a little different."

Click here to read the full article.

Source: www.pennlive.com, by Charlies Thompson, June 17, 2014.

What Budget Deadline?

Wed, 18 Jun 2014 8:27:21 AM EDT

Gov. Corbett on Tuesday said he is willing to miss the June 30 deadline to pass a state budget if more time means he can get his initiatives done. “We need to get this done right rather than quickly,” Corbett said during an afternoon press conference in the Capitol. “So if we are not able to do this budget by June 30, we are not able to do this budget by June 30,” Corbett said of meeting the deadline. “I am willing to be here. … No bluster. No threats. Just facts.”

Having said that, the Republican governor said he was optimistic that he and the GOP-led legislature can meet the deadline for the fiscal year, which begins July 1. But he reiterated his position that he will not consider any proposals to raise new revenue — including a natural gas extraction tax — unless the legislature delivers on two of his priorities: reining in the skyrocketing cost of public employee pensions and privatizing the sale of wine and spirits.

Click here to read the full article.

Source: Inquirer Commonwealth Confidential Blog, by Angela Couloumbis, Posted June 17, 2014.

PA Needs Pension Cuts Before Tax Increase, Gov. Corbett Says

Wed, 18 Jun 2014 8:22:40 AM EDT

Gov. Tom Corbett acknowledged Tuesday that Pennsylvania’s budget situation is not pretty but insisted he will not listen to arguments for a tax increase until lawmakers pass major legislation slashing public employee pension costs. A tax increase is looking increasingly likely as lawmakers eye a state budget for the soon-to-start fiscal year. The alternative — cutting programs, tapping politically sensitive grant programs or forgoing more aid for public schools and human services programs — would be a challenge to pass, said Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi. Corbett and Pileggi spoke against the backdrop of closed-door negotiations on Corbett’s $29.4 billion budget plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Stumbling tax collections and risky assumptions, however, have blown a nearly $2 billion hole in that plan.

Click here for the full article.

Source: The Associated Press, by Marc Levy, Posted June 17, 2014.

Regulations for Principal Effectiveness

Tue, 17 Jun 2014 8:16:54 AM EDT

You will find the links below to the final principal evaluation regulations, published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. This process has allowed PDE to engage in significant research aimed at assisting building leaders in improving practice that will enhance student achievement. PDE has copyrighted all documents concerning principal evaluation in the Commonwealth.

http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol44/44-24/44_24_rr.pdf

http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol44/44-24/1244.html

Corbett Signs Legislation Creating Panel To Develop New School Funding Formula

Fri, 13 Jun 2014 8:22:30 AM EDT

Pennsylvania is gearing up to overhaul its education spending under a measure Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law on Tuesday. The Basic Education Funding Commission will study a new way for distributing new state funding to school districts. It is expected to come up with a recommendation next year. Rep. Bernie O'Neill, R-Bucks, pushed for making changes in the way the state allocates money for education, arguing the current formula is obsolete. At present, Pennsylvania divvies up state funding to school districts in proportions that have remained remained fixed in recent years, regardless of demographic changes.

Click here for the full story.

Source: www.pennlive.com, article by Gideon Bradshaw, June 12, 2014.

PAESSP Receives PDE Approval for NEW Act 45 Program

Thu, 12 Jun 2014 9:24:57 AM EDT

PAESSP will be offering a NEW, ACT 45 approved program in the fall titled, “Linking Student Learning to Teacher Supervision and Evaluation.” The program will be held as a pre-conference session on Saturday, October 18, 2014 in conjunction with the 2014 PAESSP Conference at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel in Pittsburgh.

Participants will receive 30 Act 45 hours for their participation in the session and the completion of pre-session readings and post session activities. The targeted audience is K-12 school leaders and supervisors. Participants will be engaged in activities, discussions and reflection on the following topics:

Review of teacher effectiveness model especially focusing on the 50% observational piece.
Review of PIL initiative and nine standards.
Differentiated supervision options and how they work in conjunction with new teacher effectiveness model.
Data collection techniques that can be used during a classroom observation.
Analysis of data and conferencing of data with teachers.
How to write and monitor effective Teacher Improvement Plans.
Working with the new PDE 82-1 form.

Instructors for the program will be; Dr. Paul M. Healey, PAESSP executive director, Beth Haldeman, elementary principal, Cocalico School District, and Dr. Joseph Clapper, PAESSP assistant executive director.

If interested in this PIL offering, please visit the PAESSP website to register today. You may also want to take advantage of our other PIL session which will be offered during the conference, “Leading the Improvement of School Culture to Maximize Student Learning.” This program also offers 30 Act 45 hours, thus a participant can attain a total of 60 Act 45 hours by taking both programs in October at the state conference.

Register today! Go to www.paessp.org – then go to the State Conference tab on the Main Menu, click on the first drop down tab named Register Now, select Full Conference from the options and the PIL programs will be displayed.

Pennsylvania House Fails To Act on Pensions for School, State Workers

Thu, 12 Jun 2014 9:20:13 AM EDT

The House of Representatives left town for the week Wednesday without a vote on a Republican plan to alter the retirement benefits of future school and state workers.

Republican leadership had indicated the pension proposal, backed by Gov. Tom Corbett, was on the agenda Tuesday, and members discussed the bill in private meetings. But they declined to call a vote that day or the next. “It’s a complex issue, and it just takes a little extra discussion to get people comfortable that it addresses whatever their concerns are,” House Speaker Sam Smith said after the House adjourned. “We’re a little slower this week than I probably would have liked, but we’re still moving forward and hope to get a pension bill passed by the House in the near future.” The Republican-backed proposal is in the form of an amendment to existing legislation, so the House would have to approve the language and then vote again to send the bill to the Senate.

Click here for full article.

Source: Article by Karen Langley and Kate Giammarise / Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau, June 12, 2014.

Different Sort of Money Problem Limits Pension Reform Debate in Pennsylvania

Wed, 11 Jun 2014 10:49:11 AM EDT

There's no question money is at the heart of the state's pension problem. But the money problem limiting lawmakers' debate on reforming the two state pension systems may not be the one you think. The Public Employee Retirement Commission is out of money. In fact, it has spent $20,000 of its next fiscal year's appropriation. So without money, it can't perform actuarial studies on any more pension reform proposals — including the one crafted by Rep. Glen Grell, R-Hampden Township — until after the July 1 start of the new fiscal year, when lawmakers hope to have put this issue to bed and be heading home for their summer break. Click here for full story.

Source: Pennlive.com, by Jan Murphy, June 10, 2014.

Joseph H. Clapper, D.Ed., Hired as Assistant Executive Director of State Principals? Association

Tue, 10 Jun 2014 11:43:53 AM EDT

June 2014

TO: News Editor/News Director

CONTACT: Sheri L. Thompson, Director of Communications
Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals
122 Valley Road
P.O. Box 39
Summerdale, PA 17093
(717) 732-4999 (Phone)
(717) 732-4890 (Fax)
sherit@paessp.org

RELEASE: UPON RECEIPT

Joseph H. Clapper, D.Ed., Hired as Assistant Executive Director of State Principals’ Association

The Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) is pleased to announce the hiring of Joseph H. Clapper, D.Ed., as the assistant executive director. Dr. Clapper brings more than 30 years in public education to the association.

Dr. Clapper will retire this summer from the Quaker Valley School District, Sewickley, Pa., as superintendent of schools. He has held that position since 2007. Prior to this position, he served as superintendent of schools in the North Hills School District in Pittsburgh, and as the assistant superintendent of Quaker Valley School District. He also has experience as a high school and elementary school principal, assistant principal, supervisor of instruction, elementary teacher and secondary English/reading teacher.

In addition, Dr. Clapper was an assistant professor of education at Lebanon Valley College, Annville, Pa., teaching undergraduate coursework in educational psychology, foundations of education, elementary and secondary instructional methods and early childhood education, as well as a field experience coordinator and staff development instructor for The Pennsylvania State University. While in this position, he created a new student teaching center in the South Hills of Pittsburgh.

“I am thrilled about this unique opportunity to advocate for our profession on behalf of the members of PAESSP. I am proud to represent PAESSP and will do my part to improve educational opportunities for students and educators across the Commonwealth.”

Dr. Clapper has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his highly esteemed career in education, such as the Penn State Leadership and Service Award (which will be awarded in October 2014); the Tri-State Distinguished Educator Award (March 2014); the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrator’s (PASA) Award for Service to the Profession (2013); and the William E. Caldwell Award for Excellence in Administration and Supervision from the Pennsylvania School Study Council (2013). He currently serves on PASA’s Board of Governors; as the chairperson of the Leadership Services Team for the superintendents in the Allegheny Intermediate Unit; and is the Superintendent of Record for the Parkway Career and Technology Center. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s State Assessment Advisory Committee, the American Association of School Administrators, the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development and the Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, among others.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree in education and a master’s degree in educational administration from Shippensburg University. He earned his doctorate of education in curriculum and instruction from The Pennsylvania State University.

Dr. Clapper is married to Dr. Christy Clapper, who is a retired school counselor. Their daughter, Laura, will be pursuing her doctorate in music in the fall at Florida State University.

Dr. Clapper is scheduled to begin his duties at PAESSP in August, which will include advocacy work for the association; providing assistance to members via professional advice and referring legal matters, where appropriate; and assisting with professional development needs for members.

###

Videoconference Invite: Budget Update and Pension Reform

Mon, 09 Jun 2014 8:53:57 AM EDT

As you progress through the final month of the 2013-14 fiscal year, the Governor and the General Assembly are working toward enacting a state budget for 2014-15.

Over the next two weeks, the Acting Secretary of Education, Carolyn C. Dumaresq, Ed.D., will be holding four videoconferences to provide an update on the state budget and to discuss pension reform.

You will be able to participate in these videoconferences at your local intermediate unit, or an intermediate that is close to your area.

Below are the dates, times and intermediate units in which you can participate:

Thursday, June 12 – 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
IU’s: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 (Williamsport), 17 (Canton), 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29

Thursday, June 12 – 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
IU’s: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 (Williamsport), 17 (Canton), 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29

Thursday, June 19 – 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
IU’s: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 (Williamsport), 17 (Canton), 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29

Thursday, June 19 – 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
IU’s: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 (Williamsport), 17 (Canton), 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29

If you have any questions, please email ra-educationsecretary@pa.gov.

Educator Dashboard: Early Warning System & Intervention Catalog

Tue, 03 Jun 2014 9:23:04 AM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), working in collaboration with First Lady Mrs. Susan Corbett's Opening Doors Initiative, has developed a software tool to help schools identify potential student dropouts based on the research of Dr. Robert Balfanz of Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Balfanz's research noted that attendance, behavior and course grades can be key indicators of students at risk for not graduating. The dashboard provides this information in an easy to read format. In addition, the tool provides a customized catalog of interventions populated by the Local Education Agency (LEA) in partnership with community, regional and state agencies and organizations.

This early warning tool is available at no cost to LEAs. Interested LEAs should complete the Application/Readiness Survey available online at www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/early_warning_system.

LEAs will benefit from partnering with their local Student Information System (SIS) vendor in adopting this tool. There will be SIS vendor webinars starting the week of June 9, 2014. Vendors can register by emailing RA-EDEWSINFO@pa.gov.

For further information please email RA-EDEWSINFO@pa.gov, or visit the webpage www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/early_warning_system.

Keystone Exams: PA Bill Would End Plans for Mandatory Graduation Tests

Thu, 29 May 2014 8:26:59 AM EDT

A bill that would eliminate a key component of the state's Common Core curriculum -- passing proficiency tests to graduate from high school -- was introduced Wednesday [May 28] by Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D., Chester), his third attempt to send the tests to the back of the class. Critics have argued that the tests represent an unfunded mandate for school districts and penalize students from underprivileged schools. Dinniman, co-chairman of the Senate Education Committee, has also sought funding for districts to administer the tests, and to limit the test subjects to biology, algebra and language arts. Acting State Education Secretary Carolyn Dumaresq has said she would not increase the number of tests for the time being.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20140529_Pa__bill_would_end_plans_for_mandatory_graduation_tests.html#Zb88vXiHPvt8PY4v.99

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, Kathy Boccella, Inquirer Staff Writer, posted May 28, 2014.

PIMS Data Collection on the Accountability Reporting for Keystone Exams

Tue, 27 May 2014 12:47:57 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is providing an opportunity for local education agencies (LEA) to attend a question and answer (Q&A) session that will address the data elements required to be uploaded to the Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS) for the Accountability Reporting for the Keystone Exams. The presentation related to this data collection can be downloaded and reviewed prior to the session from the PDE website at www.education.state.pa.us/pas, which will be located under the trainings subheading.

PDE will be offering two Q&A webinar sessions via "GoToMeeting" on May 28, 2014. Presenters will be from PDE's Division of Performance Analysis and Reporting.

To register, please select one of the links provided below. Each session has a distinct registration link. Be sure to select the link associated with the session you plan to attend.

Note: Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email with the specific system requirements and link for joining the webinar you selected:

May 28, 2014, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/593063962

May 28, 2014, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/622564922

Please contact PDE's Bureau of Assessment and Accountability with any questions at 717.705.2343 or ra-pas@pa.gov.

Register Now for the 2014 PAESSP Conference!

Tue, 27 May 2014 9:31:25 AM EDT

Register now for the 2014 PAESSP Conference, Oct. 19-21, at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pa. This year's theme is "Principal Effectiveness: Leading Schools in a New Age of Accountability." National keynote speakers are Dr. Ray Jorgensen, Michael Fullan and Alan November. Click here to register online or watch for registration materials in the mail and in the May issue of the PA Administrator magazine.

Pennsylvania School Performance Profile Data Review and Release

Wed, 21 May 2014 1:44:40 PM EDT

As PDE prepares for the fall 2014 release of the School Performance Profile (SPP), it is important that all parties are up to date with contact information, timeline and data elements for the data review cycle. On May 22, 2014, districts will be receiving an email that will request your attention regarding the following.

1. LEAs must ensure that contact information for each local education agency (LEA) superintendent, career and technical center director and chief executive officer is current. Future correspondence associated with the release of the 2013-14 SPP will be directed to the email address we have on file for each LEA superintendent, career and technical center director and chief executive officer. If you anticipate that this contact information will change, please notify ra-paprofile@pa.gov when this change takes place. (Note: If you have a change in contact information, be sure to make the change in EdNA as well.) In addition, please ensure the email address ra-paprofile@pa.gov is not blocked by your email security system as this email address will be the originating (sending) email address for all future SPP correspondence.

2. The timeline outlining milestones associated with the release of the 2013-14 School Performance Profile (SPP) will be attached to the email. Please note that the first major review period is July 1-21, 2014 (Phase I data).

3. A template that will identify each data element by phase and data source will be attached to the email. LEAs are encouraged to begin compiling applicable documents (Accuracy Certification Statements, Cognos reports, SAT/ACT reports, etc.) in preparation for the actual review phase. Specific instructions on accessing the data review site, via your secure access link, as well as completing the actual review will be provided when you receive your 2013-14 access links (on or before June 30, 2014, for Phase I).

Please direct any questions to ra-paprofile@pa.gov.

Changes in Comprehensive Planning Tool

Wed, 21 May 2014 10:14:27 AM EDT

Updates have been made to the Comprehensive Planning Tool in order for districts to fulfill the obligations included in Chapter 16 of the Pennsylvania Code (22 Pa Code §16) regarding the Gifted Education plan.

a. Core Foundations - Safe and Supportive Schools

1. 22 Pa Code §16.4. Strategic plans. Describe your districts screening and evaluation protocols for gifted education.

2. 22 Pa Code §16.4. Strategic plans. Describe the gifted programs* being offered.

*The word "programs" refers to the continuum of services, not one particular option. The requirements for a student's Gifted Individualized Education Plan can be found in the Pennsylvania Code (22 Pa Code §16.32)

b. Core Foundations - Professional Education

1. 22 Pa Code §16.5. personnel. (c) A school district and intermediate unit shall provide, under section 1205.1 of Pennsylvania School Code (24 P.S. § 12-1205.1), in-service training for gifted and regular teachers, principals, administrators and support staff persons responsible for gifted education.

Questions about the Comprehensive Planning Tool should be addressed to Jill Neuhard, Comprehensive Planning Statewide Project Manager at the Capital Area Intermediate Unit (IU 15) at jneuhard@caiu.org.

Questions about the Gifted Education Plan should be addressed to Tanya Morret, Educational Consultant at the Capital Area Intermediate Unit (IU 15) at tmorret@caiu.org.

Get Out and Vote Today!

Tue, 20 May 2014 8:37:32 AM EDT

The polls are open -- get out and vote today!

Evaluation of Principals and Nonteaching Professional Employees

Tue, 20 May 2014 8:27:08 AM EDT

At its recent meeting, the State Board of Education heard an update from Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) staff on the department’s continuing efforts to implement a new system for evaluation for principals and nonteaching professionals. Under the system, “principals” include building principals, assistant principals, vice principals or a director of vocational education. “Nonteaching professional employees” include educational specialists, professional employees holding certificates who are not assigned classroom teacher or principal positions and administrative and supervisory employees.

PDE is preparing to publish in the Pennsylvania Bulletin its rating tool in the coming weeks. The tool will include the educator rating form and instructions, and will be included under the Chapter 19 regulations that were established last year for the evaluation of classroom teachers. Act 82 of 2012 requires PDE to create and publish the rating tool by June 30, 2013. According to PDE, the rating form will function as the framework for the evaluation process. Final approval of the tool will be completed on a fast-track course that exempts it from the regulatory review requirements and review by the state attorney general. However, the document must be approved by the governor’s office of general counsel, budget office and policy office prior to publication.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, May 19, 2014.

PAESSP Hires New Assistant Executive Director - Dr. Joseph H. Clapper

Thu, 15 May 2014 11:21:45 AM EDT

The Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) is pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. Joseph H. Clapper as the assistant executive director. Dr. Clapper brings more than 30 years in public education to our association.

Click here for more.

Release of the 2013-14 Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities Disclosure Form

Wed, 14 May 2014 10:42:45 AM EDT

The Public School Code (24 P. S. § 16-1601-C) requires the disclosure of interscholastic athletic opportunities for all public secondary school entities in Pennsylvania. From this year forward, we will also collect all non-school funds given to athletic teams.

All public school entities with grades 7-12 are required to annually collect data concerning team and financial information for all male and female athletes. School entities must collect the 2013-14 school year data and submit the information to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).

The statutorily-imposed deadline for public school entities to report this information is Oct. 15, 2014.

PDE has posted the Final Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities Disclosure Form on it’s website at http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school services office/9153/disclosure of interscholastic athletic opportunities/1419362. Public school entities must use the disclosure form to report the required information through PIMS by Oct. 15, 2014.

Beginning with this 2013-14 school year, all non-school funds given to athletic teams (booster club, gifts, alumni contributions and purchases) must also be reported.

Please note that public school entities are required to post their disclosure forms on their website and make the forms available to the public no later than November 1 of each year.

PDE is required to post all submitted disclosure forms on its website. In addition, the department will include the information submitted on the disclosure forms in an annual report, which will be provided to the General Assembly by January 15 of each year.

If you have any questions, please email Ra-Athletic-OppReport@pa.gov.

Re-Testing Proficient Students on the Keystone Exam

Fri, 09 May 2014 3:39:48 PM EDT

From Carolyn C. Dumaresq, Acting Secretary, PDE: Since 2011, approximately 8,000 students who already scored proficient on a Keystone Exam were inappropriately retested. Under Chapter 4 (22 Pa. Code § 4.51) (D) Keystone Exams, it states, "A STUDENT WHO HAS ACHIEVED A SCORE OF PROFICIENT OR ADVANCED ON A KEYSTONE SHALL NOT BE PERMITTED TO RETAKE THE EXAM." This practice is not only prohibited by the regulation, but it also results in additional costs to the Commonwealth. To ensure that LEAs are in compliance with Chapter 4 regulations, and to save the commonwealth unnecessary expenses, please take measures to ensure this practice is halted. Communicate this policy to all staff involved in the administration of the Keystone Exams.

In order to maintain equity in the School Performance Profile (SPP) calculations, scores for any initially proficient student who was retested will be capped at the proficient level for accountability purposes beginning with the 2014 SPP. This action will prevent any LEA from having an unfair advantage when it comes time to calculate the SPP score.

Teachscape Focus Licenses for Evaluators

Tue, 06 May 2014 11:40:37 AM EDT

Teachscape Focus (formerly Teachscape Framework for Teaching Proficiency System) is an online professional development course that assists evaluators in honing their skills in collecting evidence during classroom observations, applying that evidence to the Danielson Framework for Teaching, providing actionable feedback to teachers, and determining the final overall performance rating in each domain.

The course has three components: a deep-dive into the domains and components of the Danielson Framework; scoring practice opportunities to apply these skills with classroom videos; and a proficiency assessment. The course requires approximately 20-25 hours to complete.

As a part of the Pennsylvania Department of Education's (PDE) commitment to providing support to evaluators, this course will provide additional training in the best practices for the Teacher Observation and Practice component, a part of the new teacher evaluation system in effect as of July 1, 2013. This one-time opportunity, at no cost, focuses on increasing inter-rater reliability to promote consistency and fairness for the evaluation process. Finally, upon successful completion of the course, 30 PA Inspired Leaders (PIL) hours will be earned and recorded in PDE's system.

If you are an administrator who is required to evaluate professional staff in the Teacher Observation and Practice component of the new teacher evaluation system, are using the Danielson Framework for Teaching model, and have not previously received a license, then you are encouraged to request a license. This will be the last opportunity to apply for a license.

To request a license, you must complete one of the two surveys using the appropriate link:

Public LEAs (districts, public charter schools, IUs)
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TeachscapeRound6PublicLEA

Non-Public Schools
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TeachscapeRound6NonPublicLEAs

The survey is open May 7-21, 2014. We are asking each applicant to personally complete the survey.

PDE expects the participant to activate the license within 30 days of notification and to complete the entire program during the life of the license, which expires one year from date of notification.

Training for the 2014 Attributions for Federal and State Accountability Reporting

Mon, 05 May 2014 2:24:55 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) will be offering training on the 2014 Attributions for Federal and State Accountability Reporting. This training will use the 2014 Attribution Map, discuss the Data Recognition Corporation Attribution window in eDIRECT, and the impact these attributions have on federal and state accountability and teacher effectiveness.

The 2014 Attribution Map can be downloaded from PDE’s website at www.education.state.pa.us/pas.

There will be four sessions of the 2014 Attributions for Federal and State Accountability Reporting training webinar. The training will consist of presenters from PDE’s Divisions of Performance Analysis and Reporting and Data Quality, along with Data Recognition Corporation. Please select the link that uniquely identifies the date and time you will attend.

May 12, 2014 from 10 a.m. – Noon

https://datarecognitioncorpaudio.webex.com/datarecognitioncorpaudio/onstage/g.php?d=803024408&t=a

May 12, 2014 from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

https://datarecognitioncorpaudio.webex.com/datarecognitioncorpaudio/onstage/g.php?d=808074726&t=a

May 13, 2014 from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

https://datarecognitioncorpaudio.webex.com/datarecognitioncorpaudio/onstage/g.php?d=800242816&t=a

May 13, 2014 from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

https://datarecognitioncorpaudio.webex.com/datarecognitioncorpaudio/onstage/g.php?d=805449545&t=a

Please contact PDE’s Bureau of Assessment and Accountability with any questions at 717-705-2343 or ra-pas@pa.gov.

Patschke Elected to NAESP Board of Directors

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 11:09:40 AM EDT

Dr. Melissa (Missie) Patschke was recently elected to the position of Director for Zone 2 on the National Association of Elementary School Principals' (NAESP) Board of Directors. Dr. Patschke serves as principal of Upper Providence Elementary School, Royersford, Pa., and as an ex-officio member of the PAESSP Board of Directors. Zone 2 includes New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Congratulations, Missie!

Statewide Funding Survey Results Released

Tue, 22 Apr 2014 9:38:07 AM EDT

A statewide survey connects education, economic development and needed change in state support for public schools. Click here for the survey.

2014 PAESSP Election Results Announced

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 1:14:15 PM EDT

The 2014 PAESSP Election closed at noon today and the results have been certified by Vote-Now. Listed below are the candidates who were successful in this year's election. Congratulations!

Statewide Office:

President-Elect (Secondary Member) - Dr. William Ziegler

Regional Representatives:

East I Secondary - Christopher Gegaris

East III Elementary - Jonathan Ross

Central II Elementary - Beth Haldeman

Central II Secondary - Brian Raab

West I Elementary - Teresa Szumigala

West I Secondary - Sharon Sielski

PAESSP Reaches Out to Franklin Regional

Thu, 10 Apr 2014 8:20:21 AM EDT

PAESSP sends our heartfelt condolences to the students, staff and the entire Franklin Regional community. Our network of school leaders stand ready to assist the district in any way that is needed. We have offered our services to the district in an email to the Superintendent of Schools.

PDE Will Not Develop Additional Keystone Exams

Mon, 07 Apr 2014 9:50:14 AM EDT

Last week, Acting Secretary of Education Carolyn Dumaresq issued a letter to Senate Education Committee Chairmen Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) and Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester) confirming that the PA Department of Education (PDE) will not be developing any additional Keystone Exams, including tests for English Composition and Civics and Government, that were required to be implemented by the 2019-20 school year. According to Dumaresq, both Chapter 4 regulations and Act 82 of 2012 subject the availability of these exams to state funding, and the state does not have the resources to move forward at this time. Instead, the focus will be on assuring success on the three existing Keystone Exams (Algebra I, Literature, Biology) and other assessments already in place. Dumaresq also acknowledged legislation in the Senate Education Committee under Senate Bill 1244 introduced by Sen. Dinniman that would limit the Keystone Exams to just the three existing tests.

2014 PAESSP Online Election Ballot Information

Fri, 28 Mar 2014 1:43:23 PM EDT

The PAESSP Election is open from 6 a.m. (EST) Tuesday, April 1, 2014 through 12 p.m. (Noon EST) on Monday, April 14, 2014.

Many e-mail providers impose restrictions on e-mail delivery, which may impact our ability to communicate with you and/or your ability to view images in HTML. To ensure you properly receive your PAESSP Election E-mail (with a link to your Ballot), please add vote-now.com to your address book OR you should ask your IT staff person to add vote-now.com to your district’s spam filter list so that the e-mail can get through. You should do this by 6 a.m. on April 1, 2014.

Please Note: The From Address on the e-mail will be elections@vote-now.com.

Thank you in advance for your time and participation in PAESSP’s Election!

Greg Taranto: Slay the Testing Beast

Thu, 27 Mar 2014 10:09:26 AM EDT

I am the principal of an award-winning middle school in Canonsburg. We have been designated as one of 350 “schools to watch” nationwide, not for our test scores, which are very good, but instead for the ways in which we engage the “whole child.” This means we surround strong core academics with quality arts programs, technology education, physical fitness, wellness and extracurricular opportunities such as athletics and jazz band.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, post-gazette.com, March 26, 2014 12:00 AM.

New York Times Editorial: The Trouble With Testing Mania

Thu, 27 Mar 2014 10:05:36 AM EDT

Congress made a sensible decision a decade ago when it required the states to administer yearly tests to public school students in exchange for federal education aid. The theory behind the No Child Left Behind Act was that holding schools accountable for test scores would force them to improve instruction for groups of children whom they had historically shortchanged.

Testing did spur some progress in student performance. But it has become clear to us over time that testing was being overemphasized — and misused — in schools that were substituting test preparation for instruction. Even though test-driven reforms were helpful in the beginning, it is now clear that they will never bring this country’s schools up to par with those of the high-performing nations that have left us far behind in math, science and even literacy instruction.

Click here for full article.

Source: New York Times, by THE EDITORIAL BOARD, published July 13, 2013.

Increase in Cybersecurity Attacks Targeting Schools

Wed, 12 Mar 2014 12:35:24 PM EDT

The Center for Internet Security (CIS) is aware of at least four Network Time Protocol Distributed Denial of Service attacks targeting school districts in 2014, indicating a possible trend of K-12 school district targeting.

The Network Time Protocol syncs the clocks of networked machines and runs over port 123/UDP. An obscure command, "monlist," allows a requesting computer to receive information regarding the last 600 connections to the Network Time Protocol server. A Network Time Protocol Distributed Denial of Service attack uses Distributed Denial of Service reflection and amplification: a malicious actor spoofs the victim's IP address and uses the monlist command to request that the Network Time Protocol server send a large amount of data to the victim. Since the requesting attacker sends a request to the Network Time Protocol server that is much smaller than the amount of information returned, it amplifies the effect on the victim.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Implement firewall rules that restrict traffic to the Network Time Protocol server from unauthorized sources.
- Instructions for determining if a Network Time Protocol server is vulnerable are available at http://openntpproject.org/

Please refer all questions regarding this advisory to RA-CISO@state.pa.us

Required 2014 Spring Keystone Exam Administration Training Sessions

Wed, 12 Mar 2014 12:30:47 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and its statewide assessment vendor, Data Recognition Corporation (DRC), will conduct training sessions on the administration of the 2014 Spring Keystone Exams on April 16, 2014. The training sessions will be presented live at the Harrisburg PaTTAN at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., and broadcasted via video-conference to the King of Prussia and Pittsburgh PaTTAN locations, along with additional intermediate unit sites.

The information being presented is critical to the administration of the spring Keystone Exam therefore, it is required that every LEA participating in the 2014 Spring Keystone Exams (that did not attend a 2013-14 Winter Keystone Exams training session conducted in November 2013) send at least one representative to a training session. These are train-the-trainer sessions and are designed so that the representative who attends in-person can deliver the same information to his or her coordinators and administrators.

To register for the 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/2014/April.

For more information, contact PDE's Bureau of Assessment and Accountability at 717-265-7655.

Amended Chapter 4 Regulations (Standards and Assessments) In Effect

Thu, 06 Mar 2014 8:58:19 AM EST

On March 1, 2014, the State Board of Education published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin amendments to the Chapter 4 Regulations that govern Standards and Assessments (22 Pa Code Chapter 4).

This action puts in place new academic standards, known as the Pennsylvania Core Standards; and the Keystone Exams, or project-based or similar assessments, as a graduation requirement beginning with students in the class of 2017.

To read the new Chapter 4 regulations, as printed in the March 1, 2014, Pennsylvania Bulletin, visit http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol44/44-9/434.html.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at RA-00BasicEd@pa.gov.

USDOE Releases New Guidance on Protecting Student Privacy While Using Online Educational Services

Thu, 27 Feb 2014 12:42:38 PM EST

The U.S. Department of Education's Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) released new guidance today to help school systems and educators interpret and understand the major laws and best practices protecting student privacy while using online educational services.

Click here for the full story.

Source: ed.gov (United States Department of Education, Feb. 25, 2014.

PAESSP President Talks Future of Ed/Leader Preparation Programs

Tue, 25 Feb 2014 10:33:08 AM EST

Dr. Bill Ziegler is a high school principal and President of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary/Secondary School Principals. He was in attendance for MCDPEL’s LIVE Global #SATCHAT hosted here on the PennGSE campus. Here are a few of Bill’s takeaways.

PA Education Secretary Carolyn Dumaresq Addresses Concerns Over Pensions, Snow Days

Fri, 21 Feb 2014 10:27:14 AM EST

Of all the challenges facing public schools in Pennsylvania, pension reform is the one that keeps Acting Secretary of Education Carolyn Dumaresq up at night.

Click here for the full story.

Source: Lancaster Online, Feb. 20, 2014.

Teacher Improvement Plan Template Available to PAESSP Members

Thu, 20 Feb 2014 9:04:10 AM EST

Have you been searching for a template for a Teacher Improvement Plan (TIP) that can be used with the new educator effectiveness model? PAESSP has developed a template which can be modified by the user to his/her own setting. The TIP includes all the necessary components of an effective plan which include: participants involved, identification of areas of remediation in priority order, composition of specific action plans and documentation of observations and meetings.

If you use the TIP template in any manner, please give credit to PAESSP.

Click here for the template.

Instructional Requirements for School Entities

Wed, 19 Feb 2014 1:29:54 PM EST

As educators we believe that instructional time is critical in supporting student achievement. To ensure that all students have access to an appropriate amount of instruction, school entities (school districts, intermediate units, career and technology centers) are still responsible for meeting the requirement of 180 days of instruction and the number of hours of instruction required by law: 990 hours of instruction for secondary students, 900 hours for elementary students, and 450 hours for half-day kindergarten students.

To clarify how a school entity is able to meet these requirements, the Department of Education has issued three relevant Basic Education Circulars (BECs): Emergency Closings, Instructional Time and Act 80 Exceptions, and Graduation of Seniors.

As specified in the BEC on Emergency Closings, when an entity must close all or the majority of its buildings, the expectation is that the lost day(s) will be made up by June 30^th. IF ALL MAKE-UP DAYS THAT WERE BUILT INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED, THEN THE ENTITY SHOULD REVIEW ITS CALENDAR TO ENSURE THAT IT HAS AVAILED ITSELF OF THE ALTERNATIVES TO THE 180 DAY REQUIREMENT UNDER ACT 80 OF 1969. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT EVEN IF A REQUEST FOR AN ACT 80 EXCEPTION WAS NOT MADE PRIOR TO THE EVENT, APPLICATIONS CAN BE MADE UP UNTIL JULY 31 FOLLOWING THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

The BEC on Graduation of Seniors provides guidance on actions that entities can take to keep the original date of graduation as addressed in Section 1501 of the PA School Code.

It is also important to understand that the issuance of a “state of emergency” does not trigger an exception for days of school missed.

The full text of the BECs referenced above can be found at:

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/basic_education_circulars/7497

Questions may be sent to the School Services Office at RA-PDE-SchoolService@pa.gov.

Community Eligibility Provision ? Announcement of Informational Webinars

Wed, 12 Feb 2014 3:31:08 PM EST

Beginning in the 2014-15 School Year, Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) will be offered an alternative to collecting Household Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications. This alternative is known as the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and was enacted with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 §104(a). Qualifying LEAs may participate in CEP with one, several, or all schools in the LEA. CEP is a beneficial and streamlined option for eligible LEAs and schools that wish to offer free meals to all children in high poverty schools and eliminate the paperwork and frustration that can go along with collecting individual household applications.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Division of Food and Nutrition (DFN), will be presenting three CEP informational webinars, which we highly encourage you to participate. The webinars will provide guidance on determining which LEAs and schools qualify for the CEP, timelines for submitting information and applications, and benefits, barriers, and lessons learned from other states who are already participating in the CEP. To participate, simply use the call-in numbers and codes below to sign-in to any session (registration is not required):

Thursday, 2/20/14 – 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. - Conference dial-in: Toll Free: 1-855-750-1027,

Toll: 1-717-612-4733, Conference PIN: 476784, Web Conference URL: https://openscapewebconf2.pa.gov/client/fastclient_i_r606283EA.exe

Tuesday, 2/25/14 – 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. - Conference dial-in: Toll Free: 1-855-750-1027,

Toll: 1-717-612-4733, Conference PIN: 117672, Web Conference URL: https://openscapewebconf2.pa.gov/client/fastclient_i_r717901EA.exe

Wednesday, 2/26/14 – 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. - Conference dial-in: Toll Free: 1-855-750-1027,

Toll: 1-717-612-4733, Conference PIN: 758471, Web Conference URL: https://openscapewebconf2.pa.gov/client/fastclient_i_r829718F4.exe

Michael E. Allison Elected President-Elect of NASSP

Wed, 12 Feb 2014 9:54:16 AM EST

Michael E. Allison, a former president of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) and principal of Hopewell Senior High School in Aliquippa, Pa., has been elected to the position of President-Elect of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), headquartered in Reston, Va. The announcement was made following an election held during the association’s Ignite14 conference held recently in Dallas, Texas. Congratulations, Mike!

PSSA Testing Window

Fri, 07 Feb 2014 11:29:10 AM EST

Announcement from Carolyn C. Dumaresq, Ed.D., Acting Secretary of Education, PDE -- Thanks to the responses from school and district leaders, PDE recognizes the challenges faced with any change to the 2014 testing window. We have decided that there is no perfect solution, so our compromise will be an extension of the PSSA Math/Reading and PSSA Writing testing windows.

PDE will extend the PSSA Math/Reading window to March 17 - April 4, 2014. Those schools/districts that need to administer the PSSA Math/Reading during the original testing window of March 17 - 28 will still have the opportunity to do so. Schools/Districts that choose to take advantage of the extended window will have the ability to administer the tests March 24 - April 4, 2014. The make-up window will be April 7 - 11, 2014.

DRC will maintain its current shipping schedule, so materials will arrive at schools/districts as originally planned. PDE requires that schools/districts that take advantage of the extended window securely lock the assessments until such time as the assessments are administered. Additionally, in order to maintain as much of the processing time as possible for DRC, PDE strongly encourages that LEAs return their used testing materials as soon as testing is complete, regardless of which testing-window option is selected.

The same logic applies to the PSSA Writing window. Materials will be available if you choose to test during the original window of March 31 - April 4; however, the window will be extended to April 11 for those who need it. Make-ups for the PSSA Writing is April 14 - 25, 2014.

The PSSA Science and the Keystone Exams windows will not change. The PSSA Science window is April 28 - May 9, including make-ups; the Keystone Exams window is May 12 - 23.

DRC will distribute a new survey to schools/district for those sites that wish to change their testing dates.

Governor Corbett?s Budget Increases Funding for Education by $387 Million; New Initiatives to Raise

Tue, 04 Feb 2014 2:50:25 PM EST

Governor Corbett’s Budget Increases Funding for Education by $387 Million; New Initiatives to Raise Student Achievement

Budget Information

Source: http://www.portal.state.pa.us, PA Department of Education, Feb. 4, 2014.

Corbett Unveils $29.4 Billion Budget With No Tax Increase: Pa. Budget 2014

Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed 2014-2015 budget of $29.4 billion would raise Pennsylvania's spending by nearly a $1 billion.

Click here for the full article.

Source: Pennlive.com, by Jeff Frantz, Feb. 4, 2014.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett Calls for Additional $400 Million for Education in 2014-15

Corbett Budget Plan for Pennsylvania Raises Special Education Funding

Required 2014 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) Administration Training Sessions

Fri, 31 Jan 2014 9:59:11 AM EST

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and its vendor, Data Recognition Corporation, will conduct training sessions on the administration of the 2014 PSSA at the King of Prussia, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh PaTTAN office locations. The information being presented is critical to the administration of the 2014 PSSAs. Every local education agency is required to 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/2014/February.

Live Sessions

Feb. 10, 2014

PaTTAN King of Prussia (two live sessions)

9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Feb. 11, 2014

PaTTAN Harrisburg (two live sessions)

9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Feb. 13, 2014

PaTTAN Pittsburgh (two live sessions)

9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

1 p.m. – 3 p.m

For more information, contact PDE Bureau of Assessment and Accountability at 717.265.7655 or visit www.education.state.pa.us.

Overview and PIMS Requirements for Precodes for Spring Keystone Exams

Fri, 31 Jan 2014 9:55:57 AM EST

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is providing an opportunity for local education agencies (LEA) to attend an online training that will address how Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS) data is used by Data Recognition Corporation to produce pre-code labels for spring Keystone Exams and for uploading student data for Classroom Diagnostic Tools. This training will explain the data elements required in this PIMS collection window, and the importance of accurate data submission and reporting. The training will be followed by a question and answer period.

PDE will be offering a total of four webinar sessions via "GoToMeeting" on Feb. 6, 2014, and Feb. 7, 2014. Presenters will be from PDE’s Division of Performance Analysis and Reporting. Trainings on both days will be held from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

To register, please select one of the links provided below. Each session has a distinct registration link. Be sure to select the link associated with the session you plan to attend.

Note: Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email with the specific system requirements and link for joining the webinar you selected:

Feb. 6, 2014, from 10 a.m. – Noon https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/710756794

Feb. 6, 2014, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/252470986

Feb. 7, 2014, from 10 a.m. – Noon https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/489558506

Feb. 7, 2014, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/522402482

Please contact PDE’s Bureau of Assessment and Accountability with any questions at 717.705.2343 or ra-pas@pa.gov.

New Podcast on Pension Reform Available on PAESSP Website

Wed, 29 Jan 2014 1:23:14 PM EST

A new podcast on "Pension Reform" by Dr. William R. Hartman, Jr., and Dr. Paul M. Healey, PAESSP executive directors, has been posted on the PAESSP website. Find the View Our Podcast button on the homepage and click on View Now or click on this link: http://www.paessp.org/resources/paessp-podcast

PAESSP Seeking Assistant Executive Director

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 9:01:56 AM EST

Seeking visionary individual with interest in legislative and advocacy for the part-time position as assistant executive director with PA Principals’ Association. PAESSP is a non-profit, member organization serving school leaders across the state. Successful candidate must be well-spoken, possess excellent written communication skills and comfortable using technology. This position requires attendance in Harrisburg at hearings and meetings and time in the office and some travel serving member needs. Submit letter of interest and resume by February 28, 2014, to: Dr. Paul M. Healey, Executive Director-Elect, PAESSP, 122 Valley Road, Summerdale, PA 17093. EOE.

Certification Staffing Policies and Guidelines (CSPG) Update

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 8:30:00 AM EST

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has updated CSPG #21 - Testing.

Summary of changes to CSPG #21:

1. The Pre-Service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) reading, writing and mathematics tests replaced the Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST) effective April 2012. PPSTs are still being accepted if they were taken on or before Dec. 31, 2012.

2. Added the acceptance of the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) and the American College Test (ACT) plus writing for meeting the basic skills assessment requirement.

3. Eliminated the 10-year test score validity requirement.

4. Added a six-month grace period for acceptance of replaced tests.

5. Added the Letter of Eligibility test requirement.

6. Deleted the following statement: "Test scores submitted under the 3-out-of-7 rule as stated in Chapter §49.65 (e) must have been successfully completed within five years of the date of application" since the rule has changed.

The updated CSPG can be found on PDE's website at www.education.state.pa.us, select Teachers, Administrators and Certifications, then select Certification Staffing Policies (CSPGs) from the left navigation bar or copy and paste the following link into your browser:

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/certification_staffing_policies_%28cspgs%29/8626.

IEP Meeting Facilitation Conference at Drexel - Feb. 19-20, 2014

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 8:01:00 AM EST

Drexel University's School of Education Special Education Program presents a professional development opportunity for comprehensive and intensive training in the mechanics and legal benefits of IEP Meeting Facilitation and Conflict Resolution on February 19-20, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Philadelphia Center City. The registration rate is $695 for individuals; and $650 for groups (three or more individuals from an agency/organization).

Click here for the registration flyer or contact Cassie Velasquez at cassiev@key2ed.com or 602-430-8482.

Obama?s Homework Assignment

Thu, 23 Jan 2014 10:25:25 AM EST

President Obama will deliver his State of the Union address on Jan. 28, but, for my money, his secretary of education, Arne Duncan, already gave it. Just not enough people heard it.

Click here for the full story.

Source: Op-Ed, by Columnist Thomas L. Friedman, The New York Times, Jan. 19, 2014.

Teachscape Focus Licenses for Evaluators

Wed, 22 Jan 2014 1:41:02 PM EST

Teachscape Focus (formerly Teachscape Framework for Teaching Proficiency System) is an online professional development course that assists evaluators in honing their skills in: collecting evidence during classroom observations; applying that evidence to the Danielson Framework for Teaching; providing actionable feedback to teachers; and determining the final overall performance rating in each domain.

The course has three components: a deep-dive into the domains and components of the Danielson Framework; scoring practice opportunities to apply these skills with classroom videos; and a proficiency assessment. The course requires approximately 20-25 hours to complete.

As a part of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) commitment to provide support to evaluators, this course will provide additional training in the best practices for the Teacher Observation and Practice component of the new teacher evaluation system implemented as of July 1, 2013. This one-time opportunity, at no cost, focuses on increasing inter-rater reliability to promote consistency and fairness for the evaluation process. Finally, upon successful completion of the course, 30 PA Inspired Leaders (PIL) hours will be earned and recorded in PDE’s system.

If you are an administrator who is required to evaluate professional staff in the Teacher Observation and Practice component of the new teacher evaluation system, and have not previously received a license, then you are encouraged to request a license.

To request a license, you must complete the survey monkey following https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TeachscapeRound5. The survey will open Jan. 22, 2014 and will close on Feb. 7, 2014. We are asking each applicant to personally complete the survey.

PDE expects participants to activate the license within 30 days of notification and to complete the entire program during the life of the license, which expires one year from date of notification.

Corbett To Propose Boost in Education Funding

Fri, 17 Jan 2014 9:30:00 AM EST

Gov. Corbett will propose hundreds of millions of dollars in new education funding as the centerpiece of the budget he unveils next month, according to sources familiar with the plan. Addressing one of his perceived political liabilities, the governor will call for what one source described as a "major investment" in basic education with more modest investments for colleges. The details, including where the money will come from, remain under wraps. But one source estimated the plan will call for $200 million in new funds, and others said the governor hopes to rely on pension reform to net $100 million.

Click here for the full story.

Source: Amy Worden and Angela Couloumbis, Philadelphia Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau; Posted: Thursday, January 16, 2014, 8:08 p.m.

Suicide Awareness Training in Schools

Thu, 16 Jan 2014 2:22:06 PM EST

The Senate referred House Bill 1559 to the Appropriations Committee. It provides for training in youth suicide awareness and prevention for educators in buildings serving students in grades 6-12. The bill requires schools, within 90 days, to adopt a youth suicide awareness and prevention policy that includes reporting procedures and methods of prevention, intervention and postvention. The school entity must inform its employees of the policy, make available education and resources and incorporate age-appropriate education into the curriculum. The Department of Education must maintain on its website a list of approved resources, training materials and age-appropriate education that schools may use.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, Jan. 16, 2014.

Plan for Website Listing PA Public School Expenses Goes to Senate

Thu, 16 Jan 2014 11:10:29 AM EST

A proposal to make a searchable website of Pennsylvania public school expenses is now before the state Senate for consideration following passage in the House. The measure would require public schools to submit their expenses annually to the Department of Education. Eventually, the agency would display the information in a searchable website online.

The site, to be called SchoolWATCH, was inspired by the roughly year-old state website PennWATCH, which displays various state expenses, said Rep. Jim Christiana, who sponsored the bill.

Click here for the full story.

Source: WHYY Newsworks, Jan. 15, 2014.

House Votes To Create Education Funding Commission

Thu, 16 Jan 2014 8:52:13 AM EST

According to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, a school funding bill passed the state House on Wednesday, despite ongoing partisan debate over whether a funding formula even exists. Widely supported by school administrators, teachers unions and advocacy groups, House Bill 1738 would establish a commission to study and recommend a more equitable way to distribute state dollars to districts. Click here to read the Pittsburgh Tribune Review article.

State Board of Education Meeting ? 1/9/14

Thu, 09 Jan 2014 1:15:14 PM EST

Highlights of remarks offered by Dr. Carolyn Dumaresq, Acting Secretary of Education:

The PDE staff has been concentrating on getting their budget information together for the Governor’s upcoming new budget. Education is one of the first areas to go before the Appropriations Committee, so it is crucial to have the numbers and information ready to go.

Chapter 4 information--

Currently working on costing out projections for supplemental services related to the implementation of the Keystone Exams.

New School Performance Profile (SPP) data has been uploaded and schools are now researching ways to improve their profiles and opportunities for the students.
There have been over 200,000 visits to the SPP site with the majority of those visits (35%) being from parents.
Starting on Friday, PDE will begin to honor those schools that attained a SPP of 90% or better with a banner and an announcement. Some 428

buildings will receive recognition during this first round of SPP.

About 91 schools have been identified as Priority Schools as a result of their SPP score. Academic Recovery Liaisons will begin to work with these schools.

Teacher and Principal Evaluation--

The first round of teacher evaluations are being completed for the temporary professional individuals in the districts. Resources have been provided to assist with the completion of the evaluation forms.
The principal and specialists evaluation regulations are expected in the very near future as the pilot continues for principal evaluation.

PDE received its third federal grant to the tune of about $52 million for early learning. PDE will be working on providing training and resources to have quality early learning programs across the state.

Open Board Positions for 2014 PAESSP Election

Thu, 09 Jan 2014 9:44:22 AM EST

If you are interested in running for one of the open board positions (click on the link below) in the 2014 PAESSP election, please contact the PAESSP office at snyder@paessp.org or (717) 732-4999 for an application. Applications must be received in the PAESSP office by Feb. 14, 2014.

Click here for the open board positions, duties and responsibilities.

Ranking Senator Urges Some Kind of Pension Overhaul

Wed, 08 Jan 2014 1:34:29 PM EST

The president pro tempore of the state Senate began his eighth year in the position with a call to action for some kind of public pension system overhaul. Over the past year, Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) has been skeptical about the governor's plans to grapple with rising costs to fund the state's public pension systems. Click here to read more.
Source: WITF, Jan. 7, 2014.

PA Principal To Attend US Army All American Bowl

Fri, 03 Jan 2014 10:07:27 AM EST

Michael Allison, principal of Hopewell High School in Aliquippa, PA, is attending the US Army All American Bowl Game in San Antonio, TX as a community leader and guest of the US Army 3rd Recruiting Brigade. Mr. Allison will have the opportunity to interact with and learn from US Army leaders and soldiers during this trip. Planned activities include the US Army Bar-B-Q and welcome reception; Focus Group Sessions on Building a Stronger Future Together; touring Fort Sam Houston; interacting with soldiers at Fort Sam Houston; and attending the US Army All American Bowl on Saturday, January 4, 2014. This trip focuses on building collaborative relationships between high visibility community leaders and the US Army to share the important work of today's Army, to promote opportunities for youth to pursue careers in the US Army and to help society better understand the concepts of "Army Strong."

Click here for a greeting from Mr. Allison.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152168054938115&set=vb.310437883114&type=2&theater

Michael Allison with Master Sgt. Peter Moody and Col. John Box of the US Army 3rd Recruiting Brigade.

NAESP Releases Two Surveys of Principals on Common Core State Standards Initiative

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 1:42:07 PM EST

The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) released two surveys that examine principals’ views of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) initiative, as well as their preparation and ongoing support for implementation of the higher standards. The surveys, which reflect the views of 1,000 principals in 14 states that have adopted CCSS, reveal that principals overwhelmingly support the CCSS initiative and have a strong willingness to continue to engage deeply in instructional leadership activities as states move forward with the new standards. One of the surveys focuses specifically on urban schools.

Read the full press release and both surveys at www.naesp.org/leadership-common-core.

Acting Secretary of Education Announces Updates to School Performance Profile

Thu, 12 Dec 2013 8:39:38 AM EST

To access the School Performance Profile, visit www.paschoolperformance.org. Data that was used to calculate profile scores can be accessed by clicking on the “Data Files” link on the bottom right side of the home page. - See more at: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=7234&PageID=1005857&mode=2&contentid=http://pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/cop_hhs/pde/single_web/no_workflow_requried/news_and_media/articles/acting_secretary_of_education_announces_updates_to_school_performance_profile.html#sthash.esnvOAyT.927Bgx5U.dpuf

Source: PDE Press Release, Dec. 11, 2013.

Acting Secretary of Education Carolyn Dumaresq today announced that the School Performance Profile website has been updated to include scores for the more than 620 schools that had their information suppressed in October. - See more at: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=7234&PageID=1005857&mode=2&contentid=http://pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/cop_hhs/pde/single_web/no_workflow_requried/news_and_media/articles/acting_secretary_of_education_announces_updates_to_school_performance_profile.html#sthash.esnvOAyT.C0aQNBF3.dpuf

House Passes Educator Discipline Bill

Wed, 11 Dec 2013 8:52:28 AM EST

Yesterday the House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 34, legislation that amends the Professional Educator Discipline Act to establish a comprehensive system to be used to investigate and discipline professional educators for misconduct. The bill expands the bases for discipline to include founded and indicated reports of child abuse as well as “grooming” behaviors such as sending a student sexually explicit text messages; shortens the time period for reporting to the Pennsylvania Department of Education; requires an educator arrested, indicted for, or convicted of certain crimes to report the action to the employing school within 72 hours; prohibits schools from entering into confidential settlement agreements that interfere with the entity’s mandatory reporting; and eliminates the current statute of limitations for the filing of misconduct complaints. Senate Bill 34 will now return to the Senate for a concurrence vote on House amendments made earlier to the bill.

Source: PSBA School Leader News Daily EDition, Dec. 10, 2013.

Give Corbett an ?F?

Thu, 05 Dec 2013 9:48:15 AM EST

Well, the man’s got nerve, I’ll give you that. Since kicking off his re-election bid here in Pittsburgh last month (see “A Week of Action”), Governor Corbett has been touring the state boldly campaigning on his record of – wait for it – education. Yes, the man who has slashed $2.4 billion and counting from public schools in the Commonwealth now thinks that voters will buy the idea that he actually supports public education. Incredibly, Gov. Corbett has been claiming in radio ads that he increased funding for our schools. [Politics PA, 11-17-13]

Click here to read more.

Source: Yinzercation Blog, December 4, 2013.

Corbett Administration Moving Too Fast on Keystone Exams, Stack Tells Senate

Thu, 05 Dec 2013 9:11:49 AM EST

On the floor of the state Senate today, Sen. Mike Stack criticized the Corbett administration for ignoring education and community leaders who believe implementation of the controversial Keystone Exams will financially hurt school districts and unfairly affect students who do not pass the pressure-packed graduation requirement.

“The Keystone Exams have been the source of a lot of debate and angst over the past six months. It peaked with a split, 3-2, IRRC vote to approve the Keystone Exams on Thursday, Nov. 21. Last week, Senator Dinniman and I hosted a town hall hearing on the Keystone Exams to get feedback from education experts, advocates and key stakeholders. “We heard a lot of interesting reaction and I wanted to highlight some of the issues and themes we heard:

http://www.senatorstack.com/corbett-administration-moving-too-fast-on-keystone-exams-stack-tells-senate.

Source: Senator Stacks’s website on Dec. 4, 2013.

PA House Debates Economic Furloughs at Schools

Wed, 04 Dec 2013 9:50:19 AM EST

Pennsylvania public schools would have wider latitude to furlough employees during tough economic times and would not have to start with the least senior workers under proposals that were debated Tuesday in the state Capitol.

Click here for the full article.

Source: The Associated Press, Dec. 4, 2013.

State Legislators Look Ahead to Pension Reform

Tue, 03 Dec 2013 9:34:16 AM EST

One down, two to go.

When 2013 began, Gov. Tom Corbett identified three items that were crucial to getting the state on the right track — a new transportation funding plan, an overhaul of the public pension systems and getting Pennsylvania out of the booze business.

Source: Lancasteronline.com, Dec. 1, 2013.

Dr. William T. Ziegler Named President of State Principals? Association

Tue, 26 Nov 2013 10:26:40 AM EST

November 15, 2013

TO: News Editor/News Director

CONTACT: Sheri L. Thompson, Director of Communications

Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals
122 Valley Road
P.O. Box 39
Summerdale, PA 17093
(717) 732-4999 (Phone)
(717) 732-4890 (Fax)
sherit@paessp.org

RELEASE: UPON RECEIPT

Dr. William T. Ziegler Named President of State Principals’ Association

(Harrisburg, Pa.) — William T. Ziegler, Ed.D., principal of Pottsgrove High School in the Pottsgrove School District, was recently named President of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa.

Dr. Ziegler assumed his new position on PAESSP’s Board of Directors following the association’s annual business meeting held October 29, 2013 during its 21^st annual state conference held in State College.

“I’m honored with the opportunity to serve principals in Pennsylvania. I firmly believe that principals are the most important leaders in our nation. More than ever, principals are faced with increasing demands, less resources, and increasingly complex challenges to resolve. As a result, PAESSP is an association committed to equipping principals with the tools to be leaders who strengthen student achievement at all levels and lead through the changing educational landscape,” said Dr. Ziegler.

Dr. Ziegler began his education career in 1994 as a social studies teacher at Pottstown High School in the Pottstown School District. From 1998-2002, he served as the assistant principal of Pottstown High School in the Pottstown School District, and from 2002-2007, he served as the assistant principal of Pottsgrove High School in the Pottsgrove School District. He was the principal of Pottsgrove Middle School from 2007-2013 before assuming the principalship of Pottsgrove High School.

Dr. Ziegler has been a member of PAESSP/NASSP for 12 years. Most recently, he served as treasurer on the PAESSP Board of Directors (2010-2012). He currently acts as the chairperson of the PAESSP Mini-Grant Selection Committee and he also served on the board as the East III Secondary Regional Representative. In addition, he served on the NASSP Publications Advisory Council from 2007-2009 and presented at the NASSP National Conference in 2003
and 2005.

Dr. Ziegler is active in his community as well. He was president of the Montgomery County Principals Association from 2008-2010, and currently serves on the board of Trinity Church and is the media director for Christian Educators Association International. Additionally, he volunteers his time to teach GED classes to parents in the Pottsgrove community.

Dr. Ziegler has been an adjunct professor in graduate education at Temple University since 2007 and has served as a representative for NASSP on the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Congressional Panel for the E-RATE Program. In addition, he published the article, “Developing Teacher Leadership Capacity,” in NASSP’s Principal Leadership magazine in April 2012. His articles have been published in Principal Leadership multiple times.

According to Dr. Ziegler, “PAESSP has a rich history of serving principals through instructional leadership, legal updates, Act 93 agreement consultation, professional liability insurance, strong professional development opportunities and a partnership with NAESP and NASSP. PAESSP is a voice for principals and education on state and federal levels in regards to educational legislation.”

Dr. Ziegler received a bachelor of science degree in education from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, a master’s in education from Gratz College and his Ed.D. in educational leadership from Temple University. He received his Principal’s Certificate from The Pennsylvania State University.

Dr. Ziegler resides in Boyertown, Pa., with his wife, Kim, and their two children.

###

Jacqueline Clarke Havrilla Named President-Elect of State Principals? Association

Tue, 26 Nov 2013 10:23:03 AM EST

November 15, 2013

TO: News Editor/News Director

CONTACT: Sheri L. Thompson, Director of Communications

Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals
122 Valley Road
P.O. Box 39
Summerdale, PA 17093
(717) 732-4999 (Phone)
(717) 732-4890 (Fax)

sherit@paessp.org

RELEASE: UPON RECEIPT

Jacqueline Clarke Havrilla Named President-Elect of State Principals’ Association

(Harrisburg, Pa.) — Jacqueline Clarke Havrilla, principal of Evans Elementary School in the Spring-Ford Area School District, was recently named President-Elect of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa.

Havrilla assumed her new position on PAESSP’s Board of Directors following the association’s annual business meeting held October 29, 2013 during its 21^st annual state conference held in State College.

"I am honored to serve as president-elect of PAESSP which serves all principals in Pennsylvania. As principals, we face an ever-changing world; PAESSP is the organization that provides the support and professional development needed to guide our staff to be able to provide students with 21^st-century skills."

Havrilla began her education career in 1973 as an elementary school teacher at Turnpike Elementary School in the Sullivan County School District. After 21 years with Turnpike Elementary School, she became the assistant principal at Schuylkill Valley Intermediate/Middle School in the Schuylkill Valley School District from 1994-1995. She then went on to serve as assistant principal of Schuylkill Elementary School from 1995-1997 and principal of Schuylkill Elementary School from 1997-2002. From 2002-2007, she was the principal of Limerick Elementary School in the Spring-Ford Area School District before assuming the principalship at Evans Elementary School, also in the Spring-Ford Area School District.

Havrilla has been a member of PAESSP/NASSP for 19 years. She most recently served as the East III Elementary Regional Representative on the PAESSP Board of Directors from 2010-2013. She is also a member of the PAESSP Select Staff Development Committee and served as a moderator for the NAESP Convention in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Havrilla is also a member of the Montgomery County Principals’ Association. She is a member of the Spring-Ford Area School District Supervision, Professional Development and Safety Committees. In addition, she previously served as the chairperson for the Language Arts K-8 Curriculum Committee in the Schuylkill Valley School District.

Havrilla received a bachelor of arts degree in early childhood education from Point Park University. She also earned a master’s degree in secondary guidance and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Scranton. She received her school administration certification (K-12) from Bucknell University.

###

State and National Education Leaders To Convene in State College

Tue, 26 Nov 2013 10:17:40 AM EST

October 11, 2013

TO: News Editor/News Director

CONTACT: Sheri L. Thompson, Director of Communications

Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals
122 Valley Road
P.O. Box 39
Summerdale, PA 17093
(717) 732-4999 (Phone)
(717) 732-4890 (Fax)
sherit@paessp.org
www.paessp.org

RELEASE: UPON RECEIPT

State and National Education Leaders To Convene in State College

(Harrisburg, PA)—More than 400 elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals, supervisors, school-related vendors and other education leaders will convene in State College for the 21^st annual state conference of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) to be held October 27-29, 2013 at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel.

“This year’s conference once again provides administrators opportunities to engage in professional development that puts teaching and learning at the forefront of each experience. Attendees will gain skills and knowledge through a number of venues including workshops, trainings, seminars and presentations from national and international keynote speakers. As a member of PAESSP, and as an attendee at our conferences, I look forward to the opportunity to network with fellow administrators across the state in an effort to learn and grow as a professional,” said Curtis E. Johnson, 2013 conference committee chairperson.

A few of the awards to be given out at the conference include the National Distinguished Principal and the Assistant, Middle Level and High School Principals of the Year. These will be given during PAESSP’s 29^th annual banquet from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013 (President’s Hall).

In addition to the more than 65 vendors exhibiting their products for schools and classrooms in the Exhibit Hall (President’s Hall, Monday, Oct. 28, 2013), keynote addresses and a multitude of informational breakout sessions will be presented to attendees by three nationally known speakers as well as educators from across the Commonwealth during the 2 ½-day conference. Dr. Todd Whitaker will present “Have You Shifted Your Monkey Today?” on Sunday, Oct. 27 from 1:30-2:45 p.m. at the First General Session (Dean’s Hall).

On Monday, October 28, Charlotte Danielson will present “Making the Most of Teacher Evaluation” from 8:30-10:00 a.m. at the Second General Session (Dean’s Hall). Also, speaking on Monday is Will Richardson, who will present “Rethinking Education in a World of Ubiquitously Networked, Self-Directed Learners and Makers” from 1:30-2:45 p.m. at the Third General Session (Dean’s Hall).

On Tuesday, Oct. 29 at PAESSP’s annual business meeting (8:15-9:15 a.m.), PAESSP President Kurt J. Nyquist will ‘pass the gavel’ to Dr. William T. Ziegler, principal of Pottsgrove High School in the Pottsgrove School District, Pottstown, Pa., making him the 2013-2014 PAESSP president. In addition, Acting PA Secretary of Education, Dr. Carolyn C. Dumaresq, has been invited to speak on Tuesday, Oct. 29.

###

MY TWO CENTS: Multiple Measures Not For All Stakeholders

Fri, 22 Nov 2013 11:05:00 AM EST

By Dr. Paul M. Healey, PAESSP Executive Director-Elect

Since the passage of NCLB, individual educators and educational organizations alike have provided testimony and opinions about using a single test taken in the spring of a year to judge overall performance. We all know and understand that no single test should be used to judge a student, a school or a school district.

Then, as states were being granted waivers from the federal government, we waited our turn in Pennsylvania, with great anticipation, that we would be released from the high stakes test accountability system to the use of a growth model that utilizes multiple measures to judge performance. And, as the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) rolled out the new educator effectiveness and principal effectiveness frameworks as part of Act 82, we clearly saw a move towards using multiple measures and we took comfort in knowing that our voices were finally heard.

Click here for the full article.

High School Graduation Testing Requirement Coming to Pennsylvania

Fri, 22 Nov 2013 11:00:00 AM EST

A controversial statewide graduation testing requirement that accompanies a new set of state-developed grade-level learning goals closely aligned to the Common Core standards has passed a final hurdle. The Independent Regulatory Review Commission on Thursday vote 3-2 to approve these changes to state regulations.

Click here for the full article.

Source: PennLive.com, by Jan Murphy, Nov. 21, 2013.

Click here for information on the Chapter 4 Regulations – Academic Standards and Assessments (from Carolyn C. Dumaresq, Ed.D., Acting Secretary of Education)

For the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette article, click here.

EpiPen Bill Update

Fri, 22 Nov 2013 10:53:31 AM EST

House Bill 803 allows schools to obtain a prescription for a supply of epinephrine auto injectors (EpiPens) and contains provisions concerning staff training, administration and storage of the EpiPens. The bill was amended to clarify that the provisions of the bill are in compliance with Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and state Chapter 15 regulations for protected handicapped students. Other changes require that 911 be called after administration of the epinephrine pen and allow parents to opt out.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, Nov. 22, 2013.

PA House Amended Educator Discipline Legislation, Final Action Pending

Fri, 22 Nov 2013 10:52:21 AM EST

Senate Bill 34 amends the Professional Educator Discipline Act to establish a comprehensive system to be used to investigate and discipline professional educators for misconduct. The bill expands the bases for discipline to include founded and indicated reports of child abuse as well as “grooming” behaviors such as sending a student sexually explicit text messages; shortens the time period for reporting to PDE; requires an educator arrested, indicted for, or convicted of certain crimes to report the action to the employing school within 72 hours; prohibits schools from entering into confidential settlement agreements that interfere with the entity’s mandatory reporting; and eliminates the current statute of limitations for the filing of misconduct complaints. The bill was amended to remove all language relating to “indicated reports.” Senate Bill 34 was re-referred to the Appropriations Committee.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, Nov. 22, 2013.

Teacher Improvement Plan

Thu, 21 Nov 2013 2:52:54 PM EST

Attention PAESSP Members:

Have you been searching for a template for a Teacher Improvement Plan (TIP) that can be used with the new educator effectiveness model? PAESSP has developed a template which can be modified by the user to his/her own setting. The TIP includes all the necessary components of an effective plan which include: participants involved, identification of areas of remediation in priority order, composition of specific action plans and documentation of observations and meetings. If you use the TIP template in any manner, please give credit to PAESSP.

Click here for the TIP template.

Hope you find it useful.

Dr. Paul M. Healey
PAESSP Executive Director-Elect

Understanding Cohort Graduation Rate Attribution and the Attribution Window

Mon, 18 Nov 2013 12:03:10 PM EST

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is providing an opportunity for local education agencies (LEA) to attend an online training that will assist in understanding the cohort graduation rate attribution and the attribution window. This training will explain the data elements required in this Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS) collection window and the relevance to accurate data submission and reporting. The training will be followed by a question and answer period.

PDE will be offering a total of four webinar sessions via GoToMeeting on Nov. 25, 2013 and Nov. 26, 2013. Presenters include representatives from PDE's Bureau of Assessment and Accountability, PDE's Division of Data Quality (PIMS) and Data Recognition Corporation.

Trainings on both days will be held either from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This is a change from the PIMS training calendar that had this training scheduled for Nov. 18, 2013 and Nov. 19, 2013.

To register, please select one of the four links provided below. Each morning or afternoon session has a distinct registration link. Be sure to select the link associated with the date and time you plan to attend.

Note: Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email with the specific system requirements and link for joining each webinar:

Nov. 25, 2013, from 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/249091746

Nov. 25, 2013, from 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/800291994

Nov. 26, 2013, from 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/225727218

Nov. 26, 2013, from 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/290135306

Please contact PDE's Bureau of Assessment and Accountability with any questions at 717.705.2343 or ra-pas@pa.gov.

Implications of IRRC Vote on Chapter 4 Regulations

Fri, 15 Nov 2013 2:50:34 PM EST

Attention PAESSP Members:

On Thursday, November 21, 2013, the IRRC will vote on the proposed revisions to Chapter 4. The link below provides a good summary of what happens either way the IRRC votes.

Dr. Paul M. Healey, PAESSP Executive Director-Elect.

Click here for the implications of IRRC vote on Chapter 4 regulations.

2013-14 Winter Keystone Exams Administration Training

Thu, 31 Oct 2013 12:40:48 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education and Data Recognition Corporation representatives will be conducting the 2013-14 Winter Keystone Exams Administration Training sessions at the following times and locations:

     Pittsburgh PaTTAN on Nov. 5, 2013, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
     Harrisburg PaTTAN on Nov. 7, 2013, at 9 a.m and 1 p.m.
     King of Prussia PaTTAN on Nov. 8, 2013, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The training sessions will be presented live at each of the PaTTAN sites and broadcast via videoconference to the other PaTTAN locations, along with additional intermediate unit sites.

The information being presented is critical to the administration of the Keystone Exams therefore, it is required that every LEA participating in the 2013-14 Winter Keystone Exams send at least one representative to a training session. These are train-the-trainer sessions. The sessions are designed so that the representative who attends in-person can deliver the same information to his or her coordinators and administrators.

If you have not yet signed up for a spot at a live session or to view the presentation at a satellite location, please visit the PaTTAN website at http://www.pattan.net/category/Training/Calendar/2013/November

Remember, online registration enables you to receive registration confirmation via email, keep track of professional development activities with the transcript feature and view other available activities.

Overview of the Data Interaction/eMetric System for the Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Training

Thu, 31 Oct 2013 12:30:51 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) will offer training on the Data Interaction/eMetric system for the Keystone Exams. The training will provide an overview of the Data Interaction system and include time for hands-on training to help participants effectively navigate the site and produce reports that will enable them to make data-informed decisions.

TARGET AUDIENCE
Superintendents, charter school CEOs and Intermediate Unit Directors Building principals Educators teaching Keystone Exam-related courses

TRAINING GOALS
Gain a better understanding of the Data Interaction system Learn the features and benefits of the system Navigate the eMetric site Identify the reports that meet LEA needs through hands-on training

DATES, LOCATION AND REGISTRATION LINKS

Nov. 14, 2013, at PaTTAN Pittsburgh from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Nov. 18, 2013, at PaTTAN Harrisburg from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Nov. 20, 2013, at PaTTAN King of Prussia from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Nov. 21, 2013 at PaTTAN King of Prussia from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Use the following link to register for the trainings at all of the PaTTAN locations: http://www.solutionwhere.com/pattan/cw/showcourse.asp?1980.

Nov. 25, 2013, from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18
Use the following link to register for this training through My Learning Plan: https://www.mylearningplan.com/WebReg/Catalog.asp?H=1&D=15128&btn=View+Now.

Dec. 4, 2013, from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. at Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit 5
Use the following link to register for this training: http://www.solutionwhere.com/iu5/cw/showcourse.asp?3277.

Dec. 5, 2013, from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. at Central Intermediate Unit 10
Use the following link to register for this training: http://www.ciu10.org/Page/1201.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
Please bring a laptop and an eMetric username and password.

CONTACT
Shazia Waters at 717.772.0020 or shwaters@pa.gov.

Most States Surpass Global Average in Math, Science

Thu, 24 Oct 2013 8:55:21 AM EDT

A new analysis of how all U.S. states stack up against countries around the world shows that 8th grade students in 36 states outperformed the international average in math and those in 47 did so in science.

Click here for the full story.

Source: Education Week, Oct. 24, 2013.

Keystone Exams: Senate Panel Wants Price Tag Attached to Future Education Regulations

Tue, 22 Oct 2013 9:54:29 AM EDT

Sen. Andrew Dinniman, R-Chester County, wants a law to compel the state Department of Education to be more forthcoming about the price tag attached to regulations it wants put in place. Frustrated over what he felt was reticence on the department's part about sharing the price tag for the Keystone Exams and the associated graduation testing requirement on the state and school districts prompted Dinniman to introduce legislation that won Senate Education Committee on Monday. The proposal would require a detailed fiscal analysis of proposed regulations to be shared throughout in the regulatory review process for regulations in the future. It wouldn't impact the ones associated with the Keystone Exams.

Click here for full article.

Source: Pennlive.com, by Jan Murphy, October 21, 2013.

When a Student May Take the Keystone Exams

Mon, 21 Oct 2013 12:50:33 PM EDT

It has come to the attention of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) that some LEAs are administering the Keystone Exams inappropriately. Please remember that the Keystone Exams are end-of-course exams and are to be administered at the end or near the completion of the Keystone Exam-related course. LEAs are not to administer the Keystone Exams prior to students taking the Keystone Exam-related course for practice or diagnostic purposes.

There are two exceptions noted in Chapter 4 allowing the administration of the Keystone Exam prior to the completion of the Keystone Exam-related course: 1) A student who has achieved an advanced performance level on the most recently administered PSSA for a specific subject; or 2) a student who has transferred from another state and has achieved a performance level comparable to advanced on an assessment comparable to the PSSA and has demonstrated mastery of the Keystone Exam content may take the Keystone Exam prior to the completion of the Keystone Exam-related course.

Additionally, two exceptions exist for students taking the Keystone Exam at a time other than at the end of a Keystone Exam-related course: 1) Students who completed a Keystone Exam-related course earlier, but are taking the exam to satisfy the requirements of participation for federal accountability; and 2) students who are retaking the exam would meet this exception rule. Note that in some instances, students retaking the Keystone Exam may be completing the Keystone Exam-related course due to repeating the course. Not all students who fail to perform at a proficient level will repeat the course. It is a local decision whether a student repeats the course, takes a remedial course or is provided supplemental instruction.

Questions regarding the appropriate administration of the Keystone Exams can be directed to the Department’s Bureau of Assessment and Accountability at 717-705-2343.

October 2013 Is National Principals' Month

Mon, 21 Oct 2013 8:29:15 AM EDT

The Senate during the week of September 29, 2013, adopted Senate Resolution 202 (Sen. Pat Vance, R-31), recognizing October 2013 as
“National Principals Month” in Pennsylvania.

Lawmaker Wants To Postpone Addition of New Keystone Exams

Wed, 16 Oct 2013 9:52:29 AM EDT

State Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, wants to extend the time period for development of the Keystone Exams.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has already implemented the standardized tests in algebra I, literature and biology and has developed and will soon field test Keystone Exams in English composition and in civics and government. Under current law, a total of 10 Keystone Exams must be in place no later than the 2020-21 school year. Through annual appropriation, tests will be added for algebra II, geometry, U.S. history, chemistry and world history.

Click here for the full article.

Source: Hazelton Standard Speaker, By Mark Gilger, Jr. (Staff Writer), October 15, 2013.

Register Today for the 2013 PAESSP Conference in State College!

Tue, 15 Oct 2013 11:17:33 AM EDT

Remember to register today for the PAESSP Conference, October 27-29, 2013, at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel in State College! This year's conference, "Lessons In Leadership," features nationally known speakers, Dr. Todd Whitaker, Charlotte Danielson and Will Richardson. Go to http://www.paessp.org/state-conference/register-now to Register Now!

Sec. Dumaresq Gives Progress Report on School Performance Profile

Wed, 09 Oct 2013 3:14:21 PM EDT

By Matt Hess, PLS, October 8, 2013.

Department of Education Acting Secretary Carolyn Dumaresq held a conference call [this morning] with members of the media to give a progress report on the state’s new School Performance Profile website.

Sec. Dumaresq explained that the site has received more than 60,000 visits since it was launched last Friday and provided a demographic breakdown of visitors to the website:

40 percent identified themselves as parents

14 percent identified themselves as school administrators

23 percent identified themselves as teachers.

10 percent identified themselves as taxpayers

One percent identified themselves as business leaders

Two percent identified themselves media

One percent identified themselves school board members

One percent identified themselves students.

Sec. Dumaresq remarked that “a lot of traffic” on the site was generated through mobile devices. “It’s important to us because as we enhance the site, we want to make sure the view is accurate,” she stated.

Sec. Dumaresq explained that she is aware of the criticism from some school administrators and media who questioned why the department rolled out the website without complete data from every school district. “We did have deadlines with the US Department of Education for the waiver to identify the Priority and Focus schools in particular,” she stated. “As a condition of the waiver, we need to start to drive out that targeted assistance to our Priority and Focus schools this fall. That was one of the major reasons we decided to launch. The majority of school buildings and the vast majority of the data was already collected and verified.”

Turning to the issue of correcting Keystone Exam data, Sec. Dumaresq indicated that the department will include the data from 51 additional school buildings later today and all of the information will be “refreshed in December.”

Sec. Dumaresq then responded to questions from the media.

When will you be hiring Academic Recovery Liaisons?

We are in the process of procuring those folks now and we hope to have them operational by November.

Which schools will be getting those liaisons?

If you look at the Priority schools, they would be the school districts that will be receiving the Academic Recovery Liaisons. We want to place those liaisons regionally and that’s what we’re identifying now.

So one liaison is going to be working at multiple schools?

Yes.

Who will be paying the liaisons’ salaries?

The state.

What information will you be releasing later today?

Three things will be coming out this afternoon. First will be a list by county, district, building, and score. Secondly will be a list of the Priority schools. Third will be 51 new building scores where superintendents asked to have their data released.

Can you define Priority schools?

Priority schools are defined as the lowest five percent of our Title I schools based on the aggregate math and reading proficiency for PSSA or Algebra I/Literature for Keystone Exams or a Title I school who is receiving School Improvement funds.

What responsibilities will Academic Recovery Liaisons will have at those schools?

Their role is really to work with the principals of the Priority schools to help them access the interventions they listed in their School Improvement Grants. They serve as an intermediary to make sure those principals are able to make contact with and get access to a variety available through our IUs and have the ability to work through our SAS portal to get the resources they need.

How many liaisons will you hire for the 92 Priority schools?

We’re looking right now at eight to ten folks.

What will be the cost?

That will vary based on how often they work because it’s not a one-size-fits-all intervention. What that person will be paid will vary based on the context they are working in and how many days they spend with each principal.

What’s the budget for this?

About $800,000 for the Academic Liaisons.

Is that state money?

That’s federal money.

Are you looking for the liaisons to have education experience?

Oh yes. We’re looking for folks for at least ten years administrative experience. These folks will also be supplemented with staff available through our Intermediate Units and the three centers across the state that specialize in interventions for special needs students.

Do you foresee an effort by the state to drive money to the Priority Schools?

The governor will be presenting his budget in the spring and I think you will see some efforts at targeted assistance.

Can you talk about those targeted efforts?

That’s for the governor to release. I’d love to share but you’re going to have to have some patience with me on that one.

Keystone Exam Form Blamed for School Report Woes

Tue, 08 Oct 2013 10:36:46 AM EDT

According to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, educators and state officials agree Keystone Exams were the culprit in Friday’s incomplete online release of the Department of Education’s new school assessment system. Thousands of students, proctors and administrators statewide failed to check the correct box that would indicate whether a student took the test for course credit or to meet federal requirements. Click here to read the Pittsburgh Tribune Review article.

Source: PLS Eye Opener, Oct. 8, 2013.

Inaugural Report Cards for PA Schools Don't Make the Grade with District Officials

Mon, 07 Oct 2013 9:49:47 AM EDT

Acting Education Secretary Carolyn Dumaresq couldn’t offer sweeping observations about how well all Pennsylvania public schools are performing based on the state’s new report cards released on Friday. Acting Education Secretary Carolyn Dumaresq is pleased with public schools' overall performance based on the report cards she's seen so far from the state's first annual School Performance Profile. She still hasn’t received building-level report cards for 626 of the state’s the 3,000 public schools – and won’t until December. But of the ones she has seen, Dumaresq seemed pleased at how many district schools, charter schools and vo-tech schools earned a passing score in this first annual School Performance Profile.

Click here for more.

Source: Pennlive.com, by Jan Murphy on October 04, 2013 at 7:04 PM.

Pennsylvania High School Principal of the Year Michael Ghilani Honored In DC

Wed, 02 Oct 2013 11:26:28 AM EDT

Contact: Public Affairs Manager Caroline Hailey at haileyc@nassp.org or 703-860-7280

Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania – Michael Ghilani, principal of Upper St. Clair High School, was honored last week in Washington, DC after being named the Pennsylvania High School Principal of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals. Designated a state winner in the MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year Program, Ghilani was eligible in consideration to be the National Principal of the Year.

As a principal, Ghilani has proven success in involving the local community in the life of the school and has shown an astute awareness of current and emerging issues as well as a passion in improving the school’s learning environment.

Ghilani joined other winning principals from around the nation in DC for the three-day Principals Institute and Awards Gala, held September 18-21.

“NASSP is honored to recognize the outstanding work of Michael Ghilani,” said JoAnn Bartoletti, NASSP executive director. “The Principals Institute was a wonderful chance for us to thank these outstanding educators while giving them the opportunity to speak with their elected officials, grow professionally and learn from and inspire one another.”

During their visit, principals had the chance to meet with their senators and congressmen on Capitol Hill to discuss educational legislation and its potential impact on their schools, partake in a roundtable conversation with representatives from the Department of Education and share and receive best practices with other principals from around the nation.

The Principals Institute concluded on Friday night with the Awards Gala, kicked off by a keynote address from US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

Each principal was then invited on stage during the gala to receive their award and be formally recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in their schools.

The event came just before the start of National Principals Month in October.

The search for the national principal of the year began in early 2013 as each state principals’ association selected its state principal of the year. From this pool of state award winners, a panel of judges selected three middle level and three high school finalists, who were then narrowed down to the two national winners, Sheila Harrity (Worcester Technical High School, Worcester, MA) and Sheena Alaiasa (Samuel Wilder King Intermediate School, Kaneohe, HI).

The MetLife/NASSP National Principals of the Year each receive a $5,000 grant, while the four finalists each receive a grant for $1,500. The grants will be used to improve learning at the school (e.g., a special school project and/or professional development).

For more information about the MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year Program and winners, please visit www.nassp.org/POY

To learn more about National Principals Month and ways to celebrate, visit www.principalsmonth.org.

# # #

About NASSP
NASSP is the leading organization of and national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and all school leaders from across the United States and more than 38 countries around the world. The association provides research-based professional development and resources, networking, and advocacy to build the capacity of middle level and high school leaders to continually improve student performance. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development as well, NASSP administers the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and National Association of Student Councils. For more information about NASSP, located in Reston, VA, visit www.nassp.org.

About MetLife Resources

MetLife Resources is a division of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company ("MLIC"), a MetLife company. MLIC is a subsidiary of MetLife Inc., a leading global provider of insurance, annuities, and employee benefit programs, serving 90 million customers. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife Inc. holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.metlife.com/mlr.

Pennsylvania Middle Level Principal of the Year Eric Stennett Honored In DC

Wed, 02 Oct 2013 11:23:08 AM EDT

Contact: Public Affairs Manager Caroline Hailey at haileyc@nassp.org or 703-860-7280

Allison Park, Pennsylvania – Eric Stennett, principal of Hampton Middle School, was honored last week in Washington, DC after being named the Pennsylvania Middle Level Principal of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals. Designated a state winner in the MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year Program, Stennett was eligible in consideration to be the National Principal of the Year.

As a principal, Stennett has proven success in involving the local community in the life of the school and has shown an astute awareness of current and emerging issues as well as a passion in improving the school’s learning environment.

Stennett joined other winning principals from around the nation in DC for the three-day Principals Institute and Awards Gala, held September 18-21.

“NASSP is honored to recognize the outstanding work of Eric Stennett,” said JoAnn Bartoletti, NASSP executive director. “The Principals Institute was a wonderful chance for us to thank these outstanding educators while giving them the opportunity to speak with their elected officials, grow professionally and learn from and inspire one another.”

The Principals Institute concluded on Friday night with the Awards Gala, kicked off by a keynote address from US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

Each principal was then invited on stage during the gala to receive their award and be formally recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in their schools.

The event came just before the start of National Principals Month in October.

For more information about the MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year Program and winners, please visit www.nassp.org/POY

To learn more about National Principals Month and ways to celebrate, visit www.principalsmonth.org.

# # #

About MetLife Resources

Bill Requiring Public Schools To Offer Online Courses Emerges from PA House Education Committee

Wed, 02 Oct 2013 8:42:22 AM EDT

Legislation that seeks to transform the way education is delivered to sixth- through 12th-graders emerged out of the House Education Committee [on Tuesday]. The state House Education Committee passed legislation that seeks to transform the way education is delivered in all Pennsylvania public schools. The bill’s sponsor Rep. Ryan Aument, R-Lancaster, would mandate public schools to offer online learning opportunities to students in secondary schools.

Click here for full article.

Source: Pennlive.com, By Jan Murphy, Oct. 1, 2013.

October Is National Principals' Month

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 10:36:15 AM EDT

To recognize the essential role that principals play in preparing today's students for the challenges of tomorrow, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) have declared October 2013 as National Principals Month.

Principals are among the hardest working, yet often least recognized individuals in education. Principals set the academic tone for their schools, and it is their vision, dedication, and determination that provide the mobilizing force behind any school reform effort. National Principals Month seeks to honor these unsung heroes for their tireless efforts in pursuit of excellence in education.

Click here to view PAESSP’s Senate Resolution 202, sponsored by Senator Pat Vance (R-Cumberland and York Counties).
Click here for the National Principals’ Month web site.

Grell Unveils Pension Reform Plan

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 9:54:14 AM EDT

Rep. Glen Grell (R-Cumberland) [this morning] unveiled a three-point pension reform plan which will reform the state’s two major pension systems and ensure their future is secure. The plan will be introduced soon in two pieces of legislation, one which creates a new retirement benefit tier for future employees and the other will institute a limited plan of borrowing.

Click here for full article.

Source: www.mypls.com (The Eye Opener), Sept. 30, 2013.

Certification Staffing Policies and Guidelines (CSPG) Updates

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 8:47:47 AM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has updated:
•   CSPG #3: Validity of a Pennsylvania Certificate;
•   CSPG #76: Elementary and Secondary School Counselor (combined #76 and #79);
•   CSPG #95: Principal K-12; and
•   CSPG #104: Limitation of Assignment of Middle and Secondary Teachers to Instruction at the Elementary Level.
The updated CSPGs can be found on PDE’s website by going to www.education.state.pa.us, select Teachers, Administrators and Certifications, then select Certification Staffing Policies (CSPGs) from the left navigation bar or copy and paste the following link into your browser:
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/certification_staffing_policies_%28cspgs%29/8626

Summary of changes to CSPG #3:

1. The validity of an Instructional or Educational Specialist certificate for a non-citizen of the United States is no longer determined on six calendar years from the date the candidate signs the Declaration of Intent to Become a Citizen of the United States form. It is now determined by service years.
2. The Administrative I Certificate was effective Jan. 1, 2008. This credential is valid for five service years.
3. Vocational Intern, Vocational Supervisor and Vocational Military Science were defined to improve the functionality in the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS).

Summary of changes to CSPG #76:

1. School counseling has experienced sweeping changes at both the preparation and practice levels. Pennsylvania has introduced important changes such as the Standards Aligned System (SAS) and the Career Education and Work Standards that greatly impact the role and function of school counselors. The certification revision is a shift from the two certifications previously granted (Elementary K-6 and Secondary 7-12) to one comprehensive PreK-12 certification for all school counselor candidates.

Summary of changes to CSPG #95:

1. Removed the requirement for a principal to serve five years in an Instructional or Educational Specialist certificate area in order to be assigned as a Single Area Supervisor.

Summary of changes to CSPG #104:

1. The CSPG was modified to reflect current practice of the past several years. Mid-level grades 7-9 certificate holders are qualified for assignments in their content area only at the sixth grade level as stated in CSPG #51, 52, 53 and 54.

Teacher Information Management System (TIMS) Public Website Available

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 2:47:00 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) provides educators and interested public parties the ability to view certification information. The website may be accessed on PDE's website at www.education.state.pa.us on the "Certifications" page under the Quick Reference links (Certification Status Search) or directly at www.teachercertification.pa.gov.

Information may be searched using a number of different methods:
*   Name using the first name, last name, with full or partial information;
*   Educational Entity; or
*   Professional Personnel ID (PPID) number.

When searching by name or educational entity the following information will be provided:
*   Credential
*   Issue date
*   Expiration date
*   Continuing education status
*   Credential status
*   Place of employment
*   Discipline status

Searching by PPID returns the following information:
*   Credential
*   Issue date
*   Expiration date
*   Continuing education status
*   Credential status
*   Discipline status
*   Applications in process
*   Application status and status date

No additional identifying information is provided for security reasons.

Partial information searches are available. For example, when searching for names with unusual spelling, punctuation or spaces, such as D'Angelo/DeAngelo/D Angelo, you may wish to use a percent sign (%) to represent the various spellings. D%Angelo will return the possibilities listed in the example above. You may also enter partial spellings, such as Weinb to find Weinburg, Weinberg, and Weinbrenner.

Pennsylvania 2013 Blue Ribbon Schools

Wed, 25 Sep 2013 9:00:21 AM EDT

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced 286 schools as the 2013 cohort of National Blue Ribbon Schools, based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in improving student academic achievement. Here are the 15 Pennsylvania schools that were recognized.

Check out PAESSP's New Podcast!

Fri, 20 Sep 2013 2:08:02 PM EDT

For the latest on Chapter 4 Revisions, check out PAESSP's new Podcast on the Home Page!

PA To Unveil New Public School Accountability Tool and State Exam Results on Sept. 30

Thu, 19 Sep 2013 2:21:03 PM EDT

Parents and taxpayers will have a new tool available to them this year to provide them with information on how well their public schools are performing.

Click here for full article (Pennlive.com, Sept. 18, 2013).

Posting of the Updated Educator Effectiveness Administrative Manual - Part 1

Wed, 18 Sep 2013 8:14:13 AM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has updated the Educator Effectiveness Administrative Manual - Part 1 on the PDE web site www.education.state.pa.us on the Educator Effectiveness Project page. The update represents some edits in chapters 1, 4 and 8 as well as the addition of chapters 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 and the glossary. The administrative manual is now complete for Part 1.

The purpose of this administrative manual is to assist administrators as they implement the new classroom teacher evaluation system in 2013-14. These guidelines and recommendations support the Rules and Regulations, which were published in the June 22, 2013, Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Questions regarding the administrative manual should be directed to Debby Wynn at dewynn@pa.gov.

State Board of Education Amends, Adopts Chapter 4 Revisions

Fri, 13 Sep 2013 3:05:58 PM EDT

Key changes include:

Changes decision of whether a student will graduate was from a state to a local decision, with the chief school administrators, rather than the Secretary, having authorization to grant waivers for their students.

Changes the name of the standards from Pennsylvania Common Core Standards to Pennsylvania Core Standards. These standards for English language arts and mathematics are based upon components of the national Common Core standards. The standards will take effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Clarify that the state standards are applicable only to public schools and do not apply to private, religious or homeschooled students. The regulations apply to school districts, charter and cyber charter schools, and area vocational technical schools.

Clarify that the state will not require school entities to utilize a statewide curriculum or statewide reading lists.

Clarify that Pennsylvania will not participate as a governing state in any consortium for the development of a national assessment, except if one is deemed necessary for special education students and then only in consultation with parents, teachers and other interested parties.

Clarify that PDE will not expand the collection of student data and will not collect personal family data due to implementation of the standards.

Remove language requiring the transcript to designate whether the level was achieved by taking a Keystone Exam or by a project-based assessment. PSSA scores will continue to be included, and beginning in 2016-17, the performance level demonstrated, not the score, for each Keystone Exam will be on the transcript.

Other provisions under the Chapter 4 proposal:

Elimination of state-prescribed strategic plan – However, districts must continue to prepare plans required for teacher induction, student services, gifted education, professional development, special education and pre-kindergarten (if the school offers it).

Keystone Exams – Keystone Exams will be developed in 5 content areas for graduation purposes: Literature, Algebra I, Biology, Composition and Civics and Government. Keystone Exams in Literature, Algebra I and Biology will serve a dual purpose as both graduation requirements and for state accountability as required under federal law.

High school graduation requirements – Effective with the graduating Class of 2017, students must demonstrate proficiency in Algebra I, Biology and Literature Keystone Exams or related project-based assessment. Beginning with the Class of 2019, students will also have to pass a Composition Keystone Exam. Beginning with the Class of 2020, students will also have to pass a Keystone Exam in Civics and Government. The proposal also eliminates the requirement for students to complete a culminating project in order to graduate.

Alternate pathways for CTC students – Students enrolled in a career and technical education program may demonstrate proficiency on the Keystone Exams or a Pennsylvania Skills Assessment (NOCTI exam) to meet the requirement for testing in Composition and Civics and Government.

Second, CTC students who did not demonstrate proficiency on the Biology Keystone Exam may participate in a project-based assessment without having to take the Keystone twice. These pathways relate only to graduation requirements; students would still be required to take Keystone Exams for state accountability purposes.

Parental opt-out – Parents/guardians have the right to review any state assessment to determine whether the assessment conflicts with their religious beliefs. In asserting a religious objection to the assessment, a parent/guardian must explain the objection in their written request for excusal. Students who are not taking Keystone Exams under the parental opt-out provision must take the project-based assessment for each subject area required for graduation.

Supplemental instruction – Students who did not score proficient on a Keystone Exams must participate in supplemental instruction prior to re-taking the Keystone/module.

Project-based assessment – Students not able to demonstrate proficiency on an exam or whose parents opted them out of taking a Keystone Exam will participate in a project-based assessment.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, Sept. 13, 2013.

State Education Board Approves Common Core

Thu, 12 Sep 2013 12:40:39 PM EDT

Dr. Paul Healey, PAESSP’s executive director-elect, attended today’s State Board of Education meeting where a vote took place on the revisions to Chapter 4 or the Pennsylvania Core Standards. Click here to read more.

Click here for the PDE press release.

2013 SAS Institute, Pathways to Student Achievement: Resources for Improving School Effectiveness

Mon, 09 Sep 2013 12:33:49 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education's (PDE) Standards Aligned System (SAS) Institute, Pathways to Student Achievement: Resources for Improving School Effectiveness, is scheduled for December 8, 2013, through December 11, 2013.

To preview the agenda, visit http://www.iu5.org. Click on the SAS icon and from the menu, select 2013 SAS Institute program.

Open registration begins on October 1. Educators are encouraged to register early to confirm participation. Access to registration is available at http://www.iu5.org. Upon accessing the site, click on the SAS icon and select SAS Institute Registration.

Additional information:
Location: Hershey Lodge and Convention Center; guaranteed check in is 4:00 p.m.

Registration Fee: $100/per person for commuters; $200/person with lodging (non-refundable). The $200 registration fee includes double occupancy lodging for any attendees who reside and work more than 50 miles from the conference location. Single occupancy is at attendee's own cost of $130.00/night; single occupancy registrants are responsible for making their own reservations.

Attendance Considerations:

School districts are invited to send four participants.
IUs are invited to send three participants.
Charter schools are invited to send two participants.
Non-public schools are invited to send two participants.
Private schools are invited to send two participants.
Career and Technical Centers are invited to send two participants.
Higher education is invited to send two participants.
PaTTANs are invited to send three participants.

Participants are requested to bring their own laptops.

Questions: Contact sasevents@iu5.org

Posting of Electronic Worksheet for the Classroom Teacher Rating Form

Mon, 09 Sep 2013 12:32:48 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has posted the Electronic Worksheet for the Classroom Teacher Rating Form on the PDE website at:
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/educator_effectiveness_project/20903

The purpose of this electronic worksheet is to assist administrators as they implement the new classroom teacher evaluation system in 2013-14, specifically in completing summative evaluations on the new rating form, PDE 82-1, which was published in the June 22, 2013 Pennsylvania Bulletin.

This downloadable, multi-tab worksheet permits administrators to enter rating values for classroom teachers, which are then automatically transferred to a summary form that can be printed for signatures.

Questions regarding the electronic worksheet should be directed to Debby Wynn at dewynn@pa.gov.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Expects Easier Transition When She Steps Aside

Mon, 09 Sep 2013 8:58:33 AM EDT

Carolyn Dumaresq agreed to become the state Department of Education's third administrator in four months — but with an end date in mind, she said.

Dumaresq, 66, a lifelong educator from Dauphin County, told Gov. Tom Corbett she'd lead the department until his term ends in 2014 and then retire.

Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review By Brad Bumsted Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013.

Join the Conversation!

Fri, 06 Sep 2013 3:33:36 PM EDT

We will be tweeting at this year's conference! Join the conversation @PAESSP by using #Lessonsinleadership13.

Register for the conference today!

Common Core Update

Thu, 29 Aug 2013 2:39:29 PM EDT

Dr. Paul M. Healey, PAESSP executive director-elect, attended the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee hearing on Common Core held on Thursday, August 29, 2013.

The Senate Education Committee held on open hearing on the Common Core today presided over by Senators Folmer, Dinniman and Teplitz. Testimony was offered only by representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the State Board of Education. Acting Secretary of Education, Dr. Carolyn Dumaresq, provided answers to the senators’ questions.

Click here for Dr. Healey’s summary notes from the hearing.

Carolyn Dumaresq Named Acting Pa. Education Secretary, Replacing William Harner

Tue, 27 Aug 2013 8:15:37 AM EDT

After Gov. Tom Corbett requested and received acting Education Secretary William Harner's resignation, he named a one-time state teachers union executive director as Harner's replacement.

Corbett chose Carolyn Dumaresq, Ed.D., who has been serving as the department's executive deputy secretary, to serve as acting secretary of the state Department of Education, effective immediately.

Click here for the full story from Pennlive.com. Click here for more on Dr. Dumaresq.

Source: Pennlive.com, August 26, 2013.

William Harner Being Removed as Pa. Acting Education Secretary, Sources Say

Mon, 26 Aug 2013 3:19:49 PM EDT

Less than three months after being named as acting state Education Secretary, two sources have confirmed that William Harner is being forced out of the post in Gov. Tom Corbett’s Cabinet.

Click here for full article.

Source: Pennlive.com, August 26, 2013.

Poll Finds Big Public Disconnect Between Views on School Testing, Push to Common Core State Standard

Wed, 21 Aug 2013 11:22:17 AM EDT

The 45^th edition of the PDK/Gallup Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward the Public Schools has been released. Conducted annually by PDK International in conjunction with Gallup, the poll is the longest-running survey of American attitudes toward education and thus provides an extensive and trusted repository of data documenting how the public’s viewpoint on public education has changed over the decades.

Click here for the PDK/Gallup Poll press release, August 21, 2013.

Click here to view and print the report.

More: The Washington Post: Poll: Most Americans unfamiliar with new Common Core teaching standards

Save the Date - 2013 SAS Institute

Wed, 21 Aug 2013 11:19:20 AM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education's (PDE) Standards Aligned System (SAS) Institute is scheduled for December 8 through December 11, 2013, at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, Pa.

Registration details will be forthcoming from PDE.

Pennsylvania?s No Child Left Behind Waiver Approved by U.S. Department of Education

Wed, 21 Aug 2013 8:24:24 AM EDT

Governor Tom Corbett has announced that the U.S. Department of Education has approved the state’s No Child Left Behind waiver request that will help make our Pennsylvania’s public schools better for our children and their families.

The approved waiver is designed to improve Pennsylvania education in three areas: making sure all our students are ready for careers or college; developing recognition and accountability standards by the state for all public schools; improving and supporting effective teachers and principals in all our classrooms.

Pennsylvania’s students need to be graduating from high school with high-quality academic credentials regardless of their career path. The state has developed high-quality assessments to make sure students achieve those academic standards.

Recognizing academic achievement and holding public schools accountable are essential to ensuring that taxpayer dollars are being invested in education programs that benefit students. Beginning in the fall, students, parents, taxpayers and educators will have access to user-friendly information that shows academic progress of all public school buildings across the state.

Through the use of the recently developed School Performance Profile, which will provide a comprehensive overview of multiple measures of student achievement, Pennsylvania citizens will be able to determine the quality of the educational programs in their schools and how students are performing.

The new educator evaluation system, signed into law last year by Corbett, will assess educators on multiple measures of student achievement, will provide schools with access to comprehensive resources to improve classroom instruction and provide professional development to teachers, principals and superintendents.

The new evaluation system will be in place for classroom teachers beginning with the 2013-14 school year and for principals and specialists in the 2014-15 school year.

The waiver also abolishes the adequate yearly progress designation for each school building and school district. In its place will be the School Performance Profile that will be used to measure the academic progress of all public schools.

Title I schools, those with a high percentage of low-income students, will receive a federal designation of “Priority,” “Focus” or “Reward” based on four annual measurable objectives:

Student participation on the math and reading Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) exams and the algebra I, biology and literature Keystone Exams;

Student graduation or attendance rate;

Closing the achievement gap of all students – reducing the number of students who score below proficient on the PSSA, Keystone Exams and the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA) by 50 percent over a six-year period; and

Closing the achievement gap of historically underperforming students – reducing the number of students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged and English language learners who score below proficient on the PSSA, Keystone Exams and the PASA by 50 percent over a six-year period.

Schools designated as “Priority” or “Focus” will have access to intervention and support services from the state Department of Education to assist them in improving student achievement.

Schools that do not fall into a Title I category will receive a School Performance Profiles score rather than a federal designation, but will also have access to all the interventions and supports available.

For all public school buildings across the state, the School Performance Profile will provide a building-level academic score, which will be based on multiple indicators of academic achievement, including student performance on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment and Keystone Exams; closing the achievement gap; graduation rate; promotion rate; and attendance rate.

To download and print an overview of Pennsylvania’s No Child Left Behind approved waiver and Frequently Asked Questions, click here.

Pennsylvania?s Special Education Annual Performance Report and State Performance Plan

Mon, 12 Aug 2013 3:01:07 PM EDT

Pennsylvania’s Special Education Annual Performance Report and State Performance Plan Now Available - See more at: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=7234&PageID=1005857&mode=2&contentid=http://pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/cop_hhs/pde/single_web/no_workflow_requried/news_and_media/articles/pennsylvania_s_special_education_annual_performance_report_and_state_performance_plan_now_available.html#sthash.ag8zzHdv.dpuf

Pennsylvania School Performance Profile Data Review and Release

Thu, 01 Aug 2013 12:48:58 PM EDT

An email will soon be sent to districts from PDE that will include a link for you to access data used in the development of the Pennsylvania School Performance Profile and detailed instructions for conducting a data review. Since the educator effectiveness building-level academic score will be derived from the School Performance Profile, it is of utmost importance that you conduct this review. This review will occur in phases with the associated data as follows:

Phase I: August 12 – August 19, 2013 for review of PIMS/EdNA and Child Accounting

Phase II: August 29 – September 9, 2013 for review of the Data Recognition Corporation, College Board/ACT, Bureau of Career and Technical Education, School Services, and Federal Programs

Phase III: September 9 – 16, 2013 for final data review of miscellaneous data unavailable in Phases I/II

The majority of this data has been previously submitted to PIMS and verified for accuracy by your organization. This is your opportunity to review the data provided both by PIMS and other sources, and verify that it concurs with previously submitted data and matches what is currently on file.

The timeline above, absent unforeseen circumstances, provides for a proposed preliminary release of your School Performance Profile results, via your secure access link on September 23, 2013, and a public release on September 30, 2013.

Should you have questions, please direct them to ra-paprofile@pa.gov.

Pennsylvania Principal Appointed to National Board of Principals Association

Wed, 31 Jul 2013 8:25:54 AM EDT

Dr. Patschke began her term as director of Zone 2 on July 8. She will represent principals in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Dr/ Patschke is a committed member of NAESP and serves in numerous positions, including as a National Principal Mentor Certification coach since 2009, and as the Federal Relations Coordinator for Pennsylvania in 2010 and 2011. She is also a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary & Secondary School Principals (PAESSP). As the Pennsylvania State Representative to NAESP, Dr. Patschke has served on PAESSP’s executive committee to the board of directors since 2010.

Dr. Patschke began her education career in 1988 as a special education teacher in the Reading School District. Patschke accepted an assistant principal position in 1996, serving at both Lemoyne Middle School and Allen Middle School, both in Camp Hill. She went on in 1997 to serve as principal of Amity Elementary Center in Birdsboro. Since 2002, she has served as principal of Upper Providence Elementary School in Royersford.

Dr. Patschke earned her B.S. in education from Kutztown University, her M.A. in education from Millersville University and an Ed.D from Immaculata University.

###

Established in 1921, the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) serves elementary and middle school principals in the United States, Canada, and overseas. NAESP leads in the advocacy and support for elementary and middle-level principals and other education leaders in their commitment to all children.

Source: NAESP Media Advisory
June 30, 2013.
Contact: Kaylen Tucker, NAESP
703-518-6257
ktucker@naesp.org

2013-14 Annual PIMS Updates (Highly Qualified Teachers and Course Data Collection Revisions)

Thu, 25 Jul 2013 8:26:10 AM EDT

As a result of Act 82 and Pennsylvania's Educator Effectiveness System, significant changes to the Pennsylvania Information Management Systems (PIMS) application are required. The proposed enhancements to the PIMS application were published for review and comment to all PIMS Administrators on June 6, 2013 requesting LEA comments to PDE by June 27, 2013. School Administrators were notified of upcoming changes to PIMS through a Penn*Link distributed June 17, 2013 titled "Instructions prep for LEA staff and info systems for school year (SY) 2013-14 enhancements to PIMS for PVAAS teacher reporting." The finalized PIMS application changes follow this Penn*Link. The major portion of the PIMS enhancements are focused on making sure students are linked to the correct teachers for the Pennsylvania tested grades/subjects/courses to ensure accurate reporting of the proportion of instructional responsibility to PIMS.

In an effort to help LEA's prepare for this year's changes, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has been providing webinars to help explain the changes and impact to various levels of LEA staff. LEA staff have been encouraged to begin advanced planning, including contacting their Student Information System vendor to discuss development of an overall plan for meeting SY 2013-14 PIMS data collections for educator effectiveness. Alignment of LEA Student Information Systems to PIMS as early as possible in SY 2013-14 will save LEA teachers and principals significant time, when they need to verify rosters for Pennsylvania Value Added Assessment System (PVAAS) teacher specific reporting in the spring of 2014. If LEA data provided to PIMS is accurate, teachers and principals will NOT need to search for students for PVAAS rosters, add students to rosters, remove students from rosters and/or change the percentage of instructional responsibility for each student. Again, advance planning by LEA staff will ensure this is a verification process and not a data correction or data entry process by LEA teachers and principals

At this time, PDE's PIMS team is providing two opportunities for LEA staff to attend a webinar presenting the major changes to PIMS. LEA staff are being asked to invite their Student Information System (SIS) vendors to the web events listed below. The webinar presenters will go over the major PIMS application changes which are listed below. The webinars do not replace the official release of the annual PIMS updates, but supplements the explanation.

Webinars: - How to prepare your Student Information System for 2013-14 Annual PIMS Updates (Highly Qualified Teachers and Course Data Collection Revisions)

For District Technology/Data/Student Information System vendor staff)

August 6 - 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
August 7 - 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

To Join a Webinar - no registration is necessary!

A link for joining a live webinar will become active 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. To join a session, go to http://vclass.cciu.org. Please contact PDE at ra-ddqdatacollection@pa.gov should participants experience difficulties in accessing this site or the webinar session. By default, the schedule of sessions will be displayed. Click through the pages of session titles until you see the title of the session you would like to join.

PIMS Application Changes:
This year's PIMS changes will facilitate collecting and reporting, accurate and complete data for the Highly Qualified Teachers, the Educator Effectiveness and School Performance Profile Initiatives. Keep in mind; changes to the PIMS Data Warehouse are necessary to support both initiatives. Therefore, it is important to gain an understanding of future needs and to prepare LEA local systems for those needs.

* Student Course Enrollment template is being replaced with a new template - Staff Student Course

o For 2013-14, the Highly Qualified Teachers and Course Data Collection revisions include LEA staff reporting the teacher's percentage of instructional responsibility for each student enrolled in their courses. With the introduction of the Student Course Enrollment template changes in reporting will provide a direct link to the students enrolled in the teacher's courses, the teachers instructing the course, and the concurrent enrollment of students and teachers, regardless of the student's district of residence or the teacher's employer. Students will need to be attributed to teachers for the courses students are enrolled.

o LEA staff are responsible for determining the formula to calculate the percentage of teacher instructional responsibility. This formula calculates the percentage of time the student and teacher are together in a course. For example, if the teacher and student are present for the entire course and the teacher is the only teacher, it is 100 percent. If the student is present for one-half of the course, and the teacher is present for the entire course, 50 percent of the student performance is attributed to the teacher. Please note that this example is a relatively simple example. PDE is aware much more complicated scenarios exist in LEAs today. It is recommended LEA staff take the time to review the guidelines for calculating Instructional Responsibility posted on the SAS Inc. web site. The guidelines can be found in the FAQs document: https://pvaas.sas.com/. The potential complexity of calculating instructional responsibility, given the variety of factors that are to be considered, is an important concern from both administrative and technical perspectives.

o PDE anticipates that SIS vendors will implement configurable solutions to assist LEA staff in applying the instructional percentage formula and reduce manual calculations. SIS vendors should consider additional data quality review reports to help streamline the SIS data review prior to data being uploaded to PIMS.

Important considerations include:
       * STUDENTS:
           o IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT
           o OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT
       * TEACHERS:
           o IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT
           o OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT
           o SINGLE INSTRUCTION
           o DUAL INSTRUCTION
           o PARTIAL INSTRUCTION
       * COURSES:
           o LENGTH OF TERM
           o NUMBER OF INSTRUCTIONAL DAYS
           o SNOW DAYS, IN-SERVICE DAYS

* In addition to the Percentage of Instructional Responsibility, changes are required for:

       1. Elementary Course Codes*
           a. New Elementary Course codes are required.
           b. A new course will be added to match each PSSA tested subject for grades at the elementary level.
           c. First Grade will remain with course code 0001 - First Grade.
           d. Second Grade will remain with course code 0002 - Second Grade.
           e. Third Grade through Sixth Grade will be separated into new course codes.

       2. Departmentalized Sixth Grade Course Codes*
           a. New course codes are required for reporting departmentalized sixth graders.
           b. New codes are designed to align to PSSA testing requirements.

       3. Keystone Courses*
           a. New course codes are required for reporting students in courses that result in the student taking a Keystone Exam

       4. Specialized Course Codes*
           a. New course codes are required for reporting students in the following courses:
               i. Special Education Course Codes
               ii. ESL Course Codes
               iii. Visually Impaired Course Codes
               iv. Hearing Impaired Course Codes
               v. Alternative Education Course Codes

       5. PVAAS Roles
           a. A new, required field in Staff and Staff Snapshot templates will be added for teachers, principals and CSAs (or their delegates) who are participating
                in PVASS.

       6. Email
           a. Professional email addresses preferred. These will be used to create PVAAS logins when applicable.

       7. Substitutes
           a. Substitute teachers who are not filling a vacancy may be reported in course data.
           b. Substitute teachers may also be the Teacher of Record for HQT reporting.

       8. Non-Core Content Courses
           a. In an effort to alleviate LEA burden, reporting of non-core content courses will be optional beginning with the 2013-14 school year.

For more information or questions, please contact: Data Collection Team, Pennsylvania Department of Education, Center for Data Quality and Information Technology at 717.705.3969 or Ra-DDQDataCollection@pa.gov.

Additional Federal Funding Available to Pennsylvania Schools

Wed, 24 Jul 2013 2:50:12 PM EDT

The opportunity for eligible schools to join the Pennsylvania Electronic Student Transcripts and Records System (PA eSTARS) at no cost has been extended through Dec. 31, 2013.

PA eSTARS is a federally funded initiative for the secure and confidential exchange of student records and transcripts among Pennsylvania's PreK-20 educational institutions.

Parchment, Inc. provides the technical platform for PA eSTARS. Almost 450 high schools and 100 postsecondary institutions in Pennsylvania use Parchment.

To participate in this limited-time grant opportunity, contact Tammy Baden at Parchment at 480.719.1646 ext. 1013, or tbaden@parchment.com.

The federal grant being used to underwrite PA eSTARS has been extended to cover implementation costs for schools signing through Dec. 31, 2013. However, funding is limited and will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis.

Participating schools do not apply for the funding. PDE will pay these costs directly to Parchment. Once enrolled, participating schools will receive a reduced rate on student transcript fees and access to free student records exchange for the duration of their contracts.

Questions should be sent to Parchment at PAeSTARS@parchment.com.

Project-Based Assessment Informational Webinar for Principals/School Administrators

Thu, 18 Jul 2013 9:37:43 AM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is hosting a webinar for school administrators on the Project Based Assessment system.This webinar will provide LEAs with an understanding of Project Based Assessments, including the role of the school administrator in implementing the project work. It is critical that school administrators understand the Project Based Assessment system and what a school must do to prepare for students to work on the projects.

This approximate one-hour webinar will be offered live on three dates:

August 1 - 10:00 a.m.
August 6 - 10:00 a.m.
August 9 - 10:00 a.m.

register for one of the sessions, go to http://www.pdewebinars.org/. Note that enrollment is limited to 200 participants per session. Note that enrollment is limited to 200 participants per session.

For those unable to attend the live presentation, the webinar will be archived on the SAS portal. An RSS feed on SAS will announce the posting of the webinar.

Questions: Contact Rita D. Perez, Director of the Bureau of Teaching and Learning, at riperez@pa.gov.

Guidelines for Submission/Review of Alternative Classroom Teacher Effectiveness Rating Tool

Thu, 18 Jul 2013 9:25:28 AM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) developed guidelines that only outline instructions for submitting modifications to the teacher observation/practice component of Pennsylvania's Classroom Teacher Rating Form published June 22, 2013 in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The guidelines are available on PDE's web site, http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/educator_effectiveness_project/20903, and apply to school districts, intermediate units, area vocational-technical schools, and career technology centers that want to only submit modifications to the teacher observation/practice component.

Separate guidelines for modifying the multiple measures components of Pennsylvania's Classroom Teacher Rating Form will be issued at a later date.

Submit your locally-developed alternative classroom teacher effectiveness rating tools electronically to Linda J. Benedetto at lbenedetto@pa.gov. Please allow 30 days for her to review and respond to each locally-developed alternative classroom teacher effectiveness rating tool submitted for approval. Questions about the guidelines may be referred to Linda either at lbenedetto@pa.gov or 717-783-9252.

Governor Corbett?s Budget Includes Record $11.63 Billion in State Education Funding, Additional Inve

Mon, 08 Jul 2013 3:40:40 PM EDT

Governor Tom Corbett’s budget provides record education funding and increases funding in early childhood intervention, early learning, childcare subsidies and health insurance enrollment efforts.

Most notably, it includes a record $11.63 billion in early, basic and higher education funding for Pennsylvania’s students and $445 million to support and grow the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) so that more than 200,000 children in Pennsylvania will be able to receive affordable healthcare.

Click here for more.

Source: PDE Press Release, July 1, 2013 - http://www.portal.state.pa.us/.

Governor Tom Corbett’s budget provides record education funding and increases funding in early childhood intervention, early learning, childcare subsidies and health insurance enrollment efforts.

Most notably, it includes a record $11.63 billion in early, basic and higher education funding for Pennsylvania’s students and $445 million to support and grow the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) so that more than 200,000 children in Pennsylvania will be able to receive affordable healthcare.

- See more at: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=7234&PageID=1005857&mode=2&contentid=http://pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/cop_hhs/pde/single_web/no_workflow_requried/news_and_media/articles/governor_corbett_s_budget_includes_record__11_63_billion_in_state_education_funding__additional_investments_in_pennsylvania_s_children.html#sthash.PLRDwTZ7.dpuf

Governor Tom Corbett’s budget provides record education funding and increases funding in early childhood intervention, early learning, childcare subsidies and health insurance enrollment efforts.

Pennsylvania Legislature Approves $28.375 Billion Budget

Mon, 01 Jul 2013 9:05:26 AM EDT

The 2013-14 budget plan adds $22.5 million in funding to the basic education subsidy line over the House proposal and $32.5 million over what Governor Corbett proposed in February.

The basic education subsidy will increase by 2% to $5.526 billion. Click here to see how the additional funds are distributed across the state’s 500 school districts. Overall, the plan retains 81% of the cuts to public school classrooms enacted two years ago.

Click here for more on the state budget (Governor's Budget Office).

Click here for 2013-14 Enacted Budget (House Bill 1437 Printer's Number 2198)

Click here for a State Budget Fact Sheet.

Click here for the Patriot-News article.

Sources: The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, http://pennbpc.org/, July 1, 2013; Governor's Budget Office, http://www.budget.state.pa.us/, July 1, 2013; and www.pennlive.com, July 1, 2013.

USDOE Announces Inaugural Principal Ambassador Fellowship

Tue, 25 Jun 2013 8:35:26 AM EDT

The USDOE invites principals to apply for the 2013-2014 school year by July 16, 2013 at 11:59 PM EDT.

Like the Department’s Teaching Ambassador Fellows, Principal Ambassador Fellows will spend a year gaining greater knowledge of the content of key federal programs and policies, in addition to the context and process by which they are designed and implemented. Fellows will share their expertise with federal staff members; provide outreach and communication about federal initiatives to other educators on behalf of the Department; and facilitate the involvement and understanding of educators in developing and implementing these efforts at the federal, state and local levels, to improve the likelihood of their success.

As the Principal Ambassador Fellowship is just getting underway, the USDOE is only considering Campus Principal Ambassador Fellows for 2013-2014. The Campus Principal Ambassador Fellowship enables principals to participate on a part-time basis from their home locations for the Department, in addition to their regular school responsibilities, working in collaboration with the Department’s regional and federal offices. Additionally, as pioneers, Fellows will play an active part in creating and shaping the program for future years to balance the needs of the Department with those of principals.

To be eligible for the 2013-2014 Campus Principal Ambassador Fellowship, applicants must:

Be serving as a principal during the 2013-2014 school year in a United States school, including traditional public, charter, virtual, military, tribal and/or private schools, that serves any grades Pre-K through 12^th.
Have a minimum of three years of successful experience as a principal. (If the 2012-2013 school-year is your third year as principal, you are eligible.)
Have a United States citizenship, as is required for employment with the federal government.
Have the ability to gain employer support to sign an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) agreement for your participation in the program.

Note: Some schools may use different terminology than “principal.” A candidate is considered eligible despite titling differences provided that s/he is the highest administrative official in the school building.

To access the application, please visit www.usajobs.gov to apply for the Campus Principal Ambassador Fellowship.

PASA 1 Percent Cap Selection Webinars Via Go To Meeting

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 1:46:40 PM EDT

The Local Education Agencies (LEA) who exceeded the one percent cap of proficient and advanced Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA) scores will have the opportunity to determine which student's proficient scores will be counted as proficient and which will be counted as not proficient for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) calculations. The PASA 1 percent cap selection window will be available July 8 -10, 2013, at https://pa.drcedirect.com. In preparation for the opening of this important window, Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) will provide online training to assist LEAs in completing selections.

In order to ensure LEAs have an opportunity to participate, PDE will be offering the same online session at multiple dates and times (see list below). The presentations will be broadcast via "Go to Meeting." To register, go to the link provided for each session below. Each session has a very specific associated link. Be sure to use the link associated with the session in which you will participate.

PASA 1 percent cap selection:

June 27 from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., to register, go to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/341890282

June 27 from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., to register, go to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/519112834

July 2 from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., to register, go to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/649040770

For more information, contact the PDE's Bureau of Assessment and Accountability at 717-265-7655.

PAESSP Names New Executive Director -- Dr. Paul M. Healey

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 11:39:28 AM EDT

Dr. Healey will begin in July and will eventually replace current Executive Director Dr. William Hartman, Jr. when he retires in June 2014.

Click here for more.

PA State Budget Update

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:37:35 AM EDT

On May 29, Pennsylvania House leaders introduced HB 1437, the House Republican budget proposal for 2013-2014. The proposal spends $28.3 billion, which is a $578 million or 2.1 percent increase over the current fiscal year. The House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to consider the budget bill this week, setting the stage for a full House debate the week of June 10.

Governor Corbett delivered in February a budget proposal of $28.4 billion. Regarding education line items, HB 1437 is mostly the same as the Governor’s
proposal, with several exceptions:

For the Basic Education subsidy, the House Republicans propose $5.503 billion which is an increase of $100 million over the current year.
For the School Employees’ Social Security appropriation, the House Republicans propose $522.5 which is an actual decrease of $21.938 million from the current year.
For the School Employees’ Retirement appropriation, the House Republicans propose $1.017 billion which is a lesser increase of $160.948 million over the current year. The House Republicans were able to realize savings in these line items due to the 10,000 fewer public school employees in the Pennsylvania School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) — an effect of prior budget cuts to education.

Click here to view a summary (from EPLC) of the House Republicans’ education appropriations contained in the budget bill.

On June 3, the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus presented its budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year. Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) along withseveral members of the caucus revealed education, job creation and Medicaid expansion as the priorities in their budget.Sen. Costa said the Senate Democratic Caucus’s plan is different from the budget proposals presented by the governor and House Republicans.

Click here for the full article.

Sources: EPLC Education Notebook, June 3, 2013; myPLS Press Release, June 3, 2013.

Release of the Final Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities Disclosure Form

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 1:02:10 PM EDT

All school entities with grades 7-12 are required to annually collect data concerning team and financial information for all male and female athletes beginning with the 2012-13 school year and submit the information to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).

The first statutorily-imposed deadline for school entities to report this information is October 15, 2013.

PDE has posted the Final Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities Disclosure Form on its web site at http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school services office/9153/disclosure of interscholastic athletic opportunities/1419362. School entities must use the Final Disclosure Form to report the required information through PIMS by October 15, 2013. If schools have been keeping track of information on the DRAFT form provided a few months ago, they will have to rerecord the data in the FINAL document.

Beginning with the 2013-14 school year, all non-school (booster club and alumni) contributions and purchases must also be reported to PDE.

Please note that school entities are required to post their disclosure forms on their website and make the forms available to the public no later than November 1 of each year.

PDE is required to post all submitted disclosure forms on its website. In addition, the department will include the information submitted on the disclosure forms in an annual report, which will be provided to the General Assembly by January 15 of each year.

If you have any questions, please email Ra-Athletic-OppReport@pa.gov.

Common Core: PA Education Standards Running Into Resistance

Mon, 20 May 2013 9:09:32 AM EDT

After years of development, a new set of educational standards for Pennsylvania has run into late-in-the-game opposition along unusual political lines.

Read more.

Source: PA Education Policy Roundup, May 20, 2013 - By Karen Langley / Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau May 19, 2013.

Criticism Flares Around New Pa. Graduation Tests

Mon, 20 May 2013 9:06:08 AM EDT

It seemed to hit the Capitol like a brick: a sudden groundswell of criticism over a move by Gov. Tom Corbett and the Pennsylvania State Board of Education to toughen academic achievement standards and tie them to graduation tests for the state's roughly 1.7 million public and charter school students. After hours of legislative hearings on the tests this week, top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature are trying to figure out what to do about the criticism.

http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=RIyK0a0i

Source: PA State Wire AP by Marc Levy, Published: May 19, 2013.

PIMS Data Collection

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:56:00 PM EDT

In order to collect the most accurate data possible for federal accountability and the School Performance Profile, it is necessary to require a PIMS data collection period during the Keystone Exams administration window. This year (2013), the Keystone testing window runs from May 13 - 24, 2013 therefore, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has modified the PIMS Data Collection Schedule to require a PIMS collection at the end of that same time period, May 24 - June 2, with a snapshot date of May 24. This collection will be comprised of the submission of two PIMS templates, Student and Student Snapshot. The collection only requires LEAs to submit their 11th- and 12th-grade student populations. If it is easier for your LEA to submit a full student population in this collection rather than just the 11th- and 12th-grade population, please do so.

Questions concerning the 11th- and 12th-grade student population snapshot should be directed to John Nau in PDE's Bureau of Assessment and Accountability at jnau@pa.gov.

Governor Corbett Announces Changes at Department of Education

Wed, 15 May 2013 1:51:34 PM EDT

Governor Tom Corbett today announced that Ronald J. Tomalis will leave his post as Secretary of Education on May 31 to become Special Adviser to the Governor on Higher Education.

Tomalis, who has been with the administration since January 2011, will be responsible for overseeing, implementing and reviewing the recommendations made by the Governor’s Postsecondary Advisory Commission.

To replace Tomalis, the governor will be nominating Dr. William E. Harner, superintendent of the Cumberland Valley School District in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County. His nomination will need to be confirmed by the Senate.

Following a 20-year military career, Harner served in several educational capacities, from middle school principal to school superintendent in South Carolina to deputy chief executive officer of the School District of Philadelphia.

Click here for the full press release (from the Office of the Governor).

PAESSP Congratulates Southmoreland M.S. - NASSP Breakthrough School!

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:21:20 AM EDT

PAESSP congratulates Principal Vincent Mascia and Southmoreland Middle School on being chosen as a 2013 Met Life Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School. Only 10 schools across the country were selected for this prestigious honor.

According to NASSP, the goal of the project is to identify, recognize and showcase middle level and high schools that serve large numbers of students living in poverty and are high achieving or dramatically improving student achievement.

Click here to read more about their successes.

Harner Expected To Be Named PA Education Secretary

Wed, 15 May 2013 9:07:57 AM EDT

According to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, a central Pennsylvania school superintendent who worked briefly as a Philadelphia School District administrator has emerged as the favorite to succeed Gov. Corbett’s outgoing education secretary. Administration officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said William Harner, superintendent of the Cumberland Valley School District just outside Harrisburg, is the front-runner to replace Ron Tomalis, who has run the Education Department since Corbett took office in 2011. Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley could not be reached for comment. Click here to read the Philadelphia Inquirer article.

Source: myPLS The Eye Opener, May 15, 2013.

Secretary Tomalis To Leave Corbett Administration

Mon, 13 May 2013 1:40:19 PM EDT

According to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, another member of Gov. Corbett’s cabinet is on his way out. Education Secretary Ron Tomalis is looking for another job and does not intend to stay past summer, two senior administration officials have told The Inquirer on condition of anonymity. An official timetable has yet to be set for his exit, but the sources said Tomalis would likely stay in his $149,804 job until after the July 1 deadline for getting a state budget passed and signed into law. Click here to read the Philadelphia Inquirer article.

Source: myPLS The Eye Opener, May 13, 2013.

PDE To Publish Rating Tool for Teacher Evaluation

Fri, 10 May 2013 10:15:49 AM EDT

This week, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) told the State Board of Education that it is preparing to publish in the Pennsylvania Bulletin its rating tool for teacher effectiveness in the coming weeks. The tool includes the classroom teacher rating form and instructions. Act 82 of 2012 requires PDE to publish the rating tool by June 30 on a fast-track process that exempts it from the regulatory review requirements and review by the state attorney general. However, the document must be approved by the governor’s office of general counsel, budget office and policy office prior to publication. Electronic versions of the tool will be available on PDE’s web site that will compute the rating calculations for school districts; training and information will be made available through PDE’s SAS section of the web site.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, May 9, 2013.

Notification of Intent to Apply for Title I, Part A Carryover Waiver

Mon, 06 May 2013 4:03:22 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) will be requesting a waiver of the limitation in section 1127(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) that prohibits a State educational agency (SEA) from granting to a local educational agency (LEA) a waiver of the 15% carryover limitation of Title I, Part A funds (in section 1127(a) of the ESEA) more than once every three years.

The approval of this waiver would provide the SEA with the ability to grant an LEA permission to carry over more than 15% of their fiscal year 2012 Title I, Part A allocation into the 2013 fiscal year. The requested waiver may help more schools and LEAs within the State meet their annual measurable objectives (AMOs) by enabling them to direct their funds to activities that are most likely to increase the quality of instruction and improve the academic achievement of students in the face of a likely reduction in its fiscal year 2013 Title I, Part A allocation due to the sequester.
If you have any comments on this waiver request, please submit them to phcooper@pa.gov no later than May 31, 2013.

2013 Attributions and the Attribution Window

Mon, 06 May 2013 4:02:08 PM EDT

The Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) Attribution System will be available to LEAs May 20 - 24, 2013 at www.drc-web.com/onlinecorrections to verify and correct, if necessary, all student attribution information and to update PAsecure IDs and birthdates for students who did not use precode labels. In preparation for the opening of this important window, PDE and DRC will provide online training covering PDE's Attribution Map, examples of HOW and WHY a student should be attributed, demonstrations of attribution using the DRC website, examples of when NOT to attribute a student in the system and additional information related to training for the 1% Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA) Cap.

On February 28, PDE submitted an application to United States Department of Education (USDoE) for a flexibility waiver. If Pennsylvania's waiver is approved in a timely fashion, PDE will not report Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) based on 2013 test results, but will use the School Performance Profile to identify Reward, Focus and Priority schools. If PDE is able to use the School Performance Profile, attribution rules may be slightly different from the attribution rules for AYP. In the training, DRC will demonstrate how to navigate the attribution system to attribute students; however, PDE may not yet know by the attribution window which rules, School Performance Profile (SPP) or AYP, will be used. If PDE is informed by USDoE prior to the attribution window, PDE will immediately release the SPP attribution rules; if PDE has not heard from USDoE, LEAs should continue to use the AYP attribution rules (2013 AYP Participation and Performance Attribution Map found on the PDE web site).

In order to ensure all LEAs have an opportunity to participate, PDE will be offering the same session multiple dates/times (see list below). The presentations will be available via "GoToMeeting™." To register, go to the link provided for each session below. Each session has a very different, specific link associated with it. Be sure to use the link associated with the session in which you will participate.

2013 ATTRIBUTIONS AND THE ATTRIBUTION WINDOW:

May 15, 2013 from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m., to register, go to:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/327310114

May 15, 2013 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., to register, go to:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/199779058

May 16, 2013 from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m., to register, go to:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/162168226

May 16, 2013 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., to register, go to:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/951938226

For more information, contact Judith Roseborough at PDE, Bureau of Assessment and Accountability at 717-265-7655.

Principal Effectiveness System

Mon, 06 May 2013 11:07:14 AM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) invites all school districts, charter schools, intermediate units and career and technical centers to join them in Phase III of the continued development and implementation of a new principal effectiveness system in the 2013-14 school year. Please note that schools receiving School Improvement Grants (SIG) using the Transformation model are required to participate in Phase III unless these schools have developed an instrument which has been approved by PDE. In addition, all Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) receiving Race to the Top (RTTT) funding are required to participate in Phase III.

The major elements of this project include:

A detailed practice rubric based on feedback from Phase II and research collected from multiple practice models;

On-going study and refinement of measurable evidence and its correlation with the Principal practice rubric;

Detailed guidance on the effectiveness process, its components and the evidence to be considered for evaluation;

The refinement of a formula for determining the summative evaluation rating;

Participation in a training network;

External evaluators to analyze the second phase of the project; and

Utilization of an online evaluator training system to address inter-rater reliability.

Phase III implementation sites will have the opportunity to provide recommendations, based upon their experience, into the final design of the new principal effectiveness form and rubric. In addition, Phase III implementation sites will be able to offer recommendations for the evaluation guidelines that will include local flexibility, practice components and evidence recommendations.

Phase III implementation sites will also have the opportunity to receive ongoing assistance at no cost, as well as priority registration for the PDE Institute, which will be held in December 2013.

Please join PDE in this very important endeavor. PDE needs a broad representation of the education community across Pennsylvania to develop a strong system. You may select individual building principals (with the exception of SIG & RTTT Schools) for Phase III rather than the entire LEA. This will be one of the last opportunities to have input before PDE finalizes the rubric and components of the system.

If you know you are ready to participate in Phase III, you can indicate your commitment by visiting the following URL and providing the requested information. The deadline for registering to participate in Phase III of the implementation process is June 14, 2013. The URL is http://webapps.pattan.net/tes/PE3/pecontactandlea.asp

Gov. Corbett Signs HB2 That Will Alter the Way the State Funds Special Education

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:26:24 PM EDT

Gov. Tom Corbett today signed legislation that will lead to overhauling the way future state funding for special education is distributed to school districts.

Click here for full story.

Source: PennLive.com, By Jan Murphy, April 25, 2013.

PAESSP 2013 Election Results Announced

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 3:58:49 PM EDT

The results of PAESSP’s 2013 Election have been announced thanks to our Nominations Committee - Margaret S. (Peg) Foster, chairperson, and members, Kristopher Vancas and Robert Frioni, along with Kurt Nyquist, PAESSP president.

After our members voted online, we are proud to report that the following are your newly- elected President-Elect, NAESP Representative and Regional Representatives:

President-Elect (Elem. Division): – Gregg L. Paladina, Karns City A.S.D.

NAESP Representative (Elem. Division): – Dr. Melissa D. Patschke, Spring –Ford A.S.D.

Regional Representatives:

East II Elementary – Brian J. Gasper, Jim Thorpe A.S.D.

East III Secondary – Jonathan Bauer, Upper Merion A.S.D.

Central I Elementary – James E. Orichosky, Bald Eagle A.S.D.

Central III Secondary – Dr. David A. Crumrine, Spring Cove S.D.

West III Elementary – Heather L. Hauser, Highlands S.D.

West III Secondary – Dr. Zeb Jansante, Bethel Park S.D.

West IV Elementary – Rodney A. Necciai, Pittsburgh S.D.

West IV Secondary – Dr. Jeffrey J. Spadafore, Pittsburgh S.D.

SB 34 Reported To Senate For Further Consideration

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 2:35:00 PM EDT

Last week, the Senate Education Committee reported Senate Bill 34 from Committee to the Senate for further consideration. SB 34 (Sen. Lloyd Smucker, R-13) would make extensive changes to the Professional Education Discipline Act. It would shorten the title to "Education Discipline Act" and further provide for definitions and imposition of discipline on additional grounds. SB 34 would provide for confidentiality, subpoenas, and disposition of fees and fines. It would also provide for cyber charter schools and make substantial editorial and technical changes and related repeals. A technical amendment was adopted and then SB 34 was reported as amended.

Source: EPLC Education Notebook, April 19, 2013.

Monday is the Deadline To Vote in the May 21st Primary Election

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:22:00 PM EDT

Today is the deadline to vote in the May 21st Primary Election. For more information on voting, go to www.votespa.com.

PSBA Supports Pension Reform

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:41:00 PM EDT

While this is not PAESSP's position, please be aware that: During a state House of Representatives committee hearing about proposed state pension plan changes, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) caught the attention of state lawmakers twice. First, Emily Leader, PSBA’s acting chief counsel, announced, for the first time, PSBA’s support of efforts to change future pension benefits for current employees. Click here for more. Click here to read a report from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about Leader’s remarks.
Source: PA Education Policy Roundup, April 18, 2013.

Nominations Sought for PAESSP's 2013 Service to Children Award

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 4:48:00 PM EDT

Each year, the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) selects a recipient for the “Service to Children” award. Nominations for this award are now open to elementary and secondary members and are limited to one of three regions – east, central or west - on a rotating basis. This year the recipient will be selected from one of the following intermediate units in the western region: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 27 or 28. The deadline for nominations is May 31, 2013.

Click here for the informational letter or a 2013 nomination form.

(You must print a copy of the nomination form -- not a writeable file.)

Senate Passes HB2 - On Governor's Desk

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 6:09:00 PM EDT

HB 2 was passed by the Senate this week and will now be sent to Gov. Corbett for his signature. HB 2 implements a new special education funding formula, establishing how any increases in the current special education appropriation are distributed using weighting factors based on category of disability. The bill also creates a Special Education Funding Commission to develop the components of the special education funding formula, including the weighting factors and the parameters of each category of disability.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, April 11, 2013.

House Passes HB 930

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 6:08:00 PM EDT

The House of Representatives passed HB 930 this week, which makes extensive changes to the Professional Educator Discipline Act. Among the changes, HB 930: expands the jurisdiction of the Professional Standards and Practices Commission to include educators holding Private Academic School certification and educators working for independent contractors in public schools; expands the bases for discipline to include founded and indicated reports of child abuse as well as “grooming” behaviors such as sending a student sexually explicit text messages; shortens the time period for mandatory reporting to Pennsylvania Department of Education; requires an educator arrested or indicted for or convicted of certain enumerated crimes to report the indictment, arrest or conviction to the employing school entity within 72 hours; prohibits school entities from entering into confidential settlement agreements that interfere with a school entity’s mandatory reporting; and eliminates the current statute of limitations for the filing of misconduct complaints.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, April 11, 2013.

House To Consider HB 969

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 6:07:00 PM EDT

The House Education Committee will consider several bills of interest next week, including HB 969, which changes the requirement for all professional employees in a school district to be certified. Instead, only 75% of the professional employees would be required to be certified.
Note: The PAESSP does not support this legislation.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, April 11, 2013.

State Assessments

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 3:43:00 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) would like to inform all entities that administer the PSSA and/or Keystone Exams of the importance of accounting for all testing materials. As the assessments' results serve multiple purposes, the necessity to ensure test security is paramount. If all testing materials that are sent to you from Data Recognition Corporation are not returned to Data Recognition Corporation, the possibility of a testing breach may occur, causing an entire test form to be discontinued. The replacement of a test form is a very costly endeavor, with the development of an individual item costing from $1,000 up to $8,000. PDE would like to avoid any instances where an entity with access to testing materials is required to bear the cost of replacing a test form; therefore, we urge all entities in possession of test materials to ensure that all materials are accounted for and returned to Data Recognition Corporation at the completion of testing.

For more information, contact Judith Roseborough, PA Department of Education, Bureau of Assessment and Accountability, at 717-265-7655.

Educators Call for Interdisciplinary, Multitiered Framework To Improve School Safety

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 3:07:00 PM EDT

Leading education organizations have called on Congress and the Administration to enact school safety policies that will genuinely support the well-being and learning of students over the long term, rather than reactive strategies that may cause more harm than good. The American School Counseling Association (ASCA), National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) released A Framework for Safe and Successful Schools, their joint recommendations for improved school safety and access to mental health services for students.

“Principals know the key to preserving the health, well-being, and safety of students is building strong, collaborative school/community relationships necessary for implementing effective prevention and intervention programs," said Gail Connelly, Executive Director, NAESP. "Instead of guns, schools must be armed with multidisciplinary strategies resulting in a positive and nurturing school climate proven to prevent threatening or violent behaviors. Federal lawmakers can rely on this powerful framework to craft policies that will provide meaningful and long-term solutions to keeping our schools and our students safe.”

The groups caution against excessive emphasis on overly restrictive security measures, such as armed guards and metal detectors, which do not necessarily improve safety and can undermine the school climate and learning. They oppose arming school staff and reiterate that, if a school determines the need for armed security, school resource officers (commissioned police officers trained to work in schools) should be the only armed school personnel of any kind.

“At a time when resources are tight, we need to be focusing on those strategies that will create a school climate where students want come ready to learn,” noted NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti. “We have to ask ourselves not just ‘will this really work’ but also ‘is this the best use of our resources'."

Within the Framework, the education groups emphasize the importance of establishing policies and practices that are comprehensive, integrated, and multitiered; facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration across school teams and among school and community providers; make most effective use of school personnel; and are sustainable. More than 100 education and children’s mental health groups and experts have endorsed the recommendations.

Other recommendations include: allowing for blended, flexible use of funding streams to address school climate, safety, crisis response, and mental health needs more cohesively and effectively; improving staffing ratios of school-employed mental health professionals to allow for the delivery of a full range of services and the support of effective school–community partnerships; employing effective school discipline that promotes positive behavior; and integrating ongoing school safety and crisis and emergency preparedness and response teams, training, and planning.
The full report is available at: http://www.nasponline.org/resources/framework-safe-and-successful-schools.aspx

Source: NAESP Press Release, April 4, 2013.

PAESSP and EF To Offer Tour of Europe ? Deadline to Register is April 29, 2013!

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 2:57:00 PM EDT

PAESSP and EF Tours have partnered to host a tour of Europe for principals that provides PIL credits. Coming this summer, principals can learn about Global Leadership as they tour the cities of London, Normandy, Paris, Berlin, Munich and Salzburg. Dr. William Ziegler, PAESSP’s president-elect, will be teaching a PIL-approved course (Creating Globally Competent Schools) on the trip. The group will be visiting a school in Munich and talking with educators in that city.

The PIL piece is optional, and other educators may attend at the discounted rate. Your spouse or special guest is welcome to attend, but they will need to pay the non-discounted rate (unless they are an educator). The price for educators is the most discounted rate given by EF Tours. Teachers are welcome to attend, so please forward this e-mail to all of your teachers so they can also join this special rate and experience. The current educator price from Philadelphia is $3,580 and $3,738 from Pittsburgh.

EF is also hosting an online webinar to answer any questions on Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. The deadline for registering for the tour is April 29, 2013. To register for the webinar, please email Mike Brown, EF PA Representative, at Mike.Brown@EF.com.

This trip promises to be amazing as we explore the streets of Churchill's city, walk the battlefields of Normandy, climb the Eiffel Tower, learn from the STEM education in Germany and so much more.

Seating is limited on this trip, so please be sure to reserve your spot by registering now. Go to this web site to learn more and register for the trip: http://www.eftours.com/preview-tour.aspx?gt=1348180; or check out this flyer. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Ziegler at wziegler@pgsd.org.

Reserve your spot today!

State Board of Ed Drops Graduation Project Requirement, Leaves it Up to Districts

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:25:00 AM EDT

The state Board of Education has made another change on the Keystone Exams.

The board gave final approval to the end-of-course high school assessments in mid-March, formally installing the Keystones as the replacement for the 11th-grade Pennsylvania System of School Assessment exams starting with the class of 2017.

While that was a formality - districts have been administering Keystones in a pilot phase for two years - the board also decided to remove the graduation project requirement. The state board wanted districts to focus on Keystones and not have to juggle the additional mandate of a graduation project, said Department of Education spokesman Tim Eller.

"Allowing that to be a local decision was more appropriate," Eller said.

Click here for full article.

Source: The York Dispatch, Andrew Shaw, April 1, 2013.

Grants Available to Support School Breakfast and Physical Activity

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:03:00 AM EDT

Does your school need a boost to increase participation in breakfast? Do you need funding to support adding more minutes of physical activity for your students?

Action for Healthy Kids is pleased to partner with CSX Transportation, Kellogg Company and the Walmart Foundation to offer grants for the 2013-2014 school year to support such initiatives. Awards will be given to over 400 schools ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.

Applications are due April 19, 2013!

Tips for Applying:

Find out if your school is eligible for these opportunities.

Attend our upcoming webinar to learn more (archived sessions will be posted) -- Wed, April 10, 2013 - 4:00-5:00pm ET / 1:00-2:00pm PT - REGISTER NOW!

Check out FAQ.

Determine if your school is a good fit for the Universal Alternative Breakfast Grant.

Download the paper application to begin the process.

Once the paper application is complete, proceed to our online portal to submit your proposal.

DEADLINE: April 19, 2013!

Attention PAESSP Members: Join Us for Principals' Advocacy Month in April!

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 5:42:00 PM EDT

Schedule a Meeting with Your Legislator!

If you cannot take time out of your day during the month of April or your legislator cannot meet with you during this time frame, we encourage you to find a date that would best fit your schedule and to inform us of that appointment.

Click here for more information. (Please note: You must be logged in as a member in order to access this information.)

State Education Committees Approve Bills of Interest to Principals

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 4:58:00 PM EDT

The House Education Committee approved HB 930, which makes extensive changes to the Professional Educator Discipline Act. Among the changes, HB 930: expands the jurisdiction of the Professional Standards and Practices Commission to include educators holding Private Academic School certification and educators working for independent contractors in public schools; expands the bases for discipline to include founded and indicated reports of child abuse as well as “grooming” behaviors such as sending a student sexually explicit text messages; shortens the time period for mandatory reporting to Pennsylvania Department of Education; requires an educator arrested or indicted for or convicted of certain enumerated crimes to report the indictment, arrest or conviction to the employing school entity within 72 hours; prohibits school entities from entering into confidential settlement agreements that interfere with a school entity’s mandatory reporting; and eliminates the current statute of limitations for the filing of misconduct complaints.

The Senate Education Committee approved SB 442, which exempts school leaders from continuing education requirements if their school or district makes Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) or shows growth under the Pennsylvania Value Added Assessment System (PVAAS) for three consecutive years. The bill was amended to clarify that the exemption from continuing education applies to school and system leaders for the schools that they oversee. If one of those schools fails to make AYP or show growth under PVAAS, the school and system leaders would lose the exemption. At that time, they would be responsible for completing the continuing education requirements within the remaining duration of the uncompleted compliance period. The amendment also addresses school and system leaders that change school assignments. If school or system leaders are exempt in the new assignment, the new school and system leader will also be exempt. If they are assigned to a school where the school and system leaders are not exempt, their exemption would be lost and they must complete the continuing education. Nothing in the bill limits the ability for a school district to require continuing education even if the school or system leader would otherwise be exempt.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, March 21, 2013.

2013 PAESSP Online Election Ballot Information

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 7:06:00 AM EDT

The PAESSP Election is open from 6 a.m. (EST) Tuesday, April 2, 2013 through 12 p.m. (Noon EST) on Friday, April 12, 2013.

Many e-mail providers impose restrictions on e-mail delivery, which may impact our ability to communicate with you and/or your ability to view images in HTML. To ensure you properly receive your PAESSP Election E-mail (with a link to your Ballot), please add vote-now.com to your address book OR you should ask your IT staff person to add vote-now.com to your district’s spam filter list so that the e-mail can get through. You should do this by 6 a.m. on April 2, 2013.

Please Note: The From Address on the e-mail will be elections@vote-now.com.

Thank you in advance for your time and participation in PAESSP’!

Free Seminar for School District Administrators Sponsored by PAESSP & McGraw-Hill - Intervention

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 3:46:00 PM EDT

A free seminar sponsored by PAESSP and McGraw-Hill - Intervention, The Administrator’s Key Role in Responding to Struggling Students, will be presented by Wayne Callender in two locations:

Thursday, April 25, 2013
Berks County IU 14
1111 Commons Boulevard, Reading, PA

and

Friday, April 26, 2013
Midwestern IU 4
453 Maple Street, Grove City, PA

For more information, click here.

For a registration form, click here.

Senate Education Committee To Consider HB 2

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 1:11:00 PM EDT

The Senate Education Committee will consider several bills today including HB 2 which implements a new special education funding formula and establishes how any increases in the current special education appropriation are distributed using weighting factors based on category of disability. The bill also creates a Special Education Funding Commission to develop the components of the special education funding formula, including the weighting factors and the parameters of each category of disability.

State Board of Education Adopts New Revisions to Chapter 4 Regulations

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 1:10:00 PM EDT

Last week, the State Board of Education approved extensive changes to its draft revisions of the Chapter 4 regulations for academic standards and assessment that received the board’s initial approval last May. This latest version of Chapter 4 changes will now be move the second stage of the formal approval process and be transmitted to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission and the Senate and House Education Committees for consideration.

Among the highlights, the revised regulations will:

Require proficiency in Algebra I, Biology and Literature Keystone Exams as a graduation requirement beginning with the class of 2017.
Subject to state funding, add two additional Keystone Exam graduation requirements: a Composition exam as a requirement for the class of 2019, and a civics and government exam for the class of 2020.
Change the use of the Keystone Exams to a stand-alone requirement for graduation; the scores will not be one-third of a final course grade.
Require school boards to adopt the new graduation requirements within six months of the effective date of the new Chapter 4 and provide a copy to parents and students, and make them available in each school building or on its web site.
Remove the state-prescribed strategic planning requirement; however there is a 28-day public inspection and comment period prior to school board adoption for the remaining six required plans (teacher induction, student services, gifted education, professional development, special education and pre-kindergarten if the school offers it).
Change the provision for parental opt-out for religious reasons to require parents to explain their objection and also to require those students who are not taking Keystone Exams to take the project-based assessment.
Allow a student who did not score proficient on a Keystone Exam to retake the test without limit. A student who scores proficient or advanced is not permitted to retake the test. A student who does not score proficient must receive instructional remediation.
Allow students who have two failed attempts to demonstrate proficiency on a Keystone Exam to participate in a project-based assessment. A change removes the two-year requirement to receive remediation before a student is allowed to participate in a project. Another change allows seniors to participate in a project after just one unsuccessful attempt to pass a Keystone Exam.
Require the current highest performance level by Keystone subject area to be listed on a student’s transcript, and designate whether the level was achieved by the Keystone Exam or by the project-based assessment.
Allow two alternate pathways for students enrolled in a career and technical education program. First, such students may demonstrate proficiency on the Keystone Exams or a Pennsylvania Skills Assessment to meet the requirement for testing in composition, and civics and government. Second, such students who did not demonstrate proficiency on the Biology Keystone Exam may participate in a project-based assessment without having to take the Keystone twice. These pathways relate to graduation requirements; students would still be required to take Keystone Exams for state accountability purposes.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, March 15, 2013.

Joseph P. Acri To Retire from PAESSP

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 3:25:00 PM EDT

For Immediate Release

January 2, 2013

CONTACT: Sheri L. Thompson
Director of Communications
Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals
122 Valley Road, P.O. Box 39, Summerdale, PA 17093
(717) 732-4999 (Phone)
(717) 395-6814 (Cell)
(717) 732-4890 (Fax)

sherit@paessp.org
www.paessp.org

Joseph P. Acri To Retire from PAESSP

(Harrisburg, PA) -- The Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) Board of Directors has announced the upcoming retirement of Joseph P. Acri as the assistant executive director, effective June 30, 2013. Mr. Acri has advocated for principals and public education in Harrisburg more than three decades -- first as the senior consultant for management services for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association for 17 years, followed by his current position as assistant executive director of PAESSP.

Mr. Acri is a Viet Nam veteran who achieved the rank of sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. He then went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University in business administration, followed by his master’s degree in industrial/labor relations and personnel administration from St. Francis University.

In 1997, Mr. Acri was hired by PAESSP. During his tenure, he has worked diligently for association members, while forming effective liaisons with legislators in Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) leadership, the State Board of Education and other education associations.

He has been recognized for his professional achievements over the years with the most recent being the Pennsylvania Middle School Association Advocate for Public Education Award in 2011.

Following retirement, Mr. Acri plans to spend more time pursuing his hobby of restoring cars and traveling. He resides in Enola, Pa., with his wife, Rita, a teacher at East Pennsboro School District. They have two grown daughters, Joanna and Jeannine, who are both teachers.

Kurt J. Nyquist Assumes Presidency of State Principals? Association

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 3:22:00 PM EDT

For Immediate Release

November 9, 2012

sherit@paessp.org
www.paessp.org

Kurt J. Nyquist Assumes Presidency of State Principals’ Association

(Harrisburg, Pa.) — Kurt J. Nyquist, principal of Penns Valley Area Elementary and Intermediate School in the Penns Valley Area School District, recently assumed the presidency of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa.

Mr. Nyquist assumed the association reins following the annual business meeting held Oct. 23, 2012 during PAESSP’s State Conference held in Pittsburgh.

"It is a privilege and honor to serve as the president of PAESSP. The success of Pennsylvania’s schools would not be possible without strong principals. I look forward to serving and supporting Pennsylvania’s principals as we strive to constantly improve student learning,” said Mr. Nyquist.

Mr. Nyquist began his education career in 1993 as an elementary school teacher in the Bellefonte Area School District. After nine years of teaching, he became the assistant principal at Avis and Nippennose Elementary Schools in the Jersey Shore Area School District. He then served as the principal of the Avis Elementary School for two years.

Mr. Nyquist has been a member of PAESSP/NAESP for 10 years. He previously served the association as the Central I Elementary Regional Representative since 2010, and was a member of the 2011 PAESSP Conference Committee.

In addition, Mr. Nyquist is a certified Olweus Bully Prevention trainer, and has served as manuscript reviewer for the Pennsylvania Educational Leadership magazine since 2003.

In 1991, Mr. Nyquist received a bachelor of science degree in elementary and kindergarten education also from the Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). In 1998 he also received a master’s in education in curriculum and instruction from Penn State. He obtained his Elementary Principal Certification from St. Francis University in 2000, and he is currently working toward his Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility from Penn State.

He resides in Bellefonte with his wife, Heather, and two sons Tyler and Evan.

Dr. William T. Ziegler Named President-Elect of State Principals? Association

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 3:18:00 PM EDT

For Immediate Release

November 9, 2012

sherit@paessp.org
www.paessp.org

Dr. William T. Ziegler Named President-Elect of State Principals’ Association

(Harrisburg, Pa.) — William T. Ziegler, Ed.D., principal of Pottsgrove Middle School in the Pottsgrove School District, was recently named President-Elect of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa.

Dr. Ziegler assumed his new position on PAESSP’s Board of Directors following the association’s annual business meeting held October 23, 2012
during its 20^th annual state conference held in Pittsburgh.

“PAESSP has equipped me to become a stronger educational leader within my school. I am honored and grateful to serve as the President-Elect for an association which strengthens school leaders to provide success for every child. In our ever changing global economy, the need for quality education has never been more important; as a result, PAESSP stands ready to serve principals and school leaders across this great Commonwealth to prepare students to compete and thrive in the global marketplace,” said Dr. Ziegler.

Dr. Ziegler began his education career in 1994 as a social studies teacher at Pottstown High School in the Pottstown School District. From 1998-2002, he served as the assistant principal of Pottstown High School in the Pottstown School District, and from 2002-2007, he served as the assistant principal of Pottsgrove High School in the Pottsgrove School District. In 2007, he assumed his current position as the principal of Pottsgrove Middle School.

Dr. Ziegler has been a member of PAESSP/NASSP for 11 years. Most recently, he served as treasurer on the PAESSP Board of Directors (2010-2012). He currently acts as the chairperson of the PAESSP Mini-Grant Selection Committee and he also served on the board as the East III Secondary Regional Representative. In addition, he served on the NASSP Publications Advisory Council from 2007-2009 and presented at the NASSP National Conference in 2003 and 2005.

Dr. Ziegler is active in his community as well. He was president of the Montgomery County Principals Association from 2008-2010, and currently serves on the board of Trinity Church and is the media director for Christian Educators Association International. Additionally, he has served as an adjunct professor in graduate education at Temple University since 2007.

Dr. Ziegler received a bachelor of science degree from Kutztown University, a master’s in educational administration from Gratz College and his Ed.D. from Temple University.

He resides in Boyertown with his wife, Kim, and their two children (ages 14 and 12).

State and National Education Leaders To Convene in Pittsburgh

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 3:14:00 PM EDT

For Immediate Release

October 12, 2012

CONTACT: Sheri L. Thompson

Director of Communications

Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals
122 Valley Road, P.O. Box 39, Summerdale, PA 17093
(717) 732-4999 (Phone)
(717) 395-6814 (Cell)

(717) 732-4890 (Fax)
sherit@paessp.org
www.paessp.org

State and National Education Leaders To Convene in Pittsburgh

(Harrisburg, PA)—More than 200 elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals, supervisors and other education leaders will convene in Pittsburgh for the 20^th annual state conference of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) to be held October 21-23, 2012 at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel.

A few of the awards to be given out at the conference include the National Distinguished Principal and the Assistant, Middle Level and High School Principals of the Year. These will be given during PAESSP’s 28^th annual banquet from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012 (Grand Station Ballroom I-II).

In addition to the more than 75 vendors exhibiting their products for schools and classrooms in the Exhibit Hall (Grand Station Ballroom, Monday, Oct. 22, 2012), keynote addresses and a multitude of informational breakout sessions will be presented to attendees by three nationally known speakers and educators from across the Commonwealth during the 2 ½-day conference. Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs will present “Upgrading Our Schools for the 21^st-Century Learner” on Sunday, Oct. 21 from 1:30-2:45 p.m. at the First General Session (Admiral Room).

On Monday, October 22, Colonel Arthur Athens (USMC, Retired) will present “Back to Basics: The Fundamentals of Extraordinary Leadership” from 8:30-10:00 a.m. at the Second General Session (Admiral Room). Also, presenting on Monday is Dr. Willard Daggett, who will present “Leading in Challenging Times,” from 1:30-2:45 p.m. at the Third General Session (Admiral Room).

On Tuesday, Oct. 23 at PAESSP’s Annual Business Meeting (8:15-9:15 a.m.), PAESSP President Dr. Barry L. Purvis will ‘pass the gavel’ to President-Elect Kurt J. Nyquist, principal of Penns Valley Elementary & Intermediate School in the Penns Valley Area School District, Spring Mills, Pa., making him the 2012-2013 PAESSP president.

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FINALIZES ADOPTION OF PA COMMON CORE STATE ACADEMIC STANDARDS

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 3:04:00 PM EDT

The State Board of Education voted to adopt final-form regulations to amend Chapter 4, Academic Standards and Assessment, of Title 22, the Pennsylvania Education Code, said Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis.

Specifically, the board’s action puts into place the Pennsylvania Common Core Standards and requires students to demonstrate proficiency on a Keystone Exam, validated local assessment or a comparable Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate exam.

As required by the new regulations, the Pennsylvania Common Core Standards in English language arts and mathematics must be implemented in all public schools across the state by July 1, 2013.

Similar to the nationwide Common Core State Standards initiative, which is under way in 45 states, Pennsylvania tailored these standards to meet the needs of Pennsylvania’s students and adopted its own assessments.

Tomalis noted that these rigorous standards will serve as a framework for schools as to what students should be taught and have knowledge of based on their grade level.

The board also adopted the final implementation schedule for the Keystone Exams, which are rigorous, end-of-course assessments designed to ensure a student’s mastery of specific academic content. These exams are required to graduate from a Pennsylvania high school.

Beginning with the class of 2017 – this year’s 8th-grade class – students will be required to pass three Keystone Exams – algebra I, biology and literature – or a comparable assessment to obtain a high school diploma.

The class of 2019 – this year’s 6th-grade class – will be required to pass four Keystone Exams – algebra I, biology, literature and composition.

The class of 2020 – this year’s 5th-grade class – and beyond will be required to pass five Keystone Exams – algebra I, biology, literature, composition and civics and government.

The composition and civics and government exams are subject to available state funding for development and implementation of each assessment.

Additionally, subject to available funding, five additional Keystone Exams would be made available to school districts for voluntary use based on the following schedule: geometry in 2016-17, U.S. history in 2017-18, algebra II in 2018-19, chemistry in 2019-20 and world history in 2020-21.

The board also voted to repeal the required culminating graduation project, and the Keystone Exams, from counting as one-third of a student’s course grade.

These new academic standards and the Keystone Exams are supported across the state by the business community, higher education leaders and early education organizations.

These groups recognize the importance of increasing academic rigor and the long-term benefit to students and the state’s economy.

For the past few years, the department has put into place comprehensive, high-quality resources, such as the Standards Aligned System (SAS), for schools and educators to use to enhance their academic and instructional programs and services.

SAS is a web-based system that provides educators access to Pennsylvania Common Core-aligned curriculum framework; materials and resources for classroom instruction, including a classroom diagnostic tool that provides details of each student’s strengths, weaknesses, knowledge and skills in specific content areas; voluntary model curriculum; and learning progressions that indicate how students progress toward mastery of the skills needed for postsecondary success.

Statewide, more than 143,000 registered users make use of the SAS web site, www.pdesas.org. To date, SAS has been accessed more than 29 million times.

The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) will no longer be required for 11th-grade students but will continue to be taken by students in grades 3 through 8. Additionally, the PSSA will be aligned to the Pennsylvania Common Core State Academic Standards in the 2014-15 school year.

Now that the board has taken final action to amend the regulations, they will now go to the House and Senate Education committees and Independent Regulatory Review Commission for consideration.

Source: PDE Press Release, March 14, 2013; http://www.education.state.pa.us.

Certification Staffing Policies and Guidelines (CSPG) Updates

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 7:13:44 PM EST

The Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality has updated CSPG #7, Level II Certification - Educational and Service Requirements and CSPG #18, Interstate Certification Agreement. The updated CSPGs can be found on PDE'ss web site at:

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/certification_staffing_policies_%28cspgs%29/8626/general_certification_information_%28numbers_1_-_24%29

Free Seminar for School District Administrators Sponsored by PAESSP & McGraw-Hill - Intervention

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 3:46:47 PM EST

A free seminar sponsored by PAESSP and McGraw-Hill - Intervention, The Administrator's Key Role in Responding to Struggling Students, will be presented by Wayne Callender in two locations:

Thursday, April 25, 2013
Berks County IU 14
1111 Commons Boulevard, Reading, PA

and

Friday, April 26, 2013
Midwestern IU 4
453 Maple Street, Grove City, PA

For more information, click here.

For a registration form, click here.

One Opportunity To Participate in the Pilot PVAAS Roster Verification/Teacher Reporting - Spring 2013

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 2:24:57 PM EST

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is implementing Pennsylvania'ss Educator Effectiveness System. This includes PVAAS Teacher Specific Reporting for the 15 percent teacher specific data. PDE is offering to all LEAs the option of participating in a one-time pilot of the PVAAS roster verification process and system for PVAAS Teacher Specific Reporting.

Participation in the pilot will allow teachers, principals, and superintendents/designees to access PVAAS Teacher Specific Reporting in the fall of 2013. This is the ONLY opportunity for LEAs to experience the process, time and resources needed to yield PVAAS Teacher Specific Reporting before it actually "counts" towards the first PVAAS three-year rolling average in the Teacher Evaluation System.

Participation in the PVAAS pilot will provide your LEA with information to plan for full implementation of the PVAAS roster verification process and system during 2013-2014 school year. LEAs may choose their level of pilot participation: opting to include all schools in your LEA, some schools, or only one school. LEAs also have the option of determining which grade levels, subjects, courses and number of teachers to include from each pilot school.

Please review the complete details about PVAAS pilot participation. This information is located at https://pvaas.sas.com. To learn more about the PVAAS pilot, PDE is offering four "What is the PVAAS Pilot?" statewide webinars (these will be archived for anyone that cannot participate in a live session):

February 22, 2013 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
February 25, 2013 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
February 26, 2013 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
February 26, 2013 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Registration is NOT required to participate in these webinars. A link to join a live webinar will become active 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. To join a session, go to http://elluminate.iu13.org. Using the page numbers on the lower right corner, click through the pages of session titles until you see the title of the session you would like to join.

LEAs must communicate their "Intent to Participate" in the PVAAS pilot via this online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RosterVerification no later than March 1, 2013.

Requirements and timeline for pilot participation:

By March 1: Submit "Intent to Participate in Pilot" survey
By March 15: Submit file of staff email addresses and PPIDs (required format)
April 15-26: Participate in one roster verification training (https://pvaas.sas.com)
April 29 - June 7: Complete PVAAS roster verification process
May 13 - June 13: Provide feedback to PDE regarding PVAAS roster verification
Fall 2013: Participate in one PVAAS Teacher Specific Reporting training
Fall/Winter 2013: Provide feedback to PDE regarding PVAAS Teacher Specific Reporting

If there are questions regarding the Pilot PVAAS Roster Verification/Teacher Reporting Pilot, please contact the PVAAS Statewide Team for PDE at pdepvaas@iu13.org.

Disclosure of Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities in Secondary Schools for Male and Female Athletes

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 2:21:30 PM EST

Article XVI-C of the Public School Code requires the disclosure of interscholastic athletic opportunities for all public secondary school entities in Pennsylvania. All school entities with grades 7-12 are required to annually collect data concerning team and financial information for all male and female athletes beginning with the 2012-2013 school year and submit the information to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). The first statutorily-imposed deadline for school entities to report this information is October 15, 2013.

In order to assist school entities in planning to comply with the new law, PDE has developed a Draft Disclosure Form, which can be used as a guide for schools to begin collecting data. The form and instructions for completing the disclosure form are available at http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school services office/9153/disclosure of interscholastic athletic opportunities/1419362.

During the summer of 2013, PDE will release a Final Disclosure Form and post the form on the PDE web site. School entities will also be notified via PENN*LINK of the availability of the final form. School entities must use the Final Disclosure Form to report the required information through PIMS by October 15, 2013.

Beginning with the 2013-14 school year, all non-school (booster clubs, alumni and other non-school) contributions and purchases must also be reported to PDE.

Please note that school entities are required to post their disclosure forms on their web site and make the forms available to the public no later than November 1 of each year.

PDE is required to post all submitted disclosure forms on its web site. In addition, the department will include the information submitted on the disclosure forms in an annual report, which will be provided to the General Assembly by January 15 of each year.

If you have any questions, please email ra-Athletic-OppReport@pa.gov.

Ruling Says No Privacy Right for PA Home Address

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 4:47:54 PM EST

A ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court says the state constitution doesn't give people a right to privacy when it comes to their home addresses,
clarifying what has been a major point of dispute in the open records law.

Click here for the full article.

Source: www.witf.org; article written by The Associated Press, Feb 20, 2013.

NAESP and School Leadership Briefing To Offer Free Web Audio-casts on Principal Mentoring

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 2:03:59 PM EST

The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) has partnered with a company called School Leadership Briefing to develop a series of informative audio-casts on the power of mentors for principals. The first of the series is titled, "Making the Case for Principal Mentoring." Although, this company sells subscriptions for their work, the NAESP Mentor Series will be availabe at no charge.

NAESP represenative on the PAESSP board, Dr. Melissa Patschke, is currently working with them to produce an audio-cast for April titled, "Five Ways Mentoring Supports New School Leaders."

Click here to listen to the first audio-cast of the series.

Principal Mike Allison on PCN School Violence Broadcast Tonight!

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 8:38:15 PM EST

Michael E. Allison, principal of Hopewell Senior High School, a past PAESSP president and a current NASSP board member, participated in a panel discussion called, "Focus on Education: School Violence." The broadcast, produced by PCN and the Education Policy and Leadership Center, will air on the PCN cable network channel tonight at 9 p.m. EST (Feb. 13, 2013).

This premier episode is devoted to the subject of school violence.

PDE Notification to LEAs of Changes to Child Labor Law

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 8:37:30 PM EST

On Oct. 24, 2012, Governor Tom Corbett signed into law Act 151 of 2012 resulting in sweeping changes to Pennsylvania's existing Child Labor Law. The Act which took effect on Jan. 22, 2013, confers new powers and duties on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, school districts and others with specific responsibilities under the law.

Please be advised that the roles and responsibilities of these state agencies, issuing officers, enforcement officers, employers, parents/guardians and minors will change significantly as the result of this new law. As such, superintendents and others in authority within Pennsylvania's public schools must pay special attention to their new and expanded responsibilities under the law. You can access the new Child Labor Act and an Abstract of the Child Labor Act Hours Provisions on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry's web site.

The Department of Education is currently in the process of arranging for the mass production of the new Application For Work Permit and the Work Permit forms that are to be utilized by issuing officers in all public school districts. In order to allow issuing officers to immediately implement the new process and forms, we are making those forms available on a special web page. In order to control access to these forms, we ask that you not forward this link to any individual except those authorized by your school district. Please be aware that the back of the Application For Work Permit is intentionally blank. The Work Permit, by law, must be "wallet size." Please copy the two pages back-to-back, and then cut to size. The forms can be located on the Pennsylvania Department of Education's (PDE) web site using the links below:

School District Work Permit Application

School District Work Permit

The following is a brief summary of the major changes to Pennsylvania's Child Labor Law that impact school districts. There are many other changes to the law such as work hours, summer school and high school graduates. You are encouraged to thoroughly review the new child labor law.

1. Although not specifically addressed in the new law, minors who currently possess a valid work permit may continue to utilize that permit to work. Minors, who possess a vacation certificate and desire to work for another employer, may obtain a new work permit from the issuing officer in their school district. All minors who possess either an old or new work permit must follow the new rules regarding employment.

2. Requests for work permits involving theatrical and other similar performances will continue to be processed by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. These minors will need verification signed by the principal of the school attended by the minor or the issuing officer of the minor'ss school district. This statement will verify that the performance and rehearsals will not interfere with the educational instruction or school progress of the minor or a guarantee that arrangements are made for a qualified tutor for the minor. If the minor is to be tutored, the application will set forth the name and address of the tutor, whether the tutor is a certified teacher, the name and address of the school official approving the subjects for tutoring and the tutoring arrangements and the number of hours per week the minor is to be tutored. For additional information on employment of minors in performances and the role that school districts play in approving such permits, please visit the Department of Labor and Industry's web site.

3. Under the new Child Labor Law, an issuing officer can be a district superintendent or a supervising principal of a public school district. If a public school district does not have a superintendent or supervising principal, the secretary of the board of school directors may serve this function. The above officials can authorize, in writing, another individual to issue work permits.

4. Under the new Child Labor Law, neither the employer nor a physician will need to sign an application for a work permit. The new law does require that an applicant's parents or legal guardian sign an application for a work permit. In lieu of a signature by a parent or legal guardian, the applicant can sign a statement before a notary public attesting to the accuracy of facts in the application on a form prescribed by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. The statement must be attached to the application. This requirement does not apply if the applicant can show official proof of high school graduation.

5. Under the new Child Labor Law, there will only be one work permit rather than three. The new work permit will apply to all minors age 14 through 17 and can be used for more than one employer. The permit will certify that the holder personally appeared before the issuing officer, that all papers required by law have been examined and approved, and that all requirements for issuance have been fulfilled. The work permit must be signed by the holder in the presence of the issuing officer. Minors who can demonstrate official proof of high school graduation do not have to appear before the issuing officer. The issuing officer cannot issue a work permit until they have examined and verified the following papers which verify age: an official document of the commonwealth or if not an official Commonwealth document, an attested transcript of a birth certificate, a certified baptismal certificate, a passport, a certified documentary record or the signed statement of a physician stating that after examination they believe the minor to be of proper age.

6. Under the new Child Labor Law, an issuing officer may deny a work permit if, in the issuing officer's judgment, the applicant cannot maintain adequate academic achievement if permitted to work during the school year. Similarly, an issuing officer may revoke a work permit if in the issuing officer's judgment the minor cannot maintain adequate academic achievement if permitted to work during the school year.

7. Under the new Child Labor Law, an employer must notify the issuing officer within five days of the normal duties and hours of employment of a minor. Within five days after termination of employment, the employer must notify the issuing officer of such termination. Employers are also required to maintain a copy of the minor's work permit.

8. Under the new Child Labor Law, enforcement capabilities have been expanded to include school personnel. The following school officials have enforcement capabilities: chief school administrator, home and school visitor, attendance officer (appointed under sections 1341 and 1342 of the Public School Code), and issuing officer. School districts administer applications and issue work permits. If an enforcement officer has reason to believe that an individual working without a permit is a minor or that a minor with a work permit is working in violation of the age restrictions under the Child Labor Act, the officer may demand that the person employing the individual, provide, within ten days the following: proof of age of the individual in question or cease to employ or permit the individual to work.

For additional information, please contact PDE's School Services unit at 717-787-4860 or via email at
RA-PDE-SchoolService@pa.gov

Governor Corbett, Along with Legislators and Education and Business Leaders, Discuss Passport for Learning Block Grant Program

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 2:29:45 PM EST

Governor Tom Corbett, joined by members of the General Assembly, along with education and business leaders, talked today [Feb. 12] about reinvesting proceeds from the sale of the state liquor store system into an educational block grant for Pennsylvania's schools.

This Passport for Learning Block Grant is in addition to Corbett's proposed $90 million increase in the upcoming budget's Basic Education Funding line item. This year's proposed $5.5 billion state investment is the highest in state history.

Click here for the full press release.

Source: PDE Press Release, Feb. 12, 2013.

Possession and/or Use of Electronic Devices

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 4:44:23 PM EST

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has received an unprecedented number of communications from schools/districts concerning student use of cell phones during the administration of the Keystone Exams. This following is to remind schools and districts of PDE'ss cell phone policy during testing, and what should be done if a student is caught using a cell phone or other electronic device during testing. These rules and policies apply to the administration of both the Keystone Exams and the PSSA.

All cell phones, smart phones and other prohibited electronic devices are to be collected as students enter the testing site. Thus, school districts and schools should do the following:

* Inform parents and students before testing that cell phones are not allowed during the test administration;

* Inform parents and students that the consequence for using and/or having a cell phone or other electronic device during the test administration will result in the application of a "Do Not Score" label on his/her test booklet or appropriate notification to not score on the online version, and the student will not receive a score;

* Inform parents and students that, if the student uses a cell phone or electronic device in any manner during the administration of the test, the phone or electronic device will be confiscated until such time that the parent or guardian can come to the school, and in the presence of the parent or guardian, the cell phone or other electronic device will be viewed to ensure that no information or material regarding the assessment is present;

* Inform parents and students that violation of the no cell phone or other electronic device rule will result in discipline and that discipline will vary depending on whether test material has been compromised; and

* Inform parents and students that any items on an assessment that have been compromised, and can no longer be used will have to be replaced, and the parents and students may be responsible for the cost of replacement.

District personnel, school personnel and students must understand that the integrity of the test cannot be compromised. There have been too many reports of students texting questions/answers and taking pictures of questions; thus I request the full cooperation of all district and school personnel in complying with this policy.

Open Board Positions for 2013 PAESSP Election -- Deadline for Applications is Feb. 15, 2013

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 2:21:27 PM EST

Margaret S. (Peg) Foster, a past president of PAESSP and an elementary principal in the Crestwood School District, has been appointed by the PAESSP president to serve as the chairperson of the 2013 PAESSP Nominations Committee. The committee also includes Kristopher Vancas, principal of Bellefonte Elementary School in the Bellefonte Area School District, and Robert Frioni, principal of Fort Cherry Jr./Sr. High School in the Fort Cherry School District.

If you have any questions regarding the election, the positions available or the responsibilities, please contact the Nominations chairperson, Ms. Foster, at peg.foster@csdcomets.org. If you are interested in running for one of these positions, please contact the PAESSP office at snyder@paessp.org or (717) 732-4999 for an application. Applications must be received in the PAESSP office by Feb. 15, 2013.

Click Here for the Duties and Responsibilities of the President-Elect.

Click Here for the Duties and Responsibilities of the NAESP Representative.

Click Here for the Duties and Responsibilities of the Regional Representatives.

Statewide Elected Positions

President-Elect - Must be an Elementary Member

NAESP Representative - Must be an Elementary Member

Regional Representative Positions

Region Level Current BOD Member Counties Represented

East II Elementary Jeffrey S. Walters Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton,
Pike, Schuylkill

East III Secondary Dr. Stephen M. Quinn Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery,
Philadelphia

Central I   Elementary      James E. Orichosky             Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield,
                                                                                    Clinton, Elk, Lycoming, McKean, Potter,
                                                                                    Sullivan, Tioga

Central III Secondary Dr. David A. Crumrine Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon,
Juniata, Mifflin, Somerset

West III Elementary Heather L. Hauser Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington,
Westmoreland

West III Secondary Dr. Zeb Jansante Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington,
Westmoreland

PDE Releases List of Low-Achieving Schools for EITC 2.0 Program

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 3:07:09 PM EST

Pursuant to Act 85 of 2012, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has published the list of low-achieving schools in which students, who live within the schools' boundaries, may be eligible to apply for a scholarship through the EITC 2.0 Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program.

Last year Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law Act 85 of 2012 that gives low- and moderate-income students in low-achieving schools the option to obtain a scholarship to attend a participating public or private school. Under Act 85, PDE is required by law to notify school districts that have schools identified as low-achieving by Feb. 1.

Within 15 days of notification by the department, school districts are required to notify parents and post on its web site, a description of the opportunity scholarship tax credit program, as well as instructions on how families may apply.

As required by the law, the list of schools contains the lowest-achieving 15% of elementary schools and the lowest-achieving 15% of secondary schools, based on combined math and reading scores on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment from the 2011-12 school year. Career and technology centers as well as charter schools are not included on the list.

PDE's list of low-achieving schools contains 406 school buildings in 71 school districts across Pennsylvania. The scholarship program has the potential to impact more than 240,000 students. Additional information and sample parent notification letters are available on PDE's web site by clicking here.

For the 2013-14 school year, students who live within the attendance boundaries of one of these schools may be eligible for a scholarship if their household's annual income is no greater than $75,000, plus $12,000 for each dependent member of the household. The maximum scholarship award available to non-special education students is $8,500 and the maximum for a special education student is $15,000.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, Feb. 7, 2013.

House Approves HB19

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 3:02:12 PM EST

The PA House of Representatives approved HB 19, following earlier approval from the Appropriations Committee. The bill requires school districts to incorporate an age-appropriate child exploitation awareness education program into the existing curriculum for students in grades K-8. The Department of Education would develop model guidelines and provide educational materials to be used in the creation of the programs.

ESEA Flexibility

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 5:17:03 PM EST

The following notification is provided with the intent of soliciting input into the Pennsylvania Department of Education's (PDE) proposal to the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) seeking flexibility in implementing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

Listed below are three principles which our proposal must address. The "ESEA Flexibility Policy Document"? explains these principles and also lists the flexibility available to Pennsylvania and its LEAs once our application for flexibility is approved. The "ESEA Flexibility Policy Document"? can be found at   http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/esea-flexibility/index.html.

During the past several years, these principles have been pursued by Pennsylvania education leaders. The State Board of Education's adoption of the Pennsylvania Common Core State Standards and Keystone Exams demonstrate adherence to Principle 1. Our work on the PA School Performance Profile creates an excellent foundation for a new accountability system under Principle 2. Principle 3 requirements are met with the implementation of our Educator Effectiveness initiative.

Although there have already been opportunities for input into Pennsylvania's approach to standards and assessments, school performance profile and educator effectiveness rubrics and multiple measures, we are once again requesting, in accordance with guidance from USDE, that if you have input you believe should be considered relative to the principles noted below and/or on implementing the allowed flexibility identified in the above-referenced policy document, please send your thoughts to RA-NCLB_Flex@pa.gov no later than February 21, 2013.

REQUIRED ELEMENTS

Principle 1: College- and Career-Ready Expectations for All Students
1.A       Adopt college-and career-ready standards
1.B       Transition to college- and career-ready standards
1.C       Develop and administer annual, statewide, aligned, high-quality assessments that measure student growth

Principle 2: State-Developed Differentiated Recognition, Accountabilit, and Support
2.A       Develop and implement a State-based system of differentiated recognition, accountability and support
2.B       Set ambitious but achievable annual measurable objectives
2.C       Reward schools
2.D       Priority schools
2.E       Focus schools
2.F       Provide incentives and supports for other Title I schools
2.G       Build SEA, LEA, and school capacity to improve student learning

Principle 3: Supporting Effective Instruction and Leadership
3.A       Develop and adopt guidelines for local teacher and principal evaluation and support systems
3.B       Ensure LEAs implement teacher and principal evaluation and support systems

2013 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) and Keystone Exam Test Administrator Training

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 2:00:52 PM EST

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has developed an interactive training module that all test administrators must complete as part of their training to administer the PSSA and Keystone Exams. District and school assessment coordinators will need to incorporate this module into their regularly scheduled training for test administrators. The purpose of the module is to assist district and school assessment coordinators in ensuring all test administrators have been properly trained to effectively administer the PSSA and Keystone Exams.

PDE will offer an overview of the new learning module to district personnel in a webinar. District superintendents should notify their district assessment coordinator to attend one of three required webinars. District superintendents will need to ensure that all test administrators have completed the learning module by April 5, 2013, prior to the April 8, 2013 PSSA math and reading testing window.

Presentations will be made via "GoToMeeting™."? To register, click on the link provided for the session you plan to attend:

LEA's in IU's 1-8, 27, 28; Tuesday, February 19, 9AM-10:30AM; the link is: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/994662722

LEA's in IU's 9-12, 15-17; Tuesday, February 19, 2PM-3:30PM; the link is: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/433476738

LEA's in IU's 13, 14, 18-26, 29; Wednesday, February 20, 9AM-10:30AM; the link is: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/231859274

A recording of one of the sessions will be posted to https://pssatraining.com and to PDE's web site as soon as possible following the sessions.

If there are questions regarding the training, please contact Dr. Kerry Helm at khelm@pa.gov or 717-783-6538.

Uninterrupted Scholars Act and Changes to FERPA

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 2:13:58 PM EST

The PA Department of Public Welfare and PDE have issued this joint statement regarding the recently enacted Uninterrupted Scholars Act (P.L. 112-278).

On Jan. 14, 2013, the Uninterrupted Scholars Act (P.L. 112-278) was signed into law with an immediate effective date. This Act makes key revisions to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) that will make it easier for child welfare agencies to access education records.

This amendment creates a new exception under FERPA that authorizes an agency caseworker or other representative of a state or local child welfare agency, or tribal organization to have access to the student's educational records without having to obtain parental consent or a court order. This exception applies to children for whom the public child welfare agency has legal responsibility for their care and protection, specifically those children in the legal custody of the agency who are placed in out-of-home care. This would include children placed under a voluntary placement agreement and shared case responsibility youth who have been adjudicated dependent.

It is the position of both departments that the individuals who can obtain education records under this exception, specifically those who have the right to access the child's case plan, includes the following:

? the child's caseworker from the public children and youth agency;
? the child's caseworker from a private children and youth agency with whom the public agency contracts; and
? the supervisors or managers of such agencies.

In order to obtain a student's records, proof of this relationship with the child must be provided. This proof can be in the form of a court order or written notification on agency letterhead indicating that the agency has legal custody or is otherwise legally responsible for the care and protection of the child.
The records obtained pursuant to this exception may not be re-disclosed to any other person or entity unless those individuals or entities are engaged in addressing the student's educational needs and authorized by the child welfare agency or organization to receive such disclosures.

Child welfare agencies have a continuing obligation to work collaboratively with families and their local education agencies to address the educational needs of children in dependent care. The amendment does not usurp the right of a student's parent to make all other decisions regarding the release of the child's education records, nor does it place the child welfare agency in the role of parent or educational decision maker. It merely allows child welfare agencies to obtain a student's education records in a more timely and efficient manner. As a result, the child welfare agency representative working with the family should explain to the parent and to the school entity that provides the records that, while the agency will have access to the education records, the parent still maintains the right to access the records directly from the school and the right to make decisions about the child's education. The child welfare worker should also make all efforts to keep parents informed and involved in the child's education.

In addition, the Uninterrupted Scholars Act also provides that, in cases where a parent is a party to a proceeding involving child abuse or neglect, or a dependency matter, and a court order is issued authorizing the disclosure of education records, additional notice need not be provided to the parent by the educational agency before educational records are released.

What the Proposed Changes to the Pension Plan Will Mean to You

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 7:45:00 PM EST

Click on this link for more: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=1414228&parentname=ObjMgr&parentid=4&mode=2

Gov. Corbett Delivers Budget Address - "We Spend No More Than We Have"

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 6:57:39 PM EST

Today, Governor Tom Corbett delivered his proposed budget for 2013-14 using the words, "we spend no more than we have," and increasing basic education funding by $90 million, which includes a modest increase for pre-K education.

Gov. Corbett also proposed to privatize the state's liquor stores investing the proceeds into K-12 education (Passport for Learning Block Grants). Pennsylvania school districts will share grant funds for the following: school safety, "Ready by 3" initiative, an initiative for a customized learning plan and enhancing access to STEM programs.

Under the governor's budget proposal, there are also plans for resolving the pension crisis. He proposed no cuts to present retiree benefits and no impact to pension dollars already earned. While these details are sketchy, there will be some proposed changes to current employees' pensions going forward. The governor also wants a 401k plan for future employees.

Click on the links below for more on the budget:

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/news_and_media/7234/p/1089220

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/current_and_proposed_commonwealth_budgets/4566

Senate Resolution 6 (Violence Prevention) Update

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 6:13:01 PM EST

The Pennsylvania Senate amended and passed Senate Resolution 6, which directs the Joint State Government Commission to study the issue of violence prevention, to establish an advisory committee to conduct a thorough review and comprehensive analysis of the underlying causes of violent crime, including mass shootings.

The final report, due Dec. 31, 2013, would include recommendations regarding mental health laws and procedures, necessary changes in state laws and practices, policies relating to violent crime. The report also would include recommendations on ways to make schools safer, and to develop awareness, education and other strategies to address issues relating to violent crime. Prior to adoption, the resolution was amended to specify that the laws in which changes may be recommended include the Mental Health Procedures Act, and 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61 Subch. A (relating to Uniform Firearms Act).

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, Jan. 31, 2013.

Governor Proposes "Passport for Learning" Block Grant Funded Through Liquor Privatization

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 6:12:28 PM EST

Gov. Tom Corbett recently unveiled his plan for the privatization of liquor and wine sales, with the revenue from the auction of liquor licenses to be used for a proposed a new "Passport for Learning" block grant that would provide $1 billion to public schools over the next four years. The grant will focus on four priority areas: school safety, enhanced early education programs, individualized learning and science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses and programs.

The announcement was made at a news conference in Pittsburgh; details are still forthcoming.Education Secretary Ronald Tomalis was with the governor and several members of the House of Representatives supporting the plan. The governor intends to have a follow-up news conference next week to announce the sponsors of the legislation that is expected to be introduced in the House.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, Jan. 31, 2013.

Revised Schedule for Implementation of PA Common Core-Aligned PSSA

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 7:32:47 PM EST

While there has been great progress made with the implementation of the Pennsylvania Common Core in the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has also received feedback from educators who have communicated the challenges and demands in developing and implementing the curriculum as well as concerns about providing instruction that supports the rigor of the revised assessments.

Another area of concern expressed is the implementation of the new teacher evaluation system and the start of the collection of data for the PVAAS three-year average for teacher ratings.

As a result, implementation of the Pennsylvania Common Core-aligned PSSAs for grades 3-5 has been delayed for one year.

Below is the revised roll-out plan for the Pennsylvania Common Core-aligned PSSAs:

Embedded field-test items will be included for grades 3-5 in 2013 and 2014, and grades 6-8 in 2014, which will add an additional year for field testing to permit greater curricular alignment to the Pennsylvania Common Core standards.

Operational English Language Arts and Mathematics assessments will be administered to grades 3-8 in 2015.

While the revised operational PSSA for grades 3-5 has been delayed for one year, LEAs should continue with the Pennsylvania Common Core implementation. PDE will continue to provide detailed resources to guide LEAs in this process. Grade-by-grade alignment documents in both English Language Arts and Mathematics will detail the similarities and differences in the Eligible Content for the current PSSAs and the revised Pennsylvania Common Core-aligned PSSAs. Direction on content that will prepare students for the current PSSAs, yet focus on Pennsylvania Common Core will be included. Future notice will announce a SAS posting of this resource.

Required 2013 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) Administration Training Sessions

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 4:20:42 PM EST

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) will conduct training sessions on the administration of the 2013 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) on February 11, 13 and 14, at the Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and King of Prussia PaTTAN office locations. The information being presented is critical to the administration of the 2013 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 web site at: http://www.pattan.net/category/Training/Calendar/2013/February.

Live Sessions
Feb. 11, 2013
PaTTAN Pittsburgh (two live sessions)
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Feb. 13, 2013
PaTTAN Harrisburg (two live sessions)
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Feb. 14, 2013
PaTTAN King of Prussia (two live sessions)
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

For more information, please contact Judith Roseborough, PDE, Bureau of Assessment and Accountability, at 717-265-7655.

U.S. Department of Education ESEA Waivers

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 2:21:38 PM EST

Available via the United States Department of Education'ss web site is a set of materials that provide a substantive overview of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) flexibility process—also known as ESEA waivers—by which 34 states and the District of Columbia have applied for and received flexibility regarding certain provisions of ESEA. The intent of these materials—a brochure and five companion fact sheets—is to explain the rationale and intent of ESEA flexibility, as well as address its key components and highlight plan elements for a number of states approved for flexibility. For the ease of your members and affiliates, all of the documents can be easily printed and produced as front-to-back copies; the fact sheets are two-pagers, and the brochure is a tri-fold.

The brochure and fact sheets can be found on the Department's updated ESEA flexibility web page: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/esea-flexibility/. Individual links to the documents are below:

"The Opportunity of ESEA Flexibility" (brochure) -- http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/esea-flexibility/resources/esea-flex-brochure.pdf
"Protecting School and Student Accountability"? (fact sheet) -- http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/esea-flexibility/resources/protecting-accountability.pdf

"Advancing Accountability and Graduation Rates" (fact sheet) -- http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/esea-flexibility/resources/graduation-rates.pdf

"Continuing to Expose and Close Achievement Gaps"? (fact sheet) -- http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/esea-flexibility/resources/close-achievement-gaps.pdf

"Turning Around the Lowest-Performing Schools"? (fact sheet) -- http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/esea-flexibility/resources/turn-around.pdf

"Supporting Teachers, Leaders, and Local Innovation" (fact sheet) -- http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/esea-flexibility/resources/supporting-innovation.pdf

PA Charter School Ratings Plummet Under New Calculations

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 2:16:35 PM EST

The number of charter schools hitting testing benchmarks plummeted after the federal government said the state Education Department graded them too leniently.

At first, nearly half of the state's 156 charter schools whose students took the 2012 PSSA math and reading tests made so-called Adequate Yearly Progress under a new grading system Education Secretary Ron Tomalis implemented last summer.

The new system, which Tomalis initiated without federal approval and at the behest of a charter school lobbying group, made it easier for charter schools to reach federal standards than traditional public schools. It classified charters, no matter their size, as school districts, which are measured on a broader scale than individual schools.

Click here for the full story.

Source: Article by Steve Esack and Eugene Tauber, The Morning Call, January 22, 2013.

REVISED Graduation Attribution System Training

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 2:14:55 PM EST

The Pennsylvania Department of Education'ss (PDE) Division of Performance Analysis and Reporting, along with the PSSA testing contractor, Data Recognition Corporation, are offering an important webinar for LEAs via GoToMeeting™ concerning the process, procedures, and attribution rules of the Graduation Attribution System that is used in determining the four-year and five-year cohort graduation rate, also an AYP measure. The Graduation Attribution System will be open to LEAs January 30 - February 8, 2013.

Each session covers the same material. To register, go to the link provided for each session:

January 29, 2013, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. - https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/783561738 REVISED LINK

January 30, 2013, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. - https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/795784162

January 31, 2013, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. - https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/558396226

PLEASE NOTE: One session will be recorded and placed on the PDE website for viewing at a later date.

For more information, please contact Judith Roseborough, Department of Education|Bureau of Assessment and Accountability, PDE, at (717) 265-7655.

Pension Alert: Important New Information on Changes To Take Place This Year

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 7:23:09 PM EST

Your retirement may be affected if you are retiring after July 1, 2013. By law, the Pennsylvania Employees Retirement System (PSERS) has an actuarial review completed every five years on the mortality rates of future retirees. As a result of that study, adjustments on benefit amounts of beneficiaries are determined. Because people are living longer, the amount you or your beneficiary, in event of your death, receives is adjusted based on these mortality tables. If you are retiring and plan on taking Option 2 or 3, there is a likelihood your benefits will be reduced if retiring after July 1, 2013. How much will depend on your age and the age(s) of your beneficiary. Because PAESSP staff members are not financial planners, we suggest you contact your school district business office, your financial planner and/or PSERS to determine the impact on your personal finances.

PAESSP will continue to work with PSERS and other education associations to better determine the impact of this change on school employees.

THIS CHANGE HAS NO EFFECT ON CURRENT RETIREES.

PSERS has added information to its web site to assist in helping members to understand this a little better. This information will also be shared with PSERS' contacts within each of the school districts. You may find the information by following the link under Hot News on the PSERS web site, or directly at: http://www.psers.state.pa.us/factorchanges.htm.

Secretary of Education Announces $1.64 Million in Career and Technical Education Equipment Grants

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 6:18:47 PM EST

Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis has announced that 31 grants, totaling $1.64 million, have been awarded to 25 career and technical education programs through the Career and Technical Education Equipment Grant program.

Through a competitive grant process, the Department of Education administers the Equipment Grant program to provide funding for the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment to better prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow.

This grant program provides funding that must be matched dollar-for-dollar by the school for the purchase of equipment that meets industry standards, which will be used to train students in approved career and technical education programs in Pennsylvania's high-priority jobs.

The department received 63 applications from school districts and career and technical centers requesting more than $2.94 million in grants. Each application was reviewed and scored based on the program's plan to integrate the new equipment into its curriculum and a professional development plan to ensure instructors know how to use the new equipment.

Below is the list of schools that have been awarded a grant, the county and the amount of the grant.

AW Beattie Career Center, Allegheny County, $43,953
Bedford County Technical Center, Bedford County, $10,000
Berks Career and Technology Center #2, Berks County, $50,000
Berks Career and Technology Center #3, Berks County, $50,000
Bucks County Technical High School #2, Bucks County, $50,000
Central PA Institute of Science and Technology, Centre County, $50,000
Delaware County Technical High School #2, Delaware County, $48,584
Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center, Westmoreland County, $34,112
Fayette County Career and Technical Institute, Fayette County, $41,182
Greater Altoona Career and Technical Center #1, Blair County, $46,375
Greater Altoona Career and Technical Center #2, Blair County, $37,240
Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center, Cambria County, $3,920
Jersey Shore Area School District, Lycoming County, $5,625
Lancaster County Career and Technology Center #2, Lancaster County, $50,000
Lancaster County Career and Technology Center #3, Lancaster County, $50,000
Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, Lehigh County, $200,000
Lenape Technical School, Armstrong County, $50,000
Middle Bucks Institute of Technology #1, Bucks County, $50,000
Middle Bucks Institute of Technology #2, Bucks County, $50,000
Monroe Career and Technical Institute, Monroe County, $32,728
North Montco Technical Career Center #1, Montgomery County, $50,000
North Montco Technical Career Center #2, Montgomery County, $49,500
Northern Tier Career Center, Bradford County, $32,000
Philadelphia City School District, Philadelphia County, $250,000
Reading Muhlenberg Career and Technology Center, Berks County, $100,000
Schuylkill Technology Centers, Schuylkill County, $28,193
SUN Area Technical Institute, Union County, $23,878
Upper Bucks County Technical School, Bucks County, $50,000
Upper Dauphin Area School District, Dauphin County, $12,000
York County School of Technology #2, $50,000
York County School of Technology #3, $50,000

Source: PDE Press Release, http://www.education.state.pa.us, Jan. 15, 2013.

State and National Grades Issued for Education Performance, Policy; U.S. Earns a C+, Pennsylvania Receives C+ (78.2)

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 1:40:34 PM EST

As a shocked nation struggles to come to terms with the recent school shootings in Newtown, Conn., policymakers, school leaders and the public alike have renewed their attention to the need to ensure a safe and secure environment in which students can grow and learn, and in which educators can teach. At the same time, policymakers and school leaders are focusing intently on the full range of factors that contribute to an academically successful school climate—strong peer and student-teacher relationships, effective and positive ways to address student misbehavior, supports for social and emotional development, and the involvement of parents and community groups. These issues are at the heart of the 2013 edition of Education Week's Quality Counts report: Code of Conduct: Safety, Discipline and School Climate.

A collaboration between the Education Week newsroom and the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center, Quality Counts 2013 investigates the impact of a school's social and disciplinary environment on students' ability to learn and on the teachers and administrators tasked with guiding them. The report's journalism takes an in-depth look at a range of school-climate factors—including strong and positive peer interactions, a sense of safety and security, and school disciplinary policies and practices—that help to lay the groundwork for student achievement.

THE STATE OF THE STATES
Against this backdrop, the annual Quality Counts report card—the most comprehensive ongoing assessment of the state of American education—also chronicles the challenges the nation and many states continue to face in delivering a high-quality education to all students. For 2013, the nation receives a C-plus when graded across the six distinct areas of policy and performance tracked by the report, marking a slight improvement since last year. For the fifth year in a row, Maryland earns honors as the top-ranked state, posting the nation's highest overall grade, the only B-plus awarded.

New findings from the report's annual Chance-for-Success Index—which captures the role of education in a person's life, from cradle to career—show the country struggling to provide opportunities to succeed and many states lagging far behind the national leaders. The U.S. as a whole receives a C-plus on the index.

The national grade for school finance held nearly constant at a C for 2013, with little change in either of the dimensions of educational finance tracked by Quality Counts—spending and equity. Wyoming, a longtime leader in this category, has gained almost four points since last year and earns the only grade of A awarded for school finance in 2013.

This year's report also updates progress in the area of transitions and alignment, which tracks state-policy efforts to better coordinate the connections between K-12 schooling and early-childhood education, postsecondary schooling, and the workforce. The nation as a whole earns a B-minus in this category for Quality Counts 2013, up from a C-plus two years ago, when the analysis was last updated. Eight states earn grades of A for transitions and alignment, with Georgia posting the first perfect score in this category for enacting all 14 policies tracked by the report.

The full Quality Counts 2013 report and interactive state report cards: www.edweek.org/go/qc13.

Source: Quality Counts 2013 Press Release, http://www.edweek.org, Jan. 10, 2013.

PAESSP and EF To Offer European Tour and PIL Credits - Summer 2013

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 3:15:41 PM EST

The Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) and EF Tours have partnered to host a tour of Europe for principals that provides PIL credits. Coming this summer (2013), principals can learn about Global Leadership as they tour the cities of London, Normandy, Paris, Berlin, Munich and Salzburg. Dr. William Ziegler, PAESSP president-elect and principal of Pottsgrove Middle School, will be teaching a PIL-approved course on the trip titled "Global Education." The group will be visiting a school in Munich and talking with educators in that city.

The PIL portion is optional and other educators may attend at the discounted rate; however, your spouse or special guest is welcome to attend but they will need to pay the non-discounted rate. The price for educators is the most discounted rate given by EF Tours.

This trip promises to be amazing as you explore the streets of Churchill'ss city, walk the battlefields of Normandy, climb the Eiffel Tower, learn from the STEM education in Germany and so much more.

Seating is limited on this trip, so please be sure to reserve your spot by registering now. Go to this web site to learn more and register for the trip: http://www.eftours.com/preview-tour.aspx?gt=1348180.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Ziegler at wziegler@pgsd.org.

Reserve your spot today!

William T. Ziegler, Ed.D.
PAESSP President-Elect
Principal
Pottsgrove Middle School
1351 N. Hanover Street
Pottstown, PA 19464
wziegler@pgsd.org
610-326-8243

Principals: PIAA Requests Your Participation in a Gender Equity Survey

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 2:26:50 PM EST

Within this week, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) will be sending, via email, to all schools a survey to be completed regarding the 1975 Commonwealth Court permanent injunction barring PIAA from prohibiting boys and girls from participating together in interscholastic athletics. They are requesting that the court modify the permanent injunction to address changes in society and the law in the past 37 years. In particular, the issue of boys playing sports designated as being for girls will be evaluated. We are asking the member schools for input on this issue.

To access the survey, please use your school's access code listed below and complete the survey by no later than Tuesday, January 15, 2013.

PIAA respectfully requests that each member school Principal, or Principal's designee, complete the Gender Equity Survey online, using the member school's Access Code, in accordance with the following instructions:
ACCESS CODE: CENTR1298
1.   Log onto the PIAA Web site (www.piaa.org)
2.   Select "Account Sign-in"
3.   Enter your school's access code (shown above)
4.   Select "2013 Gender Participation Survey"
5.   Complete entire survey, select "submit"

Joseph P. Acri To Retire from PAESSP

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 12:00:00 PM EST

The Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) Board of Directors has announced the upcoming retirement of Joseph P. Acri as the assistant executive director, effective June 30, 2013. Mr. Acri has advocated for principals and public education in Harrisburg more than three decades -- first as the senior consultant for management services for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association for 17 years, followed by his current position as assistant executive director of PAESSP.

Mr. Acri is a Viet Nam veteran who achieved the rank of sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. He then went on to receive his bachelor's degree from the Pennsylvania State University in business administration, followed by his master's degree in industrial/labor relations and personnel administration from St. Francis University.

He has been recognized for his professional achievements over the years with the most recent being the Pennsylvania Middle School Association Advocate for Public Education Award in 2011.

Joseph P. Acri (left) was honored for his service to the association and his upcoming retirement at PAESSP's annual banquet on October 21, 2012, held in conjunction with its state conference in Pittsburgh. Pictured with Mr. Acri is 2011-2012 PAESSP President Dr. Barry L. Purvis, principal of human resources at Chambersburg Area School District.

State Assessment Monitoring

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 2:59:10 PM EST

The first wave of the winter window of the Keystone Exams administration ended Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. During that wave the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) was able to monitor the administration of the Keystone Exams in many schools across the Commonwealth. One of the concerns PDE heard from Local Education Agencies (LEAs) during the monitoring was that the monitors arrived unannounced. Be advised that all state assessment monitoring visits are unannounced. Also, these unannounced monitoring visits will continue during the second wave of the Keystone Exams winter window, the PSSA window and the spring Keystone Exams window.

Secretary of Education Announces $479,513 in Safe Schools Targeted Grants

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 8:22:01 PM EST

Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis announced that $479,513 has been awarded to 37 public schools through the Safe Schools Targeted Grant to establish and implement programs to prevent and reduce incidents of violence.

The focus of the grant program is to assist schools by:
• Reducing unnecessary student disciplinary actions and promoting an environment of greater productivity, safety and learning;
• Providing professional development to staff using research-based violence prevention and classroom management programs; and
• Enhancing antiviolence efforts between schools and parents, local governments, law enforcement and community organizations.

The Department of Education received a total of 97 applications, which were reviewed by a committee of four individuals.
Schools were eligible to receive up to $15,000, with the following programs considered for funding:
• Conflict resolution or dispute management.
• School-wide positive behavior support.
• School-based diversion programs.
• Classroom management.
• Research-based violence prevention programs that address risk factors to reduce incidents of problem behaviors among students.
• Training for Student Assistance Program team members.
• Staff training in the use of positive behavior supports, de-escalation techniques and appropriate responses to student behavior that may require immediate intervention.

Below is the list of schools that have been awarded a grant, the county and the amount of the one-year grant.

Abington School District, Montgomery County, $15,000
Aliquippa School District, Beaver County, $15,000
Coatesville Area School District, Chester County, $10,374
Crispus Attucks Youthbuild Charter School, York County, $14,520
Dover Area School District, York County, $14,550
Downingtown Area School District, Chester County, $13,460
Ellwood City Area School District, Lawrence County, $11,250
Everett Area School District, Bedford County, $15,000
Fort Cherry School District, Washington County, $14,658
Intermediate Unit #1, Washington County, $12,000
Keystone Central School District, Clinton County, $14,280
Keystone Oaks School District, Allegheny County, 13,500
Lakeview School District, Mercer County, $14,450
Lancaster County Career and Technology Center, Lancaster County, $15,000
Laurel School District, Lawrence County, $14,000
McKeesport Area School District, Allegheny County, $15,000
Moon Area School District, Allegheny County, $9,764
Norristown Area School District, Montgomery County, $14,265
Northampton Area School District, Northampton County, $15,000
Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit #19, Lackawanna County, $15,000
Northgate School District, Allegheny County, $14,370
Northwest Area School District, Luzerne County, $10,600
Ridley School District, Delaware County, $11,209
Rockwood Area School District, Somerset County, $14,976
Schuylkill Intermediate Unit #29, Schuylkill County, $2,000
Schuylkill Haven Area School District, Schuylkill County, $6,405
Selinsgrove Area School District, Snyder County, $14,950
Smethport Area School District, McKean County, $11,000
South Eastern School District, York County, $9,483
Steelton-Highspire School District, Dauphin County, $15,000
Urban Pathways Charter School, Allegheny County, $14,850
Warren County School District, Warren County, $7,000
Warrior Run Area School District, Northumberland County, $14,734
Warwick School District, Lancaster County, $13,965
West Middlesex Area School District, Mercer County, $15,000
West Shore School District, York County, $12,900
Woodland Hills School District, Allegheny County, $15,000

Source: PDE Press Release, Dec. 14, 2012.

Ways to Support the Sandy Hook Community

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 3:29:18 PM EST

NAESP Communicator
December 2012, Volume 37, Issue 4 --

The NAESP family continues to mourn the loss of life that resulted from the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday. As students in Newtown, Connecticut, headed back to school this week, many principals have asked how they and their schools can support Sandy Hook families and the community. For more, click here.

Educational Facilities: Responding to an Active Shooter (Information from the Pennsylvania State Police)

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 1:52:09 PM EST

On 12/14/2012, a man forced his way into the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., and killed 20 children and six adults before turning the gun on himself. This horrific event reminds us that active shooters can strike anywhere and at any time. An active shooter is defined as a person who is engaged in killing or attempting to kill individuals in a confined, populated venue. Often, an active shooter's intended targets are randomly selected. The incidents are unpredictable, evolve quickly and are frequently over within 10 to 15 minutes.

This event also reminds us that increased awareness and effective training can make us better prepared if we find ourselves in a situation involving an active shooter. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides information regarding how to respond to active shooters for distribution to law enforcement, emergency responders and civilian personnel.

The full document is available at: http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf. For additional information regarding active shooters, DHS offers online resources, including independent study training, print materials, and a virtual roundtable at: http://www.lpinformation.com/active-shooter. Also, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers an independent study course specifically designed for managers and employees. The course can be found at: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is907.asp.

PA To Seek No Child Left Behind Waiver

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 2:38:33 PM EST

According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Pennsylvania Education Secretary Ron Tomalis said his department will seek a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind legislation, which in its current form calls for all students to test proficient in reading and math on annual state achievement exams by 2014. Mr. Tomalis previously had resisted applying for a waiver -- an option made available by the Obama administration in September 2011 when it became apparent that Congress would not be able to agree on a reauthorization of NCLB before the 2014 deadline. Click here to read the Pittsburgh Post Gazette article.

Source: MyPLS The Eye Opener, Nov. 28, 2012.

Corbett Report Reinforces Need for Pension Reform

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 4:18:48 PM EST

According to an article in the Morning Call, faced with a $41 billion unfunded pension liability, the Corbett administration Monday set the stage for negotiations on overhauling the state'ss retirement systems with a report suggesting current employees could face cuts in benefits they have not yet accrued. The imbalance between the liabilities and assets of the two state pension systems -- one for state employees and the other for public school employees -- gives them a combined funding ratio of just under 68 percent, well below the 80 percent that is considered healthy, according to the report released Monday by the state Office of the Budget. Gov. Tom Corbett has spoken of the urgency of overhauling the retirement systems, and the report says he intends to address pensions as part of his budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1. Click here to read the Morning Call article.

Click here for the Keystone Pension Report.

Source: MyPLS The Eye Opener, Nov. 27, 2012.

PAESSP and EF To Offer European Tour and PIL Credits

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 4:15:50 PM EST

The Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) and EF Tours have partnered to host a tour of Europe for principals that provides PIL credits. Coming this summer (2013), principals can learn about Global Leadership as they tour the cities of London, Normandy, Paris, Berlin, Munich and Salzburg. Dr. William Ziegler, PAESSP president-elect and principal of Pottsgrove Middle School, will be teaching a PIL-approved course on the trip titled "Global Education." The group will be visiting a school in Munich and talking with educators in that city.

The PIL portion is optional and other educators may attend at the discounted rate; however, your spouse or special guest is welcome to attend but they will need to pay the non-discounted rate. The price for educators is the most discounted rate given by EF Tours.

This trip promises to be amazing as you explore the streets of Churchill'ss city, walk the battlefields of Normandy, climb the Eiffel Tower, learn from the STEM education in Germany and so much more.

Seating is limited on this trip, so please be sure to reserve your spot by registering now. Go to this web site to learn more and register for the trip: http://www.eftours.com/preview-tour.aspx?gt=1348180.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Ziegler at wziegler@pgsd.org.

Reserve your spot today!

William T. Ziegler, Ed.D.
PAESSP President-Elect
Principal
Pottsgrove Middle School
1351 N. Hanover Street
Pottstown, PA 19464
wziegler@pgsd.org
610-326-8243

PA Awarded $6.5 Million Grant To Help Students with Disabilities

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 3:12:40 PM EST

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has been awarded a $6.5 million federal grant to provide professional development for educators who provide special education services to students with disabilities.

"Ensuring that educators who work with children with disabilities have the resources and training necessary to focus on the needs of their students is of the utmost importance,"? Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis said. "I am pleased Pennsylvania has received this funding, which will ultimately benefit students across the state."

The five-year program provides funding to states to enhance professional development for special education personnel.

Pennsylvania educators and school leaders will receive intensive and ongoing training to establish goals, provide effective instruction and ensure that all Pennsylvania students graduate from high school with the skills to be successful.

The professional development provided will ensure that:

Educators know and can effectively teach to the Pennsylvania Common Core academic standards;

Educators plan and deliver effective instruction that meet the needs of Pennsylvania's students;

School leaders have the ability to implement policies, practices and procedures that support the learning of all students;

Students demonstrate growth and achievement in English, language arts and math;

Students can effectively participate and engage in learning, using communication supports and technology;

Parents have high expectations of achievement for students; and

Institutions of higher education prepare future educators and leaders with the necessary training.

Source: PDE Press Release, Nov. 20, 2012 - http://www.portal.state.pa.us/.

Keystone Exams Participation

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 7:02:43 PM EST

Who must participate in the Keystone Exams in 2012-13 -- For purposes of AYP, all 11th-grade students will be counted for the high school accountability calculation. Results for every 11th-grade student will determine a district's/school's AYP status. If a 2012-13 11th-grade student participated in any Keystone Exam in 2010-11, that student does not have to participate in 2012-13. All scores from 2010-11 have been banked and the score attained in 2011 will be the score used for AYP if the student does not test again in 2012-13. Thus, any student who scored Proficient or Advanced in 2011 may not retest. Students who did not score Proficient or Advanced may retest in 2012-13 for the purpose of achieving a higher score to be used in the district's/school's AYP calculation.

Remember that AYP calculations are based only on Algebra 1 and Literature results; therefore, a student who did not score Proficient or Advanced in 2011 on the Biology Keystone Exam may retake the exam, but the new results will have no impact on a district's/school's AYP. The NCLB requirement for science is only participation in the assessment, and these students will have met the participation requirement for science.

PDE Opens Verification Window for Schools To Check Data for New PA School Performance Profile

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 8:14:04 PM EST

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has issued information and a revised timeframe for schools to review data to be included in its new PA School Performance Profile web site (SPP). The profile on the web site will contain the building level data necessary as a component of the state's new teacher evaluation system under Act 82 of 2012. Since the Educator Effectiveness academic score will be derived from the SPP, it is of important that schools take the time to verify the data. PDE compiled the data from information previously submitted by schools to PIMS. The initial release to schools is expected to be in December with finalization and a public release of the website in spring of 2013.

Each LEA Superintendent/CEO was to receive an email signaling the opening of the verification window. The email includes a link to the LEA's data elements, as well as instructions to conduct verification and provide an electronic signoff by the LEA Superintendent/CEO.

Previously, PDE had indicated that the data verification window was from Nov. 7-16; however, the timeline has been revised. The verification window is Nov. 12-19, and the data will be from the 2011-12 school year. There are approximately 110 elements per school (academic and demographic data) and approximately 40 elements per district (district level demographic data) to be reviewed.

This is an opportunity to review the data provided both by PIMS and other sources and verify that it concurs with previously submitted data and is accurate. PDE will review the responses and take appropriate action, and schools will receive a confirmation of any corrections made by PDE. Questions should be directed to Dr. Michele Sellitto, assistant director for the Bureau of Teaching and Learning, at msellitto@pa.gov or 717-772-0030.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, Nov. 8, 2012.

PSBA To Hold Pension Webinars

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 8:10:57 PM EST

Join the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) at noon on Friday, Nov. 16 for the second segment of the association's webinar sessions focused on critical pension issues. The series is examining the economy and its impact on the Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS), its investment strategy and its impact on school districts. Click on the links below to register for each.

Friday, November 16 - GASB Financial Reporting for Pensions: What You Need to Know
Speakers: Brian Carl, Chief Financial Officer, and Tony Meadows, Public Markets Reporting and Analysis Manager, PSERS
Register by clicking on this link: https://www.accuconference.com/customer/Registration/index.aspx?pkRegQG=89354ca2-d56c-4771-9818-2a78244bd523

About the speakers: Brian Carl, CPA, CTP is the Chief Financial Officer for PSERS. He is responsible for directing the Office of Financial Management and planning, organizing and directing a complete accounting and financial reporting system for the $48.8 billion defined benefit pension and post-employment healthcare plans. He also oversees the system's budget and is the primary financial management liaison with the system's actuary, custodian bank, financial consultants, investment advisors and other state and federal agencies. Tony Meadows, CPA.CITP, is the Public Markets Reporting and Analysis Manager for PSERS. In addition to his accounting manager role for the $48.8 billion pension plan, Tony also assists in the preparation of the yearly Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), provides research on various tax-related issues, and assists in the application of new standards as issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).

Thursday, December 13 - PSERS Funding and Reform: How Changes Will Impact Your District
Speaker: Jeffrey Clay, Executive Director, PSERS
Register by clicking on this link: https://www.accuconference.com/customer/Registration/index.aspx?pkRegQG=cb96552e-eea1-4de7-a415-2d286be3c1a4

About the speaker: Jeffrey Clay is the executive director of PSERS. In this role, he serves as chief executive officer responsible for the establishment, installation, and maintenance of modern management techniques to provide an efficient control of funds for and services to the active members and annuitants of the System. He was named executive director in October 2003 and was the Deputy Executive Director of PSERS beginning in January 1995. Mr. Clay was also the Chief Legal Counsel, not only with PSERS, but also with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Employees' Retirement System and the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, Nov. 8, 2012.

Republicans Retain Control of General Assembly

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 1:28:22 PM EST

According to a WITF article, the makeup of the General Assembly won'st change much when lawmakers get back to work during the next legislative session. Each incumbent from central Pennsylvania has been re-elected, as Republicans retain control of both the House and Senate. Democrat Rob Teplitz will be one of the few new lawmakers when he'ss sworn in to represent the 15th Senate District, which encompasses parts of Dauphin and York counties. Click here to read the WITF article.

Source: myPLS The Eye Opener, Nov. 7, 2012.

Reporting State Assessment Violations

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 1:04:23 PM EDT

As we near the winter administration of the Keystone Exams, schools and districts are reminded that any suspected violations of testing protocol must be reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Education immediately. Allegations should be referred to Jay Gift at rgift@pa.gov or by phone at
(717) 783-1144.

How PIMS Data Affects Pre-Code Labels for PSSA, Keystones and ACCESS for ELLs

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 12:59:55 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is providing an opportunity for local education agencies (LEA) to attend an online workshop which will address how the Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS) data accurately reflects a snapshot of the LEA prior to administration of state assessments. Accurate PIMS data will ensure that the best possible pre-code labels are available for the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), Keystone Exams and Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners (ACCESS for ELLs) assessments.

PDE will be offering webinar presentations via GoToMeeting™ during the month of November. PDE and its PSSA testing contractor, Data Recognition Corporation, will present this workshop.

To register, go to the link provided for each session:

Nov. 14, 2012
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/665328346

Nov. 14, 2012
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/711004578

Nov. 15, 2012
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/168371506

Nov. 15, 2012
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/581736258

A recording of the webinar, along with the accompanying PowerPoint, will be posted on the eDirect website after the last session occurs. Access eDirect at: https://pa.drcedirect.com/.

For more information, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Assessment and Accountability, at 717-265-7655 or go to: www.education.state.pa.us.

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Keystone Exam Deadline Alert - Public Comment Period on Proposed Chapter 4 Revisions

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 1:13:45 PM EDT

The deadline to submit public comment is November 5, 2012.

Proposed revisions to Chapter 4 (Academic Standards and Assessment) will be published in the October 6 edition of the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The State Board of Education will accept public comment on the proposed rulemaking for 30 days following the date of publication. For a copy of the proposed rulemaking and information about how to submit public comment, please see:
http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol42/42-40/1986.html.

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Updated Salary Data Available

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 6:32:29 PM EDT

The updated salary data for 2011-2012 from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is now on our web site (Click on PAESSP Salary Search on the Home Page). You must login as a member to access this information.

PSSA Advisor Says Education Secretary Ron Tomalis 'Overstated' Impact of Cheating on Test Scores

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 3:29:19 PM EDT

Last week, state Education Secretary Ron Tomalis said he relied on a team of outside statistical experts to come to the conclusion that his efforts to stop cheating caused a statewide drop in PSSA test scores. Tomalis said the experts on the Pennsylvania Technical Advisory Committee concluded neither budget cuts nor rising accountability benchmarks had any bearing on the reduction in math and reading scores, which caused more than 600 fewer schools to hit federal testing standards.

Click here for full story.

Source: The Morning Call, Sept. 27, 2012.

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Corbett's Education Chief Changes PSSA Testing Rules for Charter Schools Without Federal Approval

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:44:25 PM EDT

Rules change appears to have inflated success rate of some charter schools.

A review of PSSA math and reading scores shows charter schools outperformed traditional public schools in 2012. That'ss because state Education Secretary Ron Tomalis, at the behest of charter school advocates, changed the testing rules in a way that makes it easier for charter schools to meet state benchmarks.

For the full article in The Morning Call, click here.

Source: The Morning Call, Oct. 5, 2012.

Corbett's Education Chief Changes PSSA Testing Rules for Charter Schools Without Federal Approval

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:44:25 PM EDT

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Olweus Scholarship Opportunity

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 5:55:30 PM EDT

The administrator online application closes on October 12, 2012.
The Olweus trainer scholarship candidate application is due October 19, 2012.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Office of Safe Schools is committed to supporting statewide bullying prevention efforts to help create and maintain safe and secure learning environments. To build on the foundation of over one decade of research-based bullying prevention program implementation, PDE is increasing training opportunities for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP). The Office for Safe Schools' intent is to provide schools with OBPP trainers, who are employees of the Local Education Agencies (LEA). The benefits of having an OBPP certified trainer employed by the LEA include; implementation and ongoing support which address needs that are unique to the school and local community, reduction in costs for new staff trainings, increased opportunities for OBPP consultation to support fidelity to the program model leading to positive outcomes and greater sustainability.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Office for Safe School is requesting proposals from Local Education Agencies (LEA) interested in implemented the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBBP) during the 2012-13 school year. This opportunity includes a scholarship for an LEA employee to participate in an Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Trainer Certification Course (OBPP TCC). LEA's will be required to demonstrate their readiness and commitment to implementing the OBPP. This is a competitive application process and a maximum of 20 scholarship opportunities will be awarded.

1.   ELIGIBILITY: Local Education Agencies (including School Districts, Intermediate Units, Career & Technology Centers and approved Charter Schools) are eligible to apply for the PDE, Office for Safe Schools OBPP Scholarship OBPP Trainer and OBPP Implementation Opportunity. Required application forms and documents will be provided at the completion of the required administrator webinars. Funding will be available to each selected LEA to augment additional costs.

2.   ASSURANCES: Each LEA must agree to the following assurances to ensure quality and continuity of programming.

a.   The LEA must commit to provide an employee (selected for the OBPP TCC scholarship opportunity) with release time to attend the OBPP TCC on December 5,6,7, 2012.

b.   The LEA must agree to allot time to train and support OBPP implementation for a minimum of one school building during the 2012-13 school year.

c.   The LEA employee selected for the OBPP TCC must agree to provide the LEA with OBPP training and support for a minimum of one school building during the 2012-13 school year.

d.   The OBPP trainer candidate will be required to complete the OBPP trainer application and if selected agree to attend the OBPP TCC and fulfill the trainer certification requirements.

3.   LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh Child Welfare Resource Center, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

4.   DATE: December 5, 6 and 7, 2012.

5.   ADDITIONAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

a.   Prospective scholarship candidates for the OBPP TCC are required to listen to a one hour webinar, which provides an overview of Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, trainer requirements and the Office for Safe Schools OBPP 2012-13 Implementation Opportunity requirements.

b.   The recorded session is available at http://vclass.cciu.org/recordings.html Click on the September 24 Olweus session to listen to the trainer candidate webinar.

c.   Interested district-levels administrators are required to listen to a one hour webinar, which provides an overview of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, readiness factors and the Office for Safe School OBPP 2012-13 Implementation Opportunity requirements.

d.   The recorded session is available at http://vclass.cciu.org/recordings.html Click on the September 25 Olweus session to listen to the administrator's webinar.

For questions concerning this training opportunity, contact Mary Dolan, Bullying Prevention Consultant, Department of Education at c-mdolan@pa.gov.

Presentation of PSSA and Keystone Exam Accommodation Guidelines for Students with IEPs and 504 Plans

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 4:17:18 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) will be offering the following opportunities to participate in a webinar on accommodations for the PSSA and Keystone Exams:

Oct. 31, 2012 from 1p.m. - 4p.m., the link is: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/814719122

Nov. 6, 2012 from 8:30a.m. - 11:30 a.m., the link is: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/447896842

PDE strongly encourages the participation of teachers who directly administer the PSSAs or Keystones and are responsible for the implementation of accommodations for all students, including students with IEPs and 504 Plans and ELL students.

Participants will receive a registration confirmation which will contain directions for joining the webinar and a complete listing of system requirements.

Presenters from the Bureau of Assessment and Accountability and the Bureau of Special Education will examine the newly revised "PSSA and Keystone Exams Accommodations Guidelines for Paper/Pencil and Online Assessments." During this session, presenters will highlight changes and discuss appropriate use of accommodations in statewide assessments. Test security and administration procedures will also be discussed.

For more information, contact: PDE'ss Bureau of Assessment and Accountability at 717-265-7655 or visit www.education.state.pa.us.

October Is National Principals Month -- Join PAESSP in Celebrating

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 1:34:54 PM EDT

To recognize the essential role that principals play in preparing today'ss students for the challenges of tomorrow, the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the National Association of Elementary School Principals have declared October 2012 as National Principals Month.

Principals are among the hardest working, yet often least recognized individuals in education. Principals set the academic tone for their schools, and it is their vision, dedication and determination that provide the mobilizing force behind any school reform effort. National Principals Month seeks to honor these unsung heroes for their tireless efforts in pursuit of excellence in education.

Click here to view PAESSP's Senate Resolution 349.

Click here for National Principals' Month Activities.

PDE Launches Electronic Student Transcripts and Records System

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 7:02:54 PM EDT

In an effort to provide additional support to the Commonwealth's PK-20 education system, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has contracted with Parchment Inc. to implement the Pennsylvania Electronic Student Transcripts And Records System (PA eSTARS), a statewide network for schools to exchange student records and transcripts at all grade levels, including postsecondary education.

This unified digital system has the potential to increase schools' operational efficiencies and provide Commonwealth schools safer and faster access to complete student records -- essential at the preK-12 level for ensuring that students are placed into the correct classes and receive the supports they need to thrive.

At the postsecondary level, Parchment's Docufide platform facilitates the quick and confidential delivery of transcripts to admissions offices and notifies students that their applications are received and their coursework is applied to their program of study.

Nearly 1,000 local education agencies (LEA) and institutions of higher education (IHE) in Pennsylvania are eligible to benefit from this voluntary initiative. A federal grant awarded to PDE will be used to cover the initial implementation costs for eligible schools that sign up prior to July 1, 2013. Once enrolled, participating schools will receive a reduced rate on student transcript fees and access to free student records exchange for the duration of their contracts. Over the coming weeks, Parchment will be contacting you directly with instructions on how you can participate in this grant opportunity.

For additional information about PA eSTARS, please contact PAeSTARS@parchment.com.

PASBO/PASA Pennsylvania Survey Shows Huge Education Cuts -- 18,800 Positions Eliminated Over 2 Years as a Result of Tight Funding

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 1:32:08 PM EDT

In his 17 years as executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials, Jay Himes can'st recall a time of bigger cuts in education than last year and the current year. "I can'st think of anything even close," he said, commenting on a survey released Monday on the impact.
The electronic survey, done by PASBO and the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators in August, was answered by 264 of the state'ss 500 school districts.

More than $900 million in public school funding was reduced in 2011-12, largely as a result of the end of the federal economic stimulus.
That money was not restored in the 2012-13 state budget.

Click here to read the full article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Education Voters PA County Legislative Guides Available

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 2:20:42 PM EDT

A great resource - for each county in Pennsylvania, your state senators and state representatives along with their contact information, committee assignments and the school districts that they represent, are listed in this guide.

A full list of legislative guides can be viewed and downloaded for FREE here: http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/take-action/legislative-guide7/.

Training Opportunity Getting Ready for the 2013 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA)

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 2:32:14 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is providing the following training opportunity: GETTING READY for the 2013 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) and Keystone Exam.

Assessment specialists from the Division of Assessment will present information on the:

? Winter Wave 1 Keystone Exams to be administered Dec. 3-14, 2012.
? Winter Wave 2 Keystone Exams to be administered Jan. 9-23, 2013.
? PSSA Grades 3 through 5 Writing Field Test to be administered Feb. 4-15, 2013.
? PSSA Grades 5 and 8 Writing Assessment to be administered March 11-15, 2013.
? PSSA Grades 5 and 8 Writing Assessment Make-Ups to be administered March 18-22, 2013.
? PSSA Grades 3 through 8 Math and Reading Assessments to be administered April 8-19, 2013.
? PSSA Grades 4 and 8 Science PSSA to be administered April 22-26, 2013.
? PSSA Math, Reading, and Science make-ups to be administered April 29 through May 3, 2013.
? Spring Keystone Exams to be administered May 13-24, 2013.
? Summer Keystone Exams to be administered July 29-Aug. 2, 2013.

The many changes from previous test administrations will be highlighted. In addition, information on Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners (ACCESS for ELLs) and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) will be discussed. Opportunities will be provided for questions.

Presentations will be made via "GoToMeeting™," To register, click on the link provided for each session:

Oct. 30, 2012 from 1:00p.m. to 4:00 p.m., the link is: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/981291394

Nov. 1, 2012 from 8:30a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the link is: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/312917778

Nov. 1, 2012 from 1:00p.m. to 4:00 p.m., the link is: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/884611834

A recording of one of the sessions, along with the PowerPoint, will be posted to https://pa.drcedirect.com and to PDE's web site as soon as possible following the sessions.

For more information, contact PDE'ss Bureau of Assessment and Accountability: 717-265-7655 or go to www.education.state.pa.us.

National School Boards Association Selects Thomas J. Gentzel as New Executive Director

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 1:34:32 PM EDT

The Board of Directors of the National School Boards Association (NSBA) has named Thomas J. Gentzel as its next executive director. Gentzel is the executive director of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA).

As executive director of PSBA since 2001, Gentzel represents and serves more than 5,000 school directors, administrators and other officials from school entities throughout Pennsylvania. He joined the PSBA staff in 1980 as a lobbyist and, five years later, was promoted to head the organization's Office of Governmental and Member Relations -- a position he held for more than 16 years. Gentzel also is the immediate past chair of NSBA's Organization of State Association Executive Directors.

NSBA's executive director reports directly to the organization's board of directors and is responsible for guiding the development and implementation of the strategic plan, programs, policies, and practices of the association. The executive director is responsible for the management and development of nearly 100 employees and an annual budget of more than $20 million.

Gentzel will join NSBA on December 1, 2012.

School Districts Show Steep Drop in Test Scores

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 1:14:15 PM EDT

According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, public schools and school districts across the state got hit with a one-two punch when statewide test scores were released Friday. Scores have dropped, resulting in dramatically fewer schools and districts making adequate yearly progress, known as AYP. On top of that, state Education Secretary Ron Tomalis said the reason is past scores were inflated due to cheating and fell because of increased test security. While 94 percent of school districts in 2011 made AYP, only 60.9 percent did so this year. In 2011, 75 percent of schools made AYP, but this time it was 50.3 percent. Click here to read the Pittsburgh Post Gazette article.

Source: PLS The Eye Opener, Sept. 24, 2012.

National Principals Month Congressional Resolution Passes Senate

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 3:04:21 PM EDT

Senator Al Franken (D-MN), a constant champion for principals, introduced and successfully passed on September 12, S. Res 552, a bipartisan resolution recognizing the month of October 2012 as "National Principals Month." This resolution was cosponsored by Senators Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Mark Begich (D-AK), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Carl Levin (D-MI), Richard Lugar (R-IN), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Mark Warner (D-VA) and Jim Webb (D-VA).

A Congressional resolution has officially recognized the month of October as National Principals Month since 2009, when the honor began. NAESP and the National Association of Secondary School Principals worked collaboratively on the Senate resolution as well as the House resolution, H. Res. 781, which also recognizes October 2012 as National Principals Month thanks to the strong support for principals from Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-CA).

Secretary of Education to Announce 2011-12 PSSA Results

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 2:27:50 PM EDT

Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis will announce the results of the 2011-12 PSSA exams during a press conference at 11 a.m. today in the state Capitol Media Center.

At the same time, the department will post on its web site the 2011-12 PSSA results and Adequate Yearly Progress status by local education agency and school. Files can be accessed by visiting www.education.state.pa.us and clicking on the "2011-12 PSSA" icon.

In addition, the state, local education agency and school report cards will be available for viewing and download at http://paayp.emetric.net.

School Pension Fund Income Down

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 4:52:11 PM EDT

According to an article in the Scranton Times, investment returns for the Public School Employees's Retirement System (PSERS) were half of what was budgeted for the fiscal year ending in June. The lower rate of return means that the pension system'ss unfunded liability increases, Jeffrey B. Clay, PSERS executive director, said during an editorial board meeting with The Times-Tribune on Tuesday. And with returns of 3.43 percent instead of the 7.5 percent the fund budgeted, the loss will eventually need to be covered by additional earnings or an increase in contributions by employees or school districts. PSERS unfunded liability is now $26.5 billion. Click here to read the Scranton Times article.

Source: PLS Eye Opener, Sept. 20, 2012.

Rethinking Principal Evaluation: Nation's Principals Release New Framework for Policy and Practice

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 5:06:06 PM EDT

Despite the widespread influence of the nation's 95,000 principals on three million teachers and 55 million students -- cited by the Wallace Foundation as second only to teaching among school influences on student success -- most state and district frameworks for principal evaluation do not reflect existing standards or proven practices. In the context of federal demands for increased principal accountability, more rigorous teacher evaluation systems and next generation student assessment the country's school leaders are calling for the adoption of a new set of policy guidelines and best practices that go beyond student test scores to evaluate school culture, professional growth and learning and other aspects of students' learning environments that are directly influenced by school leaders.

Rethinking Principal Evaluation: A New Paradigm Informed by Research and Practice was introduced today [September 13, 2012] by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) at a Congressional briefing in Washington, D.C. With the introduction of this research-based framework, the coalition has launched a call to states and districts to adopt a new paradigm including the institution of multiple and meaningful measurement systems of principal and assistant principal effectiveness.

"NAESP has long been at the forefront of establishing standards of principal's practice through its Leading Learning Communities standards initiative. It is essential to insert the principals' voice and the standards in the redevelopment or refinement of evaluation systems to change practice to improve schools," said Gail Connelly, Executive Director of the National Association of Elementary School Principals. "This report was created by principals, for principals and takes the best of their expertise and pairs it with the latest research. Policymakers now have a clear path to follow and must establish principal evaluation systems that will build the capacity of principals to lead our nation's schools," Connelly further noted. Developed by a joint committee of practicing principals over the past two years, the report identifies six key domains of school leadership that should be incorporated into principal evaluation systems:

? Professional growth and learning;
? Student growth and achievement;
? School planning and progress;
? School culture;
? Professional qualities and instructional leadership; and
? Stakeholder support and engagement.

Rethinking Principal Evaluation also identifies essential features of comprehensive evaluation systems -- including systemic support, flexibility, relevance and utility -- and a roadmap for policymakers to follow in the development of these systems. States and districts are encouraged to:

? Consider student, school and community contexts;
? Incorporate standards that can improve practice;
? Use evaluation to build capacity; and
? Focus on multiple measures of performance data.

"Principal evaluation systems can be powerful tools to support the kind of schoolwide improvement efforts NASSP encourages in the Breaking Ranks framework," said NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti. "But those tools must be well constructed and well implemented to evaluate the leadership behaviors that really matter. School improvement is a process, not a destination. So an evaluation tool becomes valuable when it builds a leader's capacity to advance the improvement process."

The full report and executive summary is available online.

Keystone School Exam Changes Coming Soon

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 1:29:10 PM EDT

According to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, the way the state measures eleventh graders' academic progress is expected to change this year. Under a plan that must be approved by the federal Department of Education, juniors will take state-developed Keystone Exams in algebra I, biology and literature instead of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) test this school year. Passing the exams will be a graduation requirement for The Class of 2017, current eighth graders. Click here to read the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.

Source: PLS Eye Opener, Sept. 10, 2012.

PDE Reminds School Administrators of Applicability of Changes to Background Check Law Under Act 82 of 2012 and Availability of REVISED PDE-6004 Form to Report Arrests and Convictions of Offenses

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:45:15 PM EDT

I. Changes to Section 111 of School Code are Effective June 30, 2012

Act 82 of 2012, signed into law on June 30, 2012, amends Section 111 of the School Code, which provides for background checks for employees of public and private schools, intermediate units and area vocational-technical schools who have direct contact with children. Section 111 also applies to independent contractors and their employees who have direct contact with children and to student teachers and student teacher candidates assigned to public and private schools. The amendments clarify that the employment prohibitions contained in Section 111(e) and Section 111(f.1) of the School Code, based on conviction of certain offenses, apply to both current and prospective employees. The changes to Section 111 went into effect on June 30, 2012.

II. Expansion of Reporting Requirements to School Administrators: Reporting of Section 111(e) and 111(f.1) offenses required

Act 82 expands the requirements for mandatory reporting of arrests and convictions of school employees to school administrators for certain offenses. Under the prior version of the law, current and prospective school employees were required to report to school administrators only arrests for or convictions of offenses listed under Section 111(e) of the School Code. Section 111(e) offenses include such criminal offenses as homicide, rape and kidnapping, among other offenses. Under Act 82, the reporting requirement is expanded to include, in addition to the 111(e) offenses, arrests for or convictions of offenses listed under Section 111(f.1) of the School Code. Section 111(f.1) offenses include felony offenses not listed in Section 111(e), if less than 10 years have elapsed since the date of expiration of sentence; first degree misdemeanors not listed in Section 111(e), if less than five years have passed from the date of the expiration of sentence; and any offense relating to driving under the influence graded as a first degree misdemeanor (if the person has been previously convicted of such an offense and less than three years has elapsed from the date of expiration of the sentence for the most recent offense.) Expiration of sentence typically means completion of imprisonment, probation and parole; and satisfaction of all financial obligations required by the sentence, including restitution, which is recognized by court order.

III. Availability of REVISED PDE Form-6004 for Employees to Report Section 111(e) and (f.1) Offenses to School Administrators

As required by Act 82, PDE has revised the form (PDE-6004) to report arrests or convictions to include offenses listed under Section 111(f.1) of the School Code as well as Section 111(e) offenses.

This revised form (PDE-6004) is now available on the PDE web site at: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/background_checks_%28act_114%29/7493

As required by subsection (j)(2) of 24 P.S. §1-111, the revised PDE-6004 is required to be completed and submitted by all current or prospective employees of a public or private school, intermediate unit or area vocational-technical school. Please note that under Act 82, any current employee who completed a PDE 6004 on or before December 27, 2011, in compliance with 24 P.S. § §1-111(j)(1) and (2) on that date, and who has never been arrested for or convicted of an offense enumerated under 24 P.S. § §1-111(e) or (f.1) is not required to complete and submit an additional form. In addition, as required by subsection (j)(4) of 24 P.S. §1-111, this form shall be utilized by employees to provide written notice within seventy-two (72) hours after an arrest or conviction for an offense enumerated under 24 P.S. § §1-111(e) or (f.1).

School administrators are advised to distribute a copy of the revised PDE-6004 to all current and prospective employees as soon as possible, as well as inform their employees as to whom the form must be returned.

Such employees should be informed that they must complete and return to the school administrator the new form if: (1) they did not complete a PDE-6004 on or before December 27, 2011, or (2) if they ever have been arrested for or convicted of a Section 111(e) or Section 111(f.1) offense (whether or not such reportable arrest or conviction occurred before, on or after such date).

School administrators are required to have the revised PDE-6004 completed and returned by independent contractors and their employees (contract employees), if the contract employees did not complete a PDE-6004 on or before December 27, 2011, or if the contract employee has been arrested for or convicted of a Section 111(e) or a Section 111(f.1) offense. To assist PIAA-registered sports' officials in this process, the PIAA has developed an interactive revised PDE-6004 for submission to the PIAA Officials' database and is available by clicking on this link; www.piaa.org/officials. This form will be saved in the PIAA Officials' database and will be able to be accessed by all PIAA member schools.

Higher education administrators are also required to have the form completed and returned by student teachers and student teacher candidates (student teachers) if such student teacher did not complete a PDE-6004 on or before December 27, 2011, or if the student teacher has been arrested for or convicted of a Section 111(e) or 111(f.1) offense.

IV. School Administrator Required to Order Background Check Upon Reasonable Belief That Employee was Arrested or Convicted of a Section 111(e) or Section 111(f.1) Offense

Act 82 requires that if a school administrator has a reasonable belief that an employee was arrested or convicted of a Section 111(e) or Section 111(f.1) offense and the employee has not notified the school administrator of such arrest or conviction, the school administrator must require the school employee to submit to a current Section 111 background check at the expense of the employing entity.

V. School Districts Advised to Report Crimes Noted on PDE-6004 to Department

The superintendent, assistant superintendent, executive director of an IU, chief administrator of an AVTS, or career and technology center, administrator of a charter school, or their designees, currently are required to report to the department all instances of certificated employees or charter school staff members (as such term is defined in the Professional Educator Discipline Act) reporting an arrest or conviction for offenses listed under Section 111(e) and crimes involving moral turpitude which have been disclosed on the revised PDE-6004 or which is otherwise known to them as the result of background checks or otherwise. (See a non-exclusive list of such crimes at http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/educator_discipline_system/11389/educator_misconduct/529147). It is strongly recommended that any other arrest or conviction, noted by certificated employees or charter school staff members on a PDE-6004 or which is otherwise known to them as the result of background checks or otherwise, be reported to the department. The report should be made on a mandatory report form which can be found on the department's website at: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/professional_standards_practices_commissions/8829. For Section 111(e) offenses or for offenses involving moral turpitude, the report form is required to be filed within 30 days of the receipt of information concerning the arrest or conviction and must include all available information concerning the indictment or conviction. The completed mandatory report form with supporting documentation should be sent to: Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Chief Counsel, 333 Market Street, 9th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333.

For additional information, please contact the School Services unit at 717-783-3750 or via email at ra-pde-schoolservice@pa.gov.

Attention PAESSP Members

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 2:08:42 PM EDT

Dear PAESSP Member: As of yesterday, we have found there may have been a compromise to our web site, www.paessp.org. The potential illegal access in personal membership information is certainly there, such as names and email addresses. Our hosting vendor will be investigating this issue further and we will report back to you on the findings.

We want to make it clear that the compromise was on the hosting vendor's server and not on PAESSP's internal server or computer files, so any private association/member files and membership records are completely safe and have not been compromised.

In addition, if you encountered any problems recently when registering for our October state conference or completing a membership application online, please contact sheaffer@paessp.org (conference registrations); or plantz@paessp.org (membership applications).

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: sherit@paessp.org or plantz@paessp.org.

Thank you for your understanding and patience in this matter.

Update on Keystone Exams

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 3:11:34 PM EDT

Districts were notified over the summer as to an earlier testing date for the Keystone Exams. Although passing grades on the exams aren't required for graduation until the class of 2017, current 11th graders will take the exams this year in place of the PSSA's. Students will be tested in Algebra 1, Biology and Literature. Keystone Exams are likely to result in a good number of questions from students and parents, because two of the subjects tested are often taken well before the junior year. There could be 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th graders taking these tests. Some online resources about the Keystone Exams are shown below.

This blog has a good summary of the Keystones testing schedule.http://chalkandtalk.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/keystone-exam-to-replace-pssa-in-2013/

This is an FAQ for parents about Keystone Exams: http://static.pdesas.org/Content/Documents/Information_for_Parents_or_Guardians_PA_Keystone_Exams_Aug_2012_final.pdf

This article discusses some of the challenges being faced by districts due to the sudden shift in testing dates: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/parkland/mc-state-keystone-exams-20120903,0,205928,full.story

Source: PenSPRA e-Comm Alerts, Sept. 5, 2012.

Pennsylvania Department of Education Selects Teachscape's Framework for Teaching Proficiency System

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 12:58:40 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has chosen Teachscape, the leader in delivering Web-based professional learning content, innovative technologies, and expert services to improve teaching practice, to provide a system by which to train and assess the state's 5,350 teacher evaluators. PDE will use Teachscape's Framework for Teaching Proficiency System, an online system to train and assess teacher evaluators, to help ensure evaluator accuracy as the state rolls out a five-year comprehensive statewide teacher evaluation system based on Charlotte Danielson's Framework for Teaching (FFT).

"The Pennsylvania Department of Education has been using Charlotte Danielson's Framework as a model for great teaching for years due to its defensible research base," said Dr. Carolyn Dumaresq, deputy secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education at the Pennsylvania Department of Education. "We were looking for best-in-class evaluator training for the assessment of teaching practice based upon the Framework; scalable, rigorous and affordable training to help ensure that Pennsylvania's teachers are observed fairly and accurately. Teachscape's Framework for Teaching Proficiency System is that solution."

The Framework for Teaching Proficiency System was developed by Teachscape in collaboration with Charlotte Danielson and Educational Testing Service (ETS) and was born out of the Measures of Effective Teaching (MET) project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Proficiency System integrates observer training, scoring practice and a proficiency assessment into a complete system and includes more than 15 hours of self-paced online training and over 100 master-scored videos and classroom scenarios covering all proficiency ranges for grades K-12.

"The PDE's commitment to assessing teachers and improving instructional practice is impressive. By implementing the Framework for Teaching Proficiency System, the state will help assure that PDE evaluators are properly trained for rigorous, transparent and fair evaluations," said Charlotte Danielson. "The support teachers will receive as a result of these evaluations will be instrumental in leading to improved teaching practice and better student outcomes."

Pennsylvania joins states throughout the country, including Illinois and Rhode Island, in addition to well-respected school districts, such as Pittsburgh Public Schools and Syracuse City School District, in partnering with Teachscape for classroom observer and teacher evaluator training through the Framework for Teaching Proficiency System.

Attn. PAESSP Secondary Members: Your Help is Needed To Prevent Funding Cuts!

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 7:12:05 PM EDT

On behalf of all middle and high school leaders, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) needs your help to prevent funding cuts that will affect all schools across the country. NASSP is working hard to prevent something called sequestration - drastic, across-the-board cuts to education and other federal programs scheduled to occur on January 2, 2013 - but your Members of Congress need to hear from YOU, fellow school leaders on the ground. As Pennsylvania state coordinator for NASSP, I engage in advocacy at the federal level on behalf of school leaders like yourselves, and I strongly encourage you to lend your voice with me on this critical issue.

Sequestration - which is a result of the Budget Control Act approved by Congress in August 2011 - would cut Department of Education funding by over 8%, jeopardizing nearly 90,000 education jobs and dozens of critical federal programs that help our students succeed. Title I grants would be cut by $1.2 billion, hurting 1.8 million students and eliminating 16,100 jobs, and IDEA grants would be cut by $973 million, impacting 495,000 children with disabilities and eliminating 12,600 jobs. On top of this, since July 2008, the country has lost 312,700 public education jobs, meaning we have roughly as many local school jobs today as in December 2004. Yet, we expect to see 847,000 more pre k-12 public school students this coming school year than in the fall of 2004. For these and other reasons, we cannot let sequestration occur, and we need your help. State-specific data on Pennsylvania can be found here: http://www.nea.org/home/52610.htm

Please take 2 minutes to go to NASSP's Principal'ss Legislative Action Center (http://app3.vocusgr.com/WebPublish/Controller.aspx?SiteName=NASSP&Definition=ViewIssue&IssueID=7535) and send a form letter to your legislators urging them to prevent sequestration, and instead to support policies that find a balanced approach to solving our nation's finances.

Thank you!

Mark A. Korcinsky
Principal, Seneca Valley Senior High School
PAESSP/NASSP State Coordinator

Appointment of President-Elect -- Kurt J. Nyquist

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 2:55:10 PM EDT

In July, Dr. Joshua Doll our president-elect, was appointed by the Dallastown Area School District as the assistant superintendent, therefore it became necessary, in accordance with PAESSP'ss by-laws, for Dr. Doll to resign as president-elect.

When the resignation of an officer occurs, the by-laws require the following process be followed for selection of a replacement: 1) Inform the Board of the resignation and solicit Board member letters of interest in assuming the position; and 2) The Executive Committee reviews the letters of interest and selects a replacement. This process was followed. The Executive Committee received two letters of interest from current Board members.

The Executive Committee of PAESSP has announced that it has appointed Kurt J. Nyquist, principal of Penns Valley Elementary and Intermediate School in the Penns Valley Area School District, to fill Dr. Doll's vacated position of president-elect of PAESSP.

PAESSP is pleased that such a qualified candidate has stepped forward to fill this important position.

Business, Computer and Information Technology Standards Are Now Available on the Standards Aligned System (SAS) Portal

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 5:58:31 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), as required by Act 104 of 2010, has developed Business, Computer and Information (BCIT) standards. PDE commissioned a team of nine business educators representing Pennsylvania'ss elementary, middle, high and postsecondary schools, to create comprehensive academic standards for BCIT.

BCIT standards were developed in the areas of: (1) Accounting; (2) Career Management; (3) Communications; (4) Computer and Information Technologies; (5) Economics and Finance; (6) Entrepreneurship; (7) Global Business; (8) Management; and (9) Marketing.

The standards offer a PreK-12 perspective to support curriculum development, facilitate the integration of this critical content, and prepare students to gain a competitive advantage.

To view the standards, go to the SAS Portal at: www.pdesas.org. Click on Standards, scroll down to Select a Subject, choose Business, Computer and Information Technology from the dropdown menu and Select a Grade or band.

You can also click on Standards, then Keyword Search and type a term to see the BCIT standards along with any other academic standards that correspond to that particular topic.

If you choose to view the BCIT standards in a PDF, click on Standards, select Download PDFs and select Business, Computer and Information Technology.

Questions regarding the development of business education standards may be directed to Tamalee Brassington in the Bureau of Career and Technical Education at tbrassingt@pa.gov or 717-783-6972.

PDK/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 5:26:41 PM EDT

The PDK/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools is a well-known research instrument. Conducted annually, it allows educators and policy makers to track public opinion about one of this nation's most important institutions, its public schools.

Source: http://www.pdkintl.org/poll/index.htm.

Revised PIMS Collection Window for the 2012-13 Pre-Code Winter Keystone Exams

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 4:21:08 PM EDT

In response to feedback from LEAs, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has changed the Pre-Code Winter Keystone Exams PIMS collection window that was originally scheduled for August. Districts planning to participate in Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT) and/or the 2012-2013 Winter Keystone Exams are encouraged to upload student files into the Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS) during the 2012-13 Pre-Code for Winter Keystone Exams and CDT student upload collection window that is now planned for Sept. 12- 25, 2012. Participating in this collection and uploading as many of the optional templates as possible during this window will benefit your district and school users when adding students to test sessions in DRC eDIRECT during the test setup process.

Please note: In addition to the September collection window described above, there continues to be an optional monthly PIMS collection that enables LEAs to upload student data specifically for the ongoing use of the Classroom Diagnostic Tools. This option will support monthly uploading of students that LEAs plan to assess using the CDTs. PDE/DRC will receive updated files on the first of every month as long as the upload is completed prior to the last day of each month.

The Templates collected are as follows:

Required Templates:
Student
Student Snapshot (9/25/12)

Optional Templates:
Course
Course Instructor
Student Course Enrollment
Staff
School Enrollment
Program Fact

An additional field has been added to the Student and Student Snapshot templates for the 2012-13 school year. The Assessment Participation, now field 202, is an identifier indicating which test(s) students will be taking at any time during the school year. Below are the Valid Values for this field:

A - PASA only
B - PSSA only
C - Keystones only
D - CDTs only
E - PSSA and Keystones
F - PSSA and CDTs
G - PSSA, Keystones, and CDTs
H - Keystones and CDTs
I - N/A; not participating in an assessment

If you have any questions concerning CDT or Keystone assessments in 2012-13, please email pacustomerservice@datarecognitioncorp.com or call a DRC PSSA Customer Service Representative at 1-800-451-7849.

CATS System Update

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 2:53:58 PM EDT

The Career and Technical Education System (CATS) serves as the official record of a school entity'ss approved career and technical education program and is used to verify the data which forms the basis for the Secondary Career and Technical Education Subsidy (SCTES) calculation. As the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) reviews the information submitted in CATS, there are noticeable inconsistencies between the information in CATS and the information found in the Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS).

OVER REPORTING STUDENTS-ONE EXAMPLE/POSSIBLE SCENARIO:
In some instances schools hold approval to operate a two-year program or programs, but are delivering programs to three grade levels and are seeking SCTES for each of those grade levels. If, for example, schools are actually operating a three-year program when the school only holds approval to operate a two-year program, the school must either seek approval for a three-year program or change its delivery practices. This holds true for all delivery models: one-year, two-year, three-year and four-year. Simply stated, the information in CATS must reflect the actual delivery at the school level.

UNDER REPORTING STUDENTS-ONE EXAMPLE/POSSIBLE SCENARIO:
In some instances schools who hold approval to operate a four-year program are delivering the program to only three grade levels. Again, this holds true for all delivery models; one-year, two-year, three-year and four-year. The information in CATS must reflect the actual delivery at the school level.

Please review the information submitted into the CATS system and, based on your review, make any revision or seek new program approvals, as appropriate. For funding purposes, ensure that the number of years noted in the CATS system is equal to the number of years the program is being delivered at the school.

Please direct any questions about the above information to Lee Burket, PDE'ss bureau director for Career and Technical Education at lburket@pa.gov or 717-787-5530.

Intent to Participate as a Receiving School Pursuant to Act 85 of 2012

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 12:39:14 PM EDT

Act 85 of 2012 created the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit program, which enables eligible students, who reside within the attendance boundaries of a low-achieving school, to apply for a scholarship through an opportunity scholarship organization to attend a participating public or nonpublic school.

The program is administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development and additional information can be obtained by visiting www.newpa.com/ostc, or by calling 717-787-7120.

An eligible student may receive an opportunity scholarship of up to $8,500 for students without a disability or up to $15,000 for students with a disability.

Districts that are interested in participating in this program by enrolling opportunity scholarship recipients should visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education's web site at www.education.state.pa.us and click on the "Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program"? icon to fill out the intent to participate form.

Note: Low-achieving schools are not permitted to participate as a receiving school, and students from a low-achieving school are not permitted to transfer to another building within their home school district.

The intent to participate is required to be submitted to the Department of Education no later than August 15, 2012.

If you have any questions, please email ra-ostcp@pa.gov.

2012 AYP Data Corrections

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 12:18:00 PM EDT

On July 23, 2012, school districts and schools were able to access Preliminary District Student Data Files at www.drc-web.com/reportdelivery and the Preliminary AYP System at www.drc-web.com/aypappeals. Due to continued concerns about incorrect AYP data, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has determined that it is of the utmost importance that AYP data be corrected. Therefore, it will be implementing the following process and procedure to deal with the correction of data affecting AYP this year:

1) School districts and schools with incorrect data must download and complete the 2012 AYP Data Correction Forms found at:
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/2012_ayp/20803/2012_appeals_process/1195455

NOTE: This process is separate and distinct from the AYP Appeal Procedure. If you believe your AYP status is incorrect for statistical or other substantive reasons, not because of incorrect data, these issues should be addressed in an AYP appeal and are subject to AYP appeal review. Also, note that incorrect attribution of students is NOT considered a data correction. Attribution issues must be handled via the 2012 AYP Appeals Process using the appropriate AYP Appeal Forms found at: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/2012_ayp/20803/2012_appeals_process/1195455

2) To complete the data correction the following must be included:

2012 AYP Data Correction Form

Including evidence to support the data correction EXAMPLE: Proof that a student who is incorrectly coded as not having an IEP does have an IEP.

2012 AYP Data Correction Contact Information and Accuracy Certification

2012 AYP Data Correction Calculation Worksheets - ALL of the following must be completed and included:

Status Calculation
Confidence Interval Calculation
Two-Year Uniform Average Calculation
Confidence Interval for Two-Year Uniform Average Calculation
Safe Harbor Calculation
Safe Harbor Confidence Interval Calculation
Growth Calculation

Complete ONLY the worksheets for each subject and group/subgroup affected by the data correction.

REMINDER: Changing the data for one group/subgroup may affect additional groups/subgroups, therefore, the submission of the Calculation Worksheets for those affected groups/subgroups is also required.

2012 PIMS Request for Override of AYP Data Form

Completed Data Correction Electronic Template with corrected data inserted. Please copy and paste the incorrect data directly from your District Student Data File found on the DRC Report Delivery website into the template and then make the correction. Email the completed Data Correction template by Aug. 7, 2012 to Dana Klouser at dklouser@pa.gov with your LEA or LEA/school in the subject line of the email.

3) The 2012 AYP Data Correction Packet must be completed in its entirety (original signature is required) and mailed to:

Dana Klouser
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Bureau of Assessment and Accountability
333 Market Street - 9th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333

Incomplete Data Correction Forms will NOT be reviewed and processed.

DATA CORRECTIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY AUGUST 7, 2012
Data Corrections with a postmark after August 7, 2012 cannot be accepted.

Reporting on Girls Sports

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 2:54:25 PM EDT

Under new legislation, school districts will have to file annual reports starting in 2013 detailing how boys's and girls's sports opportunities match up in middle and high schools. These reports will need to include numbers of participants and teams, coaches and trainers's compensation and spending on equipment, travel and uniforms. It might be helpful to review procedures this year to make implementing the reports go more smoothly next year. Click here for the full article.

Source: PenSPRA e-Comm Alerts, July 26, 2012 — Volume 7 #20.

Reporting on Girls' Sports

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 2:54:25 PM EDT

PA School Code Update - Part II

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 2:05:54 PM EDT

s part of the 2012-13 state budget, Governor Tom Corbett signed into law several bills that affect the Public School Code of 1949. These bills were passed in addition to Act 82 of 2012. Please note that this is a summary and further guidance on the implementation of these provisions will be forthcoming.

SCHOOL EMPLOYEES

Act 31 of 2012 exempts a person who holds the qualifications of a teacher under Section 4(2) of the Private Driver Education or Training School Act from an Article 12 certification provided that the employing school district has posted the vacant position for a minimum of 10 days on the district'ss web site and no qualified candidate certified by the Department of Education to teach driver and safety education is available. For additional information, contact Terry Barnaby at tbarnaby@pa.gov.

Act 126 of 2012 requires school entities and independent contractors to provide their employees, who will have direct contact with children, with mandatory child abuse recognition and reporting training. Employees shall complete three hours of training every five years. Employees required to undergo continuing professional development under Section 1205.2 shall receive credit for the training provided that the program is approved by the department. For more information, contact Mike Kozup at mkozup@pa.gov.

SCHOOL SAFETY

Act 59 of 2012 requires information about the signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest to be handed out to parents of children wishing to participate in interscholastic athletics. An informational meeting on this subject is required. A student-athlete displaying the signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest must be removed from play and coaches must participate in annual training on the subject. For more details, contact Mike Kozup at mkozup@pa.gov.

Act 101 of 2012 requires information about the signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injuries to be handed out to parents of children wishing to participate in interscholastic athletics. An informational meeting on this subject is required. A student-athlete displaying the signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injuries must be removed from play and coaches must participate in training on the subject. For more information, contact Mike Kozup at mkozup@pa.gov.

DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION/FINANCES

Act 141 of 2012 requires PDE to develop and implement an early warning system to identify school districts experiencing mild financial difficulties. Districts that meet the criteria established by PDE would be declared in Financial Watch Status based on data provided to the Department by the districts. PDE will notify districts that they have been designated in Financial Watch Status and provide these districts with technical assistance. The act also provides for the Secretary to declare a school district in Moderate Financial Recovery Status or Severe Financial Recovery Status. School districts in financial recovery status may apply for an interest-free loan through PDE'ss financial recovery transitional loan program to implement components of their financial recovery plan. School districts may only receive one loan from this account per fiscal year. For additional information, contact Amy Morton at ammorton@pa.gov.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Act 69 of 2012 allows a private, nonprofit college or university to offer an additional degree or to institute an additional major or program as long as the college or university is accredited and has operated continuously in the commonwealth for 10 years, or the department approves the additional degree, major, or program. Contact Jill Hans at jhans@pa.gov for additional information.

Act 132 of 2012 authorizes state-owned universities and system employees to enter into economic development agreements that benefit the State-owned universities and system employees. "Economic development agreement" is defined as an agreement that allows a State-owned university to develop and market intellectual property owned or created by a State System of Higher Education employee. For more information, contact Jill Hans at jhans@pa.gov.

Act 134 of 2012 authorizes the State System of Higher Education to enter into an agreement with any entity for the cooperative use of supplies or services. All purchases and agreements made pursuant to this subsection must be the result of a system of competitive bidding and in accordance with Pennsylvania law. For more information, contact Jill Hans at jhans@pa.gov.

OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS

Act 85 of 2012 established the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program to provide low- and moderate-income students in low-achieving schools the option to apply for a scholarship to attend a participating public or nonpublic school. PDE will notify districts that have one or more low-achieving schools by Aug. 1, 2012, and by Feb. 1 of each year thereafter. For additional information, contact Steve Fisher at sfisher@pa.gov.

PA School Code Update

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 1:54:52 PM EDT

As part of the 2012-13 state budget, Governor Tom Corbett signed into law House Bill 1901, which made several changes to the Public School Code of 1949. Below is an overview of the changes made by Act 82 of 2012.

Please note, this is a summary and further guidance on the implementation of these provisions will be forthcoming.

SCHOOL EMPLOYEES

Clarifies that the employment prohibitions contained in Sections 111(e) and 111(f.1), based on conviction of certain offenses, applies to both current and prospective employees. The requirements to report arrests and convictions are expanded to include, in addition to the 111(e) offenses, arrests for or convictions of offenses listed under Section 111(f.1). The department will revise the report form required by Section 111 and publish the revised form in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and on the department'ss website. For more information, contact Steve Fisher at sfisher@pa.gov.

Allows for the addition of a graduate degree in management to qualify individuals for election or appointment of superintendent and also, for the next three years, permits a person with a Juris Doctorate degree and at least four years of relevant work experience in law to serve as a superintendent or assistant superintendent. The department will review and confirm that individuals meet the new statutory requirements for appointment. A request for review of the qualifications may be made by a form that the department will develop, which will be made available on the department'ss web site. The department will also issue a commission upon hiring. For more details, contact Steve Fisher at sfisher@pa.gov.

Provides for superintendent contract transparency, requiring that superintendent and assistant superintendent contracts include specific provisions/limitations, such as all provisions for compensation and benefits to be paid; termination, buy out and severance provisions; limitations related to compensation for unused sick leave from previous employment; post-retirement benefits and benefit duration; and objective performance standards. It further provides for annual performance reviews and subjects the contracts to the Right to Know Law. For more information, contact Steve Fisher at sfisher@pa.gov.

Provides for the creation of a new rating tool for classroom teachers starting in the 2013-14 school year and for principals and nonteaching professionals starting in the 2014-15 school year. The tool for classroom teachers needs to be developed, issued and published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin by June 30, 2013. The tools for principals and nonteaching professionals need to be developed, issued and published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin by June 30, 2014. For more information, contact Carolyn Dumaresq at cdumaresq@pa.gov.

Allows schools to suspend/furlough employees based on curtailments or alterations of educational programs without the department'ss approval of the programmatic change. The district must still notify the department and the information will be posted online. For more information, contact Steve Fisher at sfisher@pa.gov.

SCHOOL FINANCES

Provides for Accountability Block Grants (ABG) in the 2012-13 fiscal year to be distributed by a formula and prorated if sufficient funds are not available. The funds are to be used for ABG eligible expenses as defined in Section 2599.2. For additional information, contact Ed Vollbrecht at edwvollbre@pa.gov.

Allows school districts to reopen their 2012-13 budgets to reflect state and federal appropriations for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 fiscal years. In addition, budgets may be reopened for an increase in local revenue if the change is due to legislation enacted during the 2011 regular session. Contact Benjamin Hanft at bhanft@pa.gov for additional information.

Provides for payments for Basic Education Funding, Special Education Funding and intermediate units. For additional information, contact Benjamin Hanft at bhanft@pa.gov.

Provides for payments to community colleges. For additional information, contact Jessica Sites at jesites@pa.gov.

Provides for payments for libraries. For additional information, contact Eileen Kocher at ekocher@pa.gov.

Provides for a moratorium on new Part A PlanCon project applications not received by the department by October 1, 2012. The department will also conduct a review of the current process in which school building projects are reviewed and approved. For additional information, contact Nichole Duffy at nduffy@pa.gov.

Provides that contracts for work or purchase of supplies that exceed $18,500 as adjusted by CPI must be done under separate contracts. Also provides that a school district can proceed with emergency repairs without the approval of the department, but still requires notification to the department. The department will provide the form and manner for school districts to report these types of incidents. Contact Nichole Duffy at nduffy@pa.gov for additional information.

Eliminates the incentive program for health and nutrition. For more information, contact Vonda Cooke at vcooke@pa.gov.

Provides that a school district is not prohibited from receiving reimbursement for approved building improvements, including the cost of acquiring a suitable site for a school building, the cost of constructing a new school building or the cost of providing needed additions or alterations to existing buildings if a school district elects not to remove any relocatable or modular classroom utilized after the completion of a building project. For more information, contact Nichole Duffy nduffy@pa.gov.

DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION

Modifies the deployment of the Keystone Exams. By the 2020-21 school year, the department will, subject to annual appropriation, develop and implement the following Keystone exams: Algebra I, Literature, Biology, English Composition, Algebra II, Geometry, United States History, Chemistry, Civics and Government and World History. For questions regarding the Keystone Exams, contact Rich Maraschiello at c-rmarasch@pa.gov.

Creates an open campus initiative to encourage collaboration between and among school districts to provide high-quality education through cooperative agreements. These agreements are to be developed by school districts. The department is to provide any technical assistance needed to the school districts that are establishing and operating these open campus initiatives. Contact Mike Wilson at mrwilson@pa.gov for more information.

Removes the 165-student cap for designating students to neighboring school districts in third class school districts operating under a special board of control that do not operate a high school program. Provides that the tuition rate for the 2012-13 school year and each year thereafter that a designated school district receives for each student it receives shall be the greater of $10,000 or the product of the tuition rate established for the prior school year and the greater of the percentage increase in total budgeted revenues or the index set pursuant to the Taxpayer Relief Act. For two consecutive school years following the effective date, a school district designated to receive students shall receive $500 per student reassigned and entering grades 7, 8 or 9 for transition services. This section currently only applies to the Duquesne City School District and those school districts designated to receive Duquesne'ss high school students. For questions on reassignment of students, contact Carolyn Dumaresq at cdumaresq@pa.gov. For information on district reimbursement, contact Nichole Duffy at nduffy@pa.gov.

SCHOOL SAFETY

Requires each school entity (AVTS, charter, cyber charter, IU, nonpublic or school district) to have at each school/location one person certified in CPR during regular school hours. For additional information, contact Mike Kozup at mkozup@pa.gov.

Provides that the State Board of Education may revise the model memorandum of understanding (MOU) for school safety by publishing a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin that contains the complete revised model MOU. Contact Mike Kozup at mkozup@pa.gov for more information.

Permits a local board of school directors to enter into agreements with other political subdivisions to provide for safety and security of a school. For additional information, contact Mike Kozup at mkozup@pa.gov.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Creates the Targeted Industry Cluster Certificate Scholarship Program within the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). The need-based program is geared toward students enrolled in courses of study in the energy, advanced materials, diversified manufacturing, agriculture and food production fields. Eligible courses of study must be more than 10 weeks in length, less than two academic years in length and be Title IV eligible. A list of eligible programs and participation requirements can be found at www.pheaa.org/pa-tip.

Amends the data moratorium language to provide that institutions of higher education may voluntarily provide data to the department. For more information, contact Jen Dugan at jendugan@pa.gov.

OTHER CHANGES TO THE SCHOOL CODE

Requires that schools submit to the department athletic opportunity and treatment data for male and female secondary students for the preceding year by October 15 of each year through a disclosure form established by the department. This form will be available on the department'ss web site and copies of the completed forms will be accessible on the department'ss website beginning in 2013. For additional information, contact Steve Fisher at sfisher@pa.gov.

Register for the PAESSP Conference Online!

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 2:53:28 PM EDT

Attention Members: You do not need to log in to the PAESSP web site in order to register for the PAESSP Conference, Oct. 21-23, 2012, in Pittsburgh, PA. Hover your mouse over the State Conference tab on the Main Menu until you see the drop down menu and REGISTER NOW! Click on this tab and you will see the online registration form. It's quick and easy!

October is "National Principals Month"

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:37:43 PM EDT

Once again, NASSP and NAESP will be declaring October 2012 as "National Principals Month." A web site will go live in August, which will include a map with all states who have passed resolutions or proclamations for "National Principals Month," as well as activity ideas to celebrate this event for principal, students, teachers and parents. Watch for more information over the next month.

Validity of Level I Public School Certificates and the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS)

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 1:29:59 PM EDT

There has been some concern expressed regarding the ability of local education agencies (LEA) to determine the current service time validity of a Level I certificate by referencing the TIMS system. Employers should not solely rely on TIMS to determine whether a Level I certificate marked as "valid" has not lapsed.

Level I certificates are "valid" for a specified number of years of service. In recognition of this fact, Certification and Staffing Policy Guideline #3, Validity of a Pennsylvania Certificate ( http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/certification_staffing_policies_%28cspgs%29/8626/general_certification_information_%28numbers_1_-_24%29) clearly states "The years valid and effective date fields printed on a Pennsylvania certificate are not to be used as the singular factor for determining certificate validity." Like the validity period printed on the certificate, the "valid" status in TIMS indicates that the certificate is legitimate for a set number of service years, not calendar years. It is important to note that the "valid" status displayed for Level I certificates does not and cannot confirm the number of service years used or remaining on the certificate. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) can only determine the service year validity of a Level I certificate by reviewing a complete work record for the individual holding the certificate. TIMS does not automatically calculate service time on a Level I certificate. Therefore, the certificate holder and employing LEA continue to be responsible for tracking Level I certificate service time for the certificate holder.

PDE will do a "validity check" for LEAs who are uncertain of the number of service years an employee has worked. LEAs will be asked to complete a Documentation Worksheet for this purpose. It is important to remember that partial years of service do count based on the formula described in CSPG #7, Level II Certification (http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/certification_staffing_policies_%28cspgs%29/8626/general_certification_information_%28numbers_1_-_24%29).

The TIMS system currently assumes all Level I certificates have a "valid" status. Any change in the validity status of a Level I certificate to "lapsed" will only be made when PDE has done a review of an educator'ss service time and determined that the educator has completed six service years and failed to convert to a Level II. A validity determination letter from PDE in response to an LEA'ss or educator'ss request via a Documentation Worksheet will establish the current and accurate validity status of a Level I certificate. LEA'ss who are concerned about the validity of an educator'ss certification may contact Karen Turner in PDE'ss Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality at 717-783-6730, or at kturner@pa.gov for the purpose of verifying certificate validity status.

Revised Schedule for Delivery of 2011-12 PSSA and AYP Data

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:35:29 PM EDT

The revised schedule for the delivery of the 2011-12 PSSA and AYP Data is as follows: The District Student Data Files available at www.drc-web.com/reportdelivery and the preliminary AYP Data File available at www.drc-web.com/aypappeals, both originally scheduled for release on July 18, will now be available July 23, 2012. If an LEA believes it has been identified in error in the preliminary AYP file, it has until Aug. 7, 2012, to file an AYP Appeal. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) will have AYP Appeals reviewed by Aug. 22, 2012. The eMetric site, Data InteractionTM, will be available Sept. 24, 2012, and School and District Summaries are now scheduled for Oct. 1, 2012.

Education Secretary Announces $19.78 Million Awarded to Enhance Academic Opportunities for At-Risk Students

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 6:19:58 PM EDT

Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis recently announced the 61 awardees that will receive a total of $19.78 million as part of the 21st Century Community Learning Challenge Grant.

In response to the Pennsylvania Department of Education's request for grant proposals, 101 applications were received. Grant awardees were determined by the Department of Education through a competitive application process.

Applications for the grants were reviewed and scored by a panel of representatives from the educational field and professional grant writers, who made recommendations to the Department of Education. As part of the requirements, awardees had to be representative of the geographical regions of Pennsylvania and were ranked within eight geographic regions.

Of the applications received by the Department of Education, 61 applicants were chosen to receive the federally funded grant, including 33 community-based organizations; 15 school districts; eight charter schools; four intermediate units; and one faith-based organization.

Below is the list of winners and the award amount for the 2012-13 fiscal year:

Allegheny County

Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania, $322,288

Carlynton School District, $108,000

Communities In Schools of Pittsburgh-Allegheny County, Inc. $499,624

Higher Achievement Pittsburgh, $63,146

Hill House Association, $400,000

McKeesport Area Technology Center, $308,120

Pittsburgh School District, $286,867

Propel Charter School-Homestead, $233,023

The Consortium for Public Education, $494,408

Wilkinsburg Borough School District, $369,589

Wireless Neighborhoods, $440,000

Youth Places/Tides Center, $197,987

Bedford County

Bedford Area School District, $388,987

Bucks County

Lower Bucks Family YMCA, $194,997

Morrisville Borough School District, $499,978

United Way of Bucks County, $364,000

Cambria County

Communities In Schools of the Laurel Highlands, Inc., $84,237

Chester County

Coatesville Area School District, $252,793

Crawford County

Titusville YMCA, $500,000

Delaware County

Chester-Upland School District, $158,309

Southeast Delco School District, $377,320

Erie County

Erie City School District, $500,000

Self Help Associates, $429,600

Fayette County

East End Community Center, $133,753

Indiana County

Armstrong/Indiana (ARIN) Intermediate Unit 28, $147,520

United School District, $500,000

Lackawanna County

Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit 19, $275,740

Lancaster County

La Academia-The Partnership Charter School, $207,778

Lancaster School District, $500,000

Lehigh County

Casa Guadalupe Center, $82,699

Communities In Schools of the Lehigh Valley, $499,926

Lycoming County

Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan and Tioga (BLaST) Intermediate Unit 17, $333,000

Williamsport Area School District, $291,249

Montgomery County

Carson Valley Children's Aid, $120,000

Norristown Area School District, $486,606

Pottstown School District, $500,000

Northumberland County

Shikellamy School District, $399,317

Philadelphia County

Allegheny West Foundation, $180,000

City Year Inc., $292,786

Communities In Schools of Philadelphia, Inc., $500,000

Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc., $499,999

Education Works, $500,000

Esperanza Academy Charter High School, $278,376

Foundations Inc., $432,000

Girard College, $158,532

KIPP Philadelphia Charter School, $149,852

New Kingdom Baptist Church, $486,000

Northern Home for Children, $90,000

Olney Charter High School, $499,058

Oxford Circle Christian Community Development Association, $149,937

Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership, $451,100

Richard Allen Preparatory Charter School, $112,500

Scholarship in Progress, $383,478

Sunrise of Philadelphia, Inc., $328,429

To Our Children's Future With Health Inc., $305,616

United Communities Southeast Philadelphia, $96,000

Widener Partnership Charter School, $114,061

Young Scholars Frederick Douglas Charter School, $480,000

Washington County

Connect Inc., $499,986

Westmoreland County

PIC of Westmoreland-Fayette, $500,000

York County

YWCA of Hanover, $346,429

Source: PDE Press Release, http://www.education.state.pa.us

State Assessment Transition Plan

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 2:55:04 PM EDT

An upcoming webinar is being held where the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) will present the three year transition plan for state assessments. Of particular interest is the requirement that in 2012-13 all 11th grade students must take the three Keystone Exams (Algebra I, Literature and Biology) in lieu of the 11th grade PSSA.

To accommodate schedules, PDE will offer this webinar on the following dates/times using GoToMeeting™.

Monday, July 23, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. - to register, go to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/301282890

Monday, July 30, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. - to register, go to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/125492602

It is anticipated that each webinar will last approximately an hour to an hour and a half, but the length will vary depending on the number of questions during the webinar. System Requirements for GoToMeeting „¢ are as follows:

PC-based attendees
Required: Windows ® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

Macintosh ®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS ® X 10.5 or newer

Deadline Extended for PAESSP Conference Early Bird Discount

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 6:33:11 PM EDT

The deadline has been extended for the PAESSP Conference Early Bird registration discount from Friday, July 13, 2012 to on/before Tuesday, July 31, 2012!

Click here to REGISTER NOW!

State Budget is Passed

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 1:40:17 PM EDT

The governor signed the $27.7 billion budget which included $150 million more for basic subsidy funding. The legislature and governor were unable to come to agreement on funding increases for special education or funding reform for charter schools. The newly proposed teacher and principal evaluation system currently being used on a trial basis in 260 school districts now becomes a requirement over the next few years. While nothing was done on any pension reform with this budget, it is expected to be the keystone of the 2013-14 budget negotiations.

Teacher Evaluation Bill

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 1:36:29 PM EDT

Along with the state budget, legislation passed that establishes a new system for evaluating public school employees. This new system uses student performance as a rating factor. For teachers and principals, the bill requires 50% of the overall rating to be based on student performance; for nonteaching professional employees, the bill requires 20% of the overall rating to be based on student performance. The bill requires the Department of Education to develop the evaluation tool, and states that any provision of a contract in effect on the effective date of the bill in conflict with the new evaluation rating tool must be discontinued in a new or renewed contract.

The revised bill states that when an employee receives a "needs improvement"? rating twice within a ten year period, the overall rating of the employee shall be unsatisfactory. It also clarifies that an employee cannot receive a "failing"? rating based solely on test scores, and that an employee who receives a "needs improvement"? or "failing"? rating must participate in a performance improvement plan. An employee's rating form shall not be subject to disclosure under the Right to Know Law.

50% of the evaluation will be based on observation and evidence. This includes planning and preparation, classroom environment, instruction and professional responsibilities of the teacher.

The other 50% will be based on multiple measures of student performance as follows:

· 15% building level data: includes student improvement school-wide on performance on PSSA assessments, PVAAS growth, graduation rate, promotion rate, attendance, AP course participation and SAT/PSAT data.

· 15% teacher specific data: includes student improvement attributable to that teacher on performance on PSSA assessments, PVAAS growth, IEP growth of special education students and district rubrics.

· 20% elective data: includes measures of student achievement that are locally developed and selected by the school district from a list approved by PDE and published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin by June 30 of each year, which includes district-designed measures and examinations; nationally recognized standardized tests; industry certification examinations and student projects and portfolios.

Source: PenSPRA e-Comm Alerts, July 3, 2012.

2012 PSSA Data

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 1:23:40 PM EDT

The purpose of this message is to inform all LEAs that the 2012 Individual Student Performance Files are now available at www.drc-web.com/reportdelivery, and the Printable Parent Letters for the site where the students tested can be accessed at noon today at pssa.emetric.net.

In addition, the window to allow schools/districts the opportunity to determine which PASA and PSSA-M scores that have exceeded the 1% and 2% caps will count as Proficient and which will count as Not Proficient for purposes of AYP calculation is open until July 11, 2012. This window is available at www.drc-web.com/onlinecorrections. Because this window has been extended, the delivery date for the posting of the preliminary AYP System has been moved back to July 23, 2012. Schools/districts will still have 15 days to file an AYP appeal if they believe they have been identified in error. AYP appeals must be postmarked by August 6, 2012.

State Budget Update -- House Bill 1980

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 6:03:56 PM EDT

Negotiations on the final budget continue with House Bill 1980, the teacher and principal evaluation legislation, now part of the discussions. HB 1980 is expected to move along with the education funding bill. PAESSP would prefer to see more discussion especially on linking evaluation results to test scores. However, there appears to be no other opposition to its passage.

Much Funding Restored for Schools, Higher Ed

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 1:20:14 PM EDT

According to a Philadelphia Inquirer article, more details began to emerge Tuesday on the budget'ss winners and losers. In the first column: the four state-related universities, including Temple and Pennsylvania State, which will be spared the 30 percent cut Corbett had proposed. The 14 colleges in the State System of Higher Education, which stood to see aid dwindle by 20 percent, also will get all funding restored. Corbett had proposed ending the block grants that school districts use to pay for all-day kindergarten and other early-childhood programs, but all of the $100 million for the program will be restored, according to budget spreadsheets released Tuesday. Click here to read the Philadelphia Inquirer article.

Source: myPLS, The Eye Opener, June 27, 2012.

Governor's Proposed FY-2012-13 Student Achievement Education Block Grant

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 5:49:10 PM EDT

Click Here for the Governor'ss Proposed FY-2012-13 Student Achievement Education Block Grant (Preliminary estimates by school district)

Pashinski, Roebuck Deliver 15,000 Signatures Opposing Corbett's Education Cuts

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 1:59:06 PM EDT

Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne) and House Education Minority Chairman Rep. James Roebuck (D-Philadelphia) delivered 15,000 statements and petitions to the Governor's Office to request restoration of public school funding in the state budget. The lawmakers met with Education Secretary Ronald Tomalis outside the Governor's Reception Room, and the Secretary received the petitions on behalf of Gov. Corbett.

The impromptu meeting focused on cuts to public education programs; Rep. Pashinski expressed the necessity of those programs for students, as it aids them to achieving Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). "To eliminate those programs, and expect the public schools to perform is just incomprehensible -- it doesn't work," he said.

Rep. Pashinski called for $300 million to help school districts pay for basic public education and their programs.

Sec. Tomalis noted that the "biggest cuts" to public education occurred in 2008-09, and that the prior administration used federal stimulus money to augment that loss. Given that the federal stimulus money has now diminished, the Secretary stated that Governor's administration has been increasing state funding for public education over the 2008-09 level. "There are more state dollars going into public education than ever before," Sec. Tomalis said.

Sec. Tomalis stated that the Department of Education's budget has increased. "The taxpayer dollars that have gone into public education has gone from $13 billion a year to $26 a year," he said.

The debate touched on other avenues to improve funding to the 500 struggling school districts in the Commonwealth. Rep. Pashinski acknowledged that cyber charter schools are being overpaid by $100 million to an estimated $300 million.

Sec. Tomalis noted that every child has different needs, and some of those needs are met at charter schools. He stated that as charter schools are considered to be the alternate to public schools, it remains in the public school code as public schools.

Source: myPLS, The Eye Opener, June 26, 2012.

State's GOP Leaders Agree on Framework for 2012-13 Budget

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 2:21:00 PM EDT

Gov. Tom Corbett and state lawmakers have reached the framework of a state budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year. Click here for the Patriot-News article.

Source: Patriot-News and pennlive.com, June 23, 2012.

Join Your Colleagues on the PAESSP Online Forum

Fri, 22 Jun 2012 12:34:57 PM EDT

Join your colleagues on the PAESSP Forum (online bulletin board). The PAESSP Forum is for MEMBERS ONLY, so you must log in to our web site to participate. Go to Contact Us on the main menu and hover over it so the other tabs appear. Click on the tab named "Forum."? If you haven't logged on to the site, you will once again be prompted to do so.

Upon reaching the Forum page, you will notice that there are two separate threads: Member Introductions (Introduce yourself to the other members); and General Discussion. To participate, click on one of the threads. You can add a new topic or add a comment under a previous topic. If you have any questions, please contact the forum administrator at sherit@paessp.org.

Auditor General Wagner Calls for Charter School Reform

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 1:39:25 PM EDT

Auditor General Jack Wagner held a press conference [June 20] to discuss the finding of a special report that found Pennsylvania could save $365 million by adopting separate charter and cyber charter school funding formulas.

"Pennsylvania taxpayers are paying too much, they are paying more than any taxpayer in the country in terms of educating a child at a charter and cyber charter school," General Wagner stated. "They are not paying the true cost of what it costs to educate that child. Keep in mind we have 500 school districts in Pennsylvania, on top of that we have 165 charter and cyber charter schools. There is a set amount that it costs to educate a child at each of those 500 school districts across Pennsylvania, that's 500 different numbers in terms of the approximate cost of educating a child. The amount of money that follows the student to the charter school or cyber charter school is based on the average cost of educating the child at the 500 school districts. If you have a cyber charter school that attracts students from 400 school districts, you have 400 different numbers in terms of the amount of money they are receiving to educate the child. Not the true cost of educating the child, the cost of educating the child at the sending school district. That is a flawed funding formula in Pennsylvania. That must be corrected. There is no common sense behind what the taxpayer is paying to educate the child."

General Wagner explained that the department compared the cost of educating a student at a charter and cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania to other states. "Pennsylvania is the highest at a cost of $12,657,"? he stated. "We can save in excess of $300 million a year in annual sustainable savings, something's that seldom talked about in government."

Auditor General Wagner highlighted the following from the report:

Pennsylvania spends about $3,000 more per student to educate a child in a brick-and-mortar charter school and about $3,500 more per student to educate a child in a cyber charter school compared to the national average, which adds up to $315 million in annual savings;
Pennsylvania could save $50 million a year by eliminating a loophole which allows a "double dipping" of retirement benefit payments;
The Department of Education should take a leadership role and set charter and cyber charter school funding rates like those in Arizona and Michigan.

"Even though these are public schools, there are management companies involved in many of these schools and there is a profit making venture associated with those management companies,"? General Wagner stated. "In addition, what we have found in some situation is the reserves that they have are somewhat higher. We also found out that many of the schools are advertising and competing with each so it is very difficult to track each dollar that is being spent but we do know what they are receiving and what they are spending. More importantly, we know what the national average is and in both of these situations Pennsylvania taxpayers are paying too much and local taxpayers are paying too much. At $6,500 versus what we're spending at $10,145, the savings in Pennsylvania in cyber charter schools is $105 million."

General Wagner urged the legislature and the administration to take action on the report. "The time is right for the General Assembly, the governor and the Secretary of Education to once and for all take a leadership position on behalf of the taxpayers of Pennsylvania,"? he stated. "There isn't a more important time to do this than now. We need more revenue in state government for a whole variety of things. We have school districts cutting teachers, we have districts talking about the elimination of kindergarten, early childhood education and a number of classes. They simply don't have the revenue to fund it. Here is a bundle of revenue, $365 million that can be saved."

Source: myPLS The Eye Opener, June 21, 2012.

Submit an Article for the September 2012 Pennsylvania Administrator -- July 6th Deadline Approaching!

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 2:51:26 PM EDT

The PAESSP is seeking principals and educators to write for the September 2012 edition of its award-winning Pennsylvania Administrator magazine. This issue does not have a specific theme, so any education topics will be accepted for review by the Editorial Review Board.

The deadline for submitting articles is July 6, 2012.

Articles should be no longer than 1,500 words. Articles must be submitted via e-mail as a Microsoft Word document. A biographical sketch and a photograph of the author(s) (saved as a JPEG or a TIFF file) must accompany all articles. E-mail articles to sherit@paessp.org.

Kampf Introduces Pension Reform Bills

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 1:57:19 PM EDT

Rep. Warren Kampf (R-Chester) held a press conference yesterday to introduce two bills that would require future state and school district employees to enroll in an employee-directed defined contribution plan and allow current employees to voluntarily enroll in the reform program. HB 2453 addresses state employees, while HB 2454 addresses school district employees. "For all state future employees, except the State Police, and for all future school district employees, these bills will create a mandatory defined contribution plan which is like a 401K plan in the private sector,"? Rep. Kampf stated. To read the full article, click here.

Source: myPLS, The Eye Opener, June 13, 2012.

State Budget Update: House Amends SB 1466

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 7:23:13 PM EDT

This week, the House of Representatives amended SB 1466, the budget bill sent over by the Senate last month. The bill remains in the House for further consideration. As passed by the Senate, SB 1466 raises the budget from the $27.15 billion as proposed by Gov. Corbett to $27.65 billion. The Senate plan restored about $500 million in cuts to higher and basic education and social services. The bill also does not include the Student Achievement Education Block Grant (SAEBG) proposed by the governor for combined distribution of funding for the basic subsidy, pupil transportation and school employees Social Security. It does include $50 million in supplemental payments for distressed school districts, as well as $50 million for the Accountability Block Grant (ABG) program.

On Tuesday, June 5, the House adopted nine amendments; one of them provided for an additional $50 million for the ABG, bringing the total to $100 million for the program. Offsets in other areas of the budget included subtracting $24 million from the basic subsidy, bringing the total subsidy amount from $5,404,629,000 to $5,380,629,000.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, June 7, 2012.

PA Considers No Child Left Behind Waiver

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 2:00:22 PM EDT

According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Pennsylvania Education Secretary Ron Tomalis is considering whether his department should file for a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind legislation that in its current form calls for all students to test proficient in math and reading on annual achievement exams by 2014. If Pennsylvania does not apply and receive approval for a waiver, the state will be held to the current requirements of the NCLB, which calls for 100 percent proficiency by 2014. Statewide, in 2011, 94 percent of the 500 districts made progress targets, but only 46.9 percent made it based on student performance. Click here to read the Pittsburgh Post Gazette article.

Source: myPLS, The Eye Opener, June 4, 2012.

Webinar Recording Understanding AYP 2012

Thu, 17 May 2012 2:51:14 PM EDT

For anyone who was unable to participate in one of the sessions entitled "Understanding AYP 2012,"? presented by the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Bureau of Assessment and Accountability, a session was recorded and can be found at accessed at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/590418098.

The handouts to accompany this presentation can be accessed at: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/2012_ayp/20803.

PASA 1% Cap Selection and PSSA-M 2% Cap Selection Webinars via GoToMeeting ?

Thu, 17 May 2012 2:41:28 PM EDT

The Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) PASA 1% Cap Selection and PSSA-M 2% Cap Selection window will be available June 27 - July 2, 2012, at www.drc-web.com/onlinecorrections for LEAs who exceeded the 1% cap of Proficient and Advanced PASA scores and/or the 2% cap of Proficient and Advanced PSSA-M scores. LEAs will have the opportunity to determine which student Proficient scores will be counted as Proficient and which will be counted as not proficient for AYP calculations. In preparation for the opening of this important window, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and DRC will provide online training to assist LEAs in easily completing selections.

In order to ensure all LEAs have an opportunity to participate, PDE will be offering the same session multiple dates/times (see list below). The presentations will be available via "GoToMeeting™." To register, go to the link provided for each session below. Each session has a very specific link associated. Be sure to use the link associated with the session in which you will participate.

PASA 1% CAP SELECTION and PSSA-M 2% CAP SELECTION:

June 21 from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., to register, go to:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/334225186

June 21 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m., to register, go to:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/787565810

June 22 from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., to register, go to:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/885691842

Corbett: Schools Should Use Reserves To Avert Cuts

Thu, 17 May 2012 1:46:01 PM EDT

According to an Associated Press article, Gov. Tom Corbett said Wednesday that school districts could be dipping deeper into their reserves to avoid cutting programs next year, but public school advocates say most districts are already using the money and others are worried about being able to afford rising pension costs. Click here to read the Associated Press article.

Improve a Child's Future by 700%

Wed, 16 May 2012 4:52:20 PM EDT

A child with a college savings account in his or her name is seven times more likely to go on to college,* and the Pennsylvania 529 College Savings Program can help families prepare for the rising costs of higher education.

May 29, 2012, is the nationally recognized "529 Day," a day that has been dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of saving for college.

To commemorate "529 Day," we are sponsoring a month-long sweepstakes where 10 lucky families will win a $529 PA 529 account.

Please join our efforts! Participating elementary schools will be provided materials about the PA 529 College Savings Program and the $529 PA 529 account giveaway to distribute to your students.

In appreciation for your support, participating elementary schools will be entered to win FIVE iPads. Additionally, two schools will win a Radio Disney Dance Party.

Click here to get started and enter to win. (LINK http://www.pa529.com/529DayElementrySchool.html)

Please Note: Your school'ss information will not be shared with 3rd party organizations.

*William Elliott III and Sondra Beverly, The Role of Savings and Wealth in Reducing "Wilt" between Expectations and College Attendance, Center for Social Development Study, 2010.

The Pennsylvania 529 College Savings Program sponsors two plans - the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) and the PA 529 Investment Plan (IP).   The guarantee of the PA 529 GSP is an obligation of the GSP Fund, not the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any state agency.   Before investing in either plan, please carefully read that plan'ss disclosure statement (available at www.PA529.com or by calling 1-800-440-4000) to learn more about that plan including investment objectives, risks, fees, and tax implications.

U.S. News & World Report's Best High Schools Ranking -- PA Schools Making the List

Mon, 14 May 2012 5:10:24 PM EDT

U.S. News & World Report reviewed 21,776 U.S. public high schools; 193 Pennsylvania schools made the rankings.

Click here for Pennsylvania schools list.

Source: http://www.usnews.com.

State Board of Education Amends and Moves Plan for Keystone Exams

Fri, 11 May 2012 5:32:34 PM EDT

This week, the State Board of Education gave its initial approval to draft revisions to Chapter 4 regulations (Academic Standards and Assessment), with many of the changes relating to high school graduation requirements and Keystone Exams. (Click here to read the PDE press release.) The approved draft included numerous changes to the version discussed at its last meeting in March; the Chapter 4 revisions will now be subject to the first stage of the regulatory review process. There will be additional opportunities for comment and change before the proposal becomes final and effective.

Among the key provisions of the revised Chapter 4 proposal:

•  The proposal references the Common Core Standards as the Pennsylvania Common Core Standards and requires full implementation of the PA
Common Core in English Language Arts and Mathematics by July 1, 2013.
•  The proposal removes the requirement for districts to complete state-prescribed strategic planning every six years. However, when a district's current   strategic plan is expired it will have to submit five plans currently required under other regulations to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) for approval as follows: Every six years plans for teacher induction (Ch. 49), student services (Ch. 12) and gifted education (Ch. 16). Every three years, plans for professional development (Ch. 49), and special education (Ch. 14).
•  The plan changes the security policies for the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment by removing the current right of parents/guardians to review the exams prior to administration, except to determine whether the assessment conflicts with their religious beliefs.
• The proposal extends the current graduation requirements to the Class of 2016, and new graduation requirements will begin with the Class of 2017.
• The proposal eliminates the requirement for students to complete a culminating project in order to graduate.
• The number of Keystone Exams that will be offered will be reduced from 10 to 3, and they will be in these content areas: Algebra I, Literature and        Biology.
• Two additional Keystone Exams will be required in future years contingent upon state funds being available for development of them and the project based   assessment with each. Beginning with the class of 2019, students will also have to pass a Composition Keystone Exam. Beginning with the class of   2020, students will also have to pass a Civics and Government Keystone Exam.
• Therefore, beginning with the Class of 2020, students will have to pass five Keystone Exams in order to graduate.
• The department will develop five additional Keystone Exams that will be available for voluntary use by districts, subject to funding by the state. The        tests and schedule is as follows: In school year 2016-17: Geometry; in 2017-18: U.S. History; in 2018-19: Algebra II; in 2019-20: Chemistry; and in        2020-21: World History.
• Students must score proficient or above in the five required Keystone Exams in order to graduate. The exams will be stand-alone assessments and the requirement for a test score to count as one-third of the student's grade is removed.
• Students who do not demonstrate proficiency must participate in supplemental instruction until they demonstrate proficiency on the exam or exam module complete a project-based assessment. Project-based assessments will not be developed for the five non-required Keystone Exams.
• A new "emergency waiver" option is created for 12th grade students who were not successful in completing the Keystone Exams or the project-based        assessment. The chief school may request waivers from secretary of education on a case-by-case basis for good cause for those identified students.
• A chief school administrator who requests waivers for more than 10% of students who participated in a project-based assessment must submit an action plan for approval to the secretary. The plan must identify improvements that school will implement to each course associated with the Keystone Exam content for which the waivers were requested.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, May 11, 2012.

Senate Votes To Boost Spending by $500 Million

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:33:36 PM EDT

According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, a state budget for next year that would spend $500 million more than the governor'ss proposal passed the Senate on Wednesday, setting up weeks of give-and-take between the Corbett administration and Republican legislative leaders. The $27.65 billion Senate plan was approved on a vote of 39-8, and now awaits further action in the House. Click here to read the Pittsburgh Post Gazette article.

$27.6 Billion Budget on its Way to Senate Floor

Wed, 09 May 2012 1:03:54 PM EDT

According to an article in the Morning Call, the Republican-controlled Senate has thrown down its marker in this year'ss budget debate, as a critical committee gave its unanimous approval to a $27.6 billion budget plan that reverses the Corbett administration'ss cuts to higher education and boosts spending on public schools and social service programs.The 50-member chamber could vote as soon as Wednesday on the spending plan, which would increase state spending from current levels by 2 percent. Click here to read the Morning Call article.

Senate Leadership Proposing $50 Million More for Schools

Tue, 08 May 2012 3:19:30 PM EDT

The Senate plans to start voting today on a $27.6 billion state budget bill that would restore about $500 million of the spending cuts proposed earlier this year by Gov. Tom Corbett. The Senate leadership is proposing to put at least $50 million back in school districts.

Click here to read full article from pennlive.com.

Click here to read full article from the Scranton Times-Tribune.

PAESSP Conference Online Registration Form is Live!

Tue, 01 May 2012 3:31:21 PM EDT

You may now register online for the 2012 PAESSP Conference, Oct. 21-23, at the Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh by clicking on the link below or clicking on State Conference then on Register Now! on the main menu. Hotel rooms are limited -- so register early!

http://www.paessp.org/state-conference/register-now.html

Remember to Vote!

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 6:22:20 PM EDT

Remember to vote in the Primary Election tomorrow, April 24, 2012. Your vote counts!

2012 Safe Schools Conference

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 3:15:18 PM EDT

The 2012 Safe Schools Conference will be held May 8-9, 2012 at the Hilton Harrisburg Hotel, Harrisburg, Pa.

This professional development opportunity will focus on creating a positive school culture that supports academic success and provides a safe teaching and learning environment. The event will feature state and national experts presenting the latest research in school safety and youth violence prevention, effective program models, promising practices, networking opportunities and more during institutes, plenary sessions and workshops.

School administrators, student support personnel, teachers, school nurses, Student Assistance Program team members, school resource officers, local law enforcement and other community partners are encouraged to attend.

This event is presented by the Center for Safe Schools in partnership with Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Mid-Atlantic Equity Assistance Center.

For more information and to register, please visit: http://www.safeschools.info/professional-development/2012-safe-schools-conference

PDE's Measuring Principal Effectiveness Powerpoint

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 3:37:47 PM EDT

Click here for the revised version of the PowerPoint presentation, "Measuring Principal Effectiveness," recently presented by Dr. David W. Volkman, executive assistant, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Dr. Robert G. Holbrook, Principal Effectiveness project lead, and Leonard H. Sweeney, Basic Education associate, from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), to the PAESSP Board of Directors at its April 13, 2012 meeting.

Here Are Your Newly-Elected PAESSP Board of Directors Members

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 1:28:19 PM EDT

The results of PAESSP's 2012 Election have been announced thanks to our Nominations Committee -- Brian L. Cashman, Sr., chairperson, and members Wayne R. McAllister and Marshall J. Wagner, along with Dr. Barry L. Purvis, PAESSP president, who assisted in obtaining the candidates for this year's election.

After members voted online, we are proud to report that the following are your newly-elected president-elect, secretary and regional representatives for this year's election.

President-Elect (Sec.)       - Dr. William T. Ziegler, Pottsgrove M.S., Pottsgrove S.D.
Secretary (Elem. or Sec.) - Dr. Linda W. Marcincin, Slatington E.S., Northern Lehigh S.D.
East I Elementary       - Paul L. Stefani, John Adams E.S., Scranton S.D.
East II Secondary    - Richard R. Kaskey, Fleetwood M.S., Fleetwood A.S.D.
Central III Elementary - Dr. Robert J. Gildea, Foot of Ten E.S., Hollidaysburg S.D.
Central I Secondary - Curtis E. Johnson, State College Area N. H.S., State College A.S.D.
West II Elementary - Gregg L. Paladina, Sugarcreek E.S., Karns City A.S.D.
West II Secondary - Leonard A. Rich, Sharon H.S., Sharon City S.D.

Understanding AYP 2012

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 1:53:43 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) will conduct live sessions on "Understanding AYP 2012" at each of the PaTTAN offices on the dates and times listed below. In addition, each live session can be joined remotely via GoToWebinar™. To attend a live session at one of the PaTTAN offices, register through the PaTTAN web site. To join a session virtually via GoToWebinar™, click the associated link (note each session has a separate, distinct link) to register.

DATE TIME LOCATION
April 30, 2012 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. PaTTAN Harrisburg

to attend in person, go directly to the PaTTAN web site calendar to register: http://www.pattan.net/category/Training/Calendar/
to join virtually via GoToWebinar™, go to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/644181610

April 30, 2012 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. PaTTAN Harrisburg

to attend in person, go directly to the PaTTAN web site calendar to register: http://www.pattan.net/category/Training/Calendar/
to join virtually via GoToWebinar™, go to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/113871130

May 2, 2012 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. PaTTAN Pittsburgh

to attend in person, go directly to the PaTTAN web site calendar to register: http://www.pattan.net/category/Training/Calendar/
to join virtually via GoToWebinar™, go to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/590418098

May 2, 2012 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. PaTTAN Pittsburgh

to attend in person, go directly to the PaTTAN web site calendar to register: http://www.pattan.net/category/Training/Calendar/
to join virtually via GoToWebinar™, go to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/755289490

May 4, 2012 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. PaTTAN King of Prussia

to attend in person, go directly to the PaTTAN web site calendar to register: http://www.pattan.net/category/Training/Calendar/
to join virtually via GoToWebinar™, go to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/871042074

May 4, 2012 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. PaTTAN King of Prussia

to attend in person, go directly to the PaTTAN web site calendar to register: http://www.pattan.net/category/Training/Calendar/
to join virtually via GoToWebinar™, go to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/120234850

PDE's Bureau of Assessment and Accountability staff, Tom Gillin and Dana Klouser, will review and provide updates on the following
AYP related topics:

Goals and targets of the measures to make AYP, at both the school and district levels - including the new 4-Year Cohort Graduation Rate, to be used for AYP determinations in 2012.
2012 PSSA and AYP Results Timeline and Bookmark.
Data Corrections and AYP Appeals Process and Forms.
Accountability Workbook.
Keystone Exams Update.

Chapter 4 Update: PDE To Conduct Local Assessment Validations Webinar

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 2:48:03 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) will be conducting a webinar on Tuesday, April 24 from 2-3 p.m. to discuss the validation process for local assessments that may be used to meet the state's new graduation requirements. Under the Chapter 4 regulations, school districts may use either the state developed Keystone Exams, locally developed and independently validated assessments, or a combination of Keystone Exams and local assessments to demonstrate proficiency for purposes of graduation. The information presented in the webinar will assist schools in making the decision to use the Keystone Exams, local assessments or a combination as a graduation requirement.

This webinar is a follow-up to the one presented in November 2011. (The November webinar and the Local Assessment Validity Evaluation Handbook are available for review at: www.pdesas.org/localassessmentvalidation)

The follow-up webinar will provide additional information to assist schools as they make the decision to use either the Keystone Exams, or a locally developed and independently validated assessment as a graduation requirement. Schools must inform PDE of their intent to choose the local assessment option by June 30, 2012. A Local Assessment Validation Notification form will be posted in time for the webinar at: www.pdesas.org/localassessmentvalidation. To reserve your webinar seat register now at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/366528354 Please direct all questions regarding this webinar to: ra-local-assessment@pa.gov

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, April 5, 2012.

Teacher Evaluation System

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 1:26:56 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) invites all school districts, charter schools, intermediate units and career and technical centers to join them in Phase III of the continued development and implementation of a new teacher evaluation system in the 2012-13 school year. Please note that SIG schools using the Transformation model are required to participate in Phase III unless these schools have developed an approved alternative that includes student achievement.

The major elements of this project include:

A detailed teaching practice rubric based on Charlotte Danielson'ss Framework for Teaching;
On-going study and refinement of "multiple measures of student achievement" and their correlation with the teaching practice rubric;
Detailed guidance on the evaluation process, its components and the evidence to be considered for evaluation;
The refinement of a formula for determining the summative evaluation rating;
Participation in a training network through the intermediate units;
External evaluators to analyze the third phase of the project; and
Utilization of an online evaluator training system to address inter-rater reliability.

Phase III implementation sites will have the opportunity to provide recommendations, based upon their experience, for the final design of the new teacher evaluation form. In addition, Phase III implementation sites will be able to offer recommendations for the evaluation guidelines that will include local flexibility, practice components and evidence recommendations.

Phase III implementation sites will also have the opportunity for ongoing online training at no cost, as well as priority registration for the PDE Institute which will be held in December 2012.

Please join PDE in this very important endeavor. It needs a broad representation of the education community across Pennsylvania to develop a strong system. You may select individual buildings for the pilot rather than the entire LEA. This may be the last opportunity to have input before PDE finalizes the rubric and components of the system.

PDE will be conducting an informational webinar from 10:30 a.m. until noon on April 26, 2012, to discuss Phase III and answer questions.   Instructions to attend the webinar can be found at the end of this Penn*Link. Questions on Phase III should be referred to Deb Wynn, executive policy specialist, at dewynn@pa.gov.

If you know you are ready to participate in Phase III, you can indicate your commitment by visiting the following URL and providing the requested information.   We will be asking you to provide more detailed data at the end of April. The URL is https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/S5K8RYR.

TO JOIN THE WEBINAR THE DAY OF THE EVENT:

Note:   You may join the webinar up to 30 minutes prior to the start time.

Go to http://vclass.cciu.org/.
Click the hyperlink for the webinar titled "Teacher Effectiveness -- Phase III Information."
Log in as "Guest."
Enter your email address.
Enter Display Name: Please enter your first name, last name, and LEA or organization (e.g., Mary Smith - PDE).
Click the "Log In" button. Note there is NO password needed to join the webinar.

ALERT! There has been a recent upgrade of the Elluminate ® webinar application that requires everyone to test their connection to the server if they have not participated in a webinar since August 4, 2009 (see pre-webinar setup instructions in next section).

MANDATORY PRE-WEBINAR SETUP AND SYSTEM TEST:

System requirements for Elluminate ® are located at: http://www.pdewebinars.org/systemrequirements.php

Alert!! If your browser is Internet Explorer, it must be version 7.0 or later.

Next, test your connection to the server that will host the webinar by going to: http://vclass.cciu.org/join_meeting.html?meetingId=1157038045616. On this site, log in as a "guest" and enter your name and email address.

NOTE: If you belong to an agency with a firewall-protected network, you will need to have your network tech person open ports 80 and 2187. You may need to turn off your proxy server if you have problems connecting.

Also an "Introduction to Webinars" PowerPoint presentation is available. Click the link ("Introduction to Webinars") on the webpage: http://www.pdewebinars.org/about_webinars.php

SUPPORT FOR ELLUMINATE ® TECHNICAL ISSUES:

Contact the Chester County Intermediate Unit support team: Diane Thomson, dianet@cciu.org

Four Pennsylvania Schools Nominated for National Green Ribbon Award

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 6:49:17 PM EDT

Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis today [March 22, 2012] nominated four Pennsylvania schools to compete for the U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools award. The Green Ribbons Schools program recognizes schools that save energy, reduce costs, feature environmentally sustainable learning spaces, protect health, foster wellness and offer environmental education to boost academic achievement and community engagement.

The four schools nominated are:

A.W. Beattie Career Center, Allegheny County
Radnor Middle School in Radnor Township School District, Delaware County
Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School in Chambersburg Area School District, Franklin County
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania joined 32 other states and the District of Columbia in the Green Ribbon Schools pilot program this year. Among participating states, Pennsylvania had the highest number of schools to submit applications.

To read the full PDE press release, click here.

For additional information about Pennsylvania Pathways Schools, visit www.pathwaystogreenschools.org.

Race to the Top LEA Grants

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 4:53:17 PM EDT

Pennsylvania school districts and charter schools eligible to receive Title I funding during the 2011-12 school year are eligible to receive a Race to the Top grant. Approximately 50 percent of Pennsylvania's $41,326,299 Race to the Top federal grant will be awarded to eligible local education agencies (LEAs) to support the adoption and implementation of Pennsylvania's educator effectiveness models and instruments.

Based on the Danielson Framework, these tools are designed to improve the way teachers, specialists and principals are evaluated, and to enhance educator training and professional growth in the Commonwealth.

Race to the Top grant funding may be used by a LEA for any expenses incurred through participation in related professional development and for costs associated with the implementation of the educator effectiveness instruments post professional development.

To demonstrate the intent to participate in Pennsylvania's Race to the Top Program, LEAs must create a Request for Grant (RFG) application in eGrants no later than midnight on Friday, March 30, 2012, and submit via eGrants no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, April 27, 2012. Please Note: Creation of an RFG application only signals the LEA's intent at the time of creation; it does not commit the LEA to participate.

If an eligible LEA does not create a Request for Grant application in eGrants by midnight on Friday, March 30, 2012, the LEA will be deemed to have 'opted-out' of the Race to the Top grant. Grant funding initially allocated to those LEAs electing not to participate will be reapportioned to participating entities; therefore, the final grant allocation may be higher than the initial grant allocation listed on the Race to the Top web site.

To learn more about Pennsylvania's Race to the Top LEA Grant Program and the Request for Grant Application process, LEAs are invited to participate in a one-hour informational webinar at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2012, (instructions posted below). If a LEA is unable to attend, the webinar will be recorded and available through April 27 under "Recordings" at http://vclass.cciu.org.

Additional Information:

Pennsylvania's Educator Effectiveness Project, visit:
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/newsroom/7234/page/1034646

Race to the Top Program, including eligible LEA and allocations and application guidelines, visit: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/american_recovery_and_reinvestment_act/17696/race_to_the_top/1066062

Note: A LEAs Race to the Top grant may be higher than the initial allocation if other eligible LEAs 'Opt-Out'

To Participate in the March 29 Webinar:

You may join the webinar up to 30 minutes prior to the start time.

• Go to http://vclass.cciu.org
• Click the hyperlink for the webinar titled "Race to the Top" -- LEA Grant Application
• Log in as "Guest"
• Enter your email address
• Enter Display Name: first name, last name and LEA or organization (e.g., Mary Smith -- PDE)
• Click the "Log In" button (there is NO password needed to join the Webinar)

Test your connection to the server that will host the webinar by going to http://vclass.cciu.org/join_meeting.html?meetingId=1157038045616.   Log in as a "guest" and enter your name and email address.

If your browser is Internet Explorer, it must be version 7.0 or later. Additional system requirements for Elluminate are located at http://www.pdewebinars.org/systemrequirements.php.

If your agency has a firewall-protected network, your network tech person must open ports 80 and 2187 and may need to turn off your proxy server.   For technical assistance, contact Diane Thomson with the Chester County Intermediate Unit at dianet@cciu.org.

Attention Administrators: Access Sections 1124-1125 of PA School Code of 1949

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 3:09:12 PM EDT

Click here to access Section 1124 - Causes for Suspension and Section 1125 - Suspensions and Reinstatements (Under Article XI, Professional Employes, of the Pennsylvania School Code of 1949).

Gov. Tom Corbett's Proposed Changes to Keystone Exams Gets Mostly Thumbs Down at Hearing

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 6:23:06 PM EDT

Gov. Tom Corbett'ss proposal to make passage of three course-specific Keystone Exams a state requirement for high school graduation, starting with the Class of 2017, is drawing opposition from a variety of corners.

Click here for the full story in the Patriot-News.

Source: The Patriot-News, March 14, 2012.

Register to Vote

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 6:13:14 PM EDT

Reminder -- the last day to register to vote in the primary is Monday, March 26^th. The primary election is April 24, 2012.

Johnson Elected to NASSP Board of Directors

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 8:13:47 PM EDT

Congratulations to Curtis Johnson, PAESSP board member and assistant principal in the State College Area School District, for being recently elected to the NASSP Board of Directors as the Assistant Principal-At-Large!

PAESSP Active Members To Receive Updated Legal Rights' Booklet in April

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 2:21:20 PM EDT

PAESSP has revised and published the booklet, "The Principalship and Your Legal Rights and Responsibilities." This valuable reference tool, a reprint of the two-volume set PAESSP members received in 2006, will be mailed to active members at the beginning of April. This edition is a four-color, 8 ½" x 11" (full-size) booklet, which has been updated by Carl Beard, Esq., and Elizabeth Benjamin, Esq., of Andrews & Beard, and printed by Lifetouch.

Mixed Prospects for Education Funding

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 2:18:51 PM EDT

According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, did Gov. Tom Corbett propose increasing or cutting funding for public schools? Like many things here, it depends how you look at it. The Corbett administration says its budget proposal for the upcoming year would send at least as much money to each Pennsylvania school district as it got this year. The state education department has released a web site with graphs and a spreadsheet to prove it. Democrats in the state House of Representatives challenge that accounting and have published a competing spreadsheet that shows public school funding dropping next year throughout the state. Click here to read the Pittsburgh Post Gazette article.

Source: myPLS, March 12, 2012.

2012 PAESSP Election - March 21 - April 4

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 8:54:12 PM EST

ATTENTION PAESSP MEMBERS:

Please remember to vote when you receive an email with a link to your 2012 PAESSP election ballot. To ensure you receive your ballot link, please make sure that we have an up-to-date email address on file at the PAESSP office. Contact Melissa Plantz at plantz@paessp.org to update your email address. Members will receive more information via broadcast emails and PAESSP e-newsletters until the start of the election.

Thank you in advance for your time and participation.

New Website Details Governor Corbett's Proposed $338.1 Million Funding Increase for School Districts

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 4:57:20 PM EST

The Department of Education today [Feb. 28, 2012] launched a new web site that clearly explains the increases in state taxpayer funding that school districts will receive under Governor Tom Corbett's proposed 2012-13 state budget.

The web site, which offers accurate funding information for the primary subsidies appropriated to school districts, is www.investinginpastudents.com.

Click here to read the full press release from the PA Department of Education.

Public Hearings on Chapter 4: Keystone Exams

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 8:10:08 PM EST

Notice is hereby given that the State Board of Education (Board) will conduct several regional public hearings to receive input from interested parties on draft proposed revisions to Chapter 4 (Academic Standards and Assessment) pertaining to Keystone Exams. A copy of the draft proposed regulation that will be the subject of this hearing is available on the Board's web site at www.education.state.pa.us (or scroll down and click on the link below). The list of hearing sites, dates and deadlines for registering are included with this notice.

Individuals must register in advance to present testimony at the hearing. Testimony is limited to no more than 10 minutes, and participants will be assigned a time slot when they register. Each hearing will conclude after the last scheduled witness testifies. In order to accommodate as many people as possible, individuals representing an organization or affiliation are limited to one 10 minute time slot and that organization may only present testimony at one hearing location.

Persons interested in presenting testimony must telephone the Board office at (7l7) 787-3787 (TTY 717-783-8445), Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. by the registration deadline listed for each location below.

Those registered to testify must provide 25 copies of their written testimony at the hearing.

Individuals with disabilities needing special accommodations in order to participate or attend the hearings, such as sign language interpreter services, must contact the Board office at the above listed telephone number by the registration deadline for each hearing. Alternative formats of the documents (e.g. Braille, large print, cassette tape) can be made available to members of the public upon request to the Board office.

Individuals unable to attend the hearing may submit written testimony directly to the State Board of Education on or before 4:00 p.m. on March 9, 2012.

Comments should be sent to:
State Board of Education
333 Market Street, 1st Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
ra-stateboardofed@pa.gov

Persons with disabilities are invited to submit testimony in alternative formats such as Braille or taped testimony and via the telephone. Written and alternative formats of testimony will be afforded the same thoughtful consideration by the Committee as oral testimony. Written and alternative
formats of testimony may be as long as the writer wishes; 25 copies of written testimony are required.

Should registrants scheduled to provide testimony need to cancel their participation, the Board requests that they immediately notify the State Board office by calling (717) 787-3787 or via email at ra-stateboardofed@pa.gov.

Schedule of Hearings

Location
Montgomery County
Intermediate Unit
Rooms B-1 & B-2
1605 West Main St.
Norristown, PA 19403

Hearing Date
February 29, 2012

Time
10:00 a.m.

Deadline to Register
February 24, 2012

PaTTAN
3190 William Pitt Way
Monongahela Room
Pittsburgh, PA 15238

Hearing Date
March 7, 2012

Time
10:00 a.m.

Deadline to Register
March 2, 2012

Pennsylvania Department of Education
1st Floor, Honors Suite
333 Market St. Harrisburg, PA 17126

Hearing Date
March 14, 2012

Time
9:00 a.m.

Deadline to Register
March 9, 2012

Click here to review the Chapter 4 Keystone Exams draft proposed revisions (Feb. 17, 2012).

PDE Issues Revised BEC on Special Education Compliance

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 1:51:19 PM EST

This week, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) released a revised Basic Education Circular (BEC) titled Special Education Compliance. School districts should replace the previously issued BEC with the updated document. Questions regarding Special Education Compliance or any changes to the BEC should be directed to PDE: contact Jean Inskip, special education adviser, at (717) 783-6906 or jinskip@pa.gov; or Malcolm Conner, special education adviser, at (717) 667-3153 or mconner@pa.gov.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, Feb. 16, 2012.

Free NAESP Webinar: Inspired to Lead: Tips to Encourage the Next Generation of Great Principals -- Feb. 21, 2012

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 2:21:17 PM EST

Dr. Melissa (Missie) Patschke, NAESP state representative from Pennsylvania, is hosting a free webinar from the NAESP Mentor Program, Inspired to Lead: Tips to Encourage the Next Generation of Great Principals, on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. EST. Click here for more information and to register.

You may also register by clicking on this link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/509975737.

FASFA Completion Program

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 1:52:07 PM EST

The U.S. Department of Education has announced an opportunity for school districts to participate in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Completion Project. Districts with two or more high schools are invited to apply no later than March 2, 2012, for the opportunity of being randomly selected to be a part of the FAFSA Completion Project.

The FAFSA Completion Project was started in 2010 to assist local education agencies (LEA) in aiding high school seniors and their families in completing the FASFA. Research indicates that 90 percent of students who complete a FAFSA will enroll in a postsecondary institution. Through the FAFSA Completion Project, participating LEAs will have access to FAFSA completion data for high school seniors in their district to focus counseling services to students who have not completed and submitted a FAFSA. LEAs will also be provided with the information and tools to help students interested in pursuing postsecondary education.

The FAFSA Completion Project began with 20 participating school districts and, due to increased interest, the project will be expanded this year to include approximately 80 additional multiple-high school and 12 additional single-high school participants. Please note that a notice will be released soon inviting districts with a single high school to take part in the project.

More information regarding the FAFSA Completion Project, as well as the technical and evaluation requirements for participation, can be found on the Federal Student Aid web site at http://www.fsa4counselors.ed.gov/clcf/FAFSACompletion.html.

If you have further questions, please contact Dena Bates at FAFSACompletion@ed.gov.

2012-2013 CATS Secondary Program Approval File Opening

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 8:32:54 PM EST

2012-2013 CATS Secondary Program Approval
The 2012-2013 CATS Secondary Program Approval file is now open for new secondary CTE program approval requests. It is recommended that Programs of Study (POS) program approval be sought for all programs for which a POS has been developed. For those programs for which a POS has not been developed, seek Tech Prep approval. By the 2012-13 school year, all approved programs must be delivered as POS or Tech Prep. The deadline for seeking new program approval is May 31, 2012, two months earlier than past deadlines.

CATS Secondary Program Approval Instructions are available on the Pennsylvania Department of Education's web site at the following link:
http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/program_approval/14503

CATS can be accessed at the login on the PDE home page. http://www.education.state.pa.us

School entities that cannot meet the requirements for approved programs as outlined in Chapter 4 and Chapter 339 Regulations should mark those programs for deletion in CATS on or before October 31, 2012. CTE program approval is required for a school entity to receive CTE subsidy. Programs that are operating without PDE approval will not be eligible for CTE subsidy.

CATS Program Re-approval
For the 2012-2013 school year, the PDE/BCTE, in accordance with Chapter 339.4(a)(2), will review all existing approved programs currently being offered at high schools across the Commonwealth. CTC approved programs were re-approved during 2011. All school entities with approved programs must ensure that all data elements in CATS are accurate. In 2011, revisions were made to CATS including the addition of three new data elements on the Specific Information page. Professional staff from the PDE/BCTE will be contacting all high schools to assist with the re-approval process. Failure to comply may result in loss of approval as opposed to re-approval. Loss of approval results in the loss of CTE subsidy. The deadline for seeking re-approval, by submitting the required data elements in CATS, is May 31, 2012.

In those instances where a CIP is approved under the Occupational, Tech Prep and POS delivery type, it is necessary to edit the data elements only for the POS delivery and the Occupational and Tech Prep deliveries must be marked for deletion after the POS is approved. For CIPs in which a POS has not been developed, it is necessary to submit the data elements only for the Tech Prep delivery type and the Occupational delivery must be marked for deletion.

All of the data elements listed below must be edited prior to being considered for re-approval:

•   Contact information will include 2 names
•   Program Specific information
•   Articulation Agreement information
•   Secondary Scope and Sequence
•   Postsecondary Scope and Sequence must be completed for any program that has a
one-to-one Articulation Agreement
•   Dual Enrollment Credits (If applicable)
•   Articulated Credits (If applicable)
•   Student Industry Certifications (If applicable)
•   Teacher Certificate information including PPID
•   Teacher Industry Certifications (If applicable)
•   Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor information (If applicable)
•   Industry Accreditations (If applicable)
•   Comments (As applicable)

Programs of Study (POS) Information
Any secondary institution may submit a request for POS approval. Currently, there are 38 POS available on the PDE web site and an additional four Phase V POS are being developed. See the list of POS CIPs at the following link:
http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/programs_of_study/7686

The competency/task grid for each POS has been developed as the foundational curriculum framework for the CIP. Therefore, all competencies/tasks must be addressed in the approved program. Several POS competency/task grids have been revised and are posted on the Pennsylvania Department of Education's website. LEAs are expected to use the most recent list available. Additional competencies should be added as recommended by your Occupational Advisory Committee.

A crosswalk template has been added to each POS under the Program of Study Documents section to allow schools to crosswalk their existing competency/task list with the POS competency/task list. Competency/task lists must be available for Perkins technical assistance visits and approved program evaluations to show that all foundational competencies are being offered in the approved program at the local site.

In addition, your approved POS will provide the benefit of the articulated credits indicated by the statewide group of postsecondary institutions named on the following link: http://collegetransfer.net/tabid/101/Default.aspx?from=4067

Note: When requesting approval for POS to replace Tech Prep, be certain to transfer your existing one-to-one Articulated Agreements to the new request for POS.

PAESSP Forum LIVE at www.paessp.org!

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 4:37:49 PM EST

The PAESSP Forum (online bulletin board) is now LIVE at www.paessp.org. Our Forum is for MEMBERS ONLY, so you must log in to our site to participate. Go to Contact Us on the main menu and hover over it so the other tabs appear. Click on the tab named "Forum."? If you haven't logged on to the site, you will once again be prompted to do so.

Upon reaching the Forum page, you will notice that there are two separate threads: Member Introductions (Introduce yourself to the other members); and General Discussion. To participate, click on one of the threads. You can add a new topic or add a comment under a previous topic.

If you have any questions, please contact the forum administrator at sherit@paessp.org.

Governor Releases Proposed Budget With No Cuts in Basic Subsidy

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 8:07:15 PM EST

More monies will be designed for block grants with school districts having to determine how those monies will be spent. While the governor has indicated $100 million more will be coming to schools, until the actual numbers come out, a subsidy increase may not be the case for your individual school district. Overall, the state budget across the board did not increase -- much like what everyone predicted. More details will be provided as they become available.

Fast Facts - Important highlights on the Pennsylvania Department of Education 2012-2013 Budget

Gov. Corbett Will Present 2012-13 State Budget Proposal on February 7

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 4:45:44 PM EST

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.

New Report Examines States' Implementation of Common Core Standards

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 3:04:15 PM EST

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.

Revised -- Required 2012 PSSA Administration Training Sessions

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 9:04:02 PM EST

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.

Pennsylvania Assistant Principal of the Year

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 3:13:04 PM EST

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Leisl Moriarty, NASSP
703-860-7308
moriartyl@nassp.org

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 recognition@nassp.org.

About Virco Inc.
As America'ss leading manufacturer and supplier of furniture and equipment for K-12 schools, Virco is proud to support NASSP. Virco'ss 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'ss only Take-Back Program that helps schools recycle their out-of-service furniture. you'sre faced with a major FF&E purchasing project, check out Virco'ss 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.

# # #

Quality Counts 2012 Report Ranks PA 7th in Nation for K-12 Achievement

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 5:00:00 AM EST

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.

Rep. Todd Platts Announces He Will Retire from Congress After Current Term

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 1:52:37 PM EST

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.

Application Due Date Reminder for Former Governor's Schools

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 8:43:24 PM EST

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 tsa2@lehigh.edu.

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 narkevickd@upmc.edu.

Green Ribbon Schools Application

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 6:00:27 PM EST

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.

Governor Corbett Announces $41.3 Million Federal Education Grant

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 7:14:14 PM EST

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.

Nine States Awarded Race To The Top-Early Learning Challenge Grants

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 7:05:39 PM EST

Today, the White House announced that nine states -- California, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington - will receive grant awards from the $500 million Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge fund, a competitive grant program jointly administered by the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services.

Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius made the announcement of state grantees this morning at a White House event with over 100 early learning and development experts, educators, policymakers and researchers.

Through the competition, 35 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico have created plans to increase access to high-quality programs for children from low-income families, providing more children from birth to age 5 with a strong foundation they need for success in school and beyond. The number and list of winners was determined both by the quality of the applications and the funds available.

The fiscal year 2011 budget provided an additional $700 million to invest in early learning and elementary and post secondary education reform. In addition to the $500 million awarded today to Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge grantees, seven states -- Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania - have applied for a share of the $200 million to invest in K-12 education reform. Awards will be announced later this month.

Grant awards will range from around $50 million up to $100 million, depending on state population and proposed plans.

To learn more about the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge, visit http://www2.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop-earlylearningchallenge.

Source: Press Release from The White House Office of the Press Secretary, Dec. 16, 2011.

General Assembly Sends School Assault Bill to the Governor

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 3:32:40 PM EST

This week, the House amended and unanimously approved SB 1183 that creates the offense of institutional sexual assault in a school or child center setting. The bill was then returned to the Senate for a concurrence vote, where it passed 48-2. SB 1183 will now go to Gov. Corbett for his signature.

The provisions of SB 1183 would apply whether or not the student is 16 years old, the age of consent in Pennsylvania. The amendment to SB 1183 incorporates language creating the offense of institutional sexual abuse, which would make it unlawful for a teacher, coach or other employee of a public or private school or a volunteer or employee of a center for children to engage in sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse or indecent contact with a student, or a child receiving services at the center. The penalty would be a third-degree felony that would be punishable by up to seven years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $15,000.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, Dec. 15, 2011.

EF Offers Education in China Tour - Deadline to Register Has Been Extended to Feb. 29, 2012!

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 1:47:26 PM EST

EF Professional Development Tours are a unique way to earn professional development hours and allow you to learn about educational practices in other countries with colleagues from your school and schools around the world. EF's Education in China tour features educational visits and activities that allow you to compare different approaches to teaching and learning. In addition to the tour, they offer a pre- and post-tour online course which provides content about China and helps teachers and administrators find rewarding and innovative ways to bring global perspective back to their classrooms and communities.

The trip has been opened to include all educators (teachers, administrators, central office staff).   This is the perfect opportunity to take a team from your district of teachers and administrators.

NASSP President Ken Griffith will be attending the trip with this cohort

Itinerary - The trip itself is 10 days: 3 days in Beijing, 2 days in Xi'an and 3 days in Shanghai. The tour dates are 7/16/2012 - 7/25/2012. Click on the link below for the detailed itinerary or visit the EF web site at http://www.eftours.com/. The pricing for departure includes departing from Philadelphia.   If you would like to depart from Pittsburgh, Baltimore, NY/NJ or any other airport, EF can accommodate this with price adjustments.

All accommodations and materials, including a private bus and tour director -- who will serve as a guide, organizer and translator -- are included in the cost. Please Note: You only need to pay a $95.00 deposit to reserve your spot and then pay monthly up to the tour. EF can develop a payment plan for you, if needed.

Enroll at www.eftours.com/1145583 or call Andrew Hagopian at (800) 872-8439, ext. 3141. Use tour number: 114 5583.

Click here for the revised pricing flyer.

To view informational video, click on this link: Professional Development in China -- Continuing Education for Educators (best viewed full screen with sound).

Dr. William Ziegler, treasurer for PAESSP Board of Directors, is the "group leader" for this trip. He is available to assist you with registering for the trip or for further details. He may be contacted at: (610) 326-8243, ext. 2051, or wziegler@pgsd.org. The deadline to register has been extended until Wednesday, February 29, 2012.

Act 24 of 2011 Changes to 24 P.S. Â§1-111: Background Checks of Prospective Employees; Conviction of Employees of Certain Offenses

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 2:16:10 PM EST

Act 24 of 2011, signed into law on June 30, 2011, significantly amended Section 111 of the Pennsylvania Public School Code, which requires background checks for employees of public and private schools, intermediate units and area vocational-technical schools (AVTS), including independent contractors and their employees. There is a new Basic Education Circular (BEC) that provides school administrators with guidance concerning the duties imposed on them as the result of these important amendments. The Background Checks BEC can be found via the BEC table, posted on the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) web site or by clicking here.

For additional information on these changes, please contact Denise Wolfgang in the PDE's School Services office at 717-783-3750 or dwolfgang@pa.gov.

Public School Employees' Retirement System Employer Contribution Set at 12.36% of Payroll

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 7:58:06 PM EST

The Public School Employees's Retirement System (PSERS) board on Friday set the employer contribution rate, which is shared by school districts and the state, at 12.36 percent of a district'ss payroll. That is up from this year'ss 8.65 percent rate. The new rate is expected to generate $1.8 billion for the pension system.

Dramatic as the increase seems, it comes as no surprise to school district officials. A 2010 state law, known as Act 120, capped the annual increases for several years to smooth out the anticipated spike in pension obligations that were coming next year to help districts plan for this large bill.

"If Act 120 was not in effect the employer rate would have jumpled up to 29.65 percent next year, rather than 12.36 percent," said PSERS Executive Director Jeffrey Clay.

Source: Patriot-News, Dec. 11. 2011 -- By Jan Murphy.

Information Relevant to Completing Arrest/Conviction Report and Certification Form (PDE-6004)

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 2:36:39 PM EST

Click here for pertinent information regarding issues surrounding the Arrest/Conviction Report and Certification Form ("PDE-6004"), which must be completed by all current school employees pursuant to Act 24 of 2011.

Pennsylvania Applies for Federal Race to the Top Funds

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 3:59:11 PM EST

Pennsylvania is among seven states that have submitted applications for Race to the Top (RTTT) Phase Three funds. The states that will compete for a share of $200 million provided by Congress in 2010 include Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. (Nine states that were runners-up in the initial Race to the Top competition were eligible for Round Three, but South Carolina opted out and California submitted an incomplete application.) The applications include commitments to enhance data systems, raise academic standards, improve principal and teacher support and evaluation systems and implement school interventions in under-performing schools. By Dec. 16, applicants also have to provide a detailed narrative and budget. Race to the Top Round Three focuses on supporting efforts to leverage comprehensive statewide reform, while also improving science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Round Three awards will be announced in late-December. Award amounts within the $200 million fund are based on state population.

Pennsylvania has also has applied for a Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge grant. (Click here to see Pennsylvania's application.) The $500 million competitive grant program is for states to use to improve early learning and development. Including Pennsylvania, there are 35 states that have submitted applications. In mid-December, the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services will award the highest ranked applicants within funding availability. Awards will range from around $50 million up to $100 million, depending on a state'ss population of children from low-income families and proposed plan.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, Dec. 1, 2011.

Corbett Hopes To Sign Voucher Bill by End of Month

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 2:44:24 PM EST

According to an article in the Patriot News, this should be the time for the final charge to deliver a school voucher program to Pennsylvania, advocates say. Gov. Tom Corbett says he wants families to have taxpayer-funded vouchers so they can move children out of bad schools. With a General Assembly controlled by his fellow Republicans, Corbett hoped to see a voucher program in place for parents next fall. Corbett has said it is crucial for the legislature to get him a bill before the end of the month. Click here to read the Patriot News article.

Source: myPLS, The Eye Opener, Dec. 5, 2011.

Principals Protest Role of Testing in Evaluations

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 6:52:27 PM EST

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

Click here for the full article.

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

Open Board Positions for 2012 PAESSP Election

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 5:00:00 AM EST

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 blc3840@comcast.net. 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 snyder@paessp.org 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

Region	Level	Current BOD Member	Counties Represented
East I	Elementary	Paul L. Stefani	Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming
East II	Secondary	Dennis F. Nemes	Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Schuylkill
Central III	Elementary	Robert J. Gildea	Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, Somerset
Central I	Secondary	Curtis E. Johnson	Bradford, Cameron, Center, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Sullivan, Tioga
West II	Elementary	Gregg L. Paladina	Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer
West II	Secondary	Leonard A. Rich	Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer

Click Here for the Duties and Responsibilities of the Regional Representative.

PA Voters Show Powerful Support for Public Education

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 7:43:08 PM EST

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.

PDE Releases Information on Local Assessment Validation Process

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 2:56:55 PM EST

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 RA-Local-Assessment@pa.gov. PDE will post questions and answers on its web site.

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

Implementation and Compliance of New Background Check Requirements -- Act 24 of 2011

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 2:53:15 PM EST

The PA Senate Education Committee held a hearing recently regarding the implementation and compliance with criminal history provisions in Act 24 of 2011. Comments at the hearing focused on specific requirements in question pertaining to incumbent teachers who must report past arrests or convictions of certain offenses by Dec. 27, 2011. During the hearing, Carolyn Dumeresq, deputy secretary of the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, stated that the intent of the legislation was to include the collection of information on arrests and that the Department of Education plans to issue a Basic Education Circular to provide guidance regarding the reporting requirements and criminal history provisions within Act 24 of 2011.

NAESP -- ASSISTments for Principals

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 7:59:40 PM EST

The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) has been selected to participate in a national initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to help build awareness of a new, free online learning platform called ASSISTments.

The ASSISTments are most widely used for middle-school math courses and offer a high-value, tangible service to middle-level principals. One of its key benefits is that it provides principals and teachers with immediate, actionable data to strengthen student achievement.

NAESP joined in this effort because of the platform's value in strengthening the instructional leadership of principals, especially for grades 4-8.

ASSISTments has received substantial support from several sources, in addition to the Gates Foundation: Carnegie Mellon University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, National Science Foundation and the Department of Education.

The software was developed by two former math teachers, Neil and Christina Heffernan, who are working to disseminate ASSISTments and train teams of principals and teachers. Though they are based in the Boston area, Neil and Christina are available to give presentations, professional development and demonstrations elsewhere. They're scheduled to conduct a concurrent session and to host a Technology Learning Center at NAESP'ss upcoming conference in Seattle, March 22-24, 2012.

You can find additional information about the Heffernan's and ASSISTments here:

Teacher and Principal support: http://teacherwiki.assistment.org/wiki/About_ASSISTments

Up-to-date information about usage statistics: http://www.assistments.org/

Three-minute video featuring educators from Massachusetts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzGUVPcHBiQ

If you're interested, you can contact them directly at:
Neil Heffernan: nth@wpi.edu; Christina Heffernan: ch@wpi.edu

PA House Education Committee Approves Teacher Evaluation Bill

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 4:03:34 PM EST

The House Education Committee amended and approved HB 1980 earlier this week, which creates a comprehensive new rating system for teachers, principals and non-teaching professional employees. The committee also approved two amendments to the bill. The first amendment moves all dates within the bill back one year, makes several technical corrections, clarifies that previous evaluations will be discontinued from use, but does not make them "null and void,"? ensures that "at least"? is removed from the provisions regarding percentage of teacher performance based on student achievement and ensures that any changes made to the teacher evaluation after the original design must go through the regulatory review process. The second amendment provides for inclusion of cyber and charter schools, intermediate units and area vocational technical schools in the use of the evaluation created by the bill. This amendment also makes the technical changes necessary to allow for inclusion of chief administrative officers from the school entities.

Democratic Leaders, Former Governor Rendell Discuss Gains in Public Education

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 2:35:16 PM EST

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'ss reports. Click here for the summary report.

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

Follow PAESSP on Twitter and Linked In

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 3:07:38 PM EST

In addition to Facebook, PAESSP is now on Twitter and Linked In. Follow us for timely news and important updates!

Senator Piccola Decides Not To Run for Reelection in 2012

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 2:03:59 PM EST

Nov. 10, 2011 - State Sen. Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15) [chairman of the Senate Education Committee] has said he is not going to run for re-election, emailing this statement to media [today]:

"I hereby announce that I will not be a candidate for reelection to the 15th Senatorial District in 2012. I have thoroughly enjoyed my service in the state Legislature, and I count as one of my many blessings the privilege of representing the citizens of Dauphin and York counties in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for their support."

"During the year remaining of my term, I will work as chairman of the Senate Education Committee to advance measures to reform and improve the commonwealth's educational system and continue to strive to best represent the people of the 15th Senatorial District."

Source: The Patriot-News, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011.

2011 Standards Aligned System (SAS) Institute

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 8:58:50 PM EST

OPEN REGISTRATION:   LIMITED ENROLLMENT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education'ss (PDE) SAS Institute, Defining and Aligning for Student Achievement, is scheduled for December 4-7, 2011.
The Institute will focus on three overarching goals:
• Introduce and explore the components and purpose of the newly developed PA Teacher Evaluation System
• Introduce and explain the components of PA School Report Card
• Update SAS users on the redesign of SAS elements and enhanced SAS features

Open registration will be available November 10 and 11 via http://websurvey5.iu5.org/rws5.pl?FORM=Dec11. Should you be unable to register, you may view the general sessions via live streaming. Prior to the Institute, the RSS feed on SAS will provide detail on accessing the live streaming.   Additionally, sessions will be archived for viewing at a later date.

Location:   Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, guaranteed check in is 4:00 p.m.
Registration Fee: $99/per person (non-refundable)
PDE will provide double occupancy lodging for any attendees who reside more than 50 miles from the conference location. Single occupancy is at attendee's own cost of $130 per night plus tax; single occupancy registrants are responsible for making their own reservations.
Total Number of Participants:   950
Attendance Considerations: Local Education Agencies (LEAs) may send up to two participants. Intermediate Units (IUs) may send two additional participants. Higher education institutions may send up to two participants. Participants are requested to bring their own laptops.

Questions: Contact Karen Reagan at karen_reagan@iu5.org.

Dr. Barry L. Purvis Assumes Presidency of State Principals' Association

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 7:41:18 PM EST

November 7, 2011

TO:        News Editor/News Director

CONTACT:    Sheri L. Thompson, Director of Communications, Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals
122 Valley Road, P.O. Box 39, Summerdale, PA 17093
(717) 732-4999 (Office)
(717) 395-6814 (Cell)
(717) 732-4890 (Fax)
sherit@paessp.org

RELEASE:   UPON RECEIPT

Dr. Barry L. Purvis Assumes Presidency of State Principals' Association

(Harrisburg, Pa.) — Dr. Barry L. Purvis, principal of Chambersburg Area Senior High School, Chambersburg Area School District, recently assumed the Presidency of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa.

PAESSP's membership of approximately 4,000 is comprised of elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals and other educational leaders and is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Dr. Purvis assumed the association reins following the association's annual business meeting held Oct. 25, 2011 during the annual PAESSP state conference.

"I am proud and honored to represent PAESSP as its new President. I have benefited from PAESSP through expert advice, superb professional development and networking with some of Pennsylvania'ss finest principals. I look forward to serving principals from this great state and welcome their input on how we can continue to keep Pennsylvania at the forefront of student learning, while also supporting school leaders and the numerous challenges they encounter each and every day."

Dr. Purvis began his education career as a physical education teacher in the Chambersburg Area School District. He then became the assistant principal of the Chambersburg Area Middle School and the Chambersburg Area Senior High School. In 1996, he became the principal of the Chambersburg Area Middle School and is now in his ninth year as principal of the Chambersburg Area High School. In addition, he has been an adjunct professor at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania since 2002.

Dr. Purvis has been a member of PAESSP for 22 years. He most recently served the association as President-Elect. He also served as the chairman of PAESSP's Secondary Awards Committee (2004-2010) and as the Central II Secondary Regional Representative on the PAESSP Board of Directors (2004-2010). In 2006, he was selected as Pennsylvania's High School Principal of the Year in the MetLife/ NASSP Principal of the Year Program.

Known in his district as "Dr. P.," he has worked tirelessly to improve the school environment and to share his clear vision and expectations for his school. He is a strong leader who seeks the development of well-rounded individuals and acknowledges the accomplishments of the students and the staff.

While Dr. Purvis was principal at the Chambersburg Area Middle School, they received the "National Blue Ribbon Award" in 2002, and the school was a finalist for the Pennsylvania Middle School of the Year in 2003. He also coached girls' varsity basketball at Chambersburg from 1979-1996 and was selected Coach of the Year twice.

Dr. Purvis received a bachelor of science degree in health and physical education from East Stroudsburg University. He then received a master's in educational administration and has a superintendent's letter of eligibility from Shippensburg University, as well as a doctorate in educational administration from Widener University.

He resides in Chambersburg with his wife Joyce, daughter Kia and granddaughter Kiana.

###

PAESSP's Mission: To ensure a quality education for every child by comprehensively supporting the educational leaders of our schools.

PAESSP's Vision: To be the best service organization of its kind in the United States.

Dr. Joshua A. Doll Named President-Elect
of State Principals' Association

EF Offers Education in China Tour

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 8:01:38 PM EST

EF Professional Development Tours are a unique way to earn professional development hours and allow you to learn about educational practices in other countries with colleagues from your school and schools around the world. EF's Education in China tour features educational visits and activities that allow you to compare different approaches to teaching and learning. In addition to the tour, they offer a pre- and post-tour online course which provides content about China and helps teachers and administrators find rewarding and innovative ways to bring global perspective back to their classrooms and communities.

The trip itself is 10 days: 3 days in Beijing, 2 days in Xi'an and 3 days in Shanghai. The tour dates are 7/16/2012 - 7/25/2012. Click on the link below for the detailed itinerary or visit the EF web site at http://www.eftours.com/.

All accommodations and materials, including a private bus and tour director -- who will serve as a guide, organizer and translator -- are included in the cost.

Enroll at www.eftours.com/1145583 or call Andrew Hagopian at (800) 872-8439, ext. 3141. Use tour number: 114 5583.

Click here for the pricing flyer.

To view informational video, click on this link:   Professional Development in China - Continuing Education for Educators (best viewed full screen with sound).

Dr. Joshua A. Doll Named President-Elect of State Principals' Association

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 4:57:00 PM EST

November 7, 2011

Dr. Joshua A. Doll Named President-Elect of State Principals' Association

(Harrisburg, Pa.) — Dr. Joshua A. Doll, principal of Dallastown Area Middle School in the Dallastown Area School District, was recently named President-Elect of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa.

Dr. Doll assumed his new position on PAESSP's Board of Directors following the association's annual business meeting held Oct. 25, 2011 during its 19th annual state conference in State College.

"The power of PAESSP lies in our diverse membership. I have truly grown as an instructional leader and individual working alongside the many committed and dedicated principals, assistant principals and other educational leaders throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is due to these valued relationships, my commitment to our association, and more importantly, my passion for our profession, that I am honored to represent PAESSP in the position of President-Elect," said Dr. Doll.

Dr. Doll began his education career as a social studies teacher at York Suburban Middle School in the York Suburban School District. In 2002, he became assistant principal of Elizabethtown Area Middle School in the Elizabethtown Area School District. He served as the assistant principal of York Suburban Middle School in 2003, and in 2007, he assumed the principalship of Dallastown Area Middle School in the Dallastown Area School District.

Dr. Doll has been a member of PAESSP for 10 years. Most recently, he served the association as the Central II Elementary Regional Representative on the PAESSP Board of Directors (2008-2011). This past year, he served as the chair of the National Distinguished Principal Award Selection Committee and was a member of the PAESSP Conference Committee in 2005 and in 2011. In addition, he has been a panelist for the PAESSP Aspiring Principal Workshops and has been a Pennsylvania delegate at the National Association of Elementary School Principals' (NAESP) Convention & Exposition.

Dr. Doll has been active in his community as well. He is a board member at the Children's Home of York and the Dallastown Area School District's Dollars for Scholars. In addition, he is a member of the Pennsylvania Middle School Association and the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

Dr. Doll received a bachelor of science degree in secondary education from Millersville University. He then received a master's in educational administration / K-12 Principal Certificate from Shippensburg University and his Ed.D. in educational leadership / Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility from Immaculata University.

He resides in York, Pa.

###

Dr. Joshua A. Doll Named President-Elect
of State Principals' Association

Teacher Information Management System (TIMS)

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 3:54:51 PM EST

The new Teacher Information Management System (TIMS) is nearly complete. This update provides important information about its progress and timeline. Major software applications such as TIMS are complex and subject to delaying factors. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is working to resolve all issues so that it can ensure this new online application system will meet your needs.

PDE has automated the teacher certification process and enhanced the application so that teacher preparation programs, certification applicants, certificated individuals and employers will benefit from the efficiencies and enhancements of the new TIMS. PDE asks for your patience as they work through the final stages and approach the "go live" date. A major task at this time is the testing of the application to ensure the system works well for users on the day it is launched.

Once a specific "go live" date for TIMS is determined, the Teacher Certification System (TCS), as well as the Professional Education Records Management System (PERMS), will be closed to allow for necessary updates for a period of two weeks prior to the TIMS implementation date. You will receive notification of the specific dates for this upgrade as soon as the department has a confirmed implementation date.

PERMS specific implications:

During the period of closure, school districts and Act 48 providers will be unable to upload Act 48 hours for professional education activities, and institutions of higher education will be unable to upload college credits into PERMS. No updates of information will occur.
Systems may be accessed for viewing information that is currently in the system at the time of closing.

TIMS/TCS specific implications:

Paper applications will continue to be accepted and date stamped as received, but will not be entered into TCS or TIMS.
Type 06, day-to-day emergency permits uploaded through TCS will not be available.
Both systems may be accessed for viewing of information at the time of closing.

Operations will resume on all systems on the announced "go live" date.

PAESSP President Provides Testimony on HB 1980

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 6:11:21 PM EDT

Dr. Barry L. Purvis, PAESSP president, and Joseph P. Acri, PAESSP assistant executive director, attended a public hearing of the House Education Committee on House Bill 1980 (amends the School Code to provide for a rating system for professional employees). Dr. Purvis provided testimony on this issue. Click here to read his testimony.

Senate Bill 200 Update

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 6:10:40 PM EDT

The Senate concurred with House amendments to SB 200, which creates the Safety in Youth Sports Act and establishes standards for the management of concussions and head injuries to student athletes. The bill is now in the hands of the governor, with Nov. 12 the last day for action. Under SB 200, the Departments of Health and Education must make information about such injuries available to students, parents and coaches. A school may hold an informational meeting for students and others. Coaches must complete a concussion management training course. An athlete must be removed from the field of play if he or she exhibits symptoms of a head injury, and may not return to play until an "appropriate medical professional"? evaluates the student and provides written clearance to return. The definition of "appropriate medical professional" includes a licensed or certified health care professional trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and designated by a licensed physician who is trained in the evaluation and management of concussions. SB 200 also imposes minimum penalties on coaches for violations.

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, Nov. 3, 2011.

Standards Aligned System (SAS) 101 Trainings -- Fall 2011

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 4:32:55 PM EDT

The Pennsylvaia Department of Education (PDE) has received several requests for SAS 101 training. PDE has scheduled three SAS 101 training sessions for the fall session. To obtain information about SAS 101 and to register for training, go to http://www.iu5.org and click on the blue SAS logo.

SAS 101: This workshop is an introduction to the Standards Aligned System (SAS) and the SAS Portal for administrators, curriculum coordinators and teachers in school districts and charter schools.

SAS 101 Training Dates:

November 17              8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.       Pittsburgh PaTTAN, Pittsburgh

November 22              8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.       Harrisburg PaTTAN, Harrisburg

November 29              8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.       Luzerne Intermediate Unit #18, Kingston

Participants should plan to visit nearby restaurants for morning coffee and lunch. Meals are not available on site.

Chapter 4 Update: PDE To Conduct Local Assessment Validations Webinar

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 1:56:09 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) will be conducting a webinar on Thursday, Nov. 17 from 2-4 p.m. to discuss the validation process for local assessments that may be used to meet the state's new graduation requirements. Under the Chapter 4 regulations, school districts may use either the state developed Keystone Exams, locally developed and independently validated assessments, or a combination of Keystone Exams and local assessments to demonstrate proficiency for purposes of graduation. The information presented in the webinar will assist schools in making the decision to use the Keystone Exams, local assessments or a combination as a graduation requirement.
The webinar will:

Provide an update of the work being done by the Chapter 4 Local Assessment Validation Advisory Committee.
Review the new "Local Assessment Validity Evaluation Handbook"? that describes the validity criteria for local assessments. The "Local Assessment Validity Evaluation Handbook"? will be available for review prior to the webinar at: www.pdesas.org/localassessmentvalidation.
Review the proposed timeline for implementation of the validity process.

Register for PDE's webinar at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/918555418

Source: PSBA Legislative Report, Oct. 27, 2011.

Senate Passes School Voucher Bill

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 1:30:34 PM EDT

According to an article in the Patriot News, By a 27-22 vote, the state Senate passed a school voucher plan that is targeted to low-income children attending poor-performing schools. The vote on the plan, co-sponsored by Sen. Jeffrey Piccola, R-Dauphin and Sen. Anthony Williams, D-Philadelphia, followed a more than four-hour debate. It now goes to the House for consideration where support remains uncertain for a taxpayer-funded voucher to allow students to attend another public or a private school where they are accepted. Click here to read the Patriot News article.

Source: myPLS Eye Opener, Oct. 27, 2011.

Governor Corbett Outlines Agenda for Education Reform

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 6:08:09 PM EDT

Governor Tom Corbett today outlined his agenda for education reform in Pennsylvania.

"We are set to start work on one of the most important jobs state government can do," Corbett said, and that is to rearrange our priorities when it comes to education.

"It needs to be: child, parent, teacher... and just in that order," Corbett said, speaking at the Lincoln Charter School in York.

Joined by Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis and several legislative leaders in education, Corbett listed his top four priorities for school reform in Pennsylvania including: opportunity scholarships, expanding the Educational Improvement Tax Credits program, improved charter school quality and accountability, and more robust and comprehensive educator evaluations.

To read the full article, click here.

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education Press Release, Oct. 11, 2011.

Public Opinion Poll Finds Widespread Support for Proven School Improvement Strategies

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 7:13:14 PM EDT

By a wide margin, Pennsylvanians oppose recent state funding cuts to public education and support investments in programs that work, according to a new public opinion poll.

Pennsylvanians strongly support investing in tutoring students, reducing class sizes and making schools safer. By a similarly wide margin, Pennsylvanians oppose creating a taxpayer-funded voucher system for private and religious schools.

Those are the findings of the latest Terry Madonna Opinion Research survey, released today by the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA). The results are available on PSEA's web site, www.psea.org.

The Madonna poll asked Pennsylvanians for their views regarding the $860 million cut from public schools as part of the state budget Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law last June. Sixty-nine percent said they oppose or strongly oppose these cuts, while only 27 percent said they favor or strongly favor the action.

The Madonna poll then asked survey respondents to give their opinion on how state funds for education should be used if the cuts were restored.
The respondents favored or strongly favored "more individualized student attention and tutoring"? (89 percent), reduced class sizes (88 percent), and "programs to help make schools safer" (85 percent). They also favored: alternative placement for disruptive/violent students (85 percent); "pre- and full-day kindergarten"? (73 percent); and "programs to coordinate school, community and law enforcement programs" ?(79 percent).

At the same time, the poll results establish Pennsylvanians oppose "a voucher plan to send students to private, religious and parochial schools." Fifty-nine percent said they were "strongly opposed or somewhat opposed"? to vouchers, while only 38 percent were in favor of such plans.

The poll presents the findings of a survey of 801 Pennsylvania adults designed by Terry Madonna Opinion Research and conducted September 2011. The sample error for the total sample is plus or minus 3.5 percent.

Source: PSEA Presss Release, Oct. 5, 2011.

Pennsylvania Awarded $38 Million for Literacy Initiatives

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 7:12:56 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has been awarded $38 million through the United States Department of Education's Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Program. The states winning the Striving Readers Grant are:

Georgia, $25.65 million
Louisiana, $28.5 million
Montana, $7.6 million
Nevada, $14.25 million
Pennsylvania, $38 million
Texas, $66.5 million

Pending legislative approval, the program is projected to span five years with matching awards each consecutive year. Pennsylvania was one of 35 states that applied for the award.

The Striving Readers Grant was awarded to support Pennsylvania's comprehensive approach to improving literacy outcomes for all children including disadvantaged students, limited English proficient students and students with disabilities. For more information on the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Program visit: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/strivingreaders-literacy/index.html.

Pennsylvania will hold competitions to award 95 percent of the funds as "sub grants" to school districts and early learning providers. Preliminary criteria for the sub grant competition include:

Need

Capacity

Comprehensive literacy plan (birth through 12th grade)

Quality of proposed or existing program

Target population

Quality of data

Fifteen percent of funds will serve children from birth through age five
Forty percent of funds will support students in kindergarten through fifth grade
Forty percent of funds will serve middle and high school students
Five percent is set aside for state administration

Funds will support programs that advance literacy skills through:

Professional development
Screening and assessment
Targeted interventions for students reading below grade level
Research-based methods of improving classroom instruction and practice

Part of the 5 percent set aside for administration that PDE will incorporate into the first year implementation of the grant will include district training by intermediate units in the following areas:

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and digital technology
Building Blocks for Elementary Literacy
Successful Transitions Along the Literacy Continuum
Reading Apprenticeship (RA)
Implementing the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and Literacy Design Collaborative (LDC)
Family literacy and parent engagement
Supporting learners with special needs
Navigating content with English language learners (ELL)
Data analysis and decision-making

No vendor's products, services or publications are endorsed by this grant. Pennsylvania's intermediate units are the recommended service organizations that will provide training on the key elements required for the implementation of the Striving Readers Grant.

Detailed information relating to the application process is expected to be available in November. Below is the tentative timeline for submission. This timeline is subject to change. Details will be posted on the PDE's federal programs web page when the application process is finalized.

Request for proposals released: November 2011
Application review: December 2011
Awards announced: February 2012

For more information contact:
Jo Beth McKee
Striving Readers Project Director
Pennsylvania Department of Education
jobmckee@pa.gov or 717-787-7815

Updated Salary Data Available

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 1:14:33 PM EDT

The updated salary data for 2010-2011 from PDE is now on our web site. Check it out! Remember, you must log in to access this information.

New Act 1 Base Index Announced

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 4:31:43 PM EDT

In the Sept. 24, 2011 issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin a notice was published to announce that the Pennsylvania Department of Education has calculated the Act 1 base index for the 2012-13 fiscal year at 1.7%. The index is the average of the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage and the employment cost index. For school districts with a market value/income aid ratio greater than .4000, an adjusted index will be posted on the department'ss web site. The department's web site also will include links to additional information and updated timelines regarding Act 1 activities. To access this information, go to PDE's web site at www.pde.state.pa.us and clink on the link from the home page called "The Taxpayer Relief Act."

October Is National Principals Month

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 3:43:55 PM EDT

In recognition of "the importance of principals in ensuring that every child has access to a high-quality education," the U.S. Senate passed by unanimous consent S. Res. 277, a bipartisan resolution honoring October 2011 as National Principals Month.

NAESP and the National Association of Secondary School Principals worked collaboratively with Senators Al Franken (D-MN) and Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) on the resolution, which honors and pays tribute to the critical role principals play in our nation's schools to help every student succeed. Additional Senate cosponsors of this resolution included Senators Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Max Baucus (D-MT), Mark Begich (D-AK), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Patty Murray (D-WA) and Mark Warner (D-VA).

—Dateline NAESP

Background Checks of School Employees

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 2:00:31 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Reminds School Administrators of Applicability of Changes to the Background Check Law Under Act 24 and Availability of PDE Form to Report Arrests and Convictions of Offenses.

I.   Changes to Section 111 of School Code are Effective Sept. 28, 2011.

Act 24 of 2011 (Act 24) contains a number of significant changes to the Pennsylvania Public School Code that are designed to enhance the safety for school children.   Among these changes, Act 24 amends Section 111 of the School Code, which provides for background checks for employees of public and private schools, intermediate units (IU) and area vocational-technical schools (AVTS). Section 111 also applies to independent contractors and their employees who have direct contact with children and to student teacher candidates assigned to public and private schools. The changes to Section 111 went into effect Sept. 28, 2011.

II.   Changes to Section 111(e) Crimes: Former Five-Year ban on School Employment is Now a Permanent Ban on School Employment.

Act 24 adds several additional crimes to the list of Section 111(e) offenses that disqualify individuals from school employment. The amendment also increases the period of disqualification for employment for Section 111(e) offenses. The wording of the previous version of the law prohibited anyone convicted of a crime listed in Section 111(e) from being hired for a period of five (5) years from the date of conviction. Under the amendments to Act 24, a person convicted of a Section 111(e) crime will be permanently excluded from school employment.

III.   New 10-Year, Five-Year and Three-Year Bans on Prospective Employment for Certain Offenses.

Act 24 also amends Section 111 to now prohibit the prospective employment of anyone who has been convicted of any felony of the first, second or third degree not listed in Section 111(e), from school employment for 10 years after the expiration of the sentence. Further, conviction of any first degree misdemeanor will prohibit employment for five years after the completion of the sentence. The law now also states that a second offense of driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, graded as a first degree misdemeanor, will result in a three-year prohibition on hiring from the date of the completion of the sentence for the most recent offense.

IV.   Availability of a new PDE Form for Employees to Report Section 111(e) Offenses to School Administrators.

The new law includes an important mechanism to help ensure that current school employees, who may not have been subject to a previous background check, are now required to provide assurances that they have not been previously arrested or convicted of a Section 111(e) offense.   Accordingly, under Act 24, all current school employees are required to complete and return to their school administrator, or other person responsible for school employment decisions (the school administrator), a form developed by PDE to report prior arrests or convictions for any offense listed in Section 111(e). This form "PDE-6004" is now available on PDE's web site:
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/background_checks_(act_114)/7493

All current school employees of a public or private school, intermediate unit or AVTS must complete "PDE-6004" and return it to the school administrator by Dec. 27, 2011. School administrators are responsible for making sure that all employees complete this form. If an employee refuses to submit the form, Act 24 allows for a school administrator to require that the employee submit to a current background check under Section 111. In addition, school employees will be required to report to the school administrator within 72 hours of any arrest or conviction of an offense listed in Section 111(e) that occurs after Sept. 28, 2011. "PDE -6004"? should be used to report these arrests or convictions to the school administrator.

School administrators are advised to notify their employees of the availability of "PDE-6004"? as soon as possible, as well as inform their employees as to whom the form must be returned and the applicable deadlines for return of the form.

V.   School Administrator Required to Order Background Check Upon Reasonable Belief That an Employee was Arrested or Convicted of a Section 111(e) Offense.

The new law requires that if a School Administrator has a reasonable belief that an employee was arrested or convicted of a Section 111(e) offense and the employee has not notified the School Administrator of such arrest or conviction, the School Administrator must require the school employee to submit to a current Section 111 background check. That background check shall be at the expense of the employing entity.

VI.   Other Changes to Section 111 Under Act 24

Act 24 also eliminates the exemptions which had permitted certain persons under 21 in a job training program in which summer or seasonal students are hired by the district, to work at schools for up to 90 days without a background check.

VII.   School Districts Required to Report all Crimes Noted on "PDE-6004"? to the Professional Standards and Practices Commission (PSPC)

Under Section 2070.9a of the Professional Educator Discipline Act, the superintendent, assistant superintendent, executive director of an IU, chief administrator of an AVTS or career and technology center, administrator of a charter school or their designees will be required to report to PSPC all instances of employees reporting any arrest or conviction noted on "PDE-6004"? or which is otherwise known to them as the result of a background check or otherwise. Contact information for the PSPC, as well as mandatory reporting forms, can be found on PDE's web site:   http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/professional_standards_practices_commissions/8829

For additional information please contact Denise Wolfgang in PDE's School Services Office at 717-783-3750 or dwolfgang@pa.gov.

Elementary and Middle-Level Principals Have Won a Hard-Fought Battle in Washington, D.C.!

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 1:46:59 PM EDT

The National Association of Elementary School Principals's (NAESP) long-held position to protect principals from automatic dismissal as part of federal school improvement models has been incorporated into the Obama administration's package to ease some sanctions of No Child Left Behind.

Instead of the ill-advised "ready, fire, aim" approach -- which NAESP has been fighting for more than a year -- the administration has agreed that the first step in implementing one of the models should be a mandatory but fair review of the current principal, not the drastic step of his or her automatic dismissal.

NAESP applauds the administration's policy shift and welcomes this important change to support sustainable school improvement and acknowledge the vital instructional leadership of principals. Read NAESP'ss entire statement at www.naesp.org.

Getting Ready for the Spring 2012 PSSA

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 2:25:51 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is providing an opportunity for school districts to prepare themselves for the 2012 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) and Pennsylvania System of School Assessment - Modified (PSSA-M).

PDE will be offering webinar presentations via "GoToMeeting(tm)" during the month of October. Assessment specialists from the Bureau of Assessment and Accountability'ss Division of Assessment will present information on the following:

*   PSSA and PSSA-M mathematics and reading assessments to be administered March 12, 2012 through March 23, 2012
*   PSSA and PSSA-M mathematics and reading make-ups to be administered March 26, 2012 through March 30, 2012
*   PSSA Writing Assessment to be administered April 16, 2012 through April 20, 2012
*   PSSA and PSSA-M Science Assessment to be administered April 23, 2012 through April 27, 2012
*   PSSA and PSSA-M science and PSSA writing make-ups to be administered April 30, 2012 through May 4, 2012

Similarities and changes to the previous test administration will be highlighted.   In addition, information on Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners (ACCESS for ELLs) and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) will be discussed. There will be opportunities for questions.

To register, go to the link provided for each session:

Oct. 19, 2011 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.:   https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/284045066

Oct. 25, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.:   https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/113205666

Oct. 25, 2011 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.:   https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/985710226

A recording of a session, along with the accompanying PowerPoint, will be posted on PDE'ss web site (http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_department_of_education/7237) after the last session.

2011 PAESSP Conference - Hotel Reservation Update

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 8:10:09 PM EDT

Hotel Reservations at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel

Please Note: Hotel reservations must be phoned in from now until the conference.

To make hotel reservations, call The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel reservations department at (800) 233-7505 and refer to our reservation ID# PAEJ11A assigned to the PAESSP Conference.

At this time, the deadline to reserve hotel rooms for the conference has been extended until Tuesday, September 27, 2011. The conference hotel room rate will be honored until Tuesday, October 4, 2011.

New Report Details Impact of Brutal Fundng Cuts on Pennsylvania Students

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 7:45:02 PM EDT

A report from two groups representing school administrators and business managers confirms what teachers already knew -- state funding cuts to Pennsylvania's public schools have adversely affected the quality of education in the Commonwealth.

As Pennsylvania children start the new school year, they are finding fewer teachers and school staff, larger class sizes, reduced course offerings, outdated textbooks, reduced opportunities for extra help and cuts to and fees charged for extracurricular activities, according to the report.

"When Governor Tom Corbett and the General Assembly reached a deal on the state budget in June, and cut nearly $900 million from public schools, Pennsylvania's teachers predicted our students would feel the consequences,"? said Michael J. Crossey, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association. "This report confirms our predictions."

"Now, with fewer resources, the challenge of educating our students, especially in schools serving struggling communities, has become much more difficult,"? Crossey said.

The Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) and the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO) surveyed the state's 500 school districts and documented the negative consequences inflicted on the quality of education.

The report released Wednesday shows that class sizes have increased in 70 percent of school districts that responded. The report also pointed out that course offerings have disappeared in nearly half of the school districts, and tutoring opportunities have been eliminated in many others. Full-day and pre-kindergarten have been eliminated in some school districts.

"In some struggling districts, news media have recently reported classes as large as 75 students per classroom," Crossey said. "Teachers will struggle to teach and students will struggle to learn in these conditions."

"The report is the latest evidence that Pennsylvania is headed in the wrong direction with these brutal school funding cuts," Crossey said. "Governor Corbett and the General Assembly should roll up their sleeves and start working on a plan to provide our schools with the resources they need to deliver the power of a great education to all of Pennsylvania's students."?

Crossey said PSEA looks forward to working with PASBO and PASA and other members of the Pennsylvania School Funding Campaign to advocate for adequate and equitable funding of public schools.

The PASA-PASBO report is available online at www.pasa-net.org and www.pasbo.org.

Source: PSEA Press Release, Sept. 15, 2011.

Ex-PA Ed. Secretary Steps Down From New Post

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 4:22:44 PM EDT

According to an article from The Associated Press on pennlive.com: Former state education secretary has resigned as the superintendent of a Pennsylvania school district after a year on the job.

Gerald Zahorchak resigned Thursday as superintendent of the Allentown School District following a year of curriculum changes and teacher layoffs.

The school's board voted unanimously to accept Zahorchak's resignation. Zahorchak did not attend the meeting.

The district's deputy superintendent will take over for Zahorchak, who will stay on for one more year in a strategic role at his old salary.

Deputy Superintendent Russ Mayo tells The Morning Call of Allentown that Zahorchak resigned because the district would not be able to afford his salary over the life of his five-year contract.

Zahorchak served as the state secretary of education under former Gov. Ed Rendell.

PA House Education Committee To Hold Two Days of Hearings on Education Reform

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 4:22:47 PM EDT

According to a Patriot-News article (August 17, 2011, pennlive.com): A line-up of heavy hitters, including national education reform experts and staunch public education advocates, will testify before the House Education Committee today and tomorrow to provide testimony on reform initiatives under consideration.

Click here to read the full article.

Spring 2011 Keystone Exams Reporting Schedule

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 2:00:48 PM EDT

Reports and data files for the Spring 2011 Keystone Exams will be available for all participating schools and Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) as follows:
STUDENT DATA FILES
Keystone Exam Student Data Files will be available on Aug. 15, 2011, on the PA eDIRECT web site (https://pa.drcedirect.com/) by logging in and clicking on the Reporting Tools tab.   A PDF describing the layout of the Keystone Exams Student Data File will also be available on the PA eDIRECT web site and can be accessed by clicking on the Documents tab under General Information.

Keystone Exams Student Data Files will be made available only to the district, charter school or Career Technical Center (CTC) reporting contacts specified on the PA eDIRECT website.   If you would like other users to view the Keystone Exams Student Data Files for their specific schools, instructions to grant access have been included in the "Keystone Exams Spring 2011 Student Data File System Reference Guide." The System Reference Guide will be available on Aug. 15, 2011, on the PA eDIRECT web site and can be accessed by clicking on the Documents tab under General Information.

INDIVIDUAL STUDENT REPORTS
Keystone Exam Individual Student Reports will be delivered to participating districts, charter schools and CTCs by Sept. 7, 2011. All reports will be packaged by school and shipped to the attention of the district, charter school or CTC reporting contact listed on the PA eDIRECT web site.

STUDENT REPORT INTERPRETATION GUIDE
The "Keystone Exam Spring 2011 Student Report Interpretation Guide"? will be available on Sept. 7, 2011, as well as alternate versions of the guide translated into different languages. All versions of the "Keystone Exams Spring 2011 Student Report Interpretation Guide"? will be posted on the PA eDIRECT web site and can be accessed by clicking on the Documents tab under General Information.

SCHOOL AND DISTRICT SUMMARY REPORTS
Keystone Exam School and District Summary Reports will be available on Sept. 15, 2011, on the PA eDIRECT web site and can be accessed by logging in and clicking on the Reporting Tools tab.

Keystone Exams Summary Reports will be made available only to district, charter school or CTC reporting contacts specified on the PA eDIRECT web site. If you would like other users to view the Keystone Exams Summary Reports for their specific schools, instructions to grant access have been included in the "Keystone Exams Spring 2011 Summary Reports System Reference Guide."? The System Reference Guide will be available on Sept. 15, 2011, on the PA eDIRECT web site and can be accessed by clicking on the Documents tab under General Information.

If you have questions about these documents, please contact Pennsylvania Customer Service at 1-888-551-6935 or email PAcustomerservice@datarecognitioncorp.com.

PA To Try PA Teacher Evaluation Pilot Program

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 1:58:00 PM EDT

According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, federal officials, state governments and school districts from coast to coast agree that current teacher evaluations, which are usually administered by principals, are missing the mark. Last week, Pennsylvania became the latest state to express interest in a serious overhaul of the system used to determine which teachers are making the grade and which are under-serving students. Click here to read the Pittsburgh Post Gazette article. (Source: myPLS The Eye Opener, August 8, 2011.)

Teacher Evaluation System

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 1:01:24 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) invites all school districts, charter schools, intermediate units and career and technical centers to join them in the development of a new teacher evaluation system to be introduced in the 2012-13 school year.

PDE will be conducting a Phase II pilot program during the 2011-12 school year. The major elements of the pilot include:

A detailed teaching practice rubric based on the work completed under the Gates-funded initial pilot project and other frameworks;
Continuing study of "multiple measures of student achievement" and their correlation with the teaching practice rubric;
Detailed guidance on the evaluation process, its components and the evidence to be considered for evaluation;
The development of a formula for determining the summative evaluation rating;
The development of an ongoing training network through the intermediate units that will be launched with a two-and-a-half-day Training of Trainers to be held Oct. 26-28, 2011;
A practitioners oversight group as defined in the Pennsylvania School Code (24 P.S. § 11-1123);
External evaluators to analyze the second phase of the pilot project; and
An online evaluator training system to address inter-rater reliability.

Pilot sites will have the opportunity to provide recommendations, based upon their experience, into the final design of the new teacher evaluation form and rubric. In addition, pilots will be able to offer recommendations for the evaluation guidelines that will include local flexibility, practice components and evidence recommendations.

Pilots will also have the opportunity for ongoing online training at no cost, as well as priority registration for the PDE SAS Institute in Hershey to be held Dec. 4-7, 2011.

Please join us in this very important endeavor. We need a broad representation of the education community across Pennsylvania to develop a strong system. You may select individual buildings for the pilot rather than the entire LEA. There are limited positions for the pilot.

PDE will be holding a webinar from 10:30 a.m. to noon on August 24, 2011, to answer further questions and discuss the pilot with interested parties.   Please reply to Carolyn Dumaresq at cdumaresq@pa.gov by August 19 and provide the following information:

Name of Entity:______________________________

Contact Information for Pilot:__________________________________

_____     We are ready to commit to participating in the pilot.

_____     We would like to participate in the webinar before requesting consideration to participate in the pilot. Please send directions for participation.

Act 45 & Act 48 Moratorium Update

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 5:51:13 PM EDT

Act 24 of 2011 provided for a two-year suspension of the Act 45 and Act 48 continuing professional education requirements for school and system leaders and educators. The following list of frequently asked questions along with their answers is provided for your information

Frequently Asked Questions

1.     Under what authority has the Act 45 and Act 48 suspension/moratorium been instituted?

Act 24 of 2011 amended section 1205.1 of the Public School Code of 1949 by adding subsection (F); section 1205.2 of the Public School Code of 1949 by adding subsection (N.1); and section 1205.5 of the Public School Code of 1949 by adding subsection (H).   These amendments suspended Act 45 and Act 48 continuing professional education requirements for school and system leaders and educators until June 30, 2013.   24 P.S. § § 12-1205.1(F); 12-1205.2(N.1); 12-1205.5(H).

2.     When do the Act 45 and Act 48 moratoriums take effect?

The Act 48 suspension/moratorium period takes effect on August 29, 2011. The Act 45 suspension/moratorium was effective on June 30, 2011.

3.     May I complete Act 45 or Act 48 courses, programs or activities and receive credit hours during the suspension?

Yes, no one is prohibited from taking Act 45 or Act 48 courses, programs or activities if they choose to do so during the suspension period.   Any educator or school or system leader may continue to acquire Act 45 or Act 48 credits and/or hours during the statutorily prescribed two-year suspension period.   Hours accrued during this time will be credited to the compliance period in effect at the time of the suspension/moratorium.

4.     Have all of the professional education requirements for Act 45 and Act 48 been suspended for two years?

No, not entirely as all administrators currently identified as school and system leaders in   Act 45, 24 P.S. § 12-1205.5, as listed below, must complete the induction program within FIVE years of serving in that capacity for the first time in Pennsylvania.   Those needing to complete the induction program are:
*             Principal
*             Vice principal
*             Assistant principal
*             Superintendent
*             Assistant Superintendent
*             Intermediate Unit Executive Director
*             Director of an Area Vocational-Technical School
*             Those converting an administrative certificate from a Level I certificate to a Level II certificate.

5.     Will individuals facing inactivation of their certification as of June 30, 2011, have their certificate inactivated?

The Department will inactivate the certificates of educators that have not met their Act 48 continuing professional education requirements as of June 30, 2011, as the suspension/moratorium for Act 48 does not take effect until August 29, 2011. Certificates of school and system leaders that were pending inactivation for failure to complete their Act 45 continuing professional education requirements will remain "pending inactive" during the course of the suspension/moratorium period, as the moratorium/suspension for Act 45 was effective on June 30, 2011.

6.     May currently approved Pennsylvania Inspired Leaders (PIL) courses continue to be offered during the suspension/moratorium period?

Yes, courses and programs approved through the ITQ process prior to the suspension may be offered throughout the period of the suspension/moratorium.

7.     Will the provider approval process continue for Act 48 during the suspension/moratorium period?

Yes, providers that wish to apply for initial Act 48 Approved Provider status may submit new applications for review by the Department of Education.

8.     Will the Invitation to Qualify (ITQ) approval process continue for new PIL courses and programs during the suspension/moratorium period?

Yes, the Department of Education will continue to approve PIL courses and programs.

9.     Will principals have to complete the induction process to receive Level II certification?

Yes, Principals are required to participate in the PIL induction program in order to receive Level II certification during the moratorium.

10.   During the suspension/moratorium period does it matter that educators have "inactive" certificates?

Yes, those with inactive certificates, as of June 1, 2011, will remain inactive (currently 600,000 educators's certificates are inactive).

11.   Will any certificates be inactivated during the suspension/moratorium period?

No, those with "active" status will not be subject to inactivation during the suspension/moratorium period.

12.   Will educators with inactive certificates be able to reactivate their certificates during the suspension/moratorium period?

Yes, a certificate(s) will be re-activated if the individual completes the required 180 hours or six college credits of continuing professional education during the course of the suspension/moratorium period.

13.   Will four-year notices be sent to those with one year or less remaining in their compliance period during the suspension/moratorium period?

No, four-year notices will be discontinued during the suspension/moratorium period.

14.   Will educators with compliance periods that ended in May 2011 receive inactivation notices?

Yes, those inactivation notices were processed in July 2011; however, inactivation will not occur until August 20, 2011.   Note: inactivation will not occur if continuing professional education requirements are fulfilled.

15.   Will all reporting of hours continue during the suspension/moratorium period?

Yes, all providers will be able to report Act 45/Act 48 hours during the suspension/moratorium period.

16.   Are Local Education Agencies (LEAs) required to submit professional education plans during the suspension period?

Professional education plans as required by section 1205.1 of the Public School Code of 1949, 24 P.S. § 12-1205.1, are not required during the suspension/moratorium period; however, professional education plans associated with the federal requirements of Title I and Title II will continue in effect. It should be noted that Title I requires sustained on-going, intensive professional development as a component within mandated school improvement plans. Further, any district receiving Title I and Title II funding is required to include a professional development plan within the school improvement plan along with the requirements of 22 Pa. Code 49.17 (Continuing Professional Education).

17.   Will the Department continue to analyze and approve professional education plans that are submitted by Private/Non-public Schools during the two-year moratorium?

Yes, it will be acceptable for Private/Non-public Schools to submit initial professional education plans to the Department for review.

School Code Update

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:46:18 PM EDT

As part of the 2011-12 state budget, Governor Tom Corbett signed into law House Bill 1352, which makes several changes to the Public School Code of 1949. Below is an overview of the changes made by Act 24 of 2011.

Please note that this is a summary and further guidance on the implementation of these provisions will be forthcoming.

School Employees

Suspends the state's continuing professional development requirements for educators and school and system leaders until June 30, 2013; however, this provision would not apply to a new superintendent, assistant superintendent, principal, assistant principal, IU executive director, IU assistant executive director and director of a Career and Technology Center, who are still required to complete a leadership development program aligned with Pennsylvania's school leadership standards. Those not required to complete a leadership development program during this two-year period can still participate in Act 45 and Act 48 activities, which will count toward their professional development requirements. For those who opted not to take courses during the two-year suspension of the requirements, they will have the same number of hours of continuing professional education and the same amount of time to complete those requirements as they did at the time the suspension took effect. For additional information, contact Dave Volkman at dvolkman@pa.gov.
Adds several offenses that would bar or suspend an individual's eligibility for school employment and creates standardized reporting requirements for current or prospective school employees to provide notification of arrests or convictions for certain offenses. For more details, contact Steve Fisher at sfisher@pa.gov.
Allows individuals who hold a graduate degree in business, management or finance and have at least four years of relevant work experience to serve as a superintendent or assistant superintendent. Individuals with this background must successfully complete the state's professional development program for school leaders (PIL). For more details, contact Dave Volkman at dvolkman@pa.gov.
Provides alternative certification pathways for second-career professionals to become teachers and school administrators through residency programs. Contact Terry Barnaby at tbarnaby@pa.gov for more information.
Allows individuals who hold a teaching certificate issued by another state to be eligible for comparable Pennsylvania certification if the candidate holds a bachelor's degree, has at least two years of successful classroom experience, demonstrates subject matter competency in the applicable area, and satisfies statutory requirements related to their criminal background check, medical history and being of good moral character. For more information, contact Terry Barnaby at tbarnaby@pa.gov.
Provides an alternate route to teaching for individuals who possess a bachelor's degree, pass relevant subject exams and complete an approved program in education within three years of issuance of the certificate. In addition, candidates for administrative certificate of vocational director certification must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college school, three years of relevant professional experience and must be of good moral character. Candidates must complete a graduate program in education or within two years of employment in a school or system leader position provide evidence that they successfully completed the state's professional development program for school leaders (PIL). The Secretary of Education is authorized to evaluate and approve all post-baccalaureate certification programs and qualified providers of such programs, which may include providers other than institutions of higher education; and to develop guidelines for the approval of flexible post-baccalaureate instructional certification programs. For more information, contact Terry Barnaby at tbarnaby@pa.gov.

School Finances

Provides for an additional $100 million in Accountability Block Grants in the 2010-11 fiscal year to be distributed by formula and expendable on ABG eligible expenses in either the 2010-11 or 2011-12 fiscal years. For additional information, contact Bob Staver at rstaver@pa.gov.
Allows school districts to reopen their 2011-12 budgets to reflect state and federal appropriations for fiscal years 2010-11 and 2011-12. Contact Benjamin Hanft at bhanft@pa.gov for additional information.
Provides for payments for Basic Education Funding, Special Education Funding, community colleges, libraries, intermediate units, pupil transportation and remaining Accountability Block Grant funds. For additional information, contact Benjamin Hanft at bhanft@pa.gov.
Exempts school districts from securing PDE approval for construction projects, plans and specifications and leases when state reimbursement is not requested. For additional information, contact Mike Walsh at micwalsh@pa.gov.
Removes provisions requiring the Commonwealth to reimburse charter and cyber charter schools for the employer's share of Social Security payments. Contact Benjamin Hanft at bhanft@pa.gov for additional information.
Requires public reporting of Intermediate Units' (IU) annual financial reports and detailed information associated with certain IU financial transactions in excess of $50,000. For more information, contact Jeannine Weiser at jweiser@pa.gov.

District Administration

Limits preK-12 data collection for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 school years to only that which is necessary to: comply with federal mandates; populate the Pennsylvania Value-Added Assessment System; meet DPW requirements with regard to supervising and licensing or registering a child care provider; satisfy requirements for criminal background checks and state payments or reimbursements; and meet school safety reporting requirements. Contact Dave Ream at davream@pa.gov for more information.
Eliminates the requirement for a school entity to maintain a dual enrollment committee. Contact Bob Staver at rstaver@pa.gov for more information.
Permits school districts to admit beginners after the first two weeks of the school year. Contact Steve Fisher at sfisher@pa.gov for more information.
Requires school districts to maintain certified safety committees. Districts that do not form such a committee would lose a portion of their state subsidy equal to the discount the district would have received under the Workers' Compensation Act. This would not apply to districts that self-insure. (Continuation of prior year provision.) For additional information contact Mike Kozup at mkozup@pa.gov.

School Safety

Clarifies that school safety reports must be filed with PDE on an annual basis. (This was a clarification; previous language referenced semiannual reporting.) For additional information, contact Mike Kozup at mkozup@pa.gov.
Re-establishes the Safe Schools Advocate for school districts of the first class and moves the office from PDE to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. Contact Mike Kozup at mkozup@pa.gov for more information.

Higher Education

Allows post-secondary students to choose not to be individually identified in federally required data submissions. For more information, contact Wil DelPilar at wdelpilar@pa.gov.
Moves to the school code the transfer and articulation provisions previously enacted in the fiscal code. These require state-owned universities to accept associates degrees for transfer with full junior standing, and requires state-related universities to identify at least 30 general education credits that can seamlessly transfer for credit from institutions participating in the state's Transfer and Articulation system. (Continuation of prior year provision.) Contact Julie Kane at jukane@pa.gov.

Other Changes to the School Code

Requires the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association to establish a policy by August 8, 2011, that allows students who attended a school entity that abolished its athletic program in whole or part to participate in another district's athletic program. For more details, contact John Tommasini at jtommasini@pa.gov.
Codifies language previously enacted regarding employment pools for former employees of the Scranton School for the Deaf and the Scotland School for Veterans Children. (Continuation of prior year provision.) Contact Diana Hershey at dihershey@pa.gov for more information.

In a separate action, Governor Corbett signed into law Senate Bill 330, Act 25 of 2011. This eliminated most referendum exceptions that were contained in Special Session Act 1 of 2006 allowing a school board to increase taxes above the statutory index without seeking voter approval. As a general matter, the referendum exceptions maintained are costs to pay interest and principal for certain debt already incurred and interest and principal related to electoral debt, special education costs that exceed the index and pension costs that exceed a certain index. This law also allows small businesses to pay school property taxes in installments. For more information, contact Benjamin Hanft at bhanft@pa.gov.

2011 Standards Aligned System Model District (SASMD) Project

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 3:52:00 PM EDT

The development of the Standards Aligned System (SAS) initiative has been a signature effort of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) in order to dramatically improve student achievement across the Commonwealth. Efforts, to date, have focused on identifying, organizing and disseminating high-quality resources and researched-based strategies to educators across Pennsylvania, centered on the six SAS elements.

With the overwhelming success of (SAS), the SAS Model District (SASMD) project is the next logical step to ensure that educators across Pennsylvania know the value of SAS as a tool to improve student achievement. Most importantly, educational leaders must clearly understand and implement the methods and strategies required for full SAS implementation in a school'ss daily practice so that student achievement can be significantly improved.

PDE will select a small number of demographically diverse school districts (between four and eight) to serve as model districts for the SASMD project. The kickoff event for this project is scheduled for October 16 - 18, 2011.

Benefits of district participation include:

Gain statewide recognition as a model SAS district and develop district experts in SAS.

Improve student achievement in all subgroups.

Participate in ongoing professional development, with support from expert consultants.

Become part of a statewide network of other educators working intensively on becoming SASMD.

Share and collaborate with other districts and schools involved in the model project.

Work with Dr. Grant Wiggins, international educational researcher, as he shares his expertise in curriculum and teaching.

Fulfill some state planning mandates.

The following application parameters below will apply:

Enrollment is limited to four to eight districts.

Teams require a minimum of five members to a maximum of eight.

The superintendent must be a team member and the remaining team participants must include the following roles: a district designee for curriculum and supervision, special education director, a building administrator, a teacher and an intermediate unit (IU) representative (In some instances, one individual may assume multiple roles).

Teams will collaborate with their local IU for the duration of the three-year project.

Teams must commit in the second and third year of the project to share information and successes with financially distressed districts throughout the Commonwealth.

All interested districts are invited to apply for the SASMD by accessing the application at http://video.paiunet.org/ or http://www.pdesas.org/ and submit a completed application by August 30, 2011. In addition to the application, this site includes a podcast, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and other supportive materials that provide details on the SASMD.

State Board of Education Adopts Cut Scores for Keystone Exams

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 1:55:59 PM EDT

To raise the academic bar and ensure students achieve future success, the State Board of Education adopted cut scores [on July 20, 2011] for the Keystone Exams, which are designed to increase academic rigor for students across Pennsylvania, said Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis.

"After speaking with business leaders, college presidents and workforce development organizations, it has become apparent that Pennsylvania's students are not adequately prepared for the demands and expectations of the 21^st century global economy," Tomalis said.

"Today's youth are not just competing with their peers at the national level; they are also competing internationally for both academic excellence and employment opportunities. When challenged, Pennsylvania's students can and will achieve academic excellence. We owe them a world-class education, which will provide them with opportunities to be successful in any future path they choose," Tomalis said.

The board adopted the scores, which range from 1200 to 1800, for the Algebra I, Biology and Literature exams. The scores were distributed among performance levels as follows:

Algebra I

Below Basic - 1200 to 1438
Basic - 1439 to 1499
Proficient - 1500 to 1545
Advanced - 1546 to 1800

Biology

Below Basic - 1200 to 1259
Basic - 1460 to 1499
Proficient - 1500 to 1548
Advanced - 1549 to 1800

Literature

Below Basic - 1200 to 1443
Basic - 1444 to 1499
Proficient - 1500 to 1583
Advanced - 1584 to 1800

This past spring, more than 94,000 students completed the Algebra I Exam, 46,000 completed the Biology Exam and 42,000 completed the Literature Exam statewide. Based upon the scores adopted by the board, of the students tested in Algebra I, 39 percent scored proficient or advanced; in Biology, 36 percent scored proficient or advanced; and in Literature, 50 percent scored proficient or advanced.

When the overall scores of the Keystone Exams are compared to the 2010 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) results, Tomalis noted, the rigor of the Keystone Exams were clearly evident. Statewide, 73.5 percent of students scored proficient or advanced on the PSSA while 41.8 percent of students who completed a Keystone Exam scored proficient or advanced. For comparison purposes, 40 percent of Pennsylvania's eighth-grade students scored proficient or advanced in both math and reading on the National Assessment of Education Progress.

"These results indicate the stark contrast between what students need to know for post-secondary success versus what is actually being taught in the classroom,"Tomalis said.

The Keystone Exams' cut scores were the result of lengthy review and discussion among a panel of diverse individuals who represented education professionals from secondary and post-secondary entities. These experts were chosen for their unique perspective and understanding for the need to increasingly challenge high school students in order to meet the demands of the post high school experience.

"These are exciting times in education," State Board of Education Chairman Larry Wittig said. "The Keystone Exams will ensure continuity throughout the state for end-of-course exams. These cut scores are rigorous and reflect a high level of expectation for our students."?

In 2009, the State Board of Education set new high school graduation requirements that can be met through a combination of several options, one of which is successful course completion with a Keystone Exam as the final exam. School districts that chose to use the Keystone Exams must require all of their students to participate beginning with the graduating class of 2015.

The Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to evaluate proficiency in Algebra I, Algebra II, Biology, Chemistry, Civics and Government, English Composition, Geometry, Literature, U.S. History and World History. These exams will help school districts guide students toward meeting state standards, which are aligned with the expectations for success in college and the workplace.

Important State Budget Links

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 6:56:15 PM EDT

The State Budget, HB 1485, now Act 1A of 2011, contains the appropriations for the 2011-12 state budget. Here are important links from PDE concerning the education budget: Summary of state appropriations for education; Explanation for the distribution of the basic subsidy; District basic subsidy allocations; Special education funding; Pennsylvania Accountability Grants.

State Budget Passed

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 7:00:31 PM EDT

For the first time in nine years, the Commonwealth has a budget signed by the Governor before July 1, as required by the state constitution. That is the good news. Schools will receive nearly $900 million fewer subsidy dollars than in the previous year. With passage of SB 330, now Act 25, school districts will find it increasingly difficult to exceed the Act 1 index. Only three exceptions to using the referendum will now be available: pre-exiting construction, special education and employee pensions. That is the bad news. Proposed legislation that did not pass on vouchers and economic furloughs is expected to be on the Governor's and legislators' agenda in the fall.

Analysis: Pennsylvania Budget Plan is Lean and on Time

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:36:49 PM EDT

According to a Patriot-News article (from Pennlive.com, June 30, 2011): Pennsylvania soon will have a state budget that cuts spending more deeply than most folks have seen in a generation. Gov. Tom Corbett is expected to sign a $27.15 billion budget today that includes no tax increases or new taxes. The new fiscal year begins Friday. The 2011-12 budget cuts spending by 4.1 percent. It dramatically reduces aid for schools, colleges, economic development and welfare programs. It contains about $300 million in tax cuts and credits for business interests. Click here to read the full article.

Sen. Jake Corman's Proposed Changes to Pa. High School Athletics Transfer Regulations Leaves Window Open for Abuse, Athletic Administrators Say

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 12:59:54 PM EDT

According to a Patriot-News article (from Pennlive.com, June 29, 2011): As the state budget nears passage, a largely unnoticed provision tied to the budget's school funding section could put a new spin on the issue of student-athlete transfers in high school athletics. Click here to read the full story.

State Senate Approves $27.2 Billion State Budget

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 12:44:21 PM EDT

Highlights of Major Education Programs and Funding Levels

State legislative leaders and Governor Tom Corbett agreed on a 2011-12 state budget deal this week. On Tuesday, the PA Senate approved it on a 30-20 party-line vote. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives. The bill would spend just $27.2 billion, down $962 million, or 3.4%, from the 2010-11 budget.

The biggest cuts, in both dollars and percentages, are in education programs, including PreK-12 and higher education. While the budget makes some funding restorations from the Governor's original budget proposal, the cuts are still significant:

•   Basic education funding, at $5.35 billion, is cut $421.5 million, or 7.3%, from the current year.
•   Funding for Accountability Block Grants, at $100 million, is cut by $159 million, or 61%.
•   Special education is flat-funded for the third year at just over $1 billion.
•   Charter School reimbursements are fully eliminated (a loss of $224 million).
•   Funding was also eliminated for Educational Assistance (a tutoring program) and school improvement
grants.
•   Both Head Start and PreK Counts were cut by about 3%.

The cuts in major education programs total $863 million.

Higher education fared much better under the final budget but still sustained cuts of about 18%, or $160 million. Penn State University received a cut of 19%, or $50 million, in basic support. Community colleges will see a 10% cut, or $23.6 million.

Attention Administrators: Access Sections 1124-1125 of PA School Code of 1949

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 5:40:47 PM EDT

Click here to access Section 1124 - Causes for Suspension and Section 1125 - Suspensions and Reinstatements (Under Article XI, Professional Employes, of the Pennsylvania School Code of 1949).

Department of Education's Principal Leadership Program Helps Students Achieve, Study Says

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 5:28:07 PM EDT

According to a June 2, 2011 PDE Press Release: A new study shows Pennsylvania'ss ongoing executive development program for school principals is producing significant gains in student achievement, Secretary of Education Tomalis announced today [June 2]. Click here to read the full press release.

Webinar Recording Understanding AYP 2011

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 2:06:25 PM EDT

For anyone who was unable to participate in one of the sessions titled "Understanding AYP 2011," presented by the Pennsylvania Department of Education'ss Bureau of Assessment and Accountability, a session was recorded and can be found at: http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/2011_ayp/20278.

The handout to accompany this presentation can also be accessed at: http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/2011_ayp/20278.

PDE Releases FAQs Regarding Chapter 4 Regulations (Project-Based Assessments)

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 5:15:08 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has recently released a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) concerning the use of project-based assessments that are part of the new graduation requirements under the Chapter 4 regulations. Students who do not score proficient or above on a Keystone Exam module after two attempts may choose to complete a project-based assessment for that module. Points earned through satisfactory performance on one or more project modules related to the Keystone Exam module or modules on which the student did not pass will be added to the student's highest Keystone Exam score. The FAQ includes information for districts regarding the development and implementation of the projects, scoring, projects for IEP and ESL students and more. The information is posted on its SAS section of its web site (www.pdesas.org).

Schott Leaving State Board of Education as Executive Director

Fri, 13 May 2011 2:25:28 PM EDT

Adam Schott is vacating his position as executive director of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, effective May 19, 2011. He is reportedly going to work for Research for Action (RFA), a Philadelphia-based, non-profit organization engaged in educational research, evaluation and strategic advice.

Torsella Leaves State Board -- Wittig Named New Chairman

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 5:24:12 PM EDT

Pennsylvania State Board of Education chairman Joseph Torsella has resigned to become the U.S. Representative for United Nations Management and Reform. Gov. Corbett has named Larry Wittig, of Tamaqua, Schuylkill County, as the new chairman.

Mr. Torsella was nominated by President Obama for this position and recently confirmed by the U.S. Senate to the post. He had been a member of the State Board since April 2008 and was named chairman in August of the same year by former Gov. Rendell. Prior to that, he served as president and CEO of the National Constitution Center.

Mr. Wittig has been a member of the board since 2001.

Senate Confirms Ronald Tomalis as Secretary of Education

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 5:17:03 PM EDT

The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Ronald J. Tomalis as Secretary of Education.

Mr. Tomalis was nominated for the post in January by Gov. Tom Corbett. He most recently worked as a director at Dutko Worldwide/Whiteboard Advisors, a lobbying and public affairs firm. He served as an adviser to numerous nonprofit education groups and foundations, along with for-profit education related companies.

Prior to working at Dutko Worldwide, he held various senior management, policy, and operational positions in federal and state government. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Tomalis worked for the United States Department of Education, where he managed the implementation of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as well as the $25 billion Title I/II programs.
From 1995 to 2001, he served as Executive Deputy Secretary of Education under Governor Tom Ridge. Mr. Tomalis also served as counselor to the United States Secretary of Education and as Acting Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Prior to joining the United States Department of Education, he was the Executive Deputy Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, where he took on the role of Chief Operating Officer for the department.

School Choice Tax Credit Bill Advances

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 7:30:54 PM EDT

By Robert Swift (Harrisburg Bureau Chief) - Citizen'ss Voice, Wilkes-Barre
Published: April 27, 2011

HARRISBURG - The scope of a state business tax credit program that promotes school choice would expand greatly under legislation approved Tuesday by a House committee.

By a 21-4 tally, the Republican-controlled Education Committee voted to make more state tax credits available to businesses and expand student eligibility for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program into the range of middle-class incomes.

PAESSP 2011 Election Results Announced

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 3:34:19 PM EDT

The results of PAESSP's 2011 Election have been announced thanks to our Nominations Committee - Dr. Joan Crouse, chairperson, and members Brian Cashman, Sr. and Michael Gay, along with Margaret Foster, PAESSP president, who assisted in obtaining the candidates for this year's election.

After our members voted online, we are proud to report that the following are your newly- elected president-elect and regional representatives for this year's election:

President-Elect (Elem.)      - Dr. Joshua A. Doll, Dallastown Area M.S., Dallastown A.S.D.

East III Elementary       - Jacqueline C. Havrilla, Evans E.S., Spring-Ford A.S.D.

East I Secondary    - Vito S. Quaglia, Wyoming Area Sec. Ctr., Wyoming A.S.D.

Central II Elementary      - Tabetha A. Haldeman, Reamstown E.S., Cocalico S.D.

Central II Secondary     - Dr. Benjamin K. Ruby, Northeastern M.S., Northeastern York S.D.

West I Elementary - Rosemary C. Sheridan, Pfeiffer-Burleigh E.S., Erie City S.D.

West I Secondary - Sharon D. Sielski, Linesville H.S., Conneaut S.D.

Tuition Voucher Update: SB 1 is Delayed in Senate

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 1:03:10 PM EDT

A proposal to create a school voucher program for Pennsylvania (Senate Bill 1) was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday, April 11 with a vote of 15-11, but a scheduled Tuesday, April 12 vote on the bill was delayed until April 26 at the earliest so the bill could be revised.

The school choice bill allows students to attend private or parochial schools of their choice with state-paid vouchers.

To read more: Corbett pushes school vouchers - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

2011 Safe Schools Conference - May 11-13, 2011

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 7:40:26 PM EDT

The 2011 Annual Safe Schools Conference, "Keeping Our Children Safe: Strategies for Schools and Communities" will be held at the Hilton Harrisburg, May 11-13, 2011. This conference will focus on creating a positive school culture that supports academic success and provides a safe teaching and learning environment. The conference provides an opportunity to learn about the latest research in school safety and violence prevention, hear about effective program models and practices from state and national experts and network with colleagues. The conference is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Center for Safe Schools.

Additional details and registration information can be found on the Center for Safe Schools web site:
http://www.safeschools.info/SSConf2011Overview.php

State Board of Education Meeting - Update on Chapter 12 Regulations

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 7:00:22 PM EDT

This week, the State Board of Education met to discuss and receive updates on a variety of issues, including the proposed Chapter 12 regulations on student nutrition/health and wellness which have been tolled by the Attorney General's office in order for the State Board to provide clarification on provisions relating to the composition and duties of the health advisory committee; and also whether students who participate in work related to school gardens would be subject to child labor laws. Once the Attorney General's office receives the information, the regulatory review process may continue and the State Board will determine next steps concerning the proposal.

PSEA President Responds to Governor's Call for a One-Year Pay Freeze

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 5:02:03 PM EDT

James P. Testerman, president of the 191,000 members of the Pennsylvania State Education Association [PSEA], today responded to Gov. Tom Corbett's call for school employees to consider a one-year pay freeze.

Testerman released the following statement:

"The education professionals in the Pennsylvania State Education Association have been willing to be good public partners and tackle tough issues before, and we're willing to do it again.

"We hope to prevent a $1 billion cut in state education funding, but we also realize that tough economic times have hit many of our public school districts.

"We have serious concerns about some of Gov. Corbett's proposals, but we want to do our part to ensure that our students' education does not suffer as a result of the worst recession since the Depression.

"As part of his budget proposal, the governor requested that education employees accept a one-year pay freeze. The governor stated that this decision is 'determined at a local level and arrived at by contract and collective bargaining.' As president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, I concur.

"I encourage PSEA members to seriously consider this request.

"Today, I sent a letter to the presidents of all PSEA locals.   I encouraged them to enter into discussions with their school boards about a pay freeze or other cost-saving measures to maintain class sizes and academic programs.   In some communities our members have recently agreed to economic concessions to maintain class sizes and academic programs. Their contribution must also be recognized.

"Such cooperation can help to preserve the academic gains made in Pennsylvania's public schools over the last decade.

"Our scores on National Assessment of Educational Progress, the 'Nation's Report Card,' are among the country's best.   Our students showed progress in all academic subjects and grade levels.   And seven of 10 graduates are going on to higher education.

"We need public partners to join us in our effort to advocate for our public schools.   PSEA calls on parents, caregivers, and community leaders to ask legislators to prevent the cuts to school funding.   A pay freeze alone will not be enough to preserve the programs our students need to succeed in the future.

"Despite the difficult economy, we must remember that students only get one chance at a quality education.   Pennsylvanians must not permit this recession to rob our children of the opportunity public education provides to prepare them for a better future.

"Pennsylvania's schools are among the best in the nation. PSEA remains steadfast in its commitment to provide a quality education to the 1.8 million children who attend our public schools."

Testerman is a science teacher in the Central York School District. A state affiliate of the National Education Association, PSEA represents approximately 191,000 future, active and retired teachers and school employees, and health care workers in Pennsylvania.

Source: PSEA Press Release - March 16, 2011.

Keystone Exams Delayed

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 2:28:46 PM EST

From the Office of the Secretary of Education: The 2011-2012 State Budget proposal presented by Governor Corbett includes many difficult decisions to address a significant budget shortfall. While the PDE remains committed to the new system of high school graduation requirements that took effect just over one year ago, fiscal constraints will delay implementation of certain provisions, including the use of Keystone Exams during the 2011-2012 school year.

The Governor's proposal reflects a one-year pause in the development and implementation of Keystone Exams. It is important to note that this delay will not adversely impact students. Fortunately, in developing this initiative the State Board of Education anticipated that fiscal challenges might require course corrections in implementation of the reform and included a waiver provision to ensure that no student is negatively affected by a delay in implementation. The additional time also will allow districts to make certain that local curriculum is fully aligned with the content assessed by Keystones and to provide associated professional development.

PDE's work on other components of the new high school graduation requirements - including development of the project-based alternative assessments - will continue to move ahead. Additionally, the voluntary model curriculum, classroom diagnostic tools and other SAS resources - key components of the broader reform - will continue to serve students and schools during 2011-2012.

Below is a Frequently Asked Questions document that responds to potential questions surrounding the implementation of Keystone Exams. You may continue to use the graduation requirements resource account - ra-gradreq@state.pa.us - to raise any questions or concerns.

Keystone Exams FAQs

1. Is the PDE still going to implement the new system of high school graduation requirements?

Yes; however, fiscal constraints will delay implementation of certain provisions, including the use of Keystone Exams during the 2011-2012 school year.

2. Why the delay?

The delay is a result of a combination of factors including the $20 million cost anticipated for 2011-12. In addition these exams are rigorous and

3. When will the specific Keystone Exams be available?

During 2012-2013, the following exams will be available: Literature, English Composition, Algebra I and Biology. A Social Studies Keystone will be field tested in 2012-2013 for use during 2013-2014.

4.             When will the Keystone Exams replace the grade 11 PSSAs?

The PSSA will continue through 2012-2013.   PDE expects the Keystones to be approved and in use for AYP during 2013-2014. This timeline aligns precisely with the transition plan for the newly-adopted Pennsylvania Common Core Standards.

5.             Will PDE still provide supports to districts?

Yes. The Voluntary Model Curriculum, Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT) and other SAS resources will not be impacted by the one-year delay in Keystone Exam development and administration.

6.             How will this change in the schedule impact students in the Classes of 2015, 2016, and beyond?

The State Board's rulemaking provides adequate flexibility in the language of Chapter 4 Regulations: "Students who will graduate in the 2014-2015 school year or thereafter, who successfully complete courses...for which Keystone Exams or local validated assessments were not available at the time the course was completed, shall be deemed proficient for purposes of this section."
Essentially, these students are exempt from the state proficiency requirement. Local district requirements will not be impacted.

7.             Is there a guarantee of funding for Keystones to continue in 2012-2013?

The Keystone Exams create an opportunity for consistency in the rigor of requirements for all students in Pennsylvania public high schools prior to graduation therefore, it is imperative that we continue with this effort. PDE remains committed to the Keystone program and expect it to continue subject to annual funding.

8.       Should School Districts continue, as planned, to participate in the spring 2011 Keystone Exam testing program?

Yes. It is important to participate for two reasons. First, the data will be used to set the cut scores for the performance levels. Second, districts will receive useful Keystone Exam results for the students who participate.

Governor Corbett Unveils Proposed 2011-12 State Budget

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 6:51:05 PM EST

Gov. Tom Corbett unveiled his proposed 2011-12 state budget today. According to a PDE press release, the education budget continues to provide the necessary resources for basic education while reshaping the system to put more control into the hands of families and local school districts. Read on for links to the budget press releases and additional information on the education budget.

Governor Corbett Proposes Education Budget Putting Families, Taxpayers First; Begins Reshaping System. Read More

2011-2012 Budget Press Releases:

Governor Corbett'ss Budget Address - March 8, 2011

Governor Corbett Proposes Education Budget Putting Families, Taxpayers First; Begins Reshaping System

Governor Corbett Unveils 2011-12 Budget, Balanced and Built on Fiscal Discipline, Free Enterprise, Limited and Transparent Government.

Additional Information on Education Budget:

A World Class Education that Enables All Pennsylvania Children to Achieve their Full Potential - An overview of the 2011-12 Education Budget (PDF)

Summary of State Education Appropriations: This page contains a summary of the funding levels proposed for Education appropriations for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

Basic Education Funding: The Governor'ss Budget includes $5,226,142,000 for the 2011-2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount is a $104,803,000 increase (2.0%) over the General Fund amount appropriated in 2010-2011.

Special Education Funding: The Governor'ss Budget includes $1,026,815,000 for the 2011-2012 Special Education appropriation.

Pennsylvanians Opposed to Vouchers Respond to Committee Vote on Legislation

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 6:49:13 PM EST

Spokespersons for the Pennsylvanians Opposed to Vouchers expressed disappointment in the vote by a legislative committee in support of voucher legislation. The coalition said the vote by the Senate Education Committee to approve Senate Bill 1, which would create a tax-funded voucher program for private school tuition, was expected, but emphasized the group will continue fighting the bill in the General Assembly.

Coalition spokespersons Olivia Thorne, president of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania said, "While we share the concerns of Senate Bill 1'ss sponsors that far too many children are not getting the quality education they deserve, we respectfully disagree with the approach being promoted by voucher supporters.

"Sadly, instead of promoting proven programs targeted to the needs of individual schools that could help all students in struggling schools, the Senate Education Committee has chosen a path of dubious benefit to the few at the expense of the many," Thorne said.

Woodrow Sites of the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools said Senate Bill 1 would create a new government spending program with unknown actual costs, with some estimates projecting as high as $100 million in the first year alone, at a time when the Commonwealth's public schools could potentially lose as much as $1 billion in funding.

"This is not the time to start a new expensive government program and new bureaucracy, when state lawmakers are predicting widespread cuts to all areas of state government, including public education," Sites said. "We should fix public schools that are struggling, not abandon them using a voucher program."

Joan Duvall-Flynn of the NAACP-PA, said the legislation does not satisfactorily address problems of equal access to quality education for all students.

"Private schools, not parents, still have the 'choice' under Senate Bill 1 of which students they will accept, and which students they will turn away," Duvall-Flynn said.

Source: PSEA Press Release, March 1, 2011.

New Test Development

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 5:07:11 PM EST

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the Educational Testing Service (ETS) are developing a new Praxis Series TM licensure assessment for entry-level Pennsylvania Grade 4-8 teachers. A licensure assessment is intended to provide information regarding the knowledge and skills that are important for entry-level teachers to engage in independent practice.

The assessment development process involves two major phases: construct definition and test design. In order to complete these two phases, PDE needs to recruit teachers and/or teacher-educators to provide their professional judgment regarding which knowledge and/or skills are important for safe and effective entry-level practice (construct definition phase), and how that content should be measured (test design phase).

You are invited you to nominate teachers teaching middle grades to become a member of the Pennsylvania Grades 4-8 Advisory Committee. Committee members will be expected to attend either a three-or-two day meeting depending on assignment.

The goal of the first part of the meeting will be to define the construct to be measured by the assessment. Committee members will work collaboratively to determine the knowledge and skills important for safe and effective entry-level practice. The goal of the second part of the meeting will be to develop test content specifications (i.e., a blueprint that defines how the content will be measured by the test). Additional responsibilities may include pre- and post-meeting web-based assignments.

Details regarding the meeting include the following:

Subject:   Pennsylvania Grades 4-8
Dates:   April 18-22, 2011
Times:   9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Place:   Harrisburg, PA
Honorarium:     $250/day for each full day
Travel:   All expenses paid by ETS
Certificate:   Professional Development hours
Reimbursement for Substitutes: Upon request by committee member

If you or the appropriate staff would like to attend, e-mail Debra McKee at dmckee@ets.org and attach a resume by February 25, 2011. Please be sure that your school or institution has approved your leave if you are chosen to serve on this committee.

Pennsylvania Schools Could Lose $1 Billion

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 4:43:15 PM EST

Check out the Patriot-News article by Jan Murphy, Feb. 4, 2011.

Tuition Voucher Update: SB 1 is Introduced

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 8:11:32 PM EST

Senators Jeff Piccola (R-Dauphin), the chairman of the Senate Education Committee, and Sen. Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia) have formally introduced legislation to create a taxpayer-funded tuition voucher program. The bill is Senate Bil (SB) 1, and it will be the subject of a public hearing of the Senate Education Committee on Feb. 16.

Corbett Nominates Tomalis as Secretary of Education

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 3:30:00 PM EST

Governor-elect Tom Corbett has selected his nominee to lead the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Ronald J. Tomalis is currently director of Dutko Worldwide/Whiteboard Advisers. He is an education consultant with an extensive background in education programs and services at the elementary, secondary and post-secondary levels who has worked extensively with No Child Left Behind.

Mr. Tomalis served as chief of staff under U.S. Education Secretary Eugene Hickock, and as special assistant to U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige. He also served as executive deputy secretary of education in the Ridge Administration when Mr. Hickock was the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education.

He is a graduate of Dickinson College where Mr. Hickock was a professor.

His nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.

RSS Feed Available

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 3:43:02 PM EST

Subscribing to the new RSS feed will keep you updated on the latest publicly available content added to the PAESSP web site. In order to see the latest content which is available only to members, you will still need to visit the site and log in. It will not be included in the feed. http://www.paessp.org/resources/rss-feeds.html

Mark Your Calendar - PAESSP's First Ever "Principals' Advocacy Day" - April 15, 2011!

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 8:41:37 PM EST

PAESSP is encouraging its members to reserve time on Friday, April 15, 2011 to contact their state representative and/or senator to increase awareness of issues affecting school principals and other educational leaders. More details on PAESSP's 2011 Principals's Advocacy Day to follow.

Open Board Positions for 2011 PAESSP Election -- PAESSP Election - March 21 - April 1, 2011

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 5:00:00 AM EST

Dr. Joan Crouse, a former PAESSP board member and the director of literacy and ESL services for the Conewago Valley S.D. in New Oxford, Pa., has been appointed by the PAESSP president to serve as the chairperson of the 2011 PAESSP Nominations Committee. Brian Cashman, Sr., a retired secondary principal (Southern York County School District), and Michael Gay, an elementary principal in the Sharon City School District, will also serve on the committee. A link to your e-ballot will be sent via email on March 21, 2011. The election will close on April 1, 2011.

Click Here for the Open Board Positions for the 2011 PAESSP Election. Candidate forms are due in the PAESSP office by Feb. 22, 2011!

Gluck Resigns as Acting Secretary of Education

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 1:29:43 PM EST

Acting Secretary of Education Thomas Gluck has announced that his last day at the Pennsylvania Department of Education will be Friday, December. Starting in January, he will be employed as senior advisor to the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units. In this role, he will be working with intermediate units to help strengthen and expand the ways they can support students, schools and communities across the commonwealth.

Starting on January, Deputy Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Amy Morton will assume the role of Acting Secretary for the balance of Governor Rendell's term.

Corbett Announces Senior Members of His Administration

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 2:54:07 PM EST

According to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Gov.-elect Tom Corbett on Tuesday announced his first cabinet appointments, tapping four longtime aides from the state Attorney General'ss Office to become members of his inner circle when he becomes governor. Corbett named Brian Nutt as his chief of staff; Annmarie Kaiser as his legislative affairs secretary; Jennifer Branstetter as his policy and planning director; and Kevin Harley as communications director. "I'm grateful that such an experienced and trusted group of professionals is joining my administration," Corbett said in a statement. "They have worked closely with me on a daily basis for years, and I look forward to continuing to work with them as we tackle the challenges facing Pennsylvania." Click here to read the Philadelphia Inquirer article.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, Wed., Dec. 8, 2010.

Don't Forget -- New Graduation Rates Coming Soon -- PSBA to Host Free Web Conference on Wed., Dec. 8th

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 4:35:26 PM EST

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is expected to give school districts their preliminary file of graduation rate data very soon and the next step is for the department to release state-level data to the media. It is imperative that all school districts ensure that their graduation rate data has been sent to PDE, and that the information sent is correct.

All school administrators are strongly urged to check with their staff to ensure that their district's graduation rate data has been accurately recorded into the department's Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS). If after reviewing this information, you believe there is an error with your data, please have your PIMS administrator contact Michele Hiester at PDE immediately via email at mhiester@state.pa.us.

Pennsylvania will soon use a 4-Year Cohort Graduation Rate for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) determination. Previously, the state used a "leaver rate" for graduation rate calculations, which calculated the aggregate number of students that did not leave high school prior to graduating. The new methodology is an entirely different calculation that determines the percent of students that complete high school within four years. In addition to the information being made public, the 2009-10 4-Year Cohort Graduation Rates will be used to determine state goals and targets for AYP purposes. While the new calculation method will not be used for AYP determinations until 2012, PDE is required to post district-level graduation rates on the department website.

In preparation for the release of this data to the media, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) is offering a free web conference to discuss the new federal graduation rate calculations. The event web conference will take place at noon next Wednesday, Dec. 8, as Jennifer Waltz from PDE's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education explains the new federal changes to the graduation rate calculation methods, what it will mean for school districts and how they can put a positive spin on the new numbers. Superintendents, high school principals, communications/public relations officers and school board members should all participate in this opportunity. For more details or to register, visit: http://www.psba.org/workshops/web-conference/.

Gov.-Elect Corbett Announces Transition Team

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 4:08:25 PM EST

Gov.-elect Tom Corbett has announced more than 400 members of his transition team. The transition team is made up of 17 different committees, each examining a specific area of state government. The members of each of committee, who are volunteering their time, are tasked with reviewing the operations of the state government departments and agencies under the governor's jurisdiction and will prepare a transition report for Gov.-elect Corbett.

The Education Committee consists of various individuals, many who are associated with charter, cyber charter or private schools and are strong supporters of voucher programs -- others are from higher education. Serving on the education committee are:

Co-Chairs - Joel Greenberg, Susquehanna International Group; and Mark Nordenberg, Chancellor, University of Pittsburgh.

Jim Agras, CEO of Triangle Tech and State Board of Education; Jeanne Allen, President of Center for Education Reform; Chris Bravacos, President, Bravo Group; Matt Brouillette, President, Commonwealth Foundation; PA State Rep. Paul Clymer; Marie Conley, Chair of the Human Resources Committee, Board of Governors; Bill Donahue, Treasurer of Donahue Family Foundation; Carolyn Dumaresq, Partner, Dumaresq Consulting; Dan Fitzpatrick, President/CEO, Citizens Bank; Amy Forester, Saul Ewing; Don Francis, Independent Colleges & Universities; Dennis Giorno, Malady & Wooten; Vahan Gureghian, Chester County Charter School; Larry Jones, President of Charter School Association; Michael Karp, President of University City Housing; Ruth O'sBlock Grant, Member, Board of Trustees, Seton Hill University; Pat O'sConnor, COB, Temple University, Cozen & O'sConnor; PA State Sen. Jeffrey Piccola; David Pollard, Susquehanna International Group; Ana Puig, Co-Chair of Kitchen Table Patriots; Father Ed Quinlan, Secretary of Education, Harrisburg Diocese; Cynthia Richey, Director of Mt. Lebanon Library System; Richard Sand, Managing Partner of Sand & Saidel Law Firm; Dave Schulik, Shulick Law Offices; Carl Singley, Counsel, Ciardi, Ciardi and Astin; Karen Stout, President of Montgomery County Community College;
Bob Taylor, Trustee, Slippery Rock University; Paul Taylor, Executive Director Archabbey, St. Vincent'ss College; Ron Tomalis, Director of Dutko Worldwide; Dennis Tulli, Cyber Charters; PA State Sen. Anthony Williams; and Charles Zogby, K12 Inc. (Knowledge Universe).

Senate Votes to Override Governor's Veto of Education Bill (HB 101)

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 2:40:31 PM EST

According to an article in the Patriot News (Nov. 17, 2010), "The state Senate gaveled into session today to hand Gov. Ed Rendell his first overridden legislative veto. The chamber, which had not planned to hold any lame-duck votes, made the decision to return to voting session after state House lawmakers voted to override Rendell'ss veto of a wide-ranging education bill earlier this week. The Senate voted 42-7 to successfully override the veto shortly after 2 p.m. yesterday. Two-thirds of members in each chamber must vote in favor of overriding a veto for the bill to become law." For the full article, click here.

Newly Elected House Democratic Leadership Announced

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 3:06:12 PM EST

The newly elected leadership for the House Democratic Caucus held a press conference on the floor of the House of Representative to discuss the caucus elections. Minority Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny) stated "it is an honor to be here as leader"? and introduced the Democratic leadership team consisting of: Minority Policy Chairman Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster); Caucus Secretary Jennifer Mann (D-Lehigh); Minority Whip Mike Hanna (D-Clinton); Minority Appropriations Chairman Joseph Markosek (D-Allegheny); Caucus Chairman Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny); and Caucus Administrator Ron Buxton (D-Dauphin).

Margaret S. Foster Assumes Presidency of State Principals' Association

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 4:57:00 PM EST

November 5, 2010

TO:               News Editor/News Director

CONTACT:        Sheri L. Thompson, Director of Communications, Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals
122 Valley Road, P.O. Box 39, Summerdale, PA 17093
(717) 732-4999 (Office)
(717) 395-6814 (Cell)
(717) 732-4890 (Fax)
sherit@paessp.org

RELEASE:       UPON RECEIPT

Margaret S. Foster Assumes Presidency of State Principals' Association

(Harrisburg, Pa.) — Margaret S. Foster, principal/chief academic officer of Bear Creek Community Charter School in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., recently assumed the presidency of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa.

PAESSP's membership of approximately 3,800 is comprised of elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals and other edu- cational leaders and is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Ms. Foster took over the association reins from 2009-10 President Rebecca L. Stanfield, a middle school principal in the Troy Area School District, following the association's annual business meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010, during the 18th annual PAESSP conference in Pittsburgh.

"I am humbled and honored to represent principals across Pennsylvania as President of PAESSP. Our signature services of quality staff development including PIL offerings that are second to none, combined with Act 93 meet and discuss support, legislative influence and prompt legal support, make our organization unique as we champion the cause of our members. As President, it is my duty to continue the mission and to bring the voice of our members to the decision making table in Harrisburg and in Washington D.C. I look forward to my year of service and to advancing the great work that principals do in their schools for kids every day," said Ms. Foster.

Ms. Foster began her career as a 9th-11th grade Applied Science teacher at Monroe City Vocational-Technical School. She then became the dean of students at Susquehanna Community School District from 1997-2000, followed by the elementary school principal at Mountain View School District.

Ms. Foster has been a member of PAESSP for 10 years. Most recently, she served the association as the 2009-10 President-Elect. Before taking this position, she served as the PAESSP federal relations/legislative co-chair, elementary division (2006-2010). She was also the East I Elementary Regional Representative on the PAESSP Board of Directors (2003-2009).

In addition, Ms. Foster served as a reviewer for "NSTA Recommends®" (National Science Teachers Association) and wrote several articles for the Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association (PSTA) newsletter, "Exchange," from 1998-2003. Since 1997, she has been an active member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Ms. Foster received a bachelor of science degree from Slippery Rock University. She received a master's degree in education and her principal certification from East Stroudsburg University.

###

Dr. Barry L. Purvis Named President-Elect of State Principals' Association

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 4:50:33 PM EST

November 5, 2010

TO:               News Editor/News Director

CONTACT:        Sheri L. Thompson, Director of Communications
Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals, 122 Valley Road, P.O. Box 39, Summerdale, PA 17093
(717) 732-4999 (Office)
(717) 395-6814 (Cell)
(717) 732-4890 (Fax)
sherit@paessp.org

RELEASE:       UPON RECEIPT

Dr. Barry L. Purvis Named President-Elect of State Principals' Association

(Harrisburg, Pa.) — Dr. Barry L. Purvis, principal of Chambersburg Area Senior High School, Chambersburg Area School District, was recently named President-Elect of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa.

PAESSP's membership of approximately 3,800 is comprised of elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals and other edu-cational leaders and is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Dr. Purvis assumed his new position on PAESSP's Board of Directors following the association's annual business meeting held during its 18th annual conference in Pittsburgh on Oct. 26, 2010.

"I am pleased and honored to represent PAESSP as the President-Elect. I have personally benefited from PAESSP through expert advice, superb professional development and networking with some of the country'ss finest principals. I look forward to serving Pennsylvania'ss principals and welcome their input on how we can continue to keep Pennsylvania at the forefront of student learning, while also supporting school leaders and the numerous challenges they encounter each day," said Dr. Purvis.

Dr. Purvis began his education career as a physical education teacher in the Chambersburg Area School District. He then became the assistant principal of the Chambersburg Area Middle School followed by the assistant principal at Chambersburg Area Senior High School. In addition, he has been an adjunct professor at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania since 2002.

Dr. Purvis has been a member of PAESSP for 21 years. He currently serves the association as chairperson of PAESSP's Secondary Awards Committee (since 2004). Most recently, he served as the Central II Secondary Regional Representative on the PAESSP Board of Directors (since 2004). In 2006, he was selected as PAESSP's High School Principal of the Year in the MetLife/National Association of Secondary School Principals' (NASSP) Principal of the Year Program.

Known in his district as "Dr. P.," he has worked tirelessly to improve the school environment and to share his clear vision and expectations for his school. He is a strong leader who seeks the development of well-rounded individuals and acknowledges the accomplishments of the students and the staff.

While Dr. Purvis was principal at the Chambersburg Area Middle School, they received the "National Blue Ribbon Award" in 2002, and the school was a finalist for the Pennsylvania Middle School of the Year in 2003. He also coached girls' varsity basketball at Chambersburg from 1979-1996 and was selected Coach of the Year twice.

Dr. Purvis received a bachelor of science degree in health and physical education from East Stroudsburg University. He then received a master's in educational administration and has a super-intendent's letter of eligibility from Shippensburg University, as well as a doctorate in educational administration from Widener University.

He resides in Chambersburg with his wife Joyce, daughter Kia and granddaughter Kiana.

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Legislators Pass Pension Reform Bill

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 1:36:52 PM EST

On Nov. 15, the House of Representatives passed a bill to reform the state pension systems, HB 2497. HB 2497 will alter pension benefit enhancements granted in 2001 for new school employees, state employees and legislators.

Also, it significantly raises the retirement age, reduces the maximum pension benefit and eliminates the option to withdraw employee contributions. Senate amendments added a requirement that employees share in the risk if the pension fund suffers losses by paying a higher contribution rate.

The bill requires new workers to pay an increased rate (equivalent to 10.3 percent of pay) to receive the current defined benefit pension or receive a reduced benefit by contributing 7.5 percent of their pay to PSERS. The measure also would double the period that new employees must work -- to 10 years from the current five -- before they would be eligible to receive a pension. New school employees would also have to work longer in order to retire without penalty.

PA Legislators Back in Harrisburg

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 3:35:05 PM EST

Pennsylvania legislators are back in session today with the expectation that they will take up the pension reform bill, HB 2497.

House GOP Selects Leaders

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 4:18:30 PM EST

Newly elected members of the House Republican leadership held media availability on the floor of the House of Representatives on Nov. 9 to discuss the caucus's leadership elections. Members in attendance were the Republican nominee for Speaker of the House Sam Smith (R-Jefferson), Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), Majority Whip Stan Saylor (R-York), Majority Caucus Chairman Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna), Majority Caucus Administrator Richard Stevenson (R-Mercer) and Majority Caucus Secretary Michael Vereb (R-Montgomery). Speaker-designee Smith stated the caucus just completed a comprehensive caucus election. He stated it was a long day with lots of members expressing their interests. He noted this was a good caucus election and that the leaders are very much looking forward to leading the House and working with the Senate and governor.

Margaret S. Foster Assumes Presidency of State Principals' Association

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 2:54:15 PM EDT

Margaret S. Foster, principal/chief academic officer of Bear Creek Community Charter School, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., recently assumed the presidency of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa. Click Here to Read Full Press Release.

Republicans Take Control of the House of Representatives

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 3:49:24 PM EDT

According to an article in The Patriot-News, the Republican wave washed over the state Capitol on Tuesday, likely giving the GOP the biggest majority it has had in the state House since the 1950s. Unofficial tallies showed the Republicans with at least 110 seats to the Democrats's 90, with three races too close to call. But all three of those seats were held by Democrats. Among those caught in the political undertow were House Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne) and former House Speaker John Perzel,(R-Philadelphia) along with at least nine other incumbents, all Democrats.

Corbett Elected Pennsylvania's Next Governor

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 3:46:18 PM EDT

According to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Republican Tom Corbett parlayed his Western Pennsylvania roots and zeal for jailing corrupt politicians Tuesday into a successful bid to become Pennsylvania'ss next governor. "The people have spoken and they have been heard loud and clear throughout all Pennsylvania," Corbett, 61, the state attorney general from Shaler, told a cheering crowd at the Omni William Penn Hotel, Downtown, where he held his election night party. "I understand with this election that I am the governor for all Pennsylvania -- not Republican, not Democrat -- but for all Pennsylvania." Corbett received 54.5 percent of the vote, compared to Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato'ss 45.5 percent, with 99 percent of precincts reporting unofficial results. More than 3.89 million votes were cast.

Get Out and VOTE Today!

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 1:27:04 PM EDT

8.4 MILLION PENNSYLVANIANS REGISTERED TO VOTE

Secretary of the Department of State Basil L. Merenda announced yesterday in a press release that a total of 8,478,509 Pennsylvanians are registered to vote at one of the state'ss more than 9,200 precincts in the General Election today. "This is a very critical election in which Pennsylvanians will vote for a new U.S. Senator, members of the U.S. House, a new governor, many state Senators and all state House members," Merenda said. "I urge every registered voter to go to the polls to make these important choices."

PSSA-M: Assigning Students to the Test and Understanding Participation

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 1:16:13 PM EDT

The webinar, "PSSA-M: Assigning Students to the Test and Understanding Participation," will be held from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010. Your registration confirmation will contain directions for joining the webinar on November 18, and a complete listing of system requirements. You will be connected using your computer'ss microphone and speakers (VoIP).

Presenters: Bureau of Assessment and Accountability and Bureau of Special Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).

The PSSA-M tests in Math, Reading and Science are available as test options for the 2011 PSSA test administration. The PSSA-M is an alternate assessment based upon modified academic achievement standards.

In order for an IEP student to participate in the PSSA-M, certain eligibility criteria must be met. These criteria are available in "Guidelines for IEP Teams: Assigning Students with IEPs to State Tests (ASIST)": http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/special_education/7465/assessment/607491.

The Department strongly encourages the participation of those educators who make decisions regarding the assignment of students to the PSSA or PSSA-M test(s), as well as those administrators who are responsible for the ordering of appropriate test materials.

This webinar will provide important information about the PSSA-M Math, Reading and Science tests. Topics that will be addressed include: 1) The available subject and grade level modified tests; 2) The target population for participation, including eligibility criteria; 3) Modifications and test blue prints; and 4) IEP documentation.

Participants may register for this event on the PaTTAN web site at www.pattan.net. The PSSA-M eligibility guidelines can be downloaded from the Department'ss website using the following link: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/special_education/7465/assessment/607491.

State and National Education Leaders to Convene in Pittsburgh

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 5:43:12 PM EDT

October 15, 2010

TO: News Editor/News Director

CONTACT: Sheri L. Thompson

Director of Communications

Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals
122 Valley Road, P.O. Box 39, Summerdale, PA 17093
(717) 732-4999 (Phone)
(717) 395-6814 (Cell)
(717) 732-4890 (Fax)
sherit@paessp.org
www.paessp.org

RELEASE: UPON RECEIPT

State and National Education Leaders to Convene in Pittsburgh

(Harrisburg, PA)—More than 300 elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals, supervisors and other education leaders will convene in Pittsburgh for the 18^th annual conference of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) to be held October 24-26, 2010 at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel.

"This year's conference once again provides an Act 45 opportunity for principals and definitely meets the primary purpose of professional development in an educational environment to increase the effectiveness of all who are engaged in the teaching-learning process. As I have come to know over my 11 years of being part of this organization, the conference also gives attendees the opportunity to network with other school administrators, which is also a very important element," said Janet M. O'Rourke, 2010 conference chairperson.

A few of the awards to be given out at the conference include the National Distinguished Principal and the Assistant, Middle Level and High School Principals of the Year. These will be given during PAESSP's 26^th annual banquet from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010.

In addition to the more than 75 vendors exhibiting their wares for schools and classrooms, a multitude of informational breakout sessions and keynote addresses will be presented to attendees by five nationally known speakers and educators from across the state and during the three-day conference. Dr. Victoria Bernhardt, executive director of the Education for the Future Initiative, will be presenting a keynote session on the topic of her book, Data, Data, Everywhere: Bringing All the Data Together for Continuous School Improvement, on Sunday, October 24 during the First General Session.

Also presenting on Sunday is Jon Gordon, an education consultant and author of international best-sellers including The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work and Team with Positive Energy and The No Complaining Rule: Positive Ways to Deal with Negativity at Work, will be present, "Create a Culture of Greatness in Your School," at the Second General Session.

Presenting on Monday, October 25 is Dr. Richard DuFour, the author and lead consultant for two of ASCD's video series How to Build a Professional Learning Community and Through New Eyes: Examining the Culture of Your School. His keynote, "Once Upon A Time: Addressing the Pervasive Mythology of Education," will be presented during the Third General Session.

Dr. Mel Riddle, the final keynote speaker on Monday, October 25, is the associate director for high school services for the National Association for Secondary School Principals (NASSP). He will present "No-Cost School Improvement: Leading Changes in School Culture" at the Fourth General Session.

Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidates, Attorney General Tom Corbett and Dan Onorato, have been invited to speak on Tuesday, Oct. 26 between 9:15-10:00 a.m. In addition, Barbara A. Chester, president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), and Jana Frieler, president of National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), will also be in attendance.

On Tuesday, Oct. 26 at PAESSP's Annual Business Meeting (8:15-9:15 a.m.), President Rebecca L. Stanfield, a middle school principal from the Troy Area School District, will 'pass the gavel' to President-Elect Margaret S. Foster, principal/chief academic officer of the Bear Creek Community Charter School in Wilkes Barre, Pa., making her the 2010-2011 PAESSP president.

For further information, or to schedule an interview or photo, please contact Sheri Thompson, PAESSP director of communications/public relations, at (717) 732-4999 (office), (717) 395-6814 (cell), or sherit@paessp.org. (Note: See enclosed schedule of events for times.)

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PAESSP's Mission: To ensure a quality education for every child by comprehensively supporting the educational leaders of our schools.

PAESSP's Vision: To be the best service organization of its kind in the United States.

2010 PAESSP Conference Participants - Click on the Link Below to Download the Speaker Handouts!

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 2:42:57 PM EDT

Click here to view and download the Speaker Handouts from the 2010 PAESSP Conference.

Senate Passes Responsible Pension Reform

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 1:38:30 PM EDT

On October 14, the state Senate passed HB 2497 by a 41-8 vote. The legislation is supported by PAESSP and other affected employee groups. HB 2497 passed the state House of Representatives in June. The House will need to return to vote on the Senate amendments next week. More details to follow in the upcoming weeks.

Request Absentee Ballot By Oct. 26th!

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 5:06:02 PM EDT

The next important deadline for this election is October 26 -- that is the last day voters can request an Absentee Ballot. Do you know any family members, friends or colleagues who may not be able to make it to the polls November 2 due to an illness, military service or other events that have them out of town on Election Day? Did you know they can still cast their vote?

Voters unable to vote at their polling place on Election Day may be eligible to vote by absentee ballot. The Pennsylvania Absentee Ballot Application can be downloaded online at http://www.votespa.com/. Application deadline is October 26.

Take a Look at This Article: The Answer Sheet - What "Superman" Got Wrong, Point by Point

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 2:20:12 PM EDT

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/guest-bloggers/what-superman-got-wrong-point.html

PDE Podcast - Keystone Assessments/Graduation Requirements

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 1:42:36 PM EDT

Pennsylvania principals have many questions about the Keystone Exams. The new Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) podcast as well as the documents that you can print from the web page may be useful to you! Click on the link below to access the podcast on the new Graduation Requirements and other draft documents including: a Keystone Exams overview, a draft statement of policy for local assessments, the State Board of Education Local Assessment Policy (regs), draft performance level descriptions and FAQs:

http://video.paiunet.org

(Select PDE Podcasts from the Select A Category drop down menu. Then click on PDE Podcast 02. The podcast is approximately 5 minutes in length.)

2010 Standards Aligned System (SAS) Trainings

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 6:50:49 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Department of Education is committed to assist schools with the implementation and utilization of the Standards Aligned System (SAS). The department is sponsoring these statewide SAS trainings:

•   SAS 101 (Basic understanding of SAS)
•   SASIT (SAS Integration Trainer)
•   SASIT UPDATE (for 2009-2010 SASIT Trainers only)

Registration opens on October 4, 2010. Interested participants can go to http://www.iu5.org to view the calendar and to register for any training.

DATE / WORKSHOP TYPE / SITE

November 9, 2010 - SASIT - Harrisburg PaTTAN

November 10, 2010 - SASIT - Harrisburg PaTTAN

November 16, 2010 - SAS 101 - King of Prussia PaTTAN

November 18, 2010 - SASIT UPDATE - King of Prussia PaTTAN

November 22, 2010 - SASIT - King of Prussia PaTTAN

November 23, 2010 - SASIT - King of Prussia PaTTAN

November 30, 2010 - SAS 101 - Luzerne - IU 18

Celebrate Constitution Day - September 17, 2010!

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 1:05:55 PM EDT

The signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787 is one of the most important and influential events in American history, establishing the many rights and freedoms "We the People" enjoy today. On Constitution Day, Friday, September 17, 2010, the National Constitution Center - located only steps away from Independence Hall, where the signing took place - will celebrate the 223rd anniversary of this remarkable day in history with a wide array of inspiring and educational activities both on location and online. For those of you celebrating in your classrooms, the Center will be webcasting the festivities live at http://www.constitutioncenter.org/ncc_progs_Constitution_Day.aspx where you will also find games, activities and other resources to help you celebrate Constitution Day in your classroom.

Hopewell Principal Joins National Education Leadership Board

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 1:10:16 PM EDT

Hopewell Principal Joins National Education Leadership Board

Contact:
Bob Farrace, NASSP, 703-860-7257
farraceb@principals.org

Reston, VA; August 11, 2010--Michael Allison, principal of Hopewell High School in Aliquippa, Pa., has been appointed to a four-year term on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the nation'ss leading professional organization for middle level and high school principals and assistant principals.

Allison has been at Hopewell since 1998, joining the staff as an assistant principal before becoming its principal in 2000. He served as president of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals in 2008, and has served as an adjunct faculty member at Franciscan University of Stuebenville, where he earned a master's in educational leadership in 1996.

As a member of the NASSP Board of Directors, Allison will participate in shaping the organization'ss federal education policy agenda that advocates for the needs of secondary schools and their students. Allison will also travel to Washington, D.C., periodically to meet with fellow board members and with national figures and federal education policymakers.

"With the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (currently called No Child Left Behind) being considered for reauthorization, this is a crucial time to consider how federal legislation affects schools," said NASSP Executive Director Gerald N. Tirozzi. "And Michael will be right in the thick of those conversations, providing federal policymakers a much-needed reality check on how their policies will affect actual schools."

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. The mission of NASSP is to promote excellence in school leadership. NASSP administers the National Honor Society ®, National Junior Honor Society ®, National Elementary Honor Society ®, and National Association of Student Councils ®. For more information about NASSP, located in Reston, VA, visit www.principals.org.

# # #

Governor Signs State Budget

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 6:03:37 PM EDT

Governor Edward Rendell signed the $28 billion 2010-11 fiscal year budget into law today. The signing, attended by many education groups including PAESSP (represented by Joe Acri, assistant executive director), was held at the Elwood Elementary School in the Mechanicsburg Area School District. The budget provides $5.8 billion to education which is $250 million more than last year. This is especially significant since almost all other areas of the budget will see a reduction in spending.

State Board of Education Update

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 5:03:57 PM EDT

On July 1, the Pennsylvania State Board of Education approved changes to Chapter 4 by adopting the Common Core Standards.

These curriculum changes will begin next school year with full implementation in July 2013. The State Board has indicated that they will be providing a number of meetings around the Commonwealth to gather input about the implementation.

Pension Reform

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 5:02:21 PM EDT

It is doubtful the Senate will be taking up the House version of pension reform before they adjourn for the summer recess.

PAESSP Needs Member PP ID and Cell Phone Numbers

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 1:32:11 PM EDT

Reminder: You Need Your PP ID # to Register for the PAESSP Conference AND to Receive Your Act 45 and Act 48 Hours!

In an effort to keep our records as comprehensive as possible, we are asking for some additional information for our membership records (this information will not be shared with anyone else). As you know, all certified educators have been assigned a 7-digit Professional Personnel Identification number (PP ID#) generated by the PDE. The primary use of this ID is to provide an alternative to using your SSN for identification when reporting or retrieving Continuing Education credits and hours. We are currently in the process of purging the SSNs from our membership records. If we do not have your PP ID#, we will not be able to report your Act 45 or Act 48 hours to the PDE.

In addition, we have added cell phone numbers to our membership records. Providing your cell phone number is entirely optional, however many members prefer us to contact them on their cell phones rather than their business/district lines. To that end, we are asking that you e-mail Melissa Plantz, our membership coordinator, your cell phone number as well as your PP ID#. #. Send the information to: plantz@paessp.org or contact her at (717) 732-4999, ext. 16.

We strongly encourage you, if you have not already done so, to obtain your PP ID# - you may use this link to go to the PDE web site.

Proposed Pension Changes

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 7:08:24 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed HB 2497 which in addition to smoothing out the pension spike makes a number of changes to the retirement system for employees hired after July 1, 2011. Among the changes will be vesting changing to 10 years from five, prohibiting employees from taking lump sum payments at retirement and requiring additional contributions to maintain the 2.5% multiplier. The bill moves to the Senate were it is expected to be taken up next week.

PAESSP Launches New Website!

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 4:31:31 PM EDT

Yay!

Joyce Mundy Named 2010 Middle Level Principal of the Year

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 5:00:00 AM EDT

Click here for the full article.

PAESSP and PA PTA Announce Availability of New Joint Brochure

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 5:00:00 AM EDT

PAESSP and the Pennsylvania Parent Teacher Association (PA PTA) have jointly developed a brochure for use by principals and PTA presidents when collaborating on and planning successful projects in their schools.

To view and download a copy of this new brochure, click here.

Richard Gregg Named 2010 High School Principal of the Year

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 5:00:00 AM EDT

Click here for the full article.

Linda W. Marcincin Named Secretary of State Principals' Association

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 5:00:00 PM EST

(Harrisburg, PA)—Dr. Linda W. Marcincin, principal of Slatington Elementary School in Slatington, Pa., has been elected for a second term as Secretary of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa.

PAESSP's membership of approximately 4,000 is comprised of elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals and other educational leaders, and is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Dr. Marcincin previously served as an assistant principal at Northern Lehigh High for two years, and as an assistant principal at Northern Lehigh Middle School for eight years.

She has been a member of PAESSP for 15 years. Dr. Marcincin was appointed to the secretary position in 2007. Prior to her first tem, she served as the East II regional elementary representative to the PAESSP board of directors. As a PAESSP regional representative, she organized principal meetings for the eastern regions. She has also served as a member of the PAESSP conference committee, and has attended the PAESSP conference regularly for the past seven years.

Dr. Marcincin has been a participant in the "Previewing the Principalship" workshop discussion panel for two years, and a participant in the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators' workshop discussion panel for one year. She has had an article published in the NAESP's Principal magazine. She is currently working on certification as a national principal mentor.

Dr. Marcincin earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from Moravian College, and a master's of arts degree in English from New York University. She received a certification as a reading specialist from Kutztown University, and holds a principal certification and superintendent's letter of eligibility from Lehigh University. She received her doctorate from Nova Southeastern University.

PAESSP's Mission: To ensure a quality education for every child by comprehensively supporting the educational leaders of our schools.

PAESSP's Vision: To be the best service organization of its kind in the United States.

State and National Education Leaders To Convene in State College

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 5:00:00 PM EST

(Harrisburg, PA)—More than 300 elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals, supervisors and other education leaders will convene in State College for the 17th annual conference of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) to be held October 4-6, 2009 at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel.

"This year's PAESSP conference once again provides an Act 45 opportunity and definitely meets the primary purpose of professional development in an educational environment to increase the effectiveness of all who are engaged in the teaching-learning process. As I have come to know over my 11 years of being part of this organization, the conference also gives attendees the opportunity to network with other school administrators, which is also a very important element," said Richard R. Kaskey, 2009 conference chairperson.

Senator Jane Clare Orie, Majority Whip for the Republican Caucus, has been selected as PAESSP's 2009 Educational Excellence Award recipient. The award is given to a person who has been a "friend of public education" and who has made significant contributions to the attainment of educational excellence in the Commonwealth's elementary and secondary schools. During the past year, Sen. Orie was an outspoken critic of the Governor's Keystone Exams (formerly Graduate Competency Assessments). She is the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 281, which would require legislative approval of all new graduation requirements. It is currently in the House Appropriations Committee for consideration. The award will be presented to Sen. Orie during PAESSP's 25th Annual Banquet (6:15 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009).

Some other awards to be given out at the conference include the National Distinguished Principals and the Assistant, Middle Level and High School Principals of the Year. These will also be given during the banquet.

In addition to the more than 70 vendors exhibiting their wares for schools and classrooms, a multitude of professional and informational breakout sessions and keynote addresses will be presented to attendees during the three-day conference. Dr. Neila Connors, motivational speaker, education consultant and author of If You Don't Feed the Teachers, They Eat the Students, will present a keynote with the same name at the First General Session and a breakout session, "An Afternoon with Neila," on Sunday, October 4.

Charlotte Danielson, an author and education consultant specializing in teacher evaluation and performance assessment, will present a breakout session, "Conducting Professional Conversations," and a keynote, "Making the Most of Teacher Evaluation," on Monday, October 5 at the Second General Session.

Also presenting on Monday is Dr. Douglas Reeves, the founder of The Leadership & Learning Center, speaker, author and student achievement expert, will present the keynote address, "Data Analysis: Looking Deeper Into Data," at the Third General Session.

As the final general session speaker on Tuesday, Oct. 6, David Andrews, Esq., the managing partner of Andrews and Beard Law Offices, Altoona, Pa., will present a "Legal Update" at the Fourth General Session concluding the conference.

Other distinguished speakers and guests include Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Pennsylvania Secretary of Education, and Dr. Regina Palubinsky, special assistant to the Secretary of Education, who will address the conference during the buffet breakfast at 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6. W. Diane Cargile, president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), and Steve S. Pophal, president of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), will also be in attendance. They are scheduled to speak at the annual banquet on Sunday, Oct. 4 from 6:15 - 8 p.m., sponsored by Highmark Healthy High Five and the Highmark Foundation.

Also on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at PAESSP's Annual Business Meeting, President David G. Bieri, an elementary principal from the Scranton School District, will 'pass the gavel' to President-Elect Rebecca L. Stanfield, a middle school principal from the Troy Area School District, making her the 2009-2010 PAESSP president.

For further information or to schedule an interview or photo, please contact Sheri Thompson, PAESSP director of communications, at (717) 732-4999 (office telephone), (717) 395-6814 (cell) or e-mail: sherit@paessp.org.

PAESSP's Mission: To ensure a quality education for every child by comprehensively supporting the educational leaders of our schools.

PAESSP's Vision: To be the best service organization of its kind in the United States.

Rebecca Stanfield Assumes Presidency of State Principals' Association

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, Pa.) — Rebecca L. Stanfield, principal of Troy Middle School in the Troy Area School District, Troy, Pa., recently assumed the presidency of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa.

Ms. Stanfield took over the association reins from 2008-09 President David G. Bieri, principal of Charles Sumner Elementary School in the Scranton School District, following the association's annual business meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009 during the 17th annual PAESSP conference in State College (Oct. 4-6, 2009).

"I am both pleased and honored to represent PAESSP as the president. I have benefitted from PAESSP through expert advice, superb professional development and networking with some of the country's finest principals. I look forward to serving Pennsylvania's principals, and I welcome their input into how we can continue to keep Pennsylvania at the forefront of student learning, while supporting school leaders and the numerous challenges they face every day."

Ms. Stanfield began her education career as a sixth-grade teacher in the Cumberland County Schools in North Carolina. She then she became the gifted/talented director of Towanda School District followed by the assistant principal at Towanda High School.

Ms. Stanfield joined PAESSP eight years ago. Most recently, she the served association as the 2008-09 President-Elect. Before taking this position, she served as PAESSP's Central I Secondary Regional Representative on the Board of Directors (since 2005). She also served as co-chair of the program committee on the PAESSP Conference Committee (2007, 2009). Since 2008, Ms. Stanfield has served as the advisor to the board of directors for the Bob D. Schiller Memorial Cancer Research and Support Award.

In addition, Ms. Stanfield has had an article published in the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary School Principals' Perspective newsletter. She was also the Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership Cohort (2006-2007) and the Pennsylvania Corollary Standards Cohort (2007-Present).

Ms. Stanfield received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Mansfield University, and a master's in school leadership and superintendent's certificate from Marywood University in Scranton.

She resides in Ridgebury, Pa., with her husband, Rodney, and sons, Jarod and Carson.

PAESSP's Mission: To ensure a quality education for every child by comprehensively supporting the educational leaders of our schools.

PAESSP's Vision: To be the best service organization of its kind in the United States.1

Del Collo Named Pennsylvania's 2009 National Distinguished Principal from an Elementary School

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Summerdale, Pennsylvania - October 12, 2009) - William P. Del Collo, Jr., principal of Fort Washington Elementary School, a suburban K-5 school with approximately 500 students in the Upper Dublin School District, was selected as Pennsylvania's 2009 elementary school National Distinguished Principal. The 2009 celebration marks the 26th year that the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the U.S. Department of Education have presented this prestigious award.

"Mr. Del Collo was nominated and selected by his fellow principals through a statewide search process conducted by the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP)," said Dr. Barbara Rudiak, chair of PAESSP's NDP Selection Committee. For the first time, two principals were selected as NDPs from Pennsylvania - one from an elementary school and the other from a middle school. Jonathan Ross, a principal at Drexel Hill Middle School in the Upper Darby School District, was chosen as the NDP from a middle school. Both principals will represent our state in the National Distinguished Principal program Oct. 22-23, 2009 in Washington, D.C. One or more principals are chosen annually from the 50 states and the District of Columbia as the National Distinguished Principal.

A graduate of Millersville and Widener universities, Mr. Del Collo previously held the position of assistant principal at Barkley and Schuylkill elementary schools in the Phoenixville Area School District. He has served as principal of Fort Washington Elementary School since 2000, and has been an administrator for 10 years. This past year, Fort Washington Elementary School posted the fifth highest PSSA scores of all elementary schools across the state.

"At the helm of every successful school is a successful principal," said Gail Connelly, NAESP's executive director. "Our National Distinguished Principals program provides us with an opportunity to recognize the outstanding leadership of these principals and their commitment to creating successful learning communities. Because of them, students thrive academically, teachers grow professionally, and communities are strengthened."

The National Distinguished Principals program is made possible through the corporate sponsorship of VALIC, an industry leader currently managing long-term investment programs for more than 28,000 education, healthcare, public sector and other not-for-profit and for-profit organizations in more than 41,000 locations—representing nearly two million investors throughout the country.

Criteria for selection of the principals, set by NAESP and the U.S. Department of Education, require that the honorees are active principals of schools where programs are designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students and where there are firmly established community ties with parents and local business organizations.

Mr. Del Collo is a member of both the Pennsylvania and national Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, served as the historian for the Kappa Delta Pi Executive Council and was a co-presenter at the 2008 PAESSP conference.

He has presented at the Pennsylvania Education Excellence Fair and had seven school initiatives honored between 2002 and 2007. He also received the Educator 500 Award from the 3e Institute for Educational Excellence and Entrepreneurship in 2004, 2005 and 2007 and his school was the recipient of a PSSA Title 1 Academic Grant for PSSA Improvement in 2004.

PAESSP serves as Pennsylvania's professional educational association and represents approximately 4,000 elementary, middle level and secondary principals throughout the Commonwealth. PAESSP maintains close ties with the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

PAESSP presented the award to Mr. Del Collo at the association's annual banquet on October 4, 2009 during its state conference (Oct. 4-6) in State College, Pa.

Call Sheri Thompson at 717-732-4999 or Kaylen Tucker (NAESP headquarters) at 703-684-3345 or Michael Pladus, School District of Upper Dublin Superintendent of Schools at
215-643-8802, for more information.

PAESSP's Mission: To ensure a quality education for every child by comprehensively supporting the educational leaders of our schools.

PAESSP's Vision: To be the best service organization of its kind in the United States.

Senator Jane C. Orie to Receive PAESSP'S 2009 Educational Excellence Award

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, PA) — Senator Jane Clare Orie (R-40), Majority Whip for the Republican Caucus of the Pennsylvania Senate, has been selected to receive the prestigious Educational Excellence Award for 2009 from the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP). The award is given to a person who has been a "friend of public education" and who has made significant contributions to the attainment of educational excellence in the Commonwealth's elementary and secondary schools. Sen. Orie will be presented with the award during the annual banquet held in conjunction with PAESSP's 17th Annual State Conference on Sunday, Oct. 4, at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel in State College, Pa.

During the past year, Sen. Orie was an outspoken critic of the Governor's Keystone Exams (formerly Graduate Competency Assessments). She is the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 281, which would require legislative approval of all new graduation requirements. It is currently in the House Appropriations Committee for consideration.

"It truly is a great honor to receive this award," Sen. Orie said. "It was originally presented to a man I greatly admired, the late Senator Jim Rhoades, former Chair of the Education Committee. Jim was the lead critic of this testing scheme before he passed away. He knew it was "just another fad...that won't help a single student anywhere.' If we are truly to help students succeed, the supports must be in place from the early years on -- otherwise children are going to fall through the cracks. I would like to thank the Association for standing with me on this issue."

Sen. Orie, who is serving her second term representing the citizens of the 40th Senatorial District in Pennsylvania, was first elected in March 2001 to the State Senate to fill a vacancy. She won re-election in 2002 and in 2006. She currently represents portions of northern Allegheny County and southern and central Butler County. She is currently one of the 10 women serving in the Pennsylvania Senate. She is a member of the following Senate Committees: Aging and Youth; Community, Economic and Recreational Development; Finance; Judiciary; and Rules and Executive Nominations on which she serves as vice chair.

For the 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 legislative sessions, Sen. Orie was selected to serve as Majority Whip for the Republican Caucus. Prior to taking her seat in Senate, she spent 4 1/2 years in the State House of Representatives. She is a veteran 10-year prosecutor who served as state Deputy Attorney General in the Division of Prosecution and as Assistant District Attorney for Allegheny County where she was elevated, due to her high conviction rate, to the divisions of Homicide and Crimes Against Persons. Sen. Orie holds a B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College and a law degree from Duquesne University.

She is a member of the American, Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Associations; the Pennsylvania District Attorney's Association; and she serves on the many boards of directors, some include Three Rivers Wet Weather Demonstrations Program, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Passavant Foundation, the Soldiers of Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum Trust and the Center for Victims of Violent Crime.

She also serves on a number of boards of trustees/fellows, some of which include the Police Offer Support Team, the University of Pittsburgh's Institute of Politics, St. Barnabas Charitable Foundation. She is the chairperson for the Northern Area STOP Task Force and the chairperson of the Government Subcommittee for the Allegheny County Violence Task Force. In addition, she is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Government Lawyers Committee and serves on the board for the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh.

For more information or to schedule an interview or photo, please contact Sheri Thompson, PAESSP director of communications, at (717) 732-4999 (office), (717) 395-6814 (cell) or e-mail: sherit@paessp.org.

PAESSP's Mission: To ensure a quality education for every child by comprehensively supporting the educational leaders of our schools.

PAESSP's Vision: To be the best service organization of its kind in the United State.

Bieri Assumes Presidency of State Principals' Association

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 5:00:00 PM EST

(Harrisburg, Pa.) — David G. Bieri, principal of Robert Morris Elementary School in the Scranton School District, Scranton, Pa., recently assumed the presidency of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP).

PAESSP's membership of approximately 4,000 is comprised of elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals and supervisors and is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Mr. Bieri took over the association reins from 2007-08 president Michael E. Allison of Hopewell High School following the annual business meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008 during the 16th annual PAESSP conference in Pittsburgh (Oct. 19-21, 2008).

Most recently, he served the association as the 2007-08 president-elect. He began his career as a special education teacher at Stroudsburg High School before serving for 12 years as assistant principal at Dallas, Crestwood and Pittston high schools.

Mr. Bieri joined the PAESSP 14 years ago. Before becoming president-elect, Mr. Bieri was PAESSP secretary and a member of the organization's Assistant Principals' Conference Committee (1995-96), the PAESSP Conference Committee (2002-03) and Assistant Principal At-Large for the Pennsylvania Association of Secondary School Principals' Executive Committee (2001-03).

In addition to PAESSP activities, Mr. Bieri has participated in the Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership Initiative, the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit 19 Continuing Professional Education Committee and the Truancy Reduction Initiative for the Adjudicated & Non-Adjudicated Youth.

He has also served as an executive board member of the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils and as chair of the UNICO High School Soccer Cup.

Mr. Bieri earned a bachelor's of science degree in special education from East Stroudsburg University. He also received his master's of education in school administration from East Stroudsburg.

PAESSP's Mission: To ensure a quality education for every child by comprehensively supporting the educational leaders of our schools.

PAESSP's Vision: To be the best service organization of its kind in the United States.

Allison Honored as Outgoing President of State Principals' Association

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, Pa.) — Michael E. Allison, principal of Hopewell High School in Aliquippa, Pa., was honored as the outgoing president of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals at the association's 16th annual state conference in Pittsburgh. Mr. Allison was presented with a plaque and ring for his exemplary service to the organization in 2007-08 during the annual banquet held at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008.

Mr. Allison turned the president's gavel over to David G. Bieri, PAESSP's 2008-09 president, at the association's annual business meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008. Mr. Bieri is principal of Robert Morris Elementary School in the Scranton School District, Scranton, Pa.

Previously, Mr. Allison served as an adjunct faculty member at Franciscan University in the graduate studies program. He also worked as assistant principal at Hopewell High School and as a teacher and coach at South Side Middle School.

Mr. Allison joined the PAESSP and National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) nine years ago. He served as the West II secondary regional representative to the PAESSP board of directors for three years. As a PAESSP regional representative, he organized principal meetings for the west regions.

In 2005, Mr. Allison received the PAESSP/Lincoln Investment Planning Community service award. In February 2006, he authored an article for the Pennsylvania Administrator magazine.

In addition to PAESSP activities, Mr. Allison participated as a past president and member of the Midwestern Athletic Conference (MAC) Principals' Association. He served on the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League softball committee and presented at various conferences and colleges.

Mr. Allison earned a bachelor's of science degree from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, a master's of education degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville and an elementary principal certification from Westminster College/Youngstown State University. He participated in the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program for Educational Leaders at Duquesne University.

PAESSP's Mission: To ensure a quality education for every child by comprehensively supporting the educational leaders of our schools.

PAESSP's Vision: To be the best service organization of its kind in the United States.

Dr. Joseph Yarworth to Receive PAESSP's 2008 Educational Excellence Award

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, PA) — Dr. Joseph S. Yarworth, assistant professor of education at Albright College, has been selected to receive the prestigious Educational Excellence Award for 2008 from the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP). Dr. Yarworth will be presented with the award during the annual banquet held in conjunction with the PAESSP's 16th Annual State Conference on Sunday, Oct. 19, at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel in Pittsburgh.

The award is given to a person who has been a "friend of public education," and who has made significant contributions to the attainment of educational excellence in the Commonwealth's elementary and secondary schools.

Dr. Yarworth's distinguished 35-year career in education has included time as a language teacher, guidance counselor, school superintendent and college professor. He presented at several PAESSP Principals' Leadership Academies and various workshops on testing and job satisfaction for the association. He also facilitated PAESSP's No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Task Force and produced the position paper, "No Child Left Behind Reauthorization." He is currently facilitating the association's High Stakes Testing Task Force and developing a white paper, which will be published in the fall. He has written more than a dozen journal articles in publications such as the Journal of Educational Psychology, and has taught seminars on testing and assessment for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

"I am deeply honored by the association's recognition," Dr. Yarworth said. "I consider the principalship to be the most important position in school management. Principals organize and manage their schools. With the faculty they provide the leadership needed to enact the academic standards and create an atmosphere that defines achievement for the students. Without their leadership, it is not possible to have a successful school. It has been my pleasure to work with PAESSP as a superintendent, a professor and a facilitator over many years."

He was featured in the October 2008 edition of the American Association of School Administrator's publication, The School Administrator, for his role in fighting censorship and protecting the rights of teachers and principals to select and recommend texts for use in public schools.

After serving as superintendent for 15 years at Muhlenberg and Schuylkill Valley school districts, Dr. Yarworth landed a position as assistant professor of education at Albright College. He also taught graduate courses in curriculum, assessment and administration for Bucknell University, Lehigh University and Wilkes University.

He served in Vietnam as a military training adviser from 1970-1971.

For more information or to schedule an interview or photo, please contact Sheri Thompson, PAESSP director of communications, at (717) 732-4999 (office),
(717) 395-6814 (cell) or e-mail: sherit@paessp.org.

PAESSP's Mission
Assure a quality education for every child in Pennsylvania by comprehensively supporting the educational leaders in our schools.

PAESSP's Vision
To be the best service organization of its kind in the United States.

State and National Education Leaders To Convene in Pittsburgh

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, PA)—More than 400 elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals, supervisors and other education leaders will convene in Pittsburgh for the 16th annual conference of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) to be held October 19-21, 2008 at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel.

"This conference is dedicated to assist principals, assistant principals and other educational leaders with the many initiatives such as AYP, IDEIA, Act 1, NCLB and others they ecounter on a daily basis," explained Marshall J. Wagner, the 2008 conference chairperson and a retired principal from the Hollidaysburg Area School District.

Dr. Joseph S. Yarworth, assistant professor of education at Albright College, has been selected to receive the PAESSP's prestigious Educational Excellence Award for 2008. The honor is given annually to a citizen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who has made significant contributions to the attainment of education excellence in the state's elementary and secondary schools. Dr. Yarworth facilitated several PAESSP task forces. He also presented at several PAESSP Leadership Academies and various workshops on testing and job satisfaction for the association.The award will be presented to Dr. Yarworth during PAESSP's annual banquet (6:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008).

In addition to the more than 75 vendors exhibiting their wares for schools and classrooms, a multitude of professional and informational breakout sessions and keynote addresses will be presented to attendees during the three-day conference. Dr. Todd Whitaker, a best-selling author and professor at Indiana State University, will present, "What Great Principals Do Differently" during the First General Session from 1-2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19.

Bill Bond is the specialist for school safety at the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). He will present "You Can't Have Student Achievement Unless Your School is Safe, Supportive & Effective" at the Second General Session from 8:30-10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 20.

Also presenting on Monday is Carl Glickman, a Scholar-in-Residence at the University of Georgia who has written 13 books on school leadership, educational renewal and the moral imperative of education. His presentation, "Leadership for Powerful and Purposeful Schools," will be given at the Third General Session from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 20.

As the final general session speaker on Tuesday, Oct. 21, Jay McTighe - known for his work with coordinating statewide efforts to develop instructional strategies, curriculum models and assessment procedures for improving the quality of student thinking - will present "Differentiated Instruction to Improve Student Achievement" at the Fourth General Session from 9:45-11:00 a.m. concluding the conference.

Other distinguished speakers and guests include Dr. Gerald Zahorchak, secretary of education for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Dr. Nancy M. Davenport, president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and Steve S. Pophal, president-elect of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

For further information or to schedule an interview or photo, please contact Sheri Thompson, PAESSP director of communications at (717) 732-4999 (office telephone), (717) 395-6814 (cell) or e-mail: sherit@paessp.org.

PAESSP's Mission: To ensure a quality education for every child by comprehensively supporting the educational leaders of our schools.

PAESSP's Vision: To be the best service organization of its kind in the United State.

Joseph Foriska Named Western Region Office Manager of State Principals' Association

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, Pa.)—Joseph J. Foriska, retired principal of Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School in the Pittsburgh School District, has recently been hired as Western Region Office Manager of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa.

PAESSP's membership of approximately 4,000, is comprised of elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals and supervisors and is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Foriska took over the association's Western Region Office Manager duties after being approved by the PAESSP's board of directors at its annual retreat on Monday, July 14, 2008 in State College.

Foriska replaces Vince Carr, who held the Western Office Manger position for 11 years.

Foriska has served as principal at five schools for the previous 18 years. He retired from Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School in June. In his new position, Foriska will act as a liaison between administrator in western Pennsylvania and PAESSP's Harrisburg office. One of his primary duties will be advising members on issues related to employment rights and/or Act 93 activities.

"All of us know Joe's integrity and passion for PAESSP," said Michael Allison, PAESSP president. "He will be a welcomed addition to the organization's staff."

Among his many posts as a 16-year member of the PAESSP, Foriska has served as the association's president and as president of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary School Principals.

Foriska will receive PAESSP's 2008 Joseph Mamana Award for Meritorious Service at the state conference, which is Oct. 19-21 at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel in Pittsburgh. The award is given to a member in good standing who has performed meritorious service to the association and has made significant contributions to the professional advancement of principals.

"It is my honor and privilege to continue the high standard of service that Mr. Carr brought on behalf of the PAESSP as our first Western Office Manager," Foriska said.

Foriska earned a bachelor's degree in education from Edinboro University and a master's in education from California University of Pennsylvania.

PAESSP's Mission: The Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals is dedicated to assuring that every Pennsylvania child receives the very best education possible. In carrying out this mission, the association recognizes that the early elementary years are most crucial to successful lifelong learning, that appropriate middle level programs are essential for successful adolescent maturation and development and that strong high school programs are critical for preparing youth for successful entry and transition into adulthood.

PAESSP recognizes an obligation to make continuing contributions toward strengthening the principalship and the profession. The association is committed to providing critical professional growth opportunities through training programs, opportunities for constructive professional mentoring and relationships, publications, conferences and professional meetings and activities aimed at helping aspiring principals in reaching their goals and practicing principals to hone their skills.

UPPER DARBY HIGH SCHOOL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL NAMED THE 2008 PA STATE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 5:00:00 PM EST

Reston, VA—Christopher Dormer, assistant principal at Upper Darby High School in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, has been named the Pennsylvania State Assistant Principal of the Year.

The NASSP State and National Assistant Principal of the Year Program annually honors a single winner from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) schools. From that pool of outstanding administrators, one national winner is chosen. The state and national winners will be honored at a black-tie event in Washington, DC, in the spring of 2008, for their efforts to make their schools a shining star in their community. During their stay in Washington, the honorees will participate in professional development and networking activities with their peers. VIRCO Inc. (VIRCO), a school furniture manufacturer, is the sole sponsor of the NASSP State and National Assistant Principal of the Year Program.

In order to be recognized as a State or National Assistant Principal of the Year, the honorees have to demonstrate success in the following areas:

Collaborative Leadership

Involves teachers, staff members, parents, students, and the community in achieving the goals of the
school and district
Provides direction or focus to achieve the school's goals as a member of the school's leadership team
Models continuous professional growth
Teaches, coaches, and assists others in professional development that focuses on student learning
Balances management tasks with instructional leadership tasks
Utilizes effective problem-solving techniques

Curriculum Instruction and Assessment

Improves teaching and learning by implementing programs and improvement efforts
Observes, supervises, and evaluates teachers and instructional programs to maximize the learning
opportunities for every student
Analyzes multiple sources of data to improve instructional practices and outcomes
Demonstrates knowledge of learning, teaching, research, and programs that maximize student
performance
Facilitates in developing and maintaining co-curricular programs that complement the curriculum while
fostering students' academic success
Contributes to make certain all students have access to challenging courses and support mechanisms

Personalization

Assists in establishing and maintaining a positive school climate that reflects high student and staff morale
Interacts professionally and tactfully with others
Assists in creating structures that enable teachers to develop an appreciation for each student's abilities
Acknowledges achievement or accomplishments of students and teachers
Communicates effectively orally and in writing
Models values, beliefs, and attitudes that inspire others to higher levels of performance
Assists in developing and maintaining dialogue with representatives of diverse community groups

For more information about the NASSP State and National Assistant Principal of the Year program and winners, please visit www.principals.org/awards or call Kristine Rzewnicki at 703-860-7238.

The National Association of Secondary School Principals—the preeminent organization and the national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals and aspiring school leaders—provides its members with the professional resources to serve as visionary leaders. NASSP promotes the intellectual growth, academic achievement, character development, leadership development, and physical well-being of youth through its programs and student leadership services. NASSP administers the National Honor Society™, the National Junior Honor Society™, and the National Association of Student Councils™. For more information on NASSP, NHS, NJHS, or NASC, visit www.principals.org.

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Linda W. Marcincin Named Secretary of State Principals' Association

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 5:00:00 PM EST

(Harrisburg, PA)—Dr. Linda W. Marcincin, principal of Slatington Elementary School in Slatington, Pa., has recently been appointed as Secretary of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa.

PAESSP's membership of approximately 4,000, is comprised of elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals and supervisors and is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Dr. Marcincin took over the association's secretarial reins following the annual business meeting on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 held in conjunction with the fifteenth annual PAESSP conference in Camp Hill, Pa. (October 21-23, 2007).

Dr. Marcincin previously served as an assistant principal at Northern Lehigh High for two years, and as an assistant principal at Northern Lehigh Middle School for eight years.

She has been a member of PAESSP for 13 years. She most recently served as the East II regional elementary representative to the PAESSP board of directors. As a PAESSP regional representative, she organized principal meetings for the eastern regions. She has also served as a member of the PAESSP conference committee, which she has attended regularly for the past five years.

Dr. Marcincin has been a participant in the "Previewing the Principalship" workshop discussion panel for two years, and a participant in the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators' workshop discussion panel for one year. She has had an article published in the NAESP's Principal magazine. She is currently working on certification as a national principal mentor.

Allison Assumes Presidency of State Principals' Association

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 5:00:00 PM EST

(Harrisburg, PA)—Michael E. Allison, principal of Hopewell High School in Aliquippa, Pa., has recently assumed the Presidency of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa.

PAESSP's membership of approximately 4,000, is comprised of elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals and supervisors and is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Mr. Allison took over the association reins following the annual business meeting on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 held in conjunction with the fifteenth annual PAESSP conference in Camp Hill, Pa. (October 21-23, 2007).

Most recently, he served the association as the 2006-07 president-elect. He has worked as an adjunct faculty member at Franciscan University in the graduate studies program. Previously, he served as an assistant principal at Hopewell High School for two years after teaching and coaching at South Side Middle School for 10 years.

Mr. Allison has been a member of PAESSP and NASSP for eight years. He served as the West II secondary regional representative to the PAESSP board of directors for three years. As a PAESSP regional representative, he has organized principal meetings for the west regions. He currently serves on the PAESSP conference committee.

In 2005, Mr. Allison was a PAESSP/Lincoln Investment Planning Community service award recipient. In February 2006, he authored an article for publication in the Pennsylvania Administrator magazine.

In addition to PAESSP activities, Mr. Allison is a past president and member of the Midwestern Athletic Conference (MAC) Principal's Association. He has served on the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League softball committee and has presented at various conferences and colleges.

Mr. Allison earned a bachelor of science degree from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, a master's of education degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville and an elementary principal certification from Westminster College/Youngstown State University. He participated in the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program for Educational Leaders at Duquesne University.

Rudiak Honored as Outgoing President of State Principals' Association

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 5:00:00 PM EST

(Harrisburg, PA)—Dr. Barbara A. Rudiak, immediate past president of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) and the executive director, school management, K-5 elementary schools for the Pittsburgh School District, was honored as the outgoing president by her peers and invited guests at the fifteenth annual PAESSP State Conference in Camp Hill, Pa. Dr. Rudiak was presented with a plaque and a ring for her exemplary service to the association in 2006-2007 during the annual banquet held at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel on Sunday, October 21, 2007.

Dr. Rudiak turned the president's gavel over to Michael E. Allison, PAESSP's 2007-2008 president, at the association's annual business meeting on Tuesday, October 23, 2007. Mr. Allison is the principal of Hopewell Senior High School in Aliquippa, Pa.

Previously, she served as principal of Phillips Elementary School in the Pittsburgh School District for 13 years. She began her career in education as a middle school teacher for 14 years. She also served as a supervisor of a school improvement program for two years and an assistant principal for two years.

A member of PAESSP and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) for 13 years, Dr. Rudiak served as the West IV elementary regional representative to the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary School Principals (PAESP) board of directors and the PAESSP board of directors for five years. She served as a member of the PAESSP Conference Committee in 2001 and 2006; and as the PAESSP federal relations coordinator for two years. She attended the National Principals' Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., in 2001. In addition, she has attended seven PAESSP state conferences; the NAESP/National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) National Leaders' Conference in Washington, D.C., for three years; and the Northeast Regional Elementary Principals' Conference for two years.

Dr. Rudiak was the recipient of Pennsylvania's National Distinguished Principal (NDP) Award in 2003.

She is involved in various Pittsburgh School District committees, and has served on the executive board for the Pittsburgh Administrators' Association for 15 years.

Dr. Rudiak earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Pittsburgh, a master's of education degree from Duquesne University and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.

PAESSP recognizes an obligation to make continuing contributions toward strengthening the principalship and the profession. The association is committed to providing critical professional growth opportunities through training programs, opportunities for constructive professional mentoring and relationships, publications, conferences and professional meetings and activities aimed at helping aspiring principals in reaching their goals and practicing principals to hone their skills.

Senator Arlen Specter to Receive PAESSP's 2007 Educational Excellence Award

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, PA)—Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) has been selected to receive the prestigious Educational Excellence Award for 2007 from the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP). Senator Specter will be presented with the award during the annual banquet held in conjunction with the PAESSP's Fifthteenth Annual State Conference, Sunday, October 21, 2007, at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center, Harrisburg, Pa.

The award is given to a person who has been a "friend of public education" and who has made significant contributions to the attainment of educational excellence in the Commonwealth's elementary and secondary schools.

Senator Specter is perhaps one of the most ardent supporters of public education and education funding at the federal level.

Senator Specter is currently serving his fifth term, and in 2005, he became Pennsylvania's longest serving U.S. Senator. He is ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a senior member of the Appropriations and Veterans Affairs committees. Under his leadership, funding for education has increased more than 130%.

Senator Specter supported the enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act, however he feels there should be state flexibility in its implementation.

Senator Specter continues to be a force on Capitol Hill and an advocate of public education. He is to be commended for his continued support of children.

He lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Joan. They have two sons and four grandchildren.

For further information or to schedule an interview or photo, please contact Sheri Thompson, PAESSP director of communications at (717) 732-4999 (office telephone), (717) 395-6814 (cell) or e-mail: sherit@paessp.org.

State and National Education Leaders To Convene in Harrisburg Area

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, PA)—Approximately 200 elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals, supervisors and other education leaders will convene in the Harrisburg area for the 15th annual conference of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) to be held October 21-23, 2007 at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center in Camp Hill.

"This conference is dedicated to assist principals, assistant principals and other educational leaders with the many initiatives such as AYP, IDEIA, Act 1, NCLB and others they ecounter on a daily basis," explained Marshall J. Wagner, the 2007 conference chairperson and a retired principal from the Hollidaysburg Area School District.

Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) has been selected to receive the PAESSP's prestigious Educational Excellence Award for 2007. The honor is given annually to a citizen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who has made significant contributions to the attainment of education excellence in the state's elementary and secondary schools. Senator Specter has demonstrated a sincere commitment to the quality of public education in the Commonwealth.The award will be presented to the Senator during PAESSP's annual banquet (6:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, October 21, 2007).

In addition to the more than 80 vendors exhibiting their wares for schools and classrooms, a multitude of professional and informational breakout sessions and keynote addresses will be presented to attendees during the three-day conference. Jeffrey B. Clay, Esq., is the executive director of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS). His presentation, "Your Pension -- Will It Be There When You Are Ready To Retire?" will be given at the First General Session from 2:45-4:15 p.m. on Sunday, October 21.

Ron Clark, teacher, presenter and co-founder of the Ron Clark Academy, has dedicated his life to impacting the lives of children. He will present "The Ron Clark Story," a message of hope, dedication and the will to never let anything stand in the way of your hopes and dreams at the Second General Session from 8:30-10 a.m. on Monday, October 22.

Also presenting on Monday is Neil Howe, best-selling author and national speaker. He gives audiences powerful insights on today's generation and the long-term picture. His presentation, "Educating the Millennial Generation," will be given at the Third General Session from 3:45-5 p.m. on Monday, October 22.

As the final general session speaker on Tuesday, October 23, Michael I. Levin, Esq., PAESSP's chief legal counsel and president of Levin Legal Group in Huntingdon Valley, Pa., will present the "Legal Update" at the Fourth General Session from 9:45-11 a.m.

Other distinguished speakers and guests include the president of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Barry Stark, principal of Norris Middle School, Neb.; and president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals, Mary Kay Sommers, principal of Shepardson Elementary School, Fort Collins, Colo. Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Pennsylvania's Education Secretary, has also been invited to attend.

For further information or to schedule an interview or photo, please contact Sheri Thompson, PAESSP director of communications at (717) 732-4999 (office telephone), (717) 395-6814 (cell) or e-mail: sherit@paessp.org.

Taylor Named Pennsylvania's 2007 National Distinguished Principal

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 5:00:00 PM EDT

(HARRISBURG, PA-June 15, 2007) - Ms. Kathryn (Kate) Taylor, principal of Grandview Elementary School in Morrisville, Pa., was selected as Pennsylvania's 2007 National Distinguished Principal. The 2007 celebration marks the 24th year the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the U.S. Department of Education have presented this prestigious award.

"Ms. Taylor was nominated and selected by her fellow principals through a statewide search process conducted by the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP)," said PAESSP president Dr. Barbara Rudiak.

A graduate of Rowan College, Ms. Taylor previously held the position of classroom teacher in both the Philadelphia Parochial School System and Baltimore County Public School system. She also served as an assistant principal in the Baltimore County public school system and taught as an adjunct professor at Western Maryland College. She has served as a principal of Grandview Elementary School since 2000.

"Research results prove what school communities know from experience - successful schools depend on dedicated instructional leaders," said Vincent L. Ferrandino, NAESP executive director. "This honor represents our deep appreciation to a few of those who are committed to academic, social and emotional development of school children both in the nation and overseas."

The National Distinguished Principals' program is made possible through the corporate sponsorship of AIG VALIC, an industry leader currently managing long-term investment programs for more than 28,000 education, healthcare, public sector and other not-for-profit and for-profit organizations in more than 41,000 locations - representing nearly two million investors throughout the country.

In October, Ms. Taylor will travel to Washington, D.C., for two days of activities planned to honor and bring well-deserved recognition to the elementary and middle level educators chosen by the states, the District of Columbia, plus private and overseas schools.

"Criteria for the selection of the principals, set by NAESP and the U.S. Department of Education, require that the honorees are active principals of schools where programs are designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students and where there are firmly established community ties with parents and local business organizations," said PAESSP President Dr. Rudiak.

Over the last six years, Ms. Taylor has transformed Grandview Elementary School, where low achievement was the norm, into a positive and successful learning community. She focused on creating a safe and respectful school environment. One of her most recent accomplishments was in changing the two K-5 elementary schools into a K-2 school and a 3-5 school.

Ms. Taylor was nominated for the Baltimore County Teacher of the Year in 1990. In 1997, she was the Performance Learning System's (PLS) National Top Evaluation Scorer and was awarded the Outstanding Instructor Award by the PLS in 1999.

PAESSP serves as Pennsylvania's professional educational association for principals, assistant principals and other educational leaders, and now represents approximately 3,900 elementary, middle level and secondary level principals throughout the state. PAESSP maintains close ties with the metropolitan Washington-based National Association of Elementary School Principals and its almost 30,000 members nationwide.

Principals' Association Hires New Executive Director

Tue, 15 May 2007 5:00:00 PM EDT

The Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) is pleased to announce that Dr. William Hartman, Jr. will become PAESSP's new Executive Director on July 1, 2007. At the association's December board meeting, Dr. J. Daniel Collins announced his plans to retire on June 30, 2007.

Dr. Hartman is retiring from York Suburban School District at the end of June where he serves as superintendent.

METLIFE AND NASSP NAME PENNSYLVANIA MIDDLE LEVEL AND HIGH SCHOOL 2007 PRINCIPALS OF THE YEAR

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 5:00:00 PM EDT

RESTON, VA — Thomas Lesniewski, principal of Deer Lakes Middle School, Russellton, and Janice Mindish, principal of Penn Manor High School, Millersville, were named the 2007 MetLife/NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Principals) Pennsylvania Middle Level and High School Principals of the Year, respectively.

Jointly sponsored by NASSP and MetLife, the annual State and National Principal of the Year Awards program recognizes outstanding secondary school principals who demonstrate excellence in educational leadership, complex problem solving, professional growth, and community involvement.

"NASSP is honored to recognize the outstanding work of Lesniewski and Mindish," said Dr. Gerald Tirozzi, NASSP executive director. "The job of a principal is one of the hardest in the professional world and we must commend those education leaders who go the extra mile to improve teaching and learning in their schools."

"Principals Lesniewski and Mindish are excellent examples of the dedication, creativity, and strong leadership needed to help students reach their potential," said Thomas G. Hogan Jr., who heads up MetLife Resources.

"MetLife is proud of their achievements within their communities. They are truly an inspiration to us all," added Sibyl Jacobson, senior vice president, MetLife Corporate Contributions.

Each State Principal of the Year is a candidate for the 2008 National Middle Level and High School Principals of the Year. Finalists for the 2008 national titles will be announced in August. In November, Principals of the Year from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity will attend the National Principal's Institute in Washington, D.C.

NASSP is the preeminent organization and the national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals and aspiring school leaders. NASSP provides its members with the professional resources to serve as visionary leaders. NASSP promotes the intellectual growth, academic achievement, character development, leadership development, and physical well being of youth through its programs and student leadership services. NASSP administers the National Honor Society™, National Junior Honor Society™, and National Association of Student Councils™. For more information, visit www.principals.org

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Cashman Honored as Outgoing President of State Principals' Association

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 5:00:00 PM EST

(Harrisburg, PA)—Brian L. Cashman, Sr., immediate past president of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) and principal of Susquehannock High School in the Southern York County School District, was honored as the outgoing president by his peers and invited guests at the fourteenth annual State Principals' Conference in Pittsburgh. Mr. Cashman was presented with a plaque and a ring for his exemplary service to the association in 2005-2006 during the annual banquet held at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel on Sunday evening, October 29, 2006.

Mr. Cashman turned the president's gavel over to Dr. Barbara A. Rudiak, PAESSP's 2006-2007 president, at the association's annual business meeting on Tuesday, October 31, 2006. Dr. Rudiak is the executive director, school management, K-5 elementary schools for the Pittsburgh School District.

Throughout his professional career, Mr. Cashman served as principal at Columbia Senior High School and as the assistant principal at Cedar Cliff High School. He has been an administrator since 1988.

A member of PAESSP and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) for 16 years, he served PAESSP as the 2004-05 president-elect and the Central II regional representative to both the PAESSP Board of Directors and the former Pennsylvania Association of Secondary School Principals (PASSP) board. He also served as the advisor to PAESSP's Secondary Awards Committee, as the PAESSP State Conference co-chairperson in 1999 and as a member of the NASSP Student Activities Contest and PIAA District III committees. He assumed the position of NASSP representative to the PAESSP Board of Directors following the annual business meeting at the conference. In this position, he will be responsible for membership referrals, appointment of members to NASSP task forces and committees and making state arrangements for the NASSP annual conference.

He earned a bachelor of science degree in health and physical education from Slippery Rock University and a master of science degree in school administration from Western Maryland University.

Mr. Cashman resides in Hanover, Pa., with his wife, Judy, a teacher at Smith Middle School in the York City School District. They have three children and two grandchildren: a son, Chris, who is married to Sandy, and has two children, Chelsea and Alexis; a son, Brian Jr., who is married to Megan; and a daughter, Jennie.

PAESSP recognizes an obligation to make continuing contributions toward strengthening the principalship and the profession. The association is committed to providing critical professional growth opportunities through training programs, opportunities for constructive professional mentoring and relationships, publications, conferences and professional meetings and activities aimed at helping aspiring principals in reaching their goals and practicing principals to hone their skills.

Rudiak Assumes Presidency of State Principals' Association

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 5:00:00 PM EST

(Harrisburg, PA)—Dr. Barbara A. Rudiak, executive director, school management, K-5 elementary schools for the Pittsburgh School District, has assumed the position of President of the approximately 4,000-member Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa.

PAESSP's membership is comprised of elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals and supervisors and is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Dr. Rudiak took over the association reins following the annual business meeting on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 held in conjunction with the fourteenth annual PAESSP conference.

She began her career in education as a middle school teacher for 14 years. She also served as a supervisor of a school improvement program for two years and an assistant principal for two years. She was principal of Phillips Elementary School (Pittsburgh School District) in the South Side neighborhood for 13 years.

A member of PAESSP and NAESP for 13 years, Dr. Rudiak served as the West IV elementary regional representative to the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary School Principals (PAESP) Board of Directors and the PAESSP Board of Directors for five years. She served as a member of the PAESSP Conference Committee in 2001 and 2006; and as the PAESSP federal relations coordinator for two years. In 2001, she represented elementary principals in Pennsylvania at the National Principals' Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. In addition, she has attended seven PAESSP state conferences; the NAESP/ NASSP National Leaders' Conference in Washington, D.C., for three years; and the Northeast Regional Elementary Principals' Conference for two years.

Dr. Rudiak was the recipient of Pennsylvania's National Distinguished Principal (NDP) Award in 2003.

She is actively involved in various Pittsburgh School District committees and served on the executive board of the Pittsburgh Administrators' Association for 15 years.

Dr. Rudiak earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Pittsburgh, a master's of education degree from Duquesne University and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.

PAESSP recognizes an obligation to make continuing contributions toward strengthening the principalship and the profession. The association is committed to providing critical professional growth opportunities through training programs, opportunities for constructive professional mentoring and relationships, publications, conferences and professional meetings and activities aimed at helping aspiring principals in reaching their goals and practicing principals to hone their skills.

Principal Shortage Looming in Northeastern States

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 5:00:00 PM EDT

Over 42 percent of principals and assistant principals in nine Northeastern states report that they will be retiring from their positions within the next five years according to a recent survey of over 3,200 elementary, middle and high school leaders, conducted by the Northeast Regional Elementary School Principals' Council. The results were released at the council's annual meeting in Providence, Rhode Island, on September 28-30, 2006. The states involved in the survey were Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.

More than 396 of the principals and assistant principals in Pennsylvania responded to the survey. "I'm concerned about the number of qualified individuals available to replace these retiring principals," said Brian Cashman, president of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP).

The survey revealed that the roles of the principal and assistant principal have changed in recent years regardless of the size of their schools. Over 50 percent of these educators report that they are supervising faculties of 50 or more individuals, and 53 percent say that their school enrollments are between 500 and 1,000 students.

They also indicate that over 65 percent of administrators have added between five and 15 hours per month to their schedules as a result of the federal No Child Left Behind mandates, over and beyond the additional time needed for state mandates. Principals also report that their duties have increased sub- stantially over recent years to include curriculum coordination, special education, teaching, oversight of building projects and leading additional schools, detracting from their primary role of instructional leader.

"As expectations and responsibilities continue to increase, the principalship becomes less desirable to prospective candidates for these jobs," Cashman said. Over 40 percent report that they do not have assistant principals and, of those, 57 percent report that they have no additional administrative support to help with these increasing responsibilities.

Council members believe that the role of the principal is vital to the success of student learning and effective teaching, and they have committed to advocating for substantial improvement in the conditions under which they work.

In Pennsylvania, even though there is a sufficient number of certified administrators, many will not apply for administrator positions. Teachers are choosing to stay in the classroom and not go into administration due to the expanding role of the principal and the fact that the compensation has not kept pace with teacher salaries. School districts are finding that the talent pool from which to hire administrators is limited, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find administrators who match the criteria of school districts.

For further information, please contact Sheri Thompson, PAESSP Director of Communications
at (717) 732-4999 or e-mail sherit@paessp.org.

PAESSP's mission is to: Assist members in fulfilling their role as instructional leaders and effective managers who promote the best educational program for all students; give members an effective voice in the educational decision-making process at the local, state and national levels; and improve members' working conditions so that their rights are protected, their job descriptions are reasonable, the importance of their instructional leadership role is recognized and their salaries and fringe benefits are equitable.

Jim Buckheit to Receive PAESSP's 2006 Educational Excellence Award

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, PA)— Jim Buckheit, the executive director of the State Board of Education (The State Board is the regulatory and policy-making board for basic and higher education in the Commonwealth), has been selected to receive the prestigious Educational Excellence Award for 2006 from the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP). Mr. Buckheit will be presented with the award in a special ceremony during the banquet at PAESSP's Fourteenth Annual State Conference, Sunday, October 29, 2006, at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel, Pittsburgh, Pa.

During his tenure with the board, the regulations that govern teacher certification, student attendance, student rights and responsibilities, student services and higher education were rewritten. The board also published new state academic standards, approved policies necessary to implement provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind Act and conducted a validity study of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment.

Throughout his 26 years of service to the Commonwealth, Mr. Buckheit has led numerous statewide education, youth community service and workforce development initiatives while serving in a variety of leadership roles in the Department of Education and Department of Labor and Industry. These include service as director of school services, director of community and student services, coordinator of dropout prevention and service-learning programs, director of the youth, education and service unit and chief of planning and evaluation for job training programs.

Mr. Buckheit's service on state and national advisory groups include the National Association of State Boards of Education Study Group on Citizenship and Ethical Behavior in a Global Society and as the Department of Education's representative to the Pennsylvania Coalition for Representative Democracy. He served on the National Governors' Association National Service Workgroup, the Corporation for National Service grant review panels, the Statewide Collaborative Board for the Family Service System Reform/Family Center Initiatives and the Attorney General's Task Force on School Safety.

In his community, he has served as a representative to the Central Dauphin School Board's Parent Advisory Committee, and served as a PTO treasurer, PTA president and vice president. He has coached his daughter's youth soccer teams and is active in his church.

Mr. Buckheit earned a bachelor of arts degree in American history/political science and a master's of public administration from Long Island University.

For further information or to schedule an interview or photo, please contact Sheri Thompson, PAESSP director of communications at (717) 732-4999 (office), (717) 395-6814 (cell) or e-mail: sherit@paessp.org.

State and National Education Leaders To Convene in Pittsburgh

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, PA)—More than 250 elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals, supervisors and other education leaders will convene in Pittsburgh for the 14th annual conference of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) to be held October 29-31, 2006, at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel.

Research indicates that the school principal is the most influential individual in any school. His or her leadership sets the tone for the school, the climate for teaching and the professionalism and morale of the teachers. But most of all, the principal is the leader in providing a safe, vital learning environment for our children [students]. It is the children [students] who we give our time, our energy and most of all our hearts. It is the children [students] that inspire us to be leaders. It is fitting that our conference theme is "Leadership - At the Heart of Education." Leadership is our gift to the children [students]," explained Marshall J. Wagner, the 2006 conference chairperson and a recently retired principal from the Hollidaysburg Area School.

Jim Buckheit, executive director of the State Board of Education, has been selected to receive the PAESSP's prestigious Educational Excellence Award. The honor is given annually to a citizen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who has made significant contributions to the attainment of education excellence in the state's elementary and secondary schools. Mr. Buckheit has demonstrated a sincere commitment to the quality of public education in the Commonwealth.The award will be presented to Mr. Buckheit during PAESSP's annual banquet (6:15 p.m. on Sunday, October 29, 2006).

In addition to the 77 vendors exhibiting their wares for schools and classrooms, a multitude of professional and informational breakout sessions and keynote addresses will be presented to attendees during the three-day conference. Dr. Ruby K. Payne has been involved with education since 1972 as a teacher, principal, consultant and administrator. She is also the founder and president of aha! Process, Inc. She will present "Helping Students in Poverty Succeed" at the First General Session on Sunday, October 29, 2006.

Dr. Lorraine Monroe is the founder, president and chief executive officer of the Lorraine Monroe Leadership Institute (LMLI) in New York City. She will speak on "Maintaining Our Humanity in Stressful Times" at the Second General Session on Monday, October 30, 2006.

Also, on Monday, Robert L. McTiernan, Esq., a shareholder with the law firm of Tucker/Arensburg, Pittsburgh, and an attorney in the PAESSP regional network, will present the Third General Session, "The Constitution Goes to School: How the Bill of Rights Affects Your Job."

As the final general session speaker on Tuesday, October 31, 2006, Dr. Kevin Elko, counselor, educator and author, will present the seven steps of "Nerves of Steel" at the Fourth General Session. He published the book, "Nerves of Steel," a powerful life-management program.

Other distinguished speakers and guests include the Mark Roosevelt, superintendent of the Pittsburgh School District; Sen. Jane Clare Orie (R) of the 40th Senatorial District serving portions of northern Allegheny County and central and southern Butler County; the president of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Joseph A. Militello, principal of Archie R. Cole Middle School in East Greenwich, R.I.; and president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals, Alan E. Michelson, principal of Cordill-Mason Elementary School.

For further information or to schedule an interview or photo, please contact Sheri Thompson, PAESSP director of communications at (717) 732-4999 (office), (717) 395-6814 (cell) or e-mail: sherit@paessp.org.

Brian L. Cashman, Sr. to Lead Pennsylvania Principals

Wed, 09 Nov 2005 5:00:00 PM EST

(Harrisburg, PA)—Brian L. Cashman, Sr., principal of Susquehannock High School in the Southern York County School District, is the 2005-06 president of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP). He assumed the position following the PAESSP Annual Business Meeting on Tuesday, October 25, 2005, during the PAESSP State Conference in King of Prussia.

During his career in education, Mr. Cashman also served as principal at Columbia Senior High School and as an assistant principal at Cedar Cliff High School. He has been an administrator since 1988.

A member of PAESSP/NASSP for 16 years, he served most recently as president-elect. He also was the Central II regional representative to both the PAESSP board of directors and the former Pennsylvania Association of Secondary School Principals (PASSP) board. In addition, he served as the advisor to PAESSP's Secondary Awards Committee, as the PAESSP State Conference co-chairperson in 1999, as a member of the NASSP Student Activities Contest Committee and PIAA District III Committee.

He earned a bachelor of science degree in health and physical education from Slippery Rock University and a master of science degree in school administration from Western Maryland University. Mr. Cashman has completed course work towards a D.Ed. from NOVA Southeastern University.

Mr. Cashman resides in Hanover, Pa., with his wife, Judy, a teacher at Smith Middle School in York City School District. They have three children, Chris, 32; Brian, Jr., 30; and Jennie, 27.

Foriska Honored as Outgoing PAESSP President

Mon, 31 Oct 2005 5:00:00 PM EST

(Harrisburg, PA)—Joseph J. Foriska, principal of Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, and past president of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), was honored as the outgoing president by his peers and invited guests at the thirteenth annual state principals' conference in King of Prussia. Mr. Foriska was presented with a plaque and a ring for his exemplary service to the association during 2004-2005 during the annual banquet held at the Valley Forge Radisson / Scanticon in King of Prussia on Monday evening, October 24, 2005.

Mr. Foriska has been an educator in the Pittsburgh area for more than 30 years. He began his career as a speech language pathologist. He then became the assistant principal at Knoxville M.S. and then, Prospect M.S. In 1990, he took his first principal position at Burgwin E.S., followed by principalships at Arsenal M.S., the Pioneer Education Center, Langley H.S. and Thaddeus Stevens E.S. (from 1998-present).

Mr. Foriska is involved in many professional and community activities. He has served as president, president-elect, past president and as a regional representative (West IV) of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary School Principals (PAESP); president, president-elect and now immediate past president of the consolidated PAESSP; and as chairman of the PAESSP Executive Committee.

In addition, he is a member of both NAESP and NASSP, past treasurer of the Pittsburgh Administrators' Association (PAA), an active member of the PAA Meet & Discuss Committee and chairperson of the PAA Tax Shelter Annuity Providers Committee. Additionally, he served as the first vice president of PAA from 1990-1993.

Mr. Foriska and his wife, Diane, have three children, Joe, Jr., Phillip and Shellie. They reside in Bethel Park, Pa.

PAESSP's mission: The Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals is dedicated to assuring that every Pennsylvania child receives the very best education possible. In carrying out this mission, the association recognizes that the early elementary years are most crucial to successful lifelong learning, that appropriate middle level programs are essential for successful adolescent maturation and development and that strong high school programs are critical for preparing youth for successful entry and transition into adulthood.

Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak to Receive PAESSP's 2005 Educational Excellence Award

Thu, 13 Oct 2005 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, PA) — Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Acting Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, has been selected to receive the prestigious Educational Excellence Award for 2005 from the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP). The award, given annually, recognizes a Pennsylvanian who has made significant contributions to public education and who continues to demonstrate a sincere commitment to quality education for all the children of the Commonwealth. Dr. Zahorchak will be presented with the award in a special ceremony during the banquet at PAESSP's thirteenth annual state conference, Monday, October 24, 2005, at the Valley Forge Radisson / Scanticon Hotel & Convention Center, King of Prussia, Pa.

Dr. Zahorchak's commitment to the education of Pennsylvania's students has guided him to numerous leadership roles. He was instrumental in the release of Pennsylvania's first and now ongoing Academic Achievement Reports. He has led PDE's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education's development and implementation of support systems for public schools working to meet the high demands of the Pennsylvania and NCLB accountability targets.

Dr. Zahorchak is the former superintendent of the Greater Johnstown School District where he helped to raise student achievement levels, and lead all schools in meeting Adequate Yearly Progress. Under his leadership, the Greater Johnstown School District implemented full-day kindergarten, pre-kindergarten, tutoring programs and hired reading and math coaches to boost student learning.

As an educator, he has been a teacher, football coach, principal and superintendent of schools. He serves on many state and national committees working to improve student achievement and is also a devoted member of the Johnstown community. Among his numerous awards are the "Distinguished Alumnus in Education" President's Award from St. Francis University, 2004; the Pennsylvania League of Urban School Leadership Award; and the 2005 Pennsylvania Association of Federal Programs Distinguished Educator Award.

State and National Education Leaders To Convene in King of Prussia

Thu, 13 Oct 2005 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, PA)—More than 225 elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals and supervisors will convene in King of Prussia for the thirteenth annual conference of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) to be held October 23-25, 2005, at the Valley Forge Radisson / Scanticon Hotel & Convention Center.

According to Thomas W. Sigafoos, principal at Ridge Park Elementary School in the Colonial School District and the 2005 conference chairperson, "This year's theme, No PRINCIPAL Left Behind, was deliberately selected to parallel the No Child Left Behind initiative. Issues such as accountability for student achievement, assessment, rigorous curricula and innovative approaches are being addressed in this year's program."

Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Acting Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, has been selected to receive the PAESSP's prestigious Educational Excellence Award. The honor is given annually to a citizen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who has made significant contributions to the attainment of education excellence in the state's elementary and secondary schools. Dr. Zahorchak has demonstrated a sincere commitment to the quality of public education in the Commonwealth. The award will be presented to Dr. Zahorchak during the PAESSP's annual banquet (6:30 p.m. on Monday, October 24, 2005).

In addition to the more than 85 vendors exhibiting their wares for schools and classrooms, a multitude of professional and informational breakout sessions and keynote addresses will be presented to attendees during the three-day conference. Dr. Michael Pladus, superintendent of schools in the School District of Upper Dublin, former principal and recipient of the 1999 NASSP/MetLife National Secondary Principal of the Year Award, will present "The Lessons of a Lifetime: Observations and Insights on the Principalship," in the First General Session on Sunday, October 23, 2005.

Dr. Daniel Gottlieb, Philadelphia area psychologist/family therapist, motivational speaker and author will speak on "Maintaining Our Humanity in Stressful Times" at the Second General Session on Monday, October 24, 2005.

Also, on Monday, October 24, Salome Thomas-EL, educator, chess coach and author of I Choose to Stay, will present the third general session, "Why We Choose to Stay: The Power of the Principal."

As the final general session speaker on Monday, October 24, Michael I. Levin, Esq., PAESSP's chief legal counsel and president of Levin Legal Group in Huntingdon, Pa., will present the annual "School Law Update."

"The Original" Mike Smith, will take the conference theme, "No PRINCIPAL Left Behind," and bring it to life at the final general session on Tuesday, October 25, 2005. Smith, known as an "edutainer," is a motivational speaker, leadership trainer and author.

Other distinguished speakers and guests include the president of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, David Vodila, who is the principal at Red Lion High School in Red Lion, Pa., and Susan E. Masterson, the president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP).

For further information or to schedule an interview or photo opportunity, please contact Sheri Thompson, PAESSP director of communications at (717) 732-4999 or
e-mail: sherit@paessp.org.

Dufalla Honored as Outgoing PAESSP President

Thu, 28 Oct 2004 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, PA)—Ronald W. Dufalla, Ph.D., principal of Brentwood High School in the Brentwood Borough School District, and outgoing president of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), was honored by his peers and guests at the twelfth annual state principals' conference in Pittsburgh. Dr. Dufalla was presented with a plaque and a ring for his exemplary service to the association during 2003-2004 at the annual banquet held at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel on Monday evening, October 25, 2004.

Dr. Dufalla served as the first president of the newly-consolidated PAESSP. In October 2003, the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary School Principals (PAESP) and the Pennsylvania Association of Secondary School Principals (PASSP) merged to form the PAESSP. He currently serves the association as immediate past president.

Dr. Dufalla has been an educator for more than 28 years. He began his career as a social studies teacher in Fox Chapel High School and Brentwood Junior-Senior High School. He then became the assistant principal at Brentwood Junior-Senior High School and Brentwood Middle-High School from 1986-1996. He also served as principal of Brentwood Middle-High School from 1996-1999.

Dr. Dufalla received a bachelor of science degree in social studies education from Edinboro State College. He received a master of science degree in secondary education from Duquesne University and a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Dufalla is involved in many professional and community organizations. Some of these include the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, the Western Pennsylvania Principals' Academy, the Alumni Association of the University of Pittsburgh and the Alumni Association of Edinboro University.

He has been married for 27 years to Debbie, a full-time, "stay-at-home mom." They have two children: Stephen, 22, and Theresa, 11. They reside in McKeesport, Pa.

Susan Stewart, recently retired as the division chief for candidate evaluation services in the Bureau of Teacher Certification in the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), was also honored with the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals' prestigious Educational Excellence Award during the banquet. The honor is given annually to a citizen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who has made significant contributions to the attainment of educational excellence in the state's elementary and secondary schools. Ms. Stewart has demonstrated a sincere commitment to the quality of public education in the Commonwealth.

David Vodila Elected 2004-05 President-Elect of National Principals' Association

Tue, 16 Mar 2004 5:00:00 PM EST

(Harrisburg, PA)—The Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) is pleased to announce that David Vodila, a PAESSP member and principal of Red Lion Area High School, has been elected as the 2004-2005 President-Elect of the 33,000-member National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), Reston, Va.

Vodila was elected by a group of his peers during the NASSP National Convention & Exposition, February 27 - March 1, 2004, in Orlando, Fla. He will take over as President of the national association in 2005-2006. As NASSP president-elect, Vodila will lead an organization committed to providing a "national voice" on issues of the principalship to the halls of Congress, the White House and the news media.

According to Vodila, "The principal is essential to the well-being of the students in our nation's schools. Our Association is vital to providing principals with the tools needed to complete their mission, and to protect the students that have been placed in their care."

Vodila served the PAESSP (formerly the Pennsylvania Association of Secondary School Principals) as past president, president, president-elect, NASSP coordinator and as a member of the Executive Board. He was named Pennsylvania's Principal of the Year in 1993 and received the prestigious Mamana Meritorious Service Award from the state secondary principals' association in 2001. In 2000, he was responsible for originating the Pennsylvania Emergency Response Team (PERT).

Nationally, Vodila served on the NASSP Board of Directors since 2000, was chairman of the NASSP Finance Committee, a member of the NASSP Steering Committee and a member of the National Principals' Emergency Response Team.

Vodila has been the principal at Red Lion Area High School since 1995. He also served as principal of Slippery Rock High School (1981-1995) and was the assistant principal at Washington High School (1976-1981).

He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

For further information or to schedule an interview, please contact Sheri Thompson, PAESSP Director of Communications at (717) 732-4999 or e-mail sherit@paessp.org.

Dr. Paula K. Hess to Receive PAESSP's 2003 Educational Excellence Award

Sun, 05 Oct 2003 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, PA)— Paula K. Hess, D.Ed., senior advisor to the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, has been selected to receive the prestigious Educational Excellence Award for 2003 from the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP). The award, given annually, recognizes a Pennsylvanian who has made significant contributions to public education and who continues to demonstrate a sincere commitment to quality education for all the children of the Commonwealth. The award will be presented to Dr. Hess in a special ceremony during the banquet at PAESSP's eleventh annual state conference, Monday, October 20, 2003, at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel, Camp Hill, Pa..

Dr. Hess has had a long-term career in the education, political and legislative arenas, beginning as a teacher in the Cornwall-Lebanon School District and as a curriculum coordinator at the Refugee Basic School for Indochinese refugee students at Ft. Indiantown Gap. She has also worked for the Pennsylvania State Education Association and the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators. In 1982, Dr. Hess became the director of legislation in the office of the Republican Majority Leader/Republican Whip, Rep. Samuel E. Hayes, Jr. She has been working in the House of Representatives in some management capacity ever since.

She received a bachelor of arts in sociology and secondary education from Lebanon Valley College and a master's of education (elementary education) from the Pennsylvania State University. Additionally, she earned a doctorate in education administration from the Pennsylvania State University.

Dr. Hess is a member of Pi Gamma Mu (National Social Science Honor Society) and Phi Delta Kappa Education Honor Society. She was named in Who's Who of American Women in 1994 and received the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education Special Award in 1975.

PAESSP's mission is to: Assist members in fulfilling their role as instructional leaders and effective managers who promote the best educational program for all students; give members an effective voice in the educational decision-making process at the local, state and national levels; and improve members' working conditions so that their rights are protected, their job descriptions are reasonable, the importance of their instructional leadership role is recognized and their salaries and fringe benefits are equitable.

State and National Education Leaders To Convene in Harrisburg Area

Sun, 05 Oct 2003 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, PA)—More than 200 elementary and secondary school principals will convene in Camp Hill for the eleventh annual conference of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) to be held October 19-21, 2003, at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel.

Dr. Paula K. Hess has been selected to receive the PAESSP's prestigious Educational Excellence Award. The honor is given annually to a citizen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who has made significant contributions to the attainment of education excellence in the state's elementary and secondary schools. Dr. Hess has demonstrated a sincere commitment to the quality of public education in the Commonwealth. The award will be presented to Dr. Hess during the PAESSP's annual banquet
(6 p.m. on Monday, October 20, 2003).

In addition to the more than 70 vendors exhibiting their wares for schools and classrooms, a multitude of professional and informational breakout sessions and keynote addresses will be presented to attendees during the three-day conference. Carl P. Beard, Esq., is a partner in the law firm of Andrews & Beard in Altoona and practices in the areas of labor, employment and school and municipal law. Beard formerly served as the legal counsel for the Pennsylvania Schools Boards Association. He will present the "School Law Update" during the first general session on Sunday, October 19, 2003.

Dr. Douglas Reeves, chairman and founder of the Center for Performance Assessment, will discuss "Standards and Accountability for Individual Student Progress" on Monday, October 20, 2003, at the second general session. Schools throughout the United States and in several other countries are transforming their approach to standards, assessment and accountability by using Dr. Reeves' practical popular books and video series. Dr. Reeves has published 14 books, and he is the author of the best-selling, Making Standards Work, now in its third edition.

In the third general session on Tuesday, October 21, 2003, Jamie Vollmer, a speaker/consultant who works to increase community support for public education, will deliver a keynote address titled, "You Cannot Do This Alone." Vollmer is a former corporate CEO and attorney who now works to halt the erosion of public trust in public schools. He is president of Vollmer & Associates, Inc., in Fairfield, Iowa.

For further information or to schedule an interview or photo opportunity, please contact
Sheri Thompson, PAESSP Director of Communications at (717) 732-4999 or e-mail sherit@paessp.org.

PAESSP's mission is to: Assist members in fulfilling their role as instructional leaders and effective managers who promote the best educational program for all students; give members an effective voice in the educational decision-making process at the local, state and national levels; and improve members' working conditions so that their rights are protected, their job descriptions are reasonable, the importance of their instructional leadership role is recognized and their salaries and fringe benefits are equitable.

Frank P. Galicki Honored as Outgoing PASSP President

Mon, 04 Nov 2002 5:00:00 PM EST

(Harrisburg, PA)—Frank P. Galicki, principal of Dallas Senior High School in the Dallas School District, and outgoing president of the Pennsylvania Association of Secondary School Principals (PASSP), was honored by his peers and guests at the tenth annual state principals' conference in Reading. Galicki was presented with a plaque and a ring for his exemplary service to the association as president during 2001-2002 at the annual banquet held at the Reading Sheraton Hotel on Monday evening, October 21, 2002.

Galicki currently serves PASSP as immediate past president, and has served as the chair of the Pennsylvania Associations of Elementary and Secondary School Principals' Joint Management Committee. He is a former president-elect, president and immediate past president of PASSP, as well as a member of the conference committee (1994-present) and the East I Regional Representative (1993-1997).

In addition to being a member of PASSP and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), he is a member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

During Galicki's tenure as PASSP president and past president, the Pennsylvania Principals' Emergency Response Team (PERT) was created. A cadre of principals has been trained and is prepared and available to principals who need assistance in crisis management and natural disasters. He also assisted with the creation of the Pennsylvania Educational Leadership Foundation (PELF), the foundation of the PAESSP.

Galicki has been a PIAA official in basketball, baseball and football for the past 25 years. He has umpired professionally for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Red Barons and has officiated professional football in the Empire Football League for the past 12 years.

For the past 12 years, Galicki has been a Eucharistic minister at the Ascension Roman Catholic Church in Mocanaqua, Pa. He also teaches fifth and sixth grade confirmation classes.

A graduate of Wilkes College, he holds a bachelor of arts in social studies/education. He also holds a master of science in secondary administration and a master of science in elementary administration from Scranton University. He received his superintendent's letter of eligibility from Lehigh University.

Galicki and his wife, Terry, a teacher in the Pleasant Valley School District, have three daughters: Dora Marie, a graduate of Penn State University is presently teaching elementary art in the Phoenixville School District; Tess, a junior at Penn State University and a social studies/secondary education major, plays the cymbals in the Blue Band; and Lena, a junior English/secondary education major, plays the mellowphone in the Bald Eagle Blue Band.

Sen. Robert J. Mellow, Democratic floor leader serving the 22nd senatorial district, was also honored with the Pennsylvania Associations of Elementary and Secondary School Principals' (PAESSP) prestigious Educational Excellence Award during the banquet. Mark Mekilo, Sen. Mellow's senior assistant counsel, was on hand to accept the award on the senator's behalf. The honor is given annually to a citizen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who has made significant contributions to the attainment of education excellence in the state's elementary and secondary schools. Sen. Mellow has demonstrated a sincere commitment to the quality of public education in the Commonwealth.

From left to right:
Frank P. Galicki, principal of Dallas Sr. High School, was honored as the outgoing PASSP president (2001-2002) during the banquet at the PAESSP State Conference. Joseph Foriska, principal of Stevens Elementary School, was also honored at the banquet as the outgoing PAESP president (2001-2002).

Dr. David C. Pietro to Lead Elementary Principals

Thu, 31 Oct 2002 5:00:00 PM EST

(Harrisburg, PA)—Dr. David C. Pietro, principal of New Brighton Middle School in the New Brighton School District, has been named president of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary School Principals (PAESP) for 2002-2003.

He began his career in education as a social studies teacher in grades 9-12 in the New Brighton School District. He also served as a secondary guidance counselor (9-12) and an elementary guidance counselor (K-5), both in the New Brighton School District.

Dr. Pietro has been a member of the PAESP for more than 18 years. He most recently served the PAESP as president-elect. He was also the West II Regional Representative on the PAESP Executive Board, a member of the Curriculum Committee and a panelist for the PAESP Aspiring Principals' Workshop.

In addition to being a member of the PAESP and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), Dr. Pietro is a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and the Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. He also wrote various articles for the Pennsylvania Administrator and NAESP's Principal magazines.

Dr. Pietro formerly served as the president, past president and treasurer of the Beaver County Elementary Principals' Association, and is past president of the Beaver County Curriculum Council. He is also a principal trainer in the Instructional Support Process and provides SAT training for the Pennsylvania Department of Education, in cooperation with the Prevention Project of Beaver County.

Dr. Pietro achieved the rank of sergeant in the U.S. Army, where he received the following military honors: The Bronze Star for Meritorious Service; the Army Commendation Medal for Achievement; and the Combat Infantry Medal.

Dr. Pietro is active in his community where he is past president of the New Brighton Rotary Club. He was selected as the New Brighton Area PTA Scholarship Honoree for Outstanding Service and Dedication to the Youth of the Community and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship Award from the New Brighton Rotary Club for "Service Above Self."

Dr. Pietro is also president of New Brighton Cares, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to providing after-school and community educational, recreational and health services to New Brighton youth.

Dr. Pietro received a bachelor of arts degree from Geneva College. He earned a master of science in education degree and certification in elementary and secondary guidance counseling from Slippery Rock University. He received his elementary principal's certification from Westminster College and his Ed.D. in educational leadership from Youngstown State University.

PAESSP's mission is to: Assist members in fulfilling their role as instructional leaders and effective managers who promote the best educational program for all students; give members an effective voice in the educational decision-making process at the local, state and national levels; and improve members' working conditions so that their rights are protected, their job descriptions are reasonable, the importance of their instructional leadership role is recognized and their salaries and fringe benefits are equitable.

Marshall J. Wagner to Lead Secondary Principals

Thu, 31 Oct 2002 5:00:00 PM EST

(Harrisburg, PA)—Marshall J. Wagner, principal of Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School in the Hollidaysburg Area School District, has been named president of the Pennsylvania Association of Secondary School Principals (PASSP) for 2002-2003.

Mr. Wagner began his career in education as a classroom instructor at Reading Senior High School where he taught for nine years. He was also an assistant principal at Philipsburg-Osceola Area Junior Senior High School; principal of Moshannon Valley Junior Senior High School; principal of student services at Tyrone Junior Senior High School; and principal of Philipsburg-Osceola Area Senior High School.

He most recently served the PASSP Executive Board as president-elect, and prior to that he was the secretary. He is a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the PASSP Joint Legislative Policy Committee, the Pennsylvania Principals'

Emergency Response Team (PERT - team leader) and the Joint Editorial Board. Mr. Wagner served on the conference committee in 2000 and was a member of the building and grounds committee.

Mr. Wagner is a member of the Blair County Principals' Association and served on the Blair County Diversity Committee. He is also an instructor at St. Francis University.

He received a bachelor of science in education from the Pennsylvania State University, earned a master of science in education from West Chester University and received his educational administration certificate from the University of Pennsylvania.

PAESSP's mission is to: Assist members in fulfilling their role as instructional leaders and effective managers who promote the best educational program for all students; give members an effective voice in the educational decision-making process at the local, state and national levels; and improve members' working conditions so that their rights are protected, their job descriptions are reasonable, the importance of their instructional leadership role is recognized and their salaries and fringe benefits are equitable.

Principals' Association Hires New Executive Director

Thu, 05 Sep 2002 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, PA)—The Pennsylvania Associations of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) has announced that J. Daniel Collins, D.Ed., a retired superintendent from the Downingtown Area School District, has been hired as the association's new executive director.

Dr. Collins brings a background of 32.5 years in public education to PAESSP. He has served 28 years as an administrator. He spent 19 ½ of those years as a superintendent in several school districts, including Downingtown, Hempfield and Dover. He began his career as an 11th grade U.S. history teacher in Prince George's County, Md., where he taught for five years.

Dr. Collins received his bachelor's and master's of education degrees from Shippensburg University, and his doctoral degree in curriculum instruction from the Pennsylvania State University.

He resides in Downington, with his wife, Grace. She is the director of the Chester County (Alternative) High School. They have two grown children.

PAESSP's mission is to: Assist members in fulfilling their role as instructional leaders and effective managers who promote the best educational program for all students; give members an effective voice in the educational decision-making process at the local, state and national levels; and improve members' working conditions so that their rights are protected, their job descriptions are reasonable, the importance of their instructional leadership role is recognized and their salaries and fringe benefits are equitable.

Shivetts Named Executive Director of BLaST IU 17

Wed, 23 Jan 2002 5:00:00 PM EST

(Williamsport, PA)—Former Williamsport Area School District educator, Thomas M. Shivetts, has been named executive director of BLaST Intermediate Unit 17, effective April 1. Shivetts is replacing long-time executive director Claire Goodman who has announced his retirement.

Intermediate Unit 17 serves 19 school districts and 29 non-public schools in Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan and Tioga counties. BLaST provides requested special education, technology and curriculum services to school districts.

Since 1996, Shivetts has served as executive director of the Pennsylvania Associations of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) and president of the Pennsylvania Educational Leadership Foundation in Harrisburg. From 1971 until his departure in 1996, Shivetts served as a teacher, supervisor of curriculum and instruction and associate superintendent of the Williamsport Area School District.

Since his tenure began at PAESSP in 1996, the principals' associations have experienced tremendous growth and change. The office was moved from downtown to suburban Harrisburg, creating an enhanced work environment and easier access for members. Additionally, the associations joined the World Wide Web; revamped their computer network; established a charitable foundation; increased professional development opportunities; restructured their political advocacy; and increased membership and member services.

Dr. Ronald Dufalla, chairman of the joint principals' associations, praised Shivetts for the tremendous growth brought to the organization; "Tom demonstrated a professional, no nonsense approach as the executive director of PAESSP. His number one concern was always service to the members and he consistently took actions that would improve those services. His actions over the past five years have enabled PAESSP to move into the 21st century."

Shivetts is the author of two monographs widely utilized by practicing administrators: Image v. Performance and The State of the Principalship.

On the state level, he has recently served on the Pennsylvania Attorney General's School Safety Task Force and is currently a member of the Board of Advisors for the Pennsylvania Academy for the Profession of Teaching.

Shivetts and his wife Deborah reside in Williamsport. They have two children, Danica of Boston, Mass., and Michael of Tuscaloosa, Ala.

PAESSP's mission is to: Assist members in fulfilling their role as instructional leaders and effective managers who promote the best educational program for all students; give members an effective voice in the educational decision-making process at the local, state and national levels; and improve members' working conditions so that their rights are protected, their job descriptions are reasonable, the importance of their instructional leadership role is recognized and their salaries and fringe benefits are equitable.

Frank Galicki to Lead Secondary Principals

Thu, 01 Nov 2001 5:00:00 PM EST

(Harrisburg, PA)—Frank P. Galicki, principal of Dallas Senior High School in the Dallas School District, has been named president of the Pennsylvania Association of Secondary School Principals (PASSP) for 2001-2002.

Galicki currently serves PASSP as president-elect, and has served as a past president and chair of the Pennsylvania Associations of Elementary and Secondary School Principals' Joint Management Committee. He is a former president and president-elect of PASSP as well as a member of the Conference Committee (1994-present) and the East I Regional Representative (1993-1997).

Galicki began his career in education as a social studies teacher at Northwest High School. He served as an assistant principal at Berwick and Dallas high schools. He has been principal at Dallas Senior High School since 1984.

In addition to being a member of PASSP and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), he is a member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development and the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

During Galicki's tenure as PASSP president and past president, the Pennsylvania Principals' Emergency Response Team (PERT) was created. A cadre of principals has been trained and is prepared and available to principals who need assistance in crisis management and natural disasters. He also assisted with the creation of the Pennsylvania Educational Leadership Foundation (PELF), the foundation of the PAESSP. Frank will be making a presentation on PERT at the NASSP Convention in Atlanta in March 2002.

Galicki has been a PIAA official in basketball, baseball and football for the past 25 years. He has umpired professionally for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Red Barons and has officiated professional football in the Empire Football League for the past 12 years.

Additionally, Galicki is a eucharistic minister at the Ascension Roman Catholic Church in Mocanaqua, Pa., for the past 12 years. He also teaches fifth and sixth grade confirmation classes.

A graduate of Wilkes College, he holds a bachelor of arts in social studies/education. He also holds a master of science in secondary administration and a master of science in elementary administration from Scranton University. He received his superintendent's letter of eligibility from Lehigh University.

PAESSP's mission is to: Assist members in fulfilling their role as instructional leaders and effective managers who promote the best educational program for all students; give members an effective voice in the educational decision-making process at the local, state and national levels; and improve members' working conditions so that their rights are protected, their job descriptions are reasonable, the importance of their instructional leadership role is recognized and their salaries and fringe benefits are equitable.

Joseph Foriska to Lead Elementary Principals

Thu, 01 Nov 2001 5:00:00 PM EST

(Harrisburg, PA)—Joseph J. Foriska, principal of Stevens Elementary School in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, has been named president of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary School Principals (PAESP) for 2001-2002.

Foriska previously served as principal of Langley High School, the Pioneer Education Center, Arsenal Middle School and Burgwin Elementary, all in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Additionally, he was assistant principal of Prospect Middle School & Multi-Cultural Center and Knoxville Middle School, also in the Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Foriska has been a member of PAESP and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) since 1990, and served on the PAESP Executive Board as the West IV Regional Representative. He previously served as an ad hoc member to both the PAESP and the Pennsylvania Association of Secondary School Principals' executive boards and as state delegate to the NAESP and the National Association of Secondary School Principals' conventions (for the past five years). In addition, he served on the PAESSP Conference Committee and was conference co-chair in 1990. He was also a panelist for the "Aspiring Principals" workshop and a member of the PAESP Alternative Funding Committee.

Locally, Foriska served on the Pittsburgh Administrators Association (PAA) Executive Board as treasurer (1994-present) and first vice president (1991-1994). He represented the PAA on Meet and Discuss Committees, districtwide task force committees and Parent School Community Council Committees. He helped develop the PAESSP Western Office and initiated the present affiliation between PAESSP and PAA, bringing into membership approximately 212 new members.

Active in his community, he is involved in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Council; the Mayor's Youth Policy Council; his local community center's Sheraden Homework and Computer Center (SHACC); Pittsburgh Public School's Youth Crime Watch; and the Energy Conservation Organization.

A graduate of Edinboro University, Foriska received his M.Ed. and his Secondary and Elementary Principal and Education of the Mentally and Physically Handicapped Certifications from the California University of Pennsylvania.

PAESSP's mission is to: Assist members in fulfilling their role as instructional leaders and effective managers who promote the best educational program for all students; give members an effective voice in the educational decision-making process at the local, state and national levels; and improve members' working conditions so that their rights are protected, their job descriptions are reasonable, the importance of their instructional leadership role is
recognized and their salaries and fringe benefits are equitable.

Carey Recipient of 2001 Educational Excellence Award

Thu, 18 Oct 2001 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, PA)— Dr. Thomas P. Carey, deputy director of elementary and secondary education for the Pennsylvania Department of Education, has been selected to receive the prestigious Pennsylvania Associations of Elementary and Secondary School Principals' (PAESSP) 2001 Educational Excellence Award. The award, given annually, recognizes a Pennsylvanian who has made significant contributions to public education and who continues to demonstrate a sincere commitment to quality education for all the children of the Commonwealth. The award will be presented to Dr. Carey in a special ceremony during the banquet at PAESSP's ninth annual joint state conference, October 29, 2001, at the Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh.

Dr. Carey has served the education field as a classroom teacher, a school board member and a school administrator. Prior to his current position, Dr. Carey was the executive director at the Armstrong-Indiana Intermediate Unit 28 and the curriculum specialist at the Northwest Tri-
County Intermediate Unit 5 in Edinboro. He also held positions with the Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs, Girard School District and the Erie City School District.

Dr. Carey has held the position of president with the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units and with the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators as well as serving on its Board of Governors.

Dr. Carey has been involved in a number of community organizations such as the Armstrong County Chamber of Commerce, Armstrong-Indiana Excellence Foundation, Greater Indiana Endowment Foundation, Indiana County Chamber of Commerce, Indiana County Enterprise Zone, Indiana Rotary and the Private Industry Council of Armstrong-Butler-Indiana counties.

Dr. Carey earned his bachelor of science and M.Ed. from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. He received his Ed.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo. His certifications include: Permanent Teacher Certificate, Pennsylvania; Secondary Principal Certificate, Pennsylvania; District Superintendent Letter of Eligibility, Pennsylvania; Intermediate Unit Executive Director Certificate, Pennsylvania; and School District Administrator, New York.

PAESSP's mission is to: Assist members in fulfilling their role as instructional leaders and effective managers who promote the best educational program for all students; give members an effective voice in the educational decision-making process at the local, state and national levels; and improve members' working conditions so that their rights
are protected, their job descriptions are reasonable, the importance of their instructional leadership role is
recognized and their salaries and fringe benefits are equitable.

State and National Education Leaders To Convene in Pittsburgh

Thu, 18 Oct 2001 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, PA)—More than 250 elementary and secondary school principals will convene in Pittsburgh for the ninth annual joint conference of the Pennsylvania Associations of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) to be held October 28-30, 2001, at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel.

Distinguished attendees include Richard Barbacane of Lancaster, immediate past president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals; Dr. John Thompson, superintendent of Pittsburgh Schools; and Alex Matthews, president of the Pittsburgh Board of Public Education.

Dr. Thomas P. Carey, deputy director of elementary and secondary education for the Pennsylvania Department of Education, has been selected to receive the PAESSP's prestigious Educational Excellence Award. The honor is given annually to a citizen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who has made significant contributions to the attainment of education excellence in the state's elementary and secondary schools. Dr. Carey has served the education field as a classroom teacher, a school board member and a school administrator.

In addition to the more than 80 vendors exhibiting their wares for schools and classrooms, a multitude of professional and informational breakout sessions and keynote addresses will be presented to attendees during the three-day conference. Dr. Kevin Elko, a motivational speaker who has been an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and author of the book, "Nerves of Steel," will present "Nerves of Steel: How to Focus When the Heat is On" on Sunday, October 28. He has also consulted with and presented to a number of companies including Solomon Smith Barney, the University of Pittsburgh Athletic Department, the Dallas Cowboys, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints.

Jim Grant, an internationally renowned educator and popular author, will give the keynote address, "Overcoming the Obstacles to Achieving High Standards," on Monday, October 29. He is the founder and executive director of the Society for Developmental Education, one of the nation's leading providers of professional development training for elementary educators. He is also the founder of the National Alliance of Multiage Educators.

Former Neshaminy School District staff member, Bernard Hoffman, will speak Monday, October 29 on "How to Make Your School Safe, Successful and Liability Free." In his almost 40 years at Neshaminy, he served as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, supervisor of curriculum and instruction, deputy superintendent and superintendent, to name a few. He is a consultant to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

For further information or to schedule an interview or photo opportunity, please contact
Sheri L. Thompson, PAESSP Director of Communications at (717) 732-4999 or e-mail sherit@paessp.org.

PAESSP's mission is to: Assist members in fulfilling their role as instructional leaders and effective managers who promote the best educational program for all students; give members an effective voice in the educational decision-making process at the local, state and national levels; and improve members' working conditions so that their rights are protected, their job descriptions are reasonable, the importance of their instructional leadership role is recognized and their salaries and fringe benefits are equitable.

Jansante Selected to Participate in Principals' Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.

Sun, 01 Jul 2001 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, PA)—Dr. Zeb Jansante, a principal at Quaker Valley High School, Leetsville, Pa., has been selected to participate in the Principals' Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., July 15-17, 2001. Dr. Jansante has been selected based on his reputation as an outstanding principal.

The U.S. Department of Education, with assistance from the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the National Middle School Association, is sponsoring the summit. It will bring together 100 elementary, middle and secondary school principals from across the nation. Together, principals across the nation will extend the discussion of principal as instructional leader that began at the first summit, held last summer.

The discussion will also be extended to a specific area - the use of assessment data to drive decision-making and increase student achievement in our schools. The format of the meeting will include presentations and both large and small group discussions.

Dr. Jansante began his educational career as a teacher from 1983-1991, then as an assistant principal (1991-1995) and a principal at Elizabeth Forward High School (1995-2000). He has served as principal of the Quaker Valley High School since 2000.

Dr. Jansante is a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Pennsylvania Association of Secondary School Principals (PASSP) where he serves on the Executive Board as the West III Regional Representative. He is also the chair of the PASSP Principals' Professional Development Committee (1998-2001), a presenter for the PASSP Principals' Leadership Academy 2001, a member of the South Hills Area School Districts' Association and a facilitator for the University of Pittsburgh's Principals' Leadership Academy 2001.

PAESSP's mission is to: Assist members in fulfilling their role as instructional leaders and effective managers who promote the best educational program for all students; give members an effective voice in the educational decision-making process at the local, state and national levels; and improve members' working conditions so that their rights are protected, their job descriptions are reasonable, the importance of their instructional leadership role is recognized and their salaries and fringe benefits are equitable.

Rudiak Selected to Participate in Principals' Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.

Sun, 01 Jul 2001 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, PA)—Dr. Barbara Rudiak, a principal at Phillips Elementary School, Pittsburgh, Pa., has been selected to participate in the Principals' Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., July 15-17, 2001. Dr. Rudiak has been selected based on her reputation as an outstanding principal.

Dr. Rudiak has been a principal in the Pittsburgh Public Schools for nine years. Prior to that, she taught 7th grade reading, math and English for 14 years in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Additionally, she was a supervisor for the school improvement program for the Pittsburgh Public Schools and an assistant principal for the Martin Luther Elementary School in Pittsburgh.

Dr. Rudiak is a member of the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary School Principals where she serves on the Executive Board as the West IV Regional Representative. She is also the recording secretary for the Pittsburgh Administrators' Association.

In addition, Dr. Rudiak is on the board of directors for several non-profit organizations, including Brashear Association, Pittsburgh Voyager and Pittsburgh Council on Public Education.

PAESSP's mission is to: Assist members in fulfilling their role as instructional leaders and effective managers who promote the best educational program for all students; give members an effective voice in the educational decision-making process at the local, state and national levels; and improve members' working conditions so that their rights are protected, their job descriptions are reasonable, the importance of their instructional leadership role is recognized and their salaries and fringe benefits are equitable.

Shivetts Selected to Participate in National Educational Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.

Sun, 01 Jul 2001 5:00:00 PM EDT

(Harrisburg, PA)—Thomas M. Shivetts, executive director of the Pennsylvania Associations of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), and president of the Pennsylvania Educational Leadership Foundation, Summerdale, Pa., has been selected to participate in the Principals' Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., July 15-17, 2001. Mr. Shivetts is one of only eight statewide leaders selected by United States Secretary of Education, Rod Paige.

The U.S. Department of Education, with assistance from the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the National Middle School Association, is sponsoring the summit. It will bring 100 elementary, middle and secondary school principals together with professional association leaders from across the nation. Together, participants across the nation will extend the discussion of principal as instructional leader that began at the first summit, held last summer.

Mr. Shivetts has served public education for 30 years. Beginning his career as a social studies teacher, he later served as a supervisor of curriculum and instruction (K-12) and associate superintendent of the Williamsport Area School District. He has been executive director of PAESSP since 1996.

PAESSP's mission is to: Assist members in fulfilling their role as instructional leaders and effective managers who promote the best educational program for all students; give members an effective voice in the educational decision-making process at the local, state and national levels; and improve members' working conditions so that their rights are protected, their job descriptions are reasonable, the importance of their instructional leadership role is recognized and their salaries and fringe benefits are equitable.