The Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education voted today to increase in-state full-time tuition rates for new students by 7.5%. The moves come less than 24 hours after the PA House approved a $27.15 Billion budget for 2011-2012 that cut spending for the State System by $90 million or about 18%.
“As we said at our budget hearings in both the House and Senate earlier this year, we will not ask our students to bear the entire burden of the budget cuts we are facing,” said PASSHE Chancellor Dr. John Cavanaugh. “The tuition increase approved by the Board today will fall significantly short of the funding we need to replace what we lost. Above all, we must keep tuition affordable for our students and their families.”
The new annual tuition rate for full-time, resident undergraduate students beginning this fall will be $6,240. The 14 State System schools host nearly 120,000 students. Among the schools are California University of PA, Indiana University of PA, and Slippery Rock University.
Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Legislation To Cut State Dollars for Pitt, Penn State
A Pennsylvania House panel has approved a measure to cut funding for state-owned and state-related universities
It was a vote down party lines -- Democrats called the proposed funding cuts draconian and Republicans made the case for belt-tightening in hard times.
When it came time to take a vote on the first of four bills to decrease funding for higher education, Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill Adolph of Delaware County offered a wry observation:
"21 yays and 14 nays. Despite all that conversation, obviously no one changed their mind."
The proposal would make an 18 percent cut to funds for the 14 state system schools including IUP, Millersville, Slippery Rock, California, Edinboro and Bloomsburg.
The funding cut would be 19 percent for the four state-related universities --, Pitt, Penn State, Temple, and Lincoln.
Democrats say the reductions would force schools to hike their tuition, but Republicans say the General Assembly can’t control tuition rates.
Adolph says universities would be able to keep tuition low since the proposed cuts come in under the Governor’s suggested number.
"A lot of these CFOs of these universities and the board of trustees, even when it was a 50 percent decrease in funding, they were going to try their best to keep tuition as low as possible. It was not going to be a dollar for dollar increase in tuition."
The legislation will likely be considered by the Senate next week.
It was a vote down party lines -- Democrats called the proposed funding cuts draconian and Republicans made the case for belt-tightening in hard times.
When it came time to take a vote on the first of four bills to decrease funding for higher education, Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill Adolph of Delaware County offered a wry observation:
"21 yays and 14 nays. Despite all that conversation, obviously no one changed their mind."
The proposal would make an 18 percent cut to funds for the 14 state system schools including IUP, Millersville, Slippery Rock, California, Edinboro and Bloomsburg.
The funding cut would be 19 percent for the four state-related universities --, Pitt, Penn State, Temple, and Lincoln.
Democrats say the reductions would force schools to hike their tuition, but Republicans say the General Assembly can’t control tuition rates.
Adolph says universities would be able to keep tuition low since the proposed cuts come in under the Governor’s suggested number.
"A lot of these CFOs of these universities and the board of trustees, even when it was a 50 percent decrease in funding, they were going to try their best to keep tuition as low as possible. It was not going to be a dollar for dollar increase in tuition."
The legislation will likely be considered by the Senate next week.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Dems Block Funding For Universities To Try To Get Them More
State funding for state-related schools including the University of Pittsburgh could be halted until September.
The bills dictating what the schools get in state money are the rare bills that require a two-thirds majority vote – so Senate and House Democrats were able to keep the measures from passing Monday evening.
The Democrats say they want to get more money for the schools which are being cut by 19%.
But Republican Representative Stan Saylor of York County says this will only hold things up.
"We’re not gonna deal with these until we come back in September now. Because again, we’re not going to wait around and play games. Because we don’t know when they’re going to give us votes. They haven’t said."
Democratic Representative Dan Frankel of Pittsburgh says Republicans left Democrats out of the loop on spending decisions for too long.
So we’re brought in on June 27th to have that conversation. So we’re expected to roll over because they have a date of June 30th to get this bill done? Well if they were concerned about getting the bill – the budget done on time, they should have included the caucus in on the discussions at a much earlier time.
But House Republicans say this won’t delay the passage of a budget – although it might delay state funding for the schools in question -- Penn State, Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln.
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The bills dictating what the schools get in state money are the rare bills that require a two-thirds majority vote – so Senate and House Democrats were able to keep the measures from passing Monday evening.
The Democrats say they want to get more money for the schools which are being cut by 19%.
But Republican Representative Stan Saylor of York County says this will only hold things up.
"We’re not gonna deal with these until we come back in September now. Because again, we’re not going to wait around and play games. Because we don’t know when they’re going to give us votes. They haven’t said."
Democratic Representative Dan Frankel of Pittsburgh says Republicans left Democrats out of the loop on spending decisions for too long.
So we’re brought in on June 27th to have that conversation. So we’re expected to roll over because they have a date of June 30th to get this bill done? Well if they were concerned about getting the bill – the budget done on time, they should have included the caucus in on the discussions at a much earlier time.
But House Republicans say this won’t delay the passage of a budget – although it might delay state funding for the schools in question -- Penn State, Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln.
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Monday, June 27, 2011
Community Meeting on School Budget Cuts
The public is invited to a meeting at 5:30 this evening at the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers Building on the South Side: 10 South 19th Street. Pittsburgh School Superintendent Linda Lane will present information about necessary budget cuts, and community members will have a chance to express their priorities.
Carey Harris, Executive Director of A+ Schools, which is hosting the meeting, says Dr. Lane has already had to make difficult decisions because of state budget cuts, which will require further cuts of $100 million a year. Harris says the general fund budget now is about $540 million a year, or $20,000 per student--one of the highest-spending districts in Pennsylvania. A $100 million cut would reduce the average to $16,000 per student, which is still high in the state, so, depending on where cuts are made, Harris believes the district can continue to deliver a quality education.
Harris expects Dr. Lane to present an analysis of where the spending in Pittsburgh exceeds state averages and where cuts might be made without jeopardizing the quality of education. The decisions to be made are probably for the 2011-2012 school year, which the board will be voting on in December.
There will be refreshments to get people through the dinner hour, and child care is provided.
Carey Harris, Executive Director of A+ Schools, which is hosting the meeting, says Dr. Lane has already had to make difficult decisions because of state budget cuts, which will require further cuts of $100 million a year. Harris says the general fund budget now is about $540 million a year, or $20,000 per student--one of the highest-spending districts in Pennsylvania. A $100 million cut would reduce the average to $16,000 per student, which is still high in the state, so, depending on where cuts are made, Harris believes the district can continue to deliver a quality education.
Harris expects Dr. Lane to present an analysis of where the spending in Pittsburgh exceeds state averages and where cuts might be made without jeopardizing the quality of education. The decisions to be made are probably for the 2011-2012 school year, which the board will be voting on in December.
There will be refreshments to get people through the dinner hour, and child care is provided.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Pennsylvania DREAM Act Introduced
A state representative from Philadelphia is introducing the Pennsylvania DREAM Act that would grant in-state tuition rates to about 800 undocumented students graduating from state high schools each year who meet residency requirements.
Representative Tony Payton, Jr. says the parents of the undocumented high school graduates have worked and paid taxes, contributing to the fabric of Pennsylvania, and the students should not be punished for decisions their parents made. The foundation of the country is immigration, he stresses.
Right now, Payton says the students must pay international tuition rates at Pennsylvania schools—the same as out-of-state tuition at Pitt and IUP, about $10,000 more than in-state—enough to put a college education out of reach for many, according to Pamela Linares of Dream Activist Pennsylvania.
Linares says Pennsylvania would be the 12th state to pass a DREAM act. Federal legislation, which would have affected 65,000 undocumented grads across the country, has not passed.
House Voucher Proposal In The Works
There’s new movement on the stalled Republican effort to create a school vouchers program. This time, it’s coming from the House, and not the Senate.
House Republican Jim Christiana is hoping to introduce a bill in the coming weeks. His measure would be much more limited than the Senate vouchers bill: it would provide funding for poor students in failing schools, instead of expanding to a statewide program.
Senate Bill 1, initially introduced by Republican Jeff Piccola and Democrat Anthony Williams, has been in a holding pattern for several months now. It likely won’t see a Senate vote until the fall. The measure creates a vouchers system that gradually grows over four years: in year one, poor students in failing schools are eligible. Year two expands vouchers to poor students in districts with failing schools, and in the third year, all low-income students in the commonwealth are eligible for the vouchers. The amended language makes middle class families eligible for vouchers in the fourth year of the program.
House Republican leaders have been resistant to the program. Last month, Speaker Sam Smith said he’d oppose the measure, in its current form, if it made it to his chamber.
Christiana’s proposal is more limited than the Piccola/Williams bill: it would apply to low-income students in under-performing schools. As his co-sponsorship memo explains, “This Act will create a school voucher that will commence with the 2012-13 school year and will be available to low-income children who (1) attended a low achieving school during the 2011-12 school year or will enroll in kindergarten in a low achieving for the 2012-13 school year; and (2) will reside within the attendance boundary of a low achieving school as of the first day of class. A low achieving school district will be defined as the lowest performing 10% of school districts.”
“I believe that the voucher component, in my opinion, is meant to rescue kids that are trapped in an under-performing district, that are low-income families, and the voucher should help them – and only them,” said Christiana. He pointed out his legislation would still help middle-class families, though, by expanding the Educational Improvement Tax Credit, which provides tax breaks to private companies that spend money on educational scholarship programs. Christiana argued targeting vouchers to poorer families, “frees up more money to help the middle-income families with the EITC. And actually, probably all of the money from the EITC program and the expansion would go to middle-income families.”
Christiana is still a relatively green member of the House, but his bill will likely generate serious consideration: according to the Republican, its co-sponsors include House Majority Leader Mike Turzai.
House Republican Jim Christiana is hoping to introduce a bill in the coming weeks. His measure would be much more limited than the Senate vouchers bill: it would provide funding for poor students in failing schools, instead of expanding to a statewide program.
Senate Bill 1, initially introduced by Republican Jeff Piccola and Democrat Anthony Williams, has been in a holding pattern for several months now. It likely won’t see a Senate vote until the fall. The measure creates a vouchers system that gradually grows over four years: in year one, poor students in failing schools are eligible. Year two expands vouchers to poor students in districts with failing schools, and in the third year, all low-income students in the commonwealth are eligible for the vouchers. The amended language makes middle class families eligible for vouchers in the fourth year of the program.
House Republican leaders have been resistant to the program. Last month, Speaker Sam Smith said he’d oppose the measure, in its current form, if it made it to his chamber.
Christiana’s proposal is more limited than the Piccola/Williams bill: it would apply to low-income students in under-performing schools. As his co-sponsorship memo explains, “This Act will create a school voucher that will commence with the 2012-13 school year and will be available to low-income children who (1) attended a low achieving school during the 2011-12 school year or will enroll in kindergarten in a low achieving for the 2012-13 school year; and (2) will reside within the attendance boundary of a low achieving school as of the first day of class. A low achieving school district will be defined as the lowest performing 10% of school districts.”
“I believe that the voucher component, in my opinion, is meant to rescue kids that are trapped in an under-performing district, that are low-income families, and the voucher should help them – and only them,” said Christiana. He pointed out his legislation would still help middle-class families, though, by expanding the Educational Improvement Tax Credit, which provides tax breaks to private companies that spend money on educational scholarship programs. Christiana argued targeting vouchers to poorer families, “frees up more money to help the middle-income families with the EITC. And actually, probably all of the money from the EITC program and the expansion would go to middle-income families.”
Christiana is still a relatively green member of the House, but his bill will likely generate serious consideration: according to the Republican, its co-sponsors include House Majority Leader Mike Turzai.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Democrats Bash GOP Budget Plan
A group of state and local Democrats blasted the House Republican budget proposal today, saying it cuts too deeply into education spending.
Allegheny County Councilman Jim Burn says many local school districts stand to lose as much as a quarter of their state funding under the Republican budget.
State Senator Jim Brewster of McKeesport says on top of the budget cuts, local school districts would have to spend more if lawmakers pass a plan to enact school vouchers.
“If 100 students at McKeesport want to go to a school within ten miles, McKeesport’s got to write a check. Let’s say it’s 10,000 [dollars] a student. So now I’ve got to write a check for 10,000 times 100; you do the math,” says Brewster. “Now if I’ve already eaten into my fund balance because of cuts in the budget, where do I get the million? I’ll give you the answer: you’ve got to raise local taxes.”
Allegheny County Representative Dan Frankel says House Republicans also refuse to acknowledge that the state will earn anywhere from half a billion to a billion dollars more than anticipated this year. He says that money should be used to mitigate education cuts.
The budget proposal is expected to be taken to the House floor on Monday.
Allegheny County Councilman Jim Burn says many local school districts stand to lose as much as a quarter of their state funding under the Republican budget.
State Senator Jim Brewster of McKeesport says on top of the budget cuts, local school districts would have to spend more if lawmakers pass a plan to enact school vouchers.
“If 100 students at McKeesport want to go to a school within ten miles, McKeesport’s got to write a check. Let’s say it’s 10,000 [dollars] a student. So now I’ve got to write a check for 10,000 times 100; you do the math,” says Brewster. “Now if I’ve already eaten into my fund balance because of cuts in the budget, where do I get the million? I’ll give you the answer: you’ve got to raise local taxes.”
Allegheny County Representative Dan Frankel says House Republicans also refuse to acknowledge that the state will earn anywhere from half a billion to a billion dollars more than anticipated this year. He says that money should be used to mitigate education cuts.
The budget proposal is expected to be taken to the House floor on Monday.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
High Minority Dropouts Cited on Integration Anniversary
Fifty-seven years after a Supreme Court decision to desegregate public schools, an education nonprofit says school systems still must do more to equalize the graduation rates of all races.
The Alliance for Excellent Education says that while the Brown v. Board of Education ruling of 1954 was a great achievement in public education, the disparity in dropout rates between whites and minorities must be fixed.
Alliance President Bob Wise says if the nation could cut the annual number of minority dropouts in half, the resulting 375,000 “new graduates” would create 30,000 new jobs and increase gross domestic product by $5.4 billion over their careers. Wise says comparable figures would result from every subsequent graduating class.
Wise says halving the dropout rate of African-Americans in Pittsburgh would yield similar benefits for the city.
“It would result in $13 million more [in] annual income for these students when they’re fully into the workforce,” says Wise. “It would mean that they would have jobs, and their additional spending would generate 100 new jobs for the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, and they’d be able to buy $28 million more in homes, almost $1 million more in autos in a year.”
Wise says states must target their lowest-achieving schools, where minorities often make up a large part of the population.
The Alliance for Excellent Education says that while the Brown v. Board of Education ruling of 1954 was a great achievement in public education, the disparity in dropout rates between whites and minorities must be fixed.
Alliance President Bob Wise says if the nation could cut the annual number of minority dropouts in half, the resulting 375,000 “new graduates” would create 30,000 new jobs and increase gross domestic product by $5.4 billion over their careers. Wise says comparable figures would result from every subsequent graduating class.
Wise says halving the dropout rate of African-Americans in Pittsburgh would yield similar benefits for the city.
“It would result in $13 million more [in] annual income for these students when they’re fully into the workforce,” says Wise. “It would mean that they would have jobs, and their additional spending would generate 100 new jobs for the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, and they’d be able to buy $28 million more in homes, almost $1 million more in autos in a year.”
Wise says states must target their lowest-achieving schools, where minorities often make up a large part of the population.
Vouchers Bill Still on Hold
Two key portions of Governor Tom Corbett’s education platform made progress in the Pennsylvania General Assembly last week. But a third initiative – a school vouchers bill -- may be stalled until the fall, or later.
The Senate passed a bill giving school districts the right to lay teachers off for economic reasons, and a House committee approved a measure requiring voter referendums for property tax increases above the rate of inflation. Corbett called for the referendum bill in his budget address, and wants to give schools more flexibility to cut costs.
But a high-profile school vouchers bill continues to stall in the Senate, and won’t be called to a vote until House leaders begin to actively negotiate its details, according to Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi. “We believe that we could accomplish it before the post-budget break,” he said, “but that would require a different approach by the House than we’ve seen so far.” Senate leaders initially planned for an April vote on the vouchers bill, but they pulled it from the table after the Corbett Administration failed to wholeheartedly endorse its language. A modified measure, delaying the program until 2012 and capping its costs, has been introduced, but no vote is scheduled.
House Republicans are leery of the vouchers bill. Instead of negotiating on the vouchers legislation, they passed a measure expanding a tax credit meant to spur private scholarship donations. Senate Education Committee Chair Jeff Piccola has said the Educational Improvement Tax Credit bill is “dead on arrival” in the upper chamber. Pileggi effectively said the same thing, but in more muted terms. “We’re committed to addressing both issues [the EITC expansion and vouchers] in one bill at the same time,” he said. “It serves no one’s purposes to divide the issues, and only deal with vouchers or only deal with the educational improvement tax credit expansion.”
The Senate passed a bill giving school districts the right to lay teachers off for economic reasons, and a House committee approved a measure requiring voter referendums for property tax increases above the rate of inflation. Corbett called for the referendum bill in his budget address, and wants to give schools more flexibility to cut costs.
But a high-profile school vouchers bill continues to stall in the Senate, and won’t be called to a vote until House leaders begin to actively negotiate its details, according to Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi. “We believe that we could accomplish it before the post-budget break,” he said, “but that would require a different approach by the House than we’ve seen so far.” Senate leaders initially planned for an April vote on the vouchers bill, but they pulled it from the table after the Corbett Administration failed to wholeheartedly endorse its language. A modified measure, delaying the program until 2012 and capping its costs, has been introduced, but no vote is scheduled.
House Republicans are leery of the vouchers bill. Instead of negotiating on the vouchers legislation, they passed a measure expanding a tax credit meant to spur private scholarship donations. Senate Education Committee Chair Jeff Piccola has said the Educational Improvement Tax Credit bill is “dead on arrival” in the upper chamber. Pileggi effectively said the same thing, but in more muted terms. “We’re committed to addressing both issues [the EITC expansion and vouchers] in one bill at the same time,” he said. “It serves no one’s purposes to divide the issues, and only deal with vouchers or only deal with the educational improvement tax credit expansion.”
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
House GOP Budget Would Restore Some Education Funds
The House Republican budget is now out in the public – though in a sharp contrast to Governor Tom Corbett’s spending plan, the parameters of the budget had been public for several days, before the official announcement.
As previously reported, the GOP plan would maintain Governor Corbett’s $27.3 billion spending level, but dramatically increase funding for State System of Higher Education and state-related colleges and universities. Instead of losing more than half of their state funding, SSHE schools would receive 85 percent of last year’s budget, while Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Lincoln Universities would lose a quarter of their state support. “I think everybody standing behind me was as surprised as you were, when the governor proposed a 54 percent decrease in funding for our 14 state-owned universities,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill Adolph. “Many of these universities are the economic engine in those communities.” In all, the House GOP plan provides $377 million more than Corbett’s budget for higher education.
House Republicans would also up funding for K-12 education, and restore the accountability block grant program, which many school districts use to fund early childhood education efforts. (The block grant funding would be less than half of its current level, but Corbett wanted to completely eliminate the program. Other changes include a five prevent reduction for General Assembly funding – about three times as large of a cut as Corbett proposed – and $55 million more for hospitals across Pennsylvania.
The bulk of the education money comes from the Department of Public Welfare’s budget. Corbett wanted to increase DPW spending by $700 million, citing increased demands and case loads. House Republicans would eliminate $470 million of that bump. Monday, House Minority Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny County) accused the GOP of “robbing Peter to pay Paul” by shifting money from welfare to education, instead of increasing the overall budget amount and raising taxes. Adolph disagreed. “$470 million dollars is a lot of money,” he said. “But you have to put in the perspective of what we’re spending in the Department of Welfare. This year’s budget is still a one percent increase over last year’s budget. We are spending $10.7 billion.”
Dermody’s Senate counterpart, Jay Costa (D-Allegheny County), refrained from bashing the Republican budget in an emailed statement. “"It seems that our colleagues across the aisle have heard some of the concerns of men and women across the Commonwealth who thought the governor's budget was too austere, too draconian in its cuts to education. We look forward to receiving the amendment and learning more of the specifics of the plan, particularly how those Department of Public Welfare programs which serve children, the elderly and the disabled are affected,” he wrote.
As expected, House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny County) rejected the suggestion of incorporating a $500 million tax surplus into next year’s spending plan. “Look, as we move into the next year’s budget, we don’t know what this economy’s going to do,” he reasoned. “Gas prices are at four dollars. And everybody knows that it’s not clear whether the economy is going to continue to grow, or revenues are going to continue to come in.” Turzai said he doesn’t want to spend money just for the sake of spending it, and repeated his mantra of state government “living within its means.”
Turzai said his goal is to pass the budget and send it to the Senate by the end of May.
As previously reported, the GOP plan would maintain Governor Corbett’s $27.3 billion spending level, but dramatically increase funding for State System of Higher Education and state-related colleges and universities. Instead of losing more than half of their state funding, SSHE schools would receive 85 percent of last year’s budget, while Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Lincoln Universities would lose a quarter of their state support. “I think everybody standing behind me was as surprised as you were, when the governor proposed a 54 percent decrease in funding for our 14 state-owned universities,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill Adolph. “Many of these universities are the economic engine in those communities.” In all, the House GOP plan provides $377 million more than Corbett’s budget for higher education.
House Republicans would also up funding for K-12 education, and restore the accountability block grant program, which many school districts use to fund early childhood education efforts. (The block grant funding would be less than half of its current level, but Corbett wanted to completely eliminate the program. Other changes include a five prevent reduction for General Assembly funding – about three times as large of a cut as Corbett proposed – and $55 million more for hospitals across Pennsylvania.
The bulk of the education money comes from the Department of Public Welfare’s budget. Corbett wanted to increase DPW spending by $700 million, citing increased demands and case loads. House Republicans would eliminate $470 million of that bump. Monday, House Minority Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny County) accused the GOP of “robbing Peter to pay Paul” by shifting money from welfare to education, instead of increasing the overall budget amount and raising taxes. Adolph disagreed. “$470 million dollars is a lot of money,” he said. “But you have to put in the perspective of what we’re spending in the Department of Welfare. This year’s budget is still a one percent increase over last year’s budget. We are spending $10.7 billion.”
Dermody’s Senate counterpart, Jay Costa (D-Allegheny County), refrained from bashing the Republican budget in an emailed statement. “"It seems that our colleagues across the aisle have heard some of the concerns of men and women across the Commonwealth who thought the governor's budget was too austere, too draconian in its cuts to education. We look forward to receiving the amendment and learning more of the specifics of the plan, particularly how those Department of Public Welfare programs which serve children, the elderly and the disabled are affected,” he wrote.
As expected, House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny County) rejected the suggestion of incorporating a $500 million tax surplus into next year’s spending plan. “Look, as we move into the next year’s budget, we don’t know what this economy’s going to do,” he reasoned. “Gas prices are at four dollars. And everybody knows that it’s not clear whether the economy is going to continue to grow, or revenues are going to continue to come in.” Turzai said he doesn’t want to spend money just for the sake of spending it, and repeated his mantra of state government “living within its means.”
Turzai said his goal is to pass the budget and send it to the Senate by the end of May.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
House GOP: Shift Welfare Funds to Education
Pennsylvania House Republicans will unveil their $27.3 billion budget tomorrow. Their Democratic counterparts are already criticizing the plan, though.
According to GOP staffers, the proposal would cut about $500 million from the Department of Public Welfare’s budget. (Corbett wanted to increase DPW spending by $600 million, so the House GOP plan would give the department a slight increase over last year’s spending.) The Republican budget would use the money to partially restore education funding. State System of Higher Education schools would see their funding drop 15 percent, rather than Corbett’s proposed 50 percent cut. State-related schools – Penn State, Pitt, Lincoln and Temple -- would lose 25 percent of their state funding, rather than half. State basic education funding would increase $210 million, compared to Corbett’s plan, and the accountability block grant program, which many districts use to fund early childhood education efforts, would be restored to $100 million. (Corbett’s budget zeroed it out.)
House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, who’s railed against Corbett’s budget for months, isn’t satisfied by the partial restorations, pointing out the Republican plan “still cuts education, basic education, by hundreds of millions of dollars.” He called the welfare-to-education shift “a false choice,” saying, “[Republicans] want us to make a choice between massive cuts to public schools and public universities, or devastating cuts to programs that provide care to seniors, seniors in nursing homes. Programs that protect children and adults with disabilities, and support our hospitals and trauma centers.”
House GOP spokesman Steve Miskin responded Republicans are simply eliminating money DPW is wasting, pointing to Democratic Auditor General Jack Wagner’s numerous studies pointing to wasted or misappropriated money within the department.
Instead of partially restoring education line items with DPW money, Dermody – and, it’s worth noting, Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi -- wants Governor Corbett and House Republicans to tap Pennsylvania’s $505 million tax surplus. Corbett and the House GOP would rather set the money aside in a rainy day fund – Miskin argues the philosophy of spending every dollar of tax revenue is what got Pennsylvania into its current financial lurch to begin with.
According to GOP staffers, the proposal would cut about $500 million from the Department of Public Welfare’s budget. (Corbett wanted to increase DPW spending by $600 million, so the House GOP plan would give the department a slight increase over last year’s spending.) The Republican budget would use the money to partially restore education funding. State System of Higher Education schools would see their funding drop 15 percent, rather than Corbett’s proposed 50 percent cut. State-related schools – Penn State, Pitt, Lincoln and Temple -- would lose 25 percent of their state funding, rather than half. State basic education funding would increase $210 million, compared to Corbett’s plan, and the accountability block grant program, which many districts use to fund early childhood education efforts, would be restored to $100 million. (Corbett’s budget zeroed it out.)
House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, who’s railed against Corbett’s budget for months, isn’t satisfied by the partial restorations, pointing out the Republican plan “still cuts education, basic education, by hundreds of millions of dollars.” He called the welfare-to-education shift “a false choice,” saying, “[Republicans] want us to make a choice between massive cuts to public schools and public universities, or devastating cuts to programs that provide care to seniors, seniors in nursing homes. Programs that protect children and adults with disabilities, and support our hospitals and trauma centers.”
House GOP spokesman Steve Miskin responded Republicans are simply eliminating money DPW is wasting, pointing to Democratic Auditor General Jack Wagner’s numerous studies pointing to wasted or misappropriated money within the department.
Instead of partially restoring education line items with DPW money, Dermody – and, it’s worth noting, Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi -- wants Governor Corbett and House Republicans to tap Pennsylvania’s $505 million tax surplus. Corbett and the House GOP would rather set the money aside in a rainy day fund – Miskin argues the philosophy of spending every dollar of tax revenue is what got Pennsylvania into its current financial lurch to begin with.
Monday, May 9, 2011
City Homeowners Get $269 Tax Reduction
Pittsburgh homeowners should expect to see a $269 reduction in their property tax bills this year. Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis announced the number today. The reduction stems from the $612.1 million raised through slot machine revenues.
School districts will receive the funds in two equal installments in August and October. "In Pennsylvania, we are all financially responsible for educating our youth and in difficult economic times, the burden of high property taxes can be overwhelming," Tomalis said.
The task of dividing the money among the state's school districts falls to the Department of Education. The department estimates the average homeowner will see a $200 reduction in their property taxes.
In Allegheny County, homeowners in the Duquesne City School District will see the highest reduction at $351. Avonworth School District homeowners will see the lowest reduction in the county at $85.
Somerset SD home and farmstead owners will see an average reduction of $136 and Johnstown SD home and farmstead owners will see a $211 reduction.
All the numbers can be found on the Department of Education’s website.
School districts will receive the funds in two equal installments in August and October. "In Pennsylvania, we are all financially responsible for educating our youth and in difficult economic times, the burden of high property taxes can be overwhelming," Tomalis said.
The task of dividing the money among the state's school districts falls to the Department of Education. The department estimates the average homeowner will see a $200 reduction in their property taxes.
In Allegheny County, homeowners in the Duquesne City School District will see the highest reduction at $351. Avonworth School District homeowners will see the lowest reduction in the county at $85.
Somerset SD home and farmstead owners will see an average reduction of $136 and Johnstown SD home and farmstead owners will see a $211 reduction.
All the numbers can be found on the Department of Education’s website.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Another Proposed Tax on Marcellus Shale Gas
To offset Governor Tom Corbett's proposed billion dollars cut in state education funding, Democratic State Senator James Brewster is proposing a 7% tax on the market value of gas taken from the Marcellus Shale formation. Brewster estimates that would generate about $280 million annually, half of which would be designated for education.
25% of the revenues would go to pay for local government services and the remainder for environmental protection and response.
There are at least three other Democratic bills for a shale tax and a proposal by Senate President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati for an impact fee with the revenues going to counties and municipalities where the drilling takes place.
Governor Corbett has said repeatedly he would veto a Marcellus Shale tax but has not ruled out approving an impact fee.
25% of the revenues would go to pay for local government services and the remainder for environmental protection and response.
There are at least three other Democratic bills for a shale tax and a proposal by Senate President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati for an impact fee with the revenues going to counties and municipalities where the drilling takes place.
Governor Corbett has said repeatedly he would veto a Marcellus Shale tax but has not ruled out approving an impact fee.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
PA Education Jobs Surpass other Public Sector Jobs
Pennsylvania's public education sector, including teachers, administrators and ancillary school staff, grew by 24% over the past decade, according to the conservative think tank the Allegheny Institute. Senior Policy Analyst Eric Montarti says they based their findings on 2010 census data. "If you look at all the other categories of local government employment - and that's everything from city managers, to police officers, to sanitation workers, to health and welfare - those groups grew roughly 3%, which is the same amount as the state's population grew." He says they also found that employment at Pittsburgh Public School's central offices greatly increased over the past decade. Montarti says former governor Ed Rendell's focus on education, which included hiring specialized educators like reading and math coaches, a big boost to the state's education budget, and federal stimulus dollars all contributed to the growth in employment. But with a new governor in office, a state deficit and the popularity of "school choice," Montarti says he expects that trend to reverse as school districts begin to trim their budgets. The report can be found at http://www.alleghenyinstitute.org/.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Nonprofit Criticizes School Vouchers Bill
A state think-tank says even with recent changes, a Senate proposal for a new school voucher program is “deeply flawed.”
Despite revisions that would cap some of the bill’s costs, the Keystone Research Center says the Republican school vouchers proposal would still divert hundreds of millions of dollars from public schools to private institutes.
During its first year, the voucher program would give tuition assistance for low-income students in poorly performing public schools. Eventually, any family earning up to 350% of the federal poverty line would be eligible, including some students already enrolled in private schools.
KRC Executive Director Stephen Herzenberg says he has three main problems with the Senate Republicans’ proposal.
“First of all, it’s going to be expensive; second, it’s investing in a direction where there’s no evidence that you get better educational outcomes; and third, there’s no accountability built into the plan,” says Herzenberg.
The Senate’s recent changes to the bill include an accountability measure that would require private schools to report on student achievement. However, Herzenberg says this is “faux accountability,” because the choice of eight different achievement tests would make it difficult to directly compare results.
Herzenberg says private schools aren’t proven to improve education; he says investing into early childhood education and tutoring programs would be better.
Despite revisions that would cap some of the bill’s costs, the Keystone Research Center says the Republican school vouchers proposal would still divert hundreds of millions of dollars from public schools to private institutes.
During its first year, the voucher program would give tuition assistance for low-income students in poorly performing public schools. Eventually, any family earning up to 350% of the federal poverty line would be eligible, including some students already enrolled in private schools.
KRC Executive Director Stephen Herzenberg says he has three main problems with the Senate Republicans’ proposal.
“First of all, it’s going to be expensive; second, it’s investing in a direction where there’s no evidence that you get better educational outcomes; and third, there’s no accountability built into the plan,” says Herzenberg.
The Senate’s recent changes to the bill include an accountability measure that would require private schools to report on student achievement. However, Herzenberg says this is “faux accountability,” because the choice of eight different achievement tests would make it difficult to directly compare results.
Herzenberg says private schools aren’t proven to improve education; he says investing into early childhood education and tutoring programs would be better.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Adjustments to Vouchers Measure
Pennsylvania Senate Republicans and Governor Tom Corbett have agreed on a framework for a school vouchers bill. The understanding, reached earlier this week, puts the GOP priority back on track for a spring vote.
The Senate had been ready to vote for the vouchers bill in early April, but Republican leaders pulled the measure after Corbett Administration officials raised concerns over its long-term cost. At the time, Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi said the measure would be “tweaked,” not overhauled.
That appears to be the case: the vouchers program would still be rolled out over a three year period, gradually expanding from low-income students in failing schools to low-income students across Pennsylvania. In year four, middle class families making up to 350 percent of the federal poverty line would be eligible for vouchers.
The main changes: the program’s start would be delayed until 2012, and costs could be capped to three percent of the previous year’s state education spending. That works out to a cap of about $163 million in 2014, if state spending stays on its current track. “The changes have more to do with the timing and the method of expression of the cap on spending in some of the out years,” said Pileggi. “But the basic structure of the bill remains intact. It is a bill that’s designed to help poor kids trapped in persistently failing schools.”
Pileggi and other Senate GOP leaders are now focused on working out differences with their House counterparts. “Now that we have the governor’s specific, strong endorsement of this particular bill, we need to work with the House. And if they need minor changes, if they need amendments to the bill, we’d like to try and incorporate them and accelerate the process,” he said. “Those discussions are ongoing. And hopefully by next week we’re all on the same page in trying to get this bill enacted and have this bill pass through the Senate and House, and on to the governor’s desk.”
The Senate had been ready to vote for the vouchers bill in early April, but Republican leaders pulled the measure after Corbett Administration officials raised concerns over its long-term cost. At the time, Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi said the measure would be “tweaked,” not overhauled.
That appears to be the case: the vouchers program would still be rolled out over a three year period, gradually expanding from low-income students in failing schools to low-income students across Pennsylvania. In year four, middle class families making up to 350 percent of the federal poverty line would be eligible for vouchers.
The main changes: the program’s start would be delayed until 2012, and costs could be capped to three percent of the previous year’s state education spending. That works out to a cap of about $163 million in 2014, if state spending stays on its current track. “The changes have more to do with the timing and the method of expression of the cap on spending in some of the out years,” said Pileggi. “But the basic structure of the bill remains intact. It is a bill that’s designed to help poor kids trapped in persistently failing schools.”
Pileggi and other Senate GOP leaders are now focused on working out differences with their House counterparts. “Now that we have the governor’s specific, strong endorsement of this particular bill, we need to work with the House. And if they need minor changes, if they need amendments to the bill, we’d like to try and incorporate them and accelerate the process,” he said. “Those discussions are ongoing. And hopefully by next week we’re all on the same page in trying to get this bill enacted and have this bill pass through the Senate and House, and on to the governor’s desk.”
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Corbett Suggests Drilling at State Schools
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett says some Pennsylvania universities should consider drilling for natural gas below their campuses to help solve financial problems. The idea was offered up as the governor spoke to the Pennsylvania Association of Councils of Trustees, which was meeting at Edinboro University.
The idea comes as institutions of higher education see state funding about to be cut. Corbett's proposed budget for the next fiscal year would reduce aid to colleges and universities by 50 percent.
Corbett says six of the 14 campuses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education are located on the Marcellus Shale formation.
The idea comes as institutions of higher education see state funding about to be cut. Corbett's proposed budget for the next fiscal year would reduce aid to colleges and universities by 50 percent.
Corbett says six of the 14 campuses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education are located on the Marcellus Shale formation.
Charter School Okayed
The Pittsburgh School Board has voted in favor of the charter application for Propel Charter School - Northside after the District Charter Review Team recommended approval for the new charter school.
“We acknowledge the success of existing Propel schools and support schools that provide quality options for Pittsburgh families,” said Superintendent Linda Lane, Ed.D.
The Board originally rejected the proposal in February but Lane says Propel's renewed application shows a comprehensive curriculum and plan to meet the needs of all students.
The new charter, which will serve students in grades K-8, is scheduled to open this fall with grades K-4.
“We acknowledge the success of existing Propel schools and support schools that provide quality options for Pittsburgh families,” said Superintendent Linda Lane, Ed.D.
The Board originally rejected the proposal in February but Lane says Propel's renewed application shows a comprehensive curriculum and plan to meet the needs of all students.
The new charter, which will serve students in grades K-8, is scheduled to open this fall with grades K-4.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Teacher Contracts Available in Online Database
The Education Action Group has compiled a database of teacher contracts of 481 school districts in the state of Pennsylvania. These contracts, gathered through public record and Freedom of Information Act requests, outline the provisions included in collectively-bargained teacher contracts.
Kyle Olsen, CEO of the Education Action Group, says the organization brought together these contracts into one place so taxpayers could see how oftentimes more than 80 percent of public education funding goes to labor costs.
To Olsen, the database is an important resource as taxpayers consider ways to close Pennsylvania’s $4 billion budget gap.
“We’re trying to peel back the layers of public school spending to show taxpayers exactly where their dollars are going because the reality is 80 to 85 percent of every dollar that is spent in public schools is contained in that contract,” he says. “So what we’re urging people to do is take a look at those and start asking questions to figure where their dollars are going.”
Olsen stresses that things like annual raise for teachers regardless of performance, lavish health insurance, and an uncapped amount of sick days are all “wasteful provisions” in contracts that could dramatically reduce the cost if eliminated. Olsen says he doesn’t want to label teachers as the bad guys.
“We’re not making an assertion that teachers are paid to much. All we’re saying is these are the ways teachers are being paid and as school districts are looking to make cuts and asking for concessions and scaling back and all of those types of things, would it make sense to look at those different types of provisions that have zero impact on student learning?”
The group hopes to gather the remaining 72 contracts of the state’s 500 school districts and post them along with the others. The contracts are available online.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Group Wants Students to Graduate High School
A local non-profit wants students to graduate high school. Communities in Schools which focuses on schools in Allegheny County had a meeting in Oakland on Thursday where educators discussed plans to help students graduate.
The national drop-out rate is between 30 to 50 percent. The numbers are reflected in Pittsburgh schools. "In other school districts in Allegheny County the numbers vary widely- some have 1 to 2 percent dropout rate but mostly it hovers around 18 to 20 percent," said Nicole Molinaro, Executive Director of Communities in Schools, quoting a 2006 RAND Corporation study.
After their giant brainstorming session last year, they came up with a plan to help students graduate which consists of immediate intervention, to help students who are on the verge of graduating but are missing a few credits or have had to take some time off. "Oftentimes they need some adult guidance, but the schools are so overburdened that the guidance doesn't happen," said Molinaro. They are specifically working with about 70 students at different local high schools. They are also employing peer mentors, working on policy development issues and working on early intervention.
"Dropping out is a long process, it doesn't just happen overnight," said Molinaro, "Oftentimes if a student can't read by 3rd grade, they start the disengagement process, because reading is such a part of everything, not just English but math and science as well."
Molinaro says that if a student dropped out of school 40 years ago they would be able to find decent work at a factory or a steel mill. This is no longer the case. There is a dearth of well-paying jobs that require minimal education.
"We believe that the numbers have remained about steady over the years but what has changed is the world. So the world 40 years ago is much different than it is today. So the same number of kids dropped out of high school then it wouldn't have been as big as a deal. But now its a huge deal," said Molinaro.
The national drop-out rate is between 30 to 50 percent. The numbers are reflected in Pittsburgh schools. "In other school districts in Allegheny County the numbers vary widely- some have 1 to 2 percent dropout rate but mostly it hovers around 18 to 20 percent," said Nicole Molinaro, Executive Director of Communities in Schools, quoting a 2006 RAND Corporation study.
After their giant brainstorming session last year, they came up with a plan to help students graduate which consists of immediate intervention, to help students who are on the verge of graduating but are missing a few credits or have had to take some time off. "Oftentimes they need some adult guidance, but the schools are so overburdened that the guidance doesn't happen," said Molinaro. They are specifically working with about 70 students at different local high schools. They are also employing peer mentors, working on policy development issues and working on early intervention.
"Dropping out is a long process, it doesn't just happen overnight," said Molinaro, "Oftentimes if a student can't read by 3rd grade, they start the disengagement process, because reading is such a part of everything, not just English but math and science as well."
Molinaro says that if a student dropped out of school 40 years ago they would be able to find decent work at a factory or a steel mill. This is no longer the case. There is a dearth of well-paying jobs that require minimal education.
"We believe that the numbers have remained about steady over the years but what has changed is the world. So the world 40 years ago is much different than it is today. So the same number of kids dropped out of high school then it wouldn't have been as big as a deal. But now its a huge deal," said Molinaro.
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