November 15, 2013
t/e-news
Tredyffrin/Easttown School District's E-Newsletter
In This Issue
Keystone Exams as Graduation Requirements
CC Emergency Management Exercise
Live Programming on TETV
Upcoming Meeting Dates
Quick Links
   





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State Nears Approval of Keystone Exams as Graduation Requirements 
The state regulations that govern graduation requirements for local school districts, known as Chapter 4, are in the final review process before becoming official.  These requirements include passing Keystone Exams in Algebra 1, Literature, and Biology as a condition for receiving a high school diploma.  As you may be aware, the T/E School District has maintained an active opposition to using Keystone Exams as graduation requirements for nearly six years.  The District has contacted legislators, testified before the State Board of Education and the Senate Education Committee, and passed three disapproving resolutions regarding the use of high-stakes tests as graduation requirements.  Although the details have been modified many times since the concept was first introduced, the State Board of Education has continued to push Chapter 4 through the regulatory review process.

  

The final step of this process involves a review by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC).  The IRRC has included the Chapter 4 high school graduation requirements on its agenda for its November 21 meeting.  Although the IRRC has no formal power to block implementation of new regulations, the Committee may interject questions and comments that could cause the State Board of Education to reconsider its position.

  

The IRRC is accepting public comment on Chapter 4 through Tuesday, November 19 at 10:00 a.m.  If you wish to weigh in with your thoughts about Keystone Exams as graduation requirements, you may do so by emailing your ideas to [email protected]The T/E School District has joined with 53 superintendents from the four-county region to express opposition to the implementation of Chapter 4 graduation requirements through a letter submitted to the IRRC.  Links to the latest Board resolution opposing Keystone Exams and the four-county superintendent letter can be found below.

  

T/E School Board Resolution Opposing the Keystone Exams

 

Four-County Superintendent Letter Opposing the Keystone Exams

Chester County Emergency Management Exercise 
The T/E School District was notified this week by Chester County Emergency Management Services of an exercise that will be held at the Valley Forge Middle School on November 20th from 7PM to 9PM. 
Agencies taking part in the exercise will be the Chester County HazMat Team and the Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Company. There will be emergency vehicles and equipment located in the VFMS parking lot during the exercise.
 
The District has notified the Paoli Wildcats and Youth Wrestling organizations, which are scheduled in the building that evening, of the limitation of parking during the exercise.
Live Programming on TETV 
The following events will air live on TETV, Comcast Channel 14 and Verizon Channel 20 at 7:00 pm unless otherwise noted. 
 
Wed 12/4 - CHS Winter Concert 1
Tues 12/10 - CHS Winter Concert 2

Upcoming Meeting Dates

Meetings will be held at the T/E School District Administration Offices (TEAO): West Valley Business Center, 940 West Valley Road, Suite 1700, Wayne, unless otherwise noted. Meeting agendas are linked once they are available on the TESD web site.

 

Policy Committee Meeting, 11/18, 6:30 pm, TEAO
Diversity Committee Meeting, 11/20, 7:00 pm, TEAO 
Regular School Board Meeting, 11/25, 7:30 pm, CHS
Regular School Board Meeting, 12/2, 7:30, CHS
Facilities Committee Meeting, 12/13, 2:00 pm, TEAO
Finance Committee Meeting, 12/16, 7:00 pm, TEAO
Policy Committee Meeting, 12/19, 6:30 pm, TEAO

Information contained in this e-newsletter is intended for parents of students and community members of the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District and is not intended to be copied or posted onto third-party web sites. The official web site address for the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District is www.tesd.net.

 

Tredyffrin/Easttown School District, 940 West Valley Road, Suite 1700, Wayne, PA 19087