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EPLC Education Notebook
Monday, November 5, 2012
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The EPLC Education Notebook (current and past editions) also is available by visiting the EPLC web site at http://www.eplc.org/publications-reports/weekly-policy-notebook/
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 Remember to Vote on Tuesday, November 6 In Pennsylvania, polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. |
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2012
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT--On September 25, presidential candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney appeared on NBC News Education Nation Summit 2012. Listen to what each of the candidates had to say about their vision for education: Click here to read candidate Obama's plan for education. Click here to read candidate Romney's plan for education. |
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EPLC EDUCATION FINANCE SYMPOSIUM
EPLC will host its annual Pennsylvania Education Finance Symposium in Harrisburg on Friday, November 16. Topics include the impact of state education budget cuts on programs and services for students, growing challenge of the funding the Pennsylvania School Employees Retirement System, property tax reform proposals, and implementation of the new School District Financial Recovery Act.
Click here for Symposium details and registration.
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PENNSYLVANIA POLICYMAKERS
The 2011-2012 Legislative Session officially ends November 30, otherwise known as Sine Die. The House and Senate will be in recess until after the November 6 election. Each chamber has at least one session day scheduled in November to take care of caucus business and bid farewell to retiring or departing legislators. Republican majority leaders in the House of Representatives and Senate have indicated they do not intend for the Legislature to consider legislation during any lame-duck session between Election Day and the end of Session on November 30.
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GOVERNOR CORBETT
On October 24-25, Governor Corbett signed the following education-related legislation into law:
- House Bill 1857 (Rep. Simmons, R-131) amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) by adding a new section that cross-references Section 696 (pertaining to distressed school districts of the first class) of the Public School Code to authorize changes in state-defined millage rates dedicated to the School District of Philadelphia . The legislation defines "reassessment year" as the year immediately after that in which Philadelphia's director of finance certifies that real property is assessed at actual value. This legislation is now Act 160 of 2012.
- Senate Bill 444 (Sen. Earll, R-49) amends the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to allow school-sponsored clubs, sports teams and other school organizations to hold 50/50 drawings or raffles at non-licensed locations and exempts those organizations from state law that requires entities operating small games of chance to own, lease or establish a licensed premises. The bill eliminates the annual reporting requirement and background check requirements for eligible organizations whose proceeds from small games of chance is $2,500 or less in a calendar year. This legislation is now Act 184 of 2012.
- House Bill 815 (Rep. Grove, R-196) amends the Crimes Code to provide that children from ages 12-17 who knowingly transmit, distribute, publish or disseminate an electronic communication containing a sexually explicit image may be subject to a misdemeanor summary offense rather than a felony charge. Minors who consensually send sexually explicit images could be charged with a summary offense and those who receive such photos and forward to others could be charged with a third-degree misdemeanor. Minors using photos for purposes of harassment or cyber bullying could face second-degree misdemeanor charges. A minor charged with a summary offense may be referred to a diversionary program. After successful completion of such program, the record of the charge shall be expunged. This legislation is now Act 198 of 2012.
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PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
On November 1, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue reported that the Commonwealth collected $2 billion in General Fund revenue in October, which was $71.5 million, or 3.6 percent, more than anticipated. Fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $8.1 billion, which is $82.2 million, or 1 percent, above estimate. To read the Department's press statement, click here.
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GOVERNOR'S ADVISORY COMMISSION ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
A notice was published in the November 3 edition of the Pennsylvania Bulletin announcing that the Governor's Advisory Commission on Postsecondary Education will meet Friday, November 9. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. at the Rachel Carson State Office Building, Room 105, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101. Due to limited seating, persons interested in attending are encouraged to register through the Commission's web site at www.pahigheredcommission.com. Questions can be directed to Becky Myers at (717) 772-9048 or rebmyers@pa.gov. The Commission is expected to issue its report this month.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Edweek.org will host a webinar "Common Core State Standards: Bringing Parents on Board" on Wednesday, November 7 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The webinar will focus on the challenges district officials face implementing Common Core State Standards, including making the new academic expectations understandable to parents. Presenters include: Denise Walston, director of mathematics, Council of the Great City Schools, Washington; and Gina Kilday, K-6 mathematics coach, Exeter-West Greenwich Regional School District, Rhode Island. The session will be moderated by Sean Cavanagh, assistant editor, Education Week. Click here for more details.
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DATEBOOK
- The State Board of Education will meet on Wednesday, November 14 in Harrisburg. In addition to the regular board meeting, the Advisory Committee on Financial Recovery will also hold a meeting. Details to follow. Click here for more information on the Advisory Committee on Financial Recovery.
- The Public Employee Retirement Commission will hold a public hearing on topics of Pension Reform and Funding Status on Thursday, November 15 in Harrisburg at 9:30 a.m. Click here for more details.
- The Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program in partnership with Center for Schools and Communities will hold "Meeting the Challenge Educating Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness in Pennsylvania" November 19-20 in State College. Click here for details.
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| For information on upcoming events, please visit www.eplc.org and click on "Events Calendar". |
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EPLC Education Notebook is published by The Education Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC). Permission to reprint or electronically redistribute the Notebook in whole or in part is granted provided attribution to EPLC is provided. The Education Policy and Leadership Center is an independent, non-partisan and not-for-profit organization. The Mission of the Education Policy and Leadership Center is to encourage and support the development and implementation of effective state-level education policies to improve student learning in grades P-12, increase the effective operation of schools, and enhance educational opportunities for citizens of all ages. |
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