From the BCCT.
Officials worried about cost of graduation tests
By RACHEL CANELLI
Although school directors are relieved that they’ll get to keep some control over statemandated graduation tests, officials are still worried about their cost.
The state Department of Education and the Pennsylvania School Boards Association struck a compromise on graduation requirements this week, reducing tensions from the past two years not only at the state level but among area school boards.
The deal will let districts use their own tests for math, English, social studies and science as long as they meet state standards. The state Education Department will split the costs of verifying the tests’ quality with local districts.
“One thing we did not need was yet another unfunded state mandate,” said Neshaminy school board member William Spitz.
He added he was pleased state education officials accepted the school board association’s input. Spitz described the proposal as strengthening graduation requirements, while allowing districts to decide what works best for them.
The agreement cleared a major hurdle to the controversial graduation competency tests by preserving the right of school districts to administer their own tests. It also delays implementation of the tests for an additional year, in place for students who graduate in 2015.
“Each district needs the flexibility and latitude to do what is best for their student population and additional state mandates are not the answer, especially unfunded mandates,” said Gregory Lucidi, president of the Pennsbury school board.
Under a new policy, juniors in that district, next year’s graduating class, will have to pass the Pennsylvania System of School Assessments in reading and math to receive diplomas, officials said. Teachers there also use alternative assessments and student portfolios to gauge pupils’ success, administrators said.
Even though Lucidi acknowledged the state’s willingness to contribute financially to the new assessments, he said it’s still not enough because taxpayers will end up footing the bill.
That’s a “huge challenge” to ask of taxpayers, especially in the current financial climate, said Harry Kramer, president of the Bensalem school board.
“Districts all over Bucks are trying to save and cut expenses without sacrificing education,” Kramer said.
But officials said they don’t know the price tag of administering the tests because it involves staffing and materials.
“There is no funding to help the students prepare for these exams, or funding to support students who cannot prove proficiency under these new rules,” said Lucidi. “I believe PDE needs to be less concerned with doing the jobs of locally elected school boards and needs to focus on more critical issues such as skyrocketing pension and special education costs.”
But the state Department of Education has argued for the graduation competency exams, saying studies show too many high school graduates aren’t prepared for higher education or work and local tests are inadequate.
State law passed last July established a one-year moratorium on any regulations regarding high school graduation requirements. The State Board of Education will continue its public hearing and input process over the next several months and will formally revisit the proposed regulations once the moratorium expires at the end of June 2009.
That’s one reason why Bristol Township school board President W. Earl Bruck said he’s reluctant to pass final judgment on the plan.
Bruck called the agreement encouraging and promising, but said his other major concern is whether the regulations will be imposed on charter, cyber and non-public schools as well.
“While there could still be an unfunded cost to local school boards, it is certainly less imposing than the proposal previously presented by the PDE,” said Bruck. “[It] reflects a recognition by the PDE that local school boards really do have the best interest of the children at heart and that their opposition to the previous plan was primarily the imposition of more involuntary, unfunded mandates.”
Staff writers Manasee Wagh and Joan Hellyer and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Obama, Healthcare, and Morrisville?
While reading about the healthcare summit that President Obama attended last week, these quotes really seemed rather appropriate.
"We didn't get here by accident. The problems we face today are a direct consequence of actions that we failed to take yesterday. Since Teddy Roosevelt first called for reform nearly a century ago, we have talked and we have tinkered. We have tried and fallen short, we've stalled for time, and again we have failed to act because of Washington politics or industry lobbying."
"In this effort, every voice has to be heard. Every idea must be considered. Every option must be on the table. There should be no sacred cows. Each of us must accept that none of us will get everything that we want, and that no proposal for reform will be perfect. If that's the measure, we will never get anything done. But when it comes to addressing our health care challenge, we can no longer let the perfect be the enemy of the essential. And I don't think anybody would argue that we are on a sustainable path when it comes to health care."
"Finally, I want to be very clear at the outset that while everyone has a right to take part in this discussion, nobody has the right to take it over and dominate. The status quo is the one option that's not on the table, and those who seek to block any reform at all -- any reform at any costs will not prevail this time around."
"Nothing is harder in politics than doing something now that costs money in order to gain benefits 20 years from now," he said. "It's the single hardest thing to do in politics, and that's part of the reason why health care reform has consistently broken down."
Check out this story with a ten minute video and the text of his remarks. If he wasn't clearly talking about healthcare, he might as well be talking about Morrisville.
It's part of the reason why Morrisville has broken down too. Do you think our current elected leaders can handle the problems of Morrisville and our school district? If they are part of the solution, then re-elect them. If they're part of the problem, then boot their butts out of office.
"We didn't get here by accident. The problems we face today are a direct consequence of actions that we failed to take yesterday. Since Teddy Roosevelt first called for reform nearly a century ago, we have talked and we have tinkered. We have tried and fallen short, we've stalled for time, and again we have failed to act because of Washington politics or industry lobbying."
"In this effort, every voice has to be heard. Every idea must be considered. Every option must be on the table. There should be no sacred cows. Each of us must accept that none of us will get everything that we want, and that no proposal for reform will be perfect. If that's the measure, we will never get anything done. But when it comes to addressing our health care challenge, we can no longer let the perfect be the enemy of the essential. And I don't think anybody would argue that we are on a sustainable path when it comes to health care."
"Finally, I want to be very clear at the outset that while everyone has a right to take part in this discussion, nobody has the right to take it over and dominate. The status quo is the one option that's not on the table, and those who seek to block any reform at all -- any reform at any costs will not prevail this time around."
"Nothing is harder in politics than doing something now that costs money in order to gain benefits 20 years from now," he said. "It's the single hardest thing to do in politics, and that's part of the reason why health care reform has consistently broken down."
Check out this story with a ten minute video and the text of his remarks. If he wasn't clearly talking about healthcare, he might as well be talking about Morrisville.
It's part of the reason why Morrisville has broken down too. Do you think our current elected leaders can handle the problems of Morrisville and our school district? If they are part of the solution, then re-elect them. If they're part of the problem, then boot their butts out of office.
More Band Fallout
From the BCCT.
I notice that the newspaper has apologized at least twice now, but not the letter writer.
Derogatory comment
Bucks County Courier Times
I am appalled at the Guest Opinion by Gloria DelVecchio and cannot believe that your paper would print something so derogatory for the children of Morrisville's band to read. It is one thing for Mrs. DelVecchio to be angry with the people in Morrisville and Pennsbury; but to attack innocent children who put many long hours into practicing and gather great pleasure in playing in the band, was uncalled for.
The children of Morrisville are Morrisville's future, a future that I am very worried about. If people keep attacking our children, they will never come back and give to a community where they were treated like outcasts. We have great children in our community. I know this from all the time I spend with them. They have so much to offer and people like Mrs. DelVecchio need to spend more time with them to understand that.
As for the performance she watched on Morrisville's educational channel, it was a rebroadcast of an event that took place outside on an evening in June. We all know that sound quality of the educational channel is not all that great.
If Mrs. DelVecchio took the time to attend one of our concerts, she would see and hear what wonderful children our town is privileged to have. No one has ever walked away disappointed after one of our children's performances.
Before someone puts our children down, they should take the time to see a live performance. That way they can write an informed article. Mrs. DelVecchio and the Bucks County Courier Times owe the children of Morrisville's band an apology.
Donna Wilson
Editor’s note: We cannot speak for Mrs. DelVecchio but believe her sleight was unintentional, as her point was that Morrisville children would have greater opportunities at Pennsbury High School. In retrospect, however, her comments should have been softened. We regret that students might have been hurt.
I notice that the newspaper has apologized at least twice now, but not the letter writer.
Derogatory comment
Bucks County Courier Times
I am appalled at the Guest Opinion by Gloria DelVecchio and cannot believe that your paper would print something so derogatory for the children of Morrisville's band to read. It is one thing for Mrs. DelVecchio to be angry with the people in Morrisville and Pennsbury; but to attack innocent children who put many long hours into practicing and gather great pleasure in playing in the band, was uncalled for.
The children of Morrisville are Morrisville's future, a future that I am very worried about. If people keep attacking our children, they will never come back and give to a community where they were treated like outcasts. We have great children in our community. I know this from all the time I spend with them. They have so much to offer and people like Mrs. DelVecchio need to spend more time with them to understand that.
As for the performance she watched on Morrisville's educational channel, it was a rebroadcast of an event that took place outside on an evening in June. We all know that sound quality of the educational channel is not all that great.
If Mrs. DelVecchio took the time to attend one of our concerts, she would see and hear what wonderful children our town is privileged to have. No one has ever walked away disappointed after one of our children's performances.
Before someone puts our children down, they should take the time to see a live performance. That way they can write an informed article. Mrs. DelVecchio and the Bucks County Courier Times owe the children of Morrisville's band an apology.
Donna Wilson
Editor’s note: We cannot speak for Mrs. DelVecchio but believe her sleight was unintentional, as her point was that Morrisville children would have greater opportunities at Pennsbury High School. In retrospect, however, her comments should have been softened. We regret that students might have been hurt.
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