House Bill 1897, also known as School District Cyber Education, would close all cyber schools currently in Pennsylvania and require each school district to offer their own full-time cyber education program. Under the bill, current cyber charter schools will be able to serve as third-party vendors; however, school districts must also create their own full-time […]
An advisory committee convened by Pennsylvania’s Joint State Government Commission released a report proving that later start times, especially in high schools, is beneficial to student learning. While many Commonwealth school districts have already adopted later start times, the report contains findings from groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical
Later Start Times Could Be Coming to All PA Schools Read More »
Pennsylvania lawmakers have introduced legislation to increase funding for school construction projects and Governor Wolf recently stated that he intends to include school construction funds in his 2020-2021 state budget proposal which will be released in early February. A 2018 law required schools to conduct water quality tests and disclose the results to the PA
State Legislators and Governor Looking to Increase School Construction Funds Read More »
On January 22, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments over the public funding of religious schools. The Montana case, Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, centers around a scholarship program that gave Montana students scholarships to attend private schools including religious ones. Montana state courts stopped this practice citing that it conflicts with
U.S. Supreme Court Considers Case Over the Public Funding of Religious Schools Read More »
EDUCATOR EVALUATION SYSTEM BILL ADVANCES Senate Bill 751 was approved by the House Education Committee with support of a 21-4 bipartisan vote. With no committee amendments, under the legislation the following changes to the current law would occur: Raise the current observation portion from 50% to 70% Teacher specific data (e.g. standardized test scores) would
December Legislative Update Read More »
STUDENTS NOW CHARGED WITH A SUMMARY OFFENSE IF FOUND WITH TOBACCO PRODUCTS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY Act 93 of 2019, also known as House Bill 97, was signed into law on November 27. Any pupil found on school property or school buses/vehicles with any type of tobacco product will be charged with a summary offense. Tobacco
November Legislative Update Read More »
House Bill 785 looked like it might get some recent legislative action, but was then put on hold for future consideration. Under the bill, school districts and school entities would be required to notify nonunion members and new teachers in writing that there is no statutory obligation to make payments to the union or exclusive
Legislation Requires Janus Rights Notification Read More »
HOUSE CONSIDERS TEACHER EVALUATION REFORM Last June, the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill 751, which amends the current teacher evaluation system enacted in 2012. SB 751 is now being considered by the PA House of Representatives. Under the bill, the following changes would occur: Raise the current observation portion from 50% to 70% Teacher specific
OCTOBER 2019 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Read More »
LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE* KEYTA’s Long-Term Care Insurance provides coverage for services needed by people no longer able to care for themselves due to chronic illness, injury or the effects of aging. Long-term care insurance with “special discounted rates,” is being offered to members, spouses, partners, siblings, parents, parents-in-law, and children (including adopted and foster), between
DISCOUNTED INSURANCE BENEFITS & LEGAL SERVICES Read More »
NEA: Columbus OUT, Indigenous Peoples IN KEYTA Offers an EQ or Two “…the name of the current holiday known as “Columbus Day” should be renamed and recognized as “Indigenous People’s Day” in recognition of the early indigenous peoples who were living in the United States before colonization by European settlers.” -from the 2019 NEA Convention
KEYTA Points to Ponder -Third in a series of things to think about Read More »
