The Keystone Teachers Association has conducted multiple member surveys to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Pennsylvania educators. The purpose of this survey was to learn more about their perspectives with varied facets of teaching and learning through the pandemic. The results, gathered several weeks ago, were both informative and constructive. It is […]
2021 COVID-19 Membership Survey Results Read More »
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) informed state education leaders Monday, February 22, 2021, that states will not be allowed to cancel federally mandated standardized exams this school year despite the pandemic and will not acknowledge blanket waivers of assessments. However, ED emphasized the importance of flexibility in administering assessments and stated that this year’s assessment
PA Must Give Standardized Tests This Year Read More »
The PA Department of Education recently sent a communication to school leaders regarding state assessments that usually occur throughout the spring months. According to PDE, if the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) invites state waivers for this school year’s assessment, PDE will carefully consider such an option and will quickly survey local education agency leadership
State Assessments, Vaccines & Mask Requirements Read More »
Several House of Congress introduced several pieces of legislation aimed at mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on students, teachers, and parents by addressing learning loss, rebuilding schools, and education jobs. The Reopen and Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2021 would invest $130 billion toward school facility updates and repairs to safely reopen schools. The Save Education Jobs Act
COVID-19 Federal Legislative Update Read More »
FFCRA Extension Voluntary for School Districts On December 27, President Trump signed into law the newest COVID-19 relief legislation. Under the CARES Act, signed into law in March, 2020, educators were allowed FFCRA paid leave for six COVID-19 qualifying reasons through December 31, 2020. Under the most recent legislation, FFCRA paid leave protection is now voluntary for employers. Therefore,
Paid Leave, Vaccinations & Tax Deductions Read More »
Senate Bill 1216, now Act 136 of 2020, allows more flexibility for schools and educators resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are provisions of the new law: Delays the Keystone Exam graduation requirement or the alternative graduation project for the 2020-2021 school year. Allows PDE to continue to issue K-12 Special Education Certificates to students
New Law Allows for Flexibility in Education Read More »
On November 23, the Wolf Administration announced that Pre-K to 12 public schools in counties with heavy COVID-19 caseloads are going to need state certification if they plan to offer in-person instruction. Schools that have been in the substantial transmission level for at least two consecutive weeks are required to commit to safety measures to ensure the safety
Additional COVID-19 School Guidelines Read More »
As Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 cases continue to rise, there has been more discussion regarding the need to return to full remote learning in certain areas of the state. Pennsylvania’s health secretary recently declared that there are no plans for a statewide shutdown of schools similar to last spring. However, several months ago the Departments of Health and
PA’s COVID-19 Transmission Table Playing a Larger Roll in Instructional Models Read More »
Professional Development Extension ReminderKEYTA would like to remind members that Act 13 of 2020 gave educators an extra year to complete their five-year, Act 48 professional development requirements. The extra compliance year began on March 27, 2020. Publication of School Director Email AddressesThe PA Senate recently approved House Bill 703, which would require school districts and charter schools to
October Legislative News Read More »
With approximately two months of the new school year behind us, Pennsylvania schools are still dealing with the uncertainty of potential COVID-19 infections. Many schools are slowly phasing in a return to full, face-to-face instruction, while others are shutting down due to positive results and community spread. We have heard from many members that they
CDC Close Contact Update Read More »
