Education Update
Below is the current Education Update. Click here for a list of other recent updates.
Updates:
Save the Date:
Register Now – Only four (4) positions still available! PASA is offering a 2024 Cohort of the AASA National Superintendent Certification Program to begin on September 13, 2023. Deadline to register is June 30.
AASA and PASA are excited to offer a new cohort of a premier professional development program for superintendents, developed by superintendents, based upon the AASA National Superintendent Certification Program®. The AASA’s National Superintendent Certification Program ® is a dynamic, interactive professional development program held both in-person and virtually, over 18 months. From navigating board relations to legislative advocacy and effectively building your vision for educational leadership in your district, this program will challenge your critical thinking skills and expand your toolbox. Throughout this program, you will meet with experts and colleagues at the PASA headquarters in Harrisburg where you will actively participate in sessions and topical discussions. You will be paired with an experienced superintendent who will provide mentorship throughout your journey. Sign up today. Click here to learn more and register.
Call For Presenters: PASA and PSBA are seeking presenters for the 2023 School Leadership Conference Oct. 16-17 at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. Deadline to submit your proposal to PSBA’s Grace Rodgers is June 1. For more information, click here.
In Health, Safety, Equity & Learning News…
A Decade Into Experiments With Gamification, Edtech Rethinks How To Motivate Learners— Manuj Dhariwal and Shruti Dhariwal, a pair of Ph.D. candidates at MIT’s Lifelong Kindergarten research group, say it all started with a single piece of feedback: “Just make learning fun.” Scrawled across a form, the advice came from a group of 12 year olds at a mindfulness retreat hosted at a school near MIT. Read the rest of the story: “A Decade Into Experiments With Gamification, Edtech Rethinks How To Motivate Learners” (from EdSurge, 5/9/23)
For LGBTQ+ Students, Having Teachers Who Care Can Make A Big Difference— When LGBTQ+ students feel that their teachers care about them, they report higher self-esteem and lower levels of depression and anxiety, and they are less likely to seriously consider or attempt suicide. That’s according to a research brief by The Trevor Project, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization that collects data on the well-being of LGBTQ+ youth across the country. Read the rest of the story: “For LGBTQ+ Students, Having Teachers Who Care Can Make A Big Difference” (from EducationWeek, 5/11/23)
Parents Are Suing Schools Over Pronoun Policies. Here’s What You Need To Know— While the battle over transgender students’ rights at school is waged nationwide, a handful of parents continue to argue that by aiding in students’ social transitions, districts are violating parental rights. Over the last three years, parents in at least six states have sued school districts over policies the districts say support transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary students. Read the rest of the story: “Parents Are Suing Schools Over Pronoun Policies. Here’s What You Need To Know” (from, EducationWeek, 5/12/23)
In State News…
Shapiro Administration Announces 2024 Pennsylvania Teacher Of The Year Finalists— The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) today announced the names of 12 educators nominated to be the 2024 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year… Each year, the Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Program recognizes excellence in teaching by honoring K-12 teachers in public education who have made outstanding academic contributions to Pennsylvania’s school-aged children. The 12 finalists are selected from applicants and recognized in Harrisburg each fall. Read the rest of the story: “Shapiro Administration Announces 2024 Pennsylvania Teacher Of The Year Finalists” (from PA Department of Education, 5/12/23)
School Board Races Across PA Are Political Battlegrounds After 2 Years Of ‘Constant Division’— Tammy Moreno and Nina Totin have a lot in common: They’re both parents who got launched into the frenzy of school board meetings two years ago as they worried about their children’s future in the Norwin School District. But as candidates running for seats on the Westmoreland County school district’s board, their ideologies are drastically different. Read the rest of the story: “School Board Races Across PA Are Political Battlegrounds After 2 Years Of ‘Constant Division’” (from, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 5/9/23)
Stress, Low Pay, Uncertainty Drove These PA Teachers Away From A Profession They Loved — Timothy Gleason trained to become an educator under the dark dome of a planetarium, as he taught a new generation how to gaze at the stars. His original aspiration had been astrophysicist, but while he was in college for that degree, he led a few fellow students on telescope tours of the night sky at a nearby observatory. The small brush with teaching, he said, changed the course of his professional life. Sharing knowledge with people seemed like more fun than tinkering with computer code all day, he concluded. So Gleason tweaked his major, fulfilled his student teaching requirement at a planetarium and landed a one-year post as a ninth-grade substitute teacher in the Keystone Central School District in Lock Haven. Read the rest of the story: “Stress, Low Pay, Uncertainty Drove These PA Teachers Away From A Profession They Loved” (from Buck County Courier Times, 5/9/23)
In National and International News…
Is Teacher Morale On The Rise? Results Of The Second Annual Merrimack College Teacher Survey —As schools emerge from the grip of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, teacher morale appears to be on the rebound, according to the second annual Merrimack College Teacher Survey commissioned by the Winston School of Education and Social Policy at Merrimack College and conducted by the nonprofit, nonpartisan EdWeek Research Center. The share of teachers who are very satisfied with their jobs has nearly doubled in the past year to 20 percent. At the same time, the percentage of teachers who say they are very or fairly likely to leave the profession in the next two years declined from 44 to 35 percent. In addition, more teachers now say the general public respects them and treats them as professionals, even as schools continue to be caught in the crosshairs of culture wars. Read the rest of the story: “Is Teacher Morale On The Rise? Results Of The Second Annual Merrimack College Teacher Survey’” (from EducationWeek, 5/15/23)
Education Department: Colleges Should Place More Federal Work-Study Students In K-12 Support Roles— A bill advancing through the California State Assembly would raise salaries by 50% for teachers and school staff by FY 2030-31. The legislation, AB-938, aims to reach that goal by establishing a new local control funding formula with yearly salary targets for districts, charter schools and county offices of education. Read the rest of the story: “Education Department: Colleges Should Place More Federal Work-Study Students In K-12 Support Roles” (from K-12 Dive, 5/11/23)
With Chronic Absenteeism On The Upswing, How Can Schools Tackle Attendance Issues? — Chronic absenteeism is estimated to have doubled nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic began, reaching roughly 16 million students by the 2021-22 school year, according to the nonprofit Attendance Works. A new FutureEd report lays out over two dozen strategies to help schools recover from the surge of students consistently missing school. Read the rest of the story: “With Chronic Absenteeism On The Upswing, How Can Schools Tackle Attendance Issues? ” (from K-12 Dive, 5/10/23)
Illinois Is Poised To Become 1st State To Halt Book Bans — Both houses of the Democrat-led Illinois General Assembly passed HB 2789 last week, which would prohibit libraries from banning books throughout the state. The bill is set to become the first-ever state law to bar book bans, with Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, expected to sign. If Illinois libraries want to receive state funding, the legislation stipulates that these public institutions will have to abide by a “Library Bill of Rights” promising they will not remove books based on “partisan or doctrinal disapproval.” Read the rest of the story: “Illinois Is Poised To Become 1st State To Halt Book Bans” (from K-12 Dive, 5/8/23)
Legislative Updates:
HB 1097: Introduced and referred to the House Education Committee (May 5): This bill amends the Public School Code to add a moment of silence on Sept. 11. It also directs the Department of Education to establish a model curriculum for instruction on the events and significance of Sept. 11, 2001 within 12 months of the bill’s effective date. The bill does not require schools or nonpublic schools to implement, adopt or use the curriculum, materials and other resources made available by the Department of Education.
HB 1110: Introduced and referred to the House Education Committee (May 5): This bill would amend the Public School Code to require school districts to compile information listing the number of gifted children in all expenditure categories. The students would be captured in the district’s weighted special education student headcount which would provide additional compensation to school districts to fund gifted student services.
SB 97: Second consideration, Rereferred to Senate Appropriations (May 8): This bill establishes the Community Engaged Schools for Success Pilot Program Act which say that any school operated by a school district is eligible for designation by the secretary of education as a community engaged school.
SB 456: Second consideration, Rereferred to Senate Appropriations (May 10): This bill would require schools to display the Preamble of the Constitution of the United States in the entranceway of each school building.
SB 460: Rereferred to Senate Rules and Executive Nominations (May 8): This bill establishes the Child Reunification Program in the Department of Education to assist in locating and returning missing children by providing identification kits. Kits would be distributed through schools to parents and guardians.
SB 647: Passed in the Senate by a 44-5 vote (May 8): This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to require completion of a personal financial literacy course in high school and directs the State Board of Education to revise the State standards for Economics, Family and Consumer Science, and Career Education and Work.
Upcoming Legislative Schedule –
House of Representatives:
Next Session: May 22 at noon
Senate:
Next sessions: June 5 at 1 p.m.
Education Committee: May 22 at 1 p.m., Hearing Room 1 in the North Office Building
2023 House Session Schedule
May 22, 23, 24
June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
2023 Senate Session Schedule
May 8, 9, 10
June 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
Special Requests:
UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh is conducting a research study to learn how best to partner with schools to optimize diabetes management for children in school. We are talking with both school nurses and school administrators, as both groups have valuable insight to share. Participation would include a one-time virtual interview at a time that is convenient for you and three short online surveys. If you are interested in learning more or participating, please contact Dr. Christine March at 412-692-9156 or Christine.eklund@chp.edu.
Sponsor Updates:
American College of Education: Take you education further with American College of Education. ACE offers fully online degree and certificate programs, flexible terms with 5- and 10-week classes starting every 6 weeks. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more information, click here.
Horace Mann: Horace Mann recently released Checks & Balance: How Financial Stress and Heavier Workloads are Accelerating the Teacher Shortage based on a nationally representative survey of U.S. educators. The report reinforces factors that are accelerating the teacher shortage and provides insights for school leaders to help improve their districts’ staffing levels.
Learn more:
Full report | Horace Mann Press Release | Video | Sign up to receive more information
On the PASA Calendar…
May 21-23: PASA Women’s Conference – featuring Ruby Payne, Keynote Speaker on Emotional Poverty
June 6: PASA Legislative Lobby Day at the Capitol with PASBO and Principal’s Association
August 6-8: PA Summit for Educational Leaders (Held at The Alloy King of Prussia and Upper Merion Area High School.) PIL Hours Available
August 17 Symposium on Mental Health
September 13 Launch of PASA’s 2024 Cohort of the AASA Superintendent Certification Program
September 27-28 New Superintendent’s Academy, Part 1
October 16-18: PASA/PSBA Fall Conference
October 20 Assistant Superintendents/Supervisors Summit
Click here to view the full calendar of events.
(PDF for Printing)
Updates:
Save the Date:
Register Now – Only four (4) positions still available! PASA is offering a 2024 Cohort of the AASA National Superintendent Certification Program to begin on September 13, 2023. Deadline to register is June 30.
AASA and PASA are excited to offer a new cohort of a premier professional development program for superintendents, developed by superintendents, based upon the AASA National Superintendent Certification Program®. The AASA’s National Superintendent Certification Program ® is a dynamic, interactive professional development program held both in-person and virtually, over 18 months. From navigating board relations to legislative advocacy and effectively building your vision for educational leadership in your district, this program will challenge your critical thinking skills and expand your toolbox. Throughout this program, you will meet with experts and colleagues at the PASA headquarters in Harrisburg where you will actively participate in sessions and topical discussions. You will be paired with an experienced superintendent who will provide mentorship throughout your journey. Sign up today. Click here to learn more and register.
Call For Presenters: PASA and PSBA are seeking presenters for the 2023 School Leadership Conference Oct. 16-17 at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. Deadline to submit your proposal to PSBA’s Grace Rodgers is June 1. For more information, click here.
In Health, Safety, Equity & Learning News…
A Decade Into Experiments With Gamification, Edtech Rethinks How To Motivate Learners— Manuj Dhariwal and Shruti Dhariwal, a pair of Ph.D. candidates at MIT’s Lifelong Kindergarten research group, say it all started with a single piece of feedback: “Just make learning fun.” Scrawled across a form, the advice came from a group of 12 year olds at a mindfulness retreat hosted at a school near MIT. Read the rest of the story: “A Decade Into Experiments With Gamification, Edtech Rethinks How To Motivate Learners” (from EdSurge, 5/9/23)
For LGBTQ+ Students, Having Teachers Who Care Can Make A Big Difference— When LGBTQ+ students feel that their teachers care about them, they report higher self-esteem and lower levels of depression and anxiety, and they are less likely to seriously consider or attempt suicide. That’s according to a research brief by The Trevor Project, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization that collects data on the well-being of LGBTQ+ youth across the country. Read the rest of the story: “For LGBTQ+ Students, Having Teachers Who Care Can Make A Big Difference” (from EducationWeek, 5/11/23)
Parents Are Suing Schools Over Pronoun Policies. Here’s What You Need To Know— While the battle over transgender students’ rights at school is waged nationwide, a handful of parents continue to argue that by aiding in students’ social transitions, districts are violating parental rights. Over the last three years, parents in at least six states have sued school districts over policies the districts say support transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary students. Read the rest of the story: “Parents Are Suing Schools Over Pronoun Policies. Here’s What You Need To Know” (from, EducationWeek, 5/12/23)
In State News…
Shapiro Administration Announces 2024 Pennsylvania Teacher Of The Year Finalists— The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) today announced the names of 12 educators nominated to be the 2024 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year… Each year, the Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Program recognizes excellence in teaching by honoring K-12 teachers in public education who have made outstanding academic contributions to Pennsylvania’s school-aged children. The 12 finalists are selected from applicants and recognized in Harrisburg each fall. Read the rest of the story: “Shapiro Administration Announces 2024 Pennsylvania Teacher Of The Year Finalists” (from PA Department of Education, 5/12/23)
School Board Races Across PA Are Political Battlegrounds After 2 Years Of ‘Constant Division’— Tammy Moreno and Nina Totin have a lot in common: They’re both parents who got launched into the frenzy of school board meetings two years ago as they worried about their children’s future in the Norwin School District. But as candidates running for seats on the Westmoreland County school district’s board, their ideologies are drastically different. Read the rest of the story: “School Board Races Across PA Are Political Battlegrounds After 2 Years Of ‘Constant Division’” (from, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 5/9/23)
Stress, Low Pay, Uncertainty Drove These PA Teachers Away From A Profession They Loved — Timothy Gleason trained to become an educator under the dark dome of a planetarium, as he taught a new generation how to gaze at the stars. His original aspiration had been astrophysicist, but while he was in college for that degree, he led a few fellow students on telescope tours of the night sky at a nearby observatory. The small brush with teaching, he said, changed the course of his professional life. Sharing knowledge with people seemed like more fun than tinkering with computer code all day, he concluded. So Gleason tweaked his major, fulfilled his student teaching requirement at a planetarium and landed a one-year post as a ninth-grade substitute teacher in the Keystone Central School District in Lock Haven. Read the rest of the story: “Stress, Low Pay, Uncertainty Drove These PA Teachers Away From A Profession They Loved” (from Buck County Courier Times, 5/9/23)
In National and International News…
Is Teacher Morale On The Rise? Results Of The Second Annual Merrimack College Teacher Survey —As schools emerge from the grip of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, teacher morale appears to be on the rebound, according to the second annual Merrimack College Teacher Survey commissioned by the Winston School of Education and Social Policy at Merrimack College and conducted by the nonprofit, nonpartisan EdWeek Research Center. The share of teachers who are very satisfied with their jobs has nearly doubled in the past year to 20 percent. At the same time, the percentage of teachers who say they are very or fairly likely to leave the profession in the next two years declined from 44 to 35 percent. In addition, more teachers now say the general public respects them and treats them as professionals, even as schools continue to be caught in the crosshairs of culture wars. Read the rest of the story: “Is Teacher Morale On The Rise? Results Of The Second Annual Merrimack College Teacher Survey’” (from EducationWeek, 5/15/23)
Education Department: Colleges Should Place More Federal Work-Study Students In K-12 Support Roles— A bill advancing through the California State Assembly would raise salaries by 50% for teachers and school staff by FY 2030-31. The legislation, AB-938, aims to reach that goal by establishing a new local control funding formula with yearly salary targets for districts, charter schools and county offices of education. Read the rest of the story: “Education Department: Colleges Should Place More Federal Work-Study Students In K-12 Support Roles” (from K-12 Dive, 5/11/23)
With Chronic Absenteeism On The Upswing, How Can Schools Tackle Attendance Issues? — Chronic absenteeism is estimated to have doubled nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic began, reaching roughly 16 million students by the 2021-22 school year, according to the nonprofit Attendance Works. A new FutureEd report lays out over two dozen strategies to help schools recover from the surge of students consistently missing school. Read the rest of the story: “With Chronic Absenteeism On The Upswing, How Can Schools Tackle Attendance Issues? ” (from K-12 Dive, 5/10/23)
Illinois Is Poised To Become 1st State To Halt Book Bans — Both houses of the Democrat-led Illinois General Assembly passed HB 2789 last week, which would prohibit libraries from banning books throughout the state. The bill is set to become the first-ever state law to bar book bans, with Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, expected to sign. If Illinois libraries want to receive state funding, the legislation stipulates that these public institutions will have to abide by a “Library Bill of Rights” promising they will not remove books based on “partisan or doctrinal disapproval.” Read the rest of the story: “Illinois Is Poised To Become 1st State To Halt Book Bans” (from K-12 Dive, 5/8/23)
Legislative Updates:
HB 1097: Introduced and referred to the House Education Committee (May 5): This bill amends the Public School Code to add a moment of silence on Sept. 11. It also directs the Department of Education to establish a model curriculum for instruction on the events and significance of Sept. 11, 2001 within 12 months of the bill’s effective date. The bill does not require schools or nonpublic schools to implement, adopt or use the curriculum, materials and other resources made available by the Department of Education.
HB 1110: Introduced and referred to the House Education Committee (May 5): This bill would amend the Public School Code to require school districts to compile information listing the number of gifted children in all expenditure categories. The students would be captured in the district’s weighted special education student headcount which would provide additional compensation to school districts to fund gifted student services.
SB 97: Second consideration, Rereferred to Senate Appropriations (May 8): This bill establishes the Community Engaged Schools for Success Pilot Program Act which say that any school operated by a school district is eligible for designation by the secretary of education as a community engaged school.
SB 456: Second consideration, Rereferred to Senate Appropriations (May 10): This bill would require schools to display the Preamble of the Constitution of the United States in the entranceway of each school building.
SB 460: Rereferred to Senate Rules and Executive Nominations (May 8): This bill establishes the Child Reunification Program in the Department of Education to assist in locating and returning missing children by providing identification kits. Kits would be distributed through schools to parents and guardians.
SB 647: Passed in the Senate by a 44-5 vote (May 8): This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to require completion of a personal financial literacy course in high school and directs the State Board of Education to revise the State standards for Economics, Family and Consumer Science, and Career Education and Work.
Upcoming Legislative Schedule –
House of Representatives:
Next Session: May 22 at noon
Senate:
Next sessions: June 5 at 1 p.m.
Education Committee: May 22 at 1 p.m., Hearing Room 1 in the North Office Building
2023 House Session Schedule
May 22, 23, 24
June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
2023 Senate Session Schedule
May 8, 9, 10
June 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
Special Requests:
UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh is conducting a research study to learn how best to partner with schools to optimize diabetes management for children in school. We are talking with both school nurses and school administrators, as both groups have valuable insight to share. Participation would include a one-time virtual interview at a time that is convenient for you and three short online surveys. If you are interested in learning more or participating, please contact Dr. Christine March at 412-692-9156 or Christine.eklund@chp.edu.
Sponsor Updates:
American College of Education: Take you education further with American College of Education. ACE offers fully online degree and certificate programs, flexible terms with 5- and 10-week classes starting every 6 weeks. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more information, click here.
Horace Mann: Horace Mann recently released Checks & Balance: How Financial Stress and Heavier Workloads are Accelerating the Teacher Shortage based on a nationally representative survey of U.S. educators. The report reinforces factors that are accelerating the teacher shortage and provides insights for school leaders to help improve their districts’ staffing levels.
Learn more:
Full report | Horace Mann Press Release | Video | Sign up to receive more information
On the PASA Calendar…
May 21-23: PASA Women’s Conference – featuring Ruby Payne, Keynote Speaker on Emotional Poverty
June 6: PASA Legislative Lobby Day at the Capitol with PASBO and Principal’s Association
August 6-8: PA Summit for Educational Leaders (Held at The Alloy King of Prussia and Upper Merion Area High School.) PIL Hours Available
August 17 Symposium on Mental Health
September 13 Launch of PASA’s 2024 Cohort of the AASA Superintendent Certification Program
September 27-28 New Superintendent’s Academy, Part 1
October 16-18: PASA/PSBA Fall Conference
October 20 Assistant Superintendents/Supervisors Summit
Click here to view the full calendar of events.
(PDF for Printing)