Category: State Government Actions

BSE Reminds LEAS of State Performance Plan Data Requirements – Postsecondary School Survey (Cohort 3 Exit) (January 28, 2023)

On January 24, 2023 PDE Director of the Bureau of Special Education(BSE) Carole L. Clancy sent a PennLink message to LEA leaders across the state . The message, titled State Performance Plan Data Requirements – Postsecondary School Survey (Cohort 3 Exit), stated that the accountability requirement under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004(IDEA) mandates each state determine the extent to which students are achieving transition outcomes (State Performance Plan – Indicator 14). To meet the federal reporting requirement, each local educational agency (LEA) is mandated to administer an Exit Process and Post-School Surveys to students (who have graduated, dropped out, or reached the maximum age) with individualized education programs (IEPs) once over a five-year period, based on the LEA’s assignment to a targeted sampling year.

 For the 2022-2023 school year, LEAs assigned to target sampling Year 3 are required to administer the Exit Process.    During 2023-2024 these same LEAs will be required to complete the Post-School Surveys.

 The following information specifically addresses the Exit Process administration for 2022-23. LEAs assigned to target sampling Year 3, as listed below, are required to address the following:
-Administer the Exit Process for all student leavers (graduates, dropouts, and students who reach maximum age) who have IEPs. To access information from the September 21, 2022 webinar regarding the administration of the Exit Process, including a Frequently Asked Questions document and supporting handouts from the training, visit the Post School Outcomes webpage at PaTTAN – PaPOS Exit Survey Overview and Procedural Trainings.
-Participate in the Pennsylvania Post-School Outcome Survey Cohort – The Exit Process Overview and Procedural Training Webinar is scheduled for February 21, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  Registration is required and may be accessed directly at PaTTAN – Session-37114. Note: Those who registered for the September 21, 2022 training are already registered for this training.

Those with questions about The Exit Process or Indicator 14 process, are advised to contact PaTTAN Educational Consultant Elaine Neugebauer at [email protected].

U.S. Ed. Sec.: “Raise the Bar” (January 28, 2023)

During a speech on January 25th with the theme “Raise the Bar,”  U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, urged educators to set higher expectations for students in reading and math achievement. His speech at the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) also called on them to provide greater opportunities for students to learn multiple languages, expand career pathways, focus on student well-being, and to continue the “transformative change” that started with the use of federal COVID-19 emergency funds. 

Sec. Cardona also stated the need for competitive pay for teachers  and authentic engagement with parents.

Source: K-12 Dive. Click here to read more.

PDE Seeks Sponsors For Summer Meals And Nutrition Programs (January 19, 2023)

On January 19, 2023, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced that it is encouraging organizations across the state to help provide nutritious meals to children in low-income areas during the summer months through PDE’s Summer Food Service Program. New sponsors must apply by May 31, 2023.

“Hunger impacts families across the commonwealth and creates significant barriers to learning and development. For many students, their only access to healthy meals is found at school,” said State Director of Child Nutrition Programs Vonda Ramp. “We’re calling on organizations across the commonwealth to join us in combating hunger and helping students receive nutritious meals during the summer months, even when school is not in session.”

Last summer, more than 200 organizations provided nutritious meals to children at over 1,750 locations throughout the state. However, to reach more children and narrow the hunger gap that summer may bring, more organizations and meal sites are needed throughout the state, especially in rural areas. 

Participating organizations are reimbursed for meals served to children who live in areas in which at least 50 percent of the children qualify for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program.

Participating organizations must be year-round, not-for-profit entities, which include schools, local, municipal or county governments, libraries, churches, fire and police stations, residential summer camps, and national youth sports programs. Organizations approved to sponsor the Summer Food Service Program are responsible for managing the feeding sites that provide the meals to children.

Most participating organizations may be reimbursed for up to two meals a day: lunch or dinner, and breakfast or a snack. Those serving primarily migrant children may be reimbursed for up to three meals a day. Camps may serve up to three meals a day, but they are reimbursed only for meals served to children eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program.

The Summer Food Service Program, which began in 1976, is a federally funded child nutrition program designed to reach those who are age 18 or younger in economically disadvantaged areas. People over 18 who are mentally or physically handicapped and participate in public or nonprofit private programs established for the disabled are also able to receive free meals at the Summer Food Service Program sites.

For more information on becoming a participating organization or a meal site for the summer Food Service Program, visit the PDE Summer Food Service Program webpage or call 800-331-0129.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

Gov. Shapiro Issues Executive Order Creating Opportunities by Prioritizing Work Experience for State Government (January 18, 2023)

Once inaugurated as Pennsylvania’s 48th governor, Gov. Josh Shapiro issued Executive Order 2023-03 – Creating Opportunities by Prioritizing Work Experience for State Government Jobs. The January 18, 2023 document states that, “Effective immediately, 92% of all Commonwealth jobs do not require a four-year degree, roughly equivalent to 65,000 jobs. Consistent with this Administration’s commitment to emphasizing skills and experience, job postings will begin with equivalent experience needed in lieu of a college degree whenever possible.

The order goes on to state that, “The Secretary of Administration, for the remaining 8% of Commonwealth jobs, shall identify the job classifications within the Commonwealth’s classification plan that require applicants to possess a college degree. Thereafter, the Secretary of Administration shall conduct a review to determine which job classifications are appropriate to include practical experience, in lieu of, or in addition to, a four-year college degree requirement. In conducting the review, the Secretary of Administration shall work with subject matter experts from the affected Commonwealth agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction. Upon completion of the review, the Secretary of Administration shall recommend to the Executive Board revisions to the Commonwealth’s classification plan.

To access the executive order, click here.

Dr. Mumin Named New PA Ed. Secretary (January 11, 2023)

On January 9th, Governor-elect Josh Shapiro named Dr. Khalid Mumin, superintendent of the Lower Merion School District, as the commonwealth’s new education secretary. Dr. Mumin has led Lower Merion for the past year and was formerly the superintendent at Reading, where he was named Pennsylvania’s Superintendent of the Year in 2021. Dr. Mumin will be sworn in as acting secretary of education on January 17th. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Shippensburg University, a master’s degree from Penn State, and a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania.

For more from the Philadelphia Inquirer, click here.