Category: News

Percentage of Students with Autism on the Rise (April 29, 2024)

According to a K-12 Dive report, about 13% of students with disabilities participating in special education services in 2022-23 had autism. That’s an increase from 5% in 2008-09.

The percentage of students identified with autism receiving K-12 special education services has been on a steady rise over the last decade and a half. However, students with autism are less likely to participate in general education classes compared to other students with disabilities, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education released last month.

During the 2022-23 school year, about 13% of students with disabilities were identified with autism. That’s up 8 percentage points from the 2008-09 school year when about 5% of students participating in special education services were identified with autism.

But when it comes to inclusion, only 41% of students with autism spend 80% or more of their school day in general education classes, compared to 67% of all students with disabilities.

For more from K-12 Dive, click here.

USDA Issues Final Rule on Updated School Meal Nutrition Standards (April 28, 2024)

On April 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its final rule updating nutrition standards for school meals that requires gradual limits on added sugars and slight reductions for sodium for breakfasts and lunches to be in place by the fall of 2027.

The new school meal nutrition standards are part of the Biden administration’s steps to improve children’s health as included in the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health.

According to the USDA, on a daily basis K-12 schools serve breakfast and lunch to almost 30 million children.

For more from K-12 Dive, click here.

BCIU Provides Updated PA State Mandate Documents (April 28, 2024)

Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) continues to be a leader in producing a comprehensive set of documents detailing PA state mandates pertaining to education. BCIU Early Childhood and Student Services Director Dr. Michelle Reichard-Huff has again provided PAPSA and its members with excellent updated documents regarding these mandates. This latest version was updated March 2024. Many thanks to Dr. Reichard-Huff and her BCIU team!!

For reference, please see the following 2024 State Mandates Documents created by the Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU):
-BCIU_Mandates:_March2024__
https://papsa-web.org/wp-content/uploads/BCIU_Mandates_March2024__.pdf
-BCIU_Mandates_March 2024_SummarySheetofRevisions__
https://papsa-web.org/wp-content/uploads/BCIU_Mandates_March-2024_SummarySheetofRevisions__.pdf​
-BCIU_MandatesChecklist_March2024__
https://papsa-web.org/wp-content/uploads/BCIU_MandatesChecklist_March2024__.pdf
-BCIU_MandatesChecklist_March2024_Summary Sheet of Revisions__
https://papsa-web.org/wp-content/uploads/BCIU_MandatesChecklist_March2024_Summary-Sheet-of-Revisions__.pdf

The creation of the State Mandates Document stems from a concerted effort to enhance communication and ensure clarity regarding the numerous regulations and requirements outlined in the Pennsylvania School Code that govern our education system as well as federal regulations impacting school entities. Acknowledging the intricate and evolving nature of educational policies, this document serves as a consolidated resource, offering school leaders a comprehensive overview of their obligations mandated by the state and by federal regulations.

One of the primary objectives behind developing this document is to equip school leaders with the knowledge and understanding necessary to effectively navigate the regulatory landscape. By clearly outlining the legal requirements and expectations placed upon schools, it serves as a valuable reference point for ensuring adherence to state and federal mandates and regulations.

Furthermore, the State Mandates Checklist provides school leaders with a succinct summary of training/drills, reporting, policies/plans, and personnel requirements. This checklist serves as a convenient reference for school code and education policy obligations, detailing how to accomplish each requirement, the intended audience, frequency, and due dates to ensure adherence at all levels of the education system.

The BCIU provides these documents to the school districts and career and technology centers served within Berks County at no cost. Additionally, Intermediate Units across the Commonwealth are provided an opportunity to subscribe to this service which are customized for their use within their region.

Should you have any questions or require additional information regarding the State Mandates Documents, please do not hesitate to contact me or Mrs. Toni Cramp, BCIU Executive Office Program Administrator, at 610-898-8956.

PHEAA Announces Extension of FAFSA Deadline to June 1st (April 28, 2024)

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) has announced the submission deadline for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), with relation to the Pennsylvania State Grant Program, has been extended to June 1.
The launch of the FAFSA application for the upcoming academic year was delayed almost three months as the FAFSA underwent changes as a result of the FAFSA Simplification Act, which was intended to streamline the financial aid application process. The U.S. Department of Education rolled out the new FAFSA on Dec. 31 for the 2024-25 academic year, but it has since encountered a number of issues, delays and errors in processing student applications.
The PA State Grant Program uses the FAFSA form as its primary application point to determine student eligibility for a PA State Grant award. Historically, May 1 was used as the deadline for students to complete their FAFSA for PA State Grant purposes.
More information is available at pheaa.org.

PA Student Services Coalition Holds its Spring Meeting (April 28,2024)

On April 24, 2024, the PA Coalition of Student Services Associations (PACSSA) met via Zoom. PAPSA President Matt Ammons and Executive Director Dr. Douglas Arnold represented PAPSA at the meeting. Items discussed at the meeting included a review of a draft budget resolution that urges the General Assembly to adopt Governor Shapiro’s historic state budget proposal and to pass legislation making the necessary multi year commitment to address Pennsylvania’s entire constitutional and moral obligation to fully and fairly fund public schools.

A copy of the resolution will be submitted to the governor’s office, to the Secretary of Education, and to Speaker Joanna McClinton, House Majority Leader Matthew Bradford, and House Minority Leader Bryan Cutler, as well as all members of the House of Representatives,  and to Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, and Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, as well as all members of the Senate

In addition, the committee discussed becoming the “Fifth” Voice at the Table (along with PSEA, PASA, PASBO, PSBA). It also worked on a framework for PACSSA advocacy efforts including such things statewide common vocabulary, resources, and PD opportunities; staffing and hiring; and improving the workforce pipeline.

The committee also reviewed current information regarding PA HELPS. In addition, the committee will share a common conference schedule to keep informed of all association conference dates.