ACSIPA

Coalition is proposing new legislation in the PA House that would be designed along this model:Summary of School Choice Legislation Draft              The draft represents an integrated phase-in of the two primary components of a proposal to enhance school choice options - the EITC and an opportunity scholarship (aka voucher) pilot program. ·         During the 2012-13 school/fiscal year, the EITC program would be raised from an aggregate amount of $75 million to $100 million ($62 million for K-12 scholarships; $30 million for EIO’s and $8 million for Pre-K scholarships).· 

February 12, 2012 ACSIPA Schools, I wanted you to be aware of a couple of issues that continue to be important to PA Schools. SCHOOL CHOICE UPDATEAlthough we were not able to get a piece of legislation through the PA House successfully this fall, that legislation is not completely dead. In January, House Majority Leader Mike Turzai met with key school choice leaders about the difficulties in the House. The Governor has indicated his commitment as well.

Dear Pennsylvania School Leader: We have become aware of an issue with the PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) that may threaten private school participation in the future if we do not respond proactively. In essence, the PIAA board is composed of 31 individuals and only one represents the private school community. There is an increasing tone that is anti-private school.

On Wednesday, December 14th, the House considered a version of SB1 that was amended by Representative Turzai, with several changes that would have made things very difficult for the private school movement. It included reducing the number of failing schools to 100, students receiving scholarships would have to take the PSSA, there would have to be mandatory acceptance of special needs students, and included a five year sunset on the program –requiring reauthorization.

We are hearing that the PA HOUSE will vote on School Choice next week.  Please contact your Representatives to let them know you support school choice with Opportunity Scholarships and EITC increases like SB1. Merle

Keep communicating!

ACSIPA and PACAPE Notes from Legislative and Rally Day November 16th                 The following is a summary of Tuesday’s Legislative and Rally Day November 16th.  Phil Puleo from Harrisburg Christian School Notes the events of the day that are really too numerous and significant to mention.  The next two weeks may be the most critical for the issue of PA School Choice in over a decade!  On October 25, 2011, the Pennsylvania State Senate passed Senate Bill 1 – The Opportunity Scholarship and Educational Improvement Tax Credit Act providi

Room reservations for the Christian School Administrators on Tuesday at: 9-11am - Room 151 East Wing : Introductions to the process for Christian school leaders who are interested11am to 1:30 pm - Room 39 East Wing: Strategic meeting to talk about specifics for those in Christian School movement for current legislation and for issues around implementationBreak for Lunch Rally is from 1- 2:00 Visit Legislators 2:00 on... 

Claims that school choice will negatively impact public schools are misleading. Real world experience and evidenceshow that states and cities with school choice programs have not seen a decrease in their public school budgets. In the scheme of the state education budget, the voucher program proposed in Senate Bill 1 is very small. Vouchers are limited to the neediest students in the lowest achieving schools first.

Please contact the HOUSE Education committee members below to let them know you support School Choice and Reform legislation such as SB1 which has passed the Senate and is waiting for House action. HOUSE EDUCATION   Majority(Room 216 ROB)Minority(Room 208 IOB)Clymer, Paul I.