Marc LeBlond presented ACSIPA leaders with a plaque honoring faithful advocacy that helped advance the legislation that opens doors for increasingly more students in need throughout the state.
Pictured (left to right) are Dale Shatto - Leadership Christian Academy, Dr. D. Merle Skinner - Christian Family and Children's Center, Marc LeBlond - Commonwealth Foundation, and Dr. Kathy Keefer - Johnstown Christian School.
Our recent elections revealed that parents want more choice for their children's education. SB527, which includes a 25% escalator based upon 90% utilization of EITC/OSTC Tax Credits, is expected to be voted on very soon. There is a great need for additional tax credits to support student scholarships. This legislation allows for conditional and reasonable increases upon a certain level of utilization the previous year. Stay tuned for more progress on these school choice bills. Find out more about these programs with the documents linked below.
The Excellent Education for All Act (House Bill 1) is a transformative plan that ensures more Pennsylvania children have access to an excellent education. It contains four components:
In response to rising case numbers and requests from school leaders for additional support, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) will implement the following changes to the K-12 school COVID-19 case and close contact reporting process effective Friday, October 8, 2021.
We are making these changes to reduce the administrative reporting burden on school personnel, to allow DOH staff to respond more promptly to urgent school inquiries, and to get critical information about quarantining and isolation to students, school staff, and families as quickly as possible. Please be aware that DOH will continue to investigate individual COVID-19 cases and follow up with identified close contacts outside the school setting.
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The Secretary of Health’s Order requiring masks in public and private schools is set to go into effect on September 7, 2021. The Secretary issued a FAQ responses document as well, though there are certainly many questions that were left unanswered. However, at this stage, the Order requires private schools to require that each teacher, child/student, staff, or visitor working, attending, or visiting a School Entity shall wear a face covering indoors, regardless of vaccination status, subject to some exceptions listed in the Order.
Safe Schools' Initiative
The following ACSIPA leadership spoke about Pennsylvania's Public Policy Agenda during their weekly video call.
See more details below:
https://bit.ly/3fqe16Y
The department of education has published the final EANS FAQ. Please consult the FAQ for questions about the Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) Program as authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSA Act).
We have included both the FAQ and a presentation to help guide your school below.
Take control of your PA state tax dollars and fund scholarships for faith-based education. A collaboration with Christian School Association of Greater Harrisburg and ACSI SPE has developed resources that outline how your school can connect with contributors and move from concept to contribution.
Please see the attached document.