News

Report on the State Board of Education Meeting - May 2008

The State Board of Education met on May 21 and 22 in Harrisburg. Several items of interest to PACTA members were on the agenda.

State Board Takes Action to Allow Student Members

The State Board of Education approved changes to its bylaws to allow for student membership, received updates on various initiatives and welcomed seven new members to its ranks.

The changes to the board’s bylaws allow for the annual appointment of two student members and two student members-elect representing secondary and post-secondary education. The four students would serve one-year terms; when the student members-elect becomes the student members, a new one-year term would begin.

Under the new bylaws, two students who currently attending a state high school or have graduated within the past 12 months would be selected by the chair of the board from a list of names submitted by the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils. These two students would serve on the State Board’s Council of Basic Education. The student member and member-elect representing higher education will be appointed from a list of names submitted by an advisory committee representing all sectors of post-secondary education. These students will serve on the Council of Higher Education. The board intends to move forward with its plans for implementation, and could perhaps have its student members seated in time for the coming school year.

New Members

In other action, the board welcomed seven new members. Serving on the board’s Council of Basic Education that deals with most regulations affecting grades preK-12 are:

  • Daniel Fogarty, of Fleetwood, Berks County; he is the manager of human resources information for Carpenter Technologies, serves on the State Workforce Investment Board and was the co-chairman of the Governor’s Commission on College and Career Success.
  • Arnold Hillman, of Camp Hill, Cumberland County; he is a former educator, superintendent, IU executive director, and formerly affiliated with the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools. He currently is employed with Bright Futures Unlimited.
  • Edward Sheehan, of Johnstown, Cambria County; he is the senior vice president and chief financial officer of Concurrent Technologies. He is immediate past chairman of the Board of Trustees for Mount Aloysius College, and also previously served as Chairman of the Board of the United Way of Pennsylvania. He presently serves as Vice Chair of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.

Serving on the board’s Council of Higher Education are:

  • Corrinne A. Caldwell, of Newtown Square, Delaware County; she is a professor of educational leadership and policies at Temple University and is a former vice president of Temple, campus executive officer at Penn State Mont Alto campus, and was the dean for mathematics, physical science and engineering technologies at the Community College of Philadelphia.
  • Sheila Dow-Ford, of Harrisburg; she is the president of Dow/Ford Strategies, and is the former general counsel to the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.
  • Joseph Torsella, of Philadelphia; he is the president and CEO of the National Constitution Center.
  • A. Lee Williams, of Slippery Rock, Butler County; she is a professor of early childhood/elementary education at Slippery Rock University.

Status of Chapter 4 Regulations (The GCA Proposal)

The proposal was published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on May 17 and the public comment period runs through June 16.

Status of Chapter 14 (Special Education)

Earlier this month, the board staff had to toll the review period for the review of the revisions to the Chapter 14 regulations on special education to clarify and correct some technical issues. The changes were made on May 15 and quickly re-submitted to IRRC so that the timelines for review were not affected. Among the technical changes made were the retention of a previous definition of early intervention services under section 14.101 that says “as defined in the act.” Another change amended the phrase “qualified educational interpreter” under section 14.105 to “qualified sign language interpreter.” In addition, a change was made to clarify under section 14.333 on positive behavior support plans that “subsequent to a referral to law enforcement, for students with disabilities who have positive behavior support plans, an updated functional behavior assessment and positive behavior support plan shall be required.”  The clarification is that when referrals are made to police for students who have a behavior support plan, the plan must be updated. It does not require a new plan to be made.

The final regulation is scheduled for vote by the House and Senate Education Committees on June 4, and by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission on June 5. The document then will be submitted to the attorney general’s office one last time for a final legal review before it will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin as final and effective. It is expected that the new regulations will be published by the end of June, in time to meet a federal requirement for the rules to be in place by July as a condition to receive funding.

Status of Chapter 16 Regulations (Gifted Education)

The board staff is preparing the final regulatory documents that will be submitted with the proposed changes to this chapter.

PSSA & AYP Targets

Dr. Shula Nedley, director of the Bureau of Assessment and Accountability, presented the board with an explanation of and update on the recent administration of the PSSA tests in reading, writing, math and science. She noted that the targets for schools and districts to meet Adequate Yearly Progress for 2008 will be raised in math from 45% to 56%, and from 54% to 63% in reading. PSSA scores in the writing and science assessments are not used to calculate AYP. Nedley also noted that Pennsylvania is waiting for notice of approval of its proposal to the U.S. Department of Education for the use of a growth model that also would be used to determine student achievement. Therefore, the exact release of the PSSA scores and AYP data will be dependent upon notification from the USDE regarding the growth model plan.

Dr. Lee Burket, Director of Bureau of Career and Technical Education, provided an extensive report on the activities of the Bureau for the benefit of new Board members. The report is below.

Report of the State Director of Career and Technical Education Program Standards and Quality Assurance Division

The mission of this division is to review and approve all new secondary career and technical education programs in the area of Trade and Industry, Business and Marketing, Agriculture, Health Occupations, Diversified Occupations, and occupational Family and Consumer Sciences. Currently there are six content specialists in the division operating with 3 vacancies. This division is also responsible for the overall management of 2,318 currently approved occupational and/or tech prep deliveries taught in 84 career and technical centers and 136 high schools throughout the Commonwealth.

During the past three years the PSQA division has mounted a concentrated effort to insure that all schools throughout the Commonwealth offering CTE programs are meeting all compliance items as identified in those regulations governing CTE (Chapter 4 and 339). To date there have been Approved Program Evaluations (APE) conducted at 71 CTC’s and 69 school districts. During the 2008-09 all remaining CTC’s will be visited and plans are being made to meet with school districts having approved programs.

Since the inception (2005-06 school year) of the effort to insure compliance by schools offering CTE there have been 765 programs deleted to date (over 1000 deliveries –occupational/tech prep). The majority of those programs were deleted because they were not delivering programs, but rather provided courses, and thus were not meeting the requirements for a sequence of planned courses as delineated in Chapter 4 as well as other compliance requirements as listed in applicable regulations.

All program specialists are also participating in adult program accreditation reviews, judging and assisting with Career and Technical Student Organization activities associated with their program specialty areas, and providing workshops related to program approval. This responsibility ultimately requires each specialist to review and edit all reports from the APE sent to those schools visited, identifying technical assistance and providing professional development.

As of April 14 until July 31 all program specialists will begin the process of working with school districts and CTCs that request new program approvals. It is anticipated that there will be at least 100 requests from schools seeking new program approvals and/or updating occupationally approved tech prep programs to programs of study articulated with postsecondary institutions.

PSQA currently has two annuitants working with the division. Each has distinct responsibilities associated with Approved Program Evaluations (APE) that have occurred since the inception of the APE process in 2005.

Follow up action is now being taken by one annuitant to ascertain if program compliance violations that were identified during an APE reviews conducted during the 2005-06 or 2006-07 school years have been corrected by schools as identified in their corrective action plan response to the APE review.

The second annuitant has been tasked to work with school districts currently offering 7 or fewer programs. Those schools were required to submit self assessments documenting how the schools are meeting program compliance regulations.

Those self assessments plus updated information in CATS is being reviewed and communication with schools along with possible visits will be started during the 2008-09 school year to insure that all schools are in compliance with applicable regulations.

As a result of efforts undertaken during the past two years there has been a significant decrease in the VADM subsidies that will be allocated to schools during the 2008-09 school year as compared to 2007-08. The 2007-08 total school district VADM was $10,945,708. Proposed for 2008-09 is $9,458,702. Close to $1.5 million less subsidy will be distributed at this point as a result of school district deletions of program that were not in compliance with regulations governing CTE.

Adult & Postsecondary Career & Technical Education

The mission of this division is to ensure that Nurse Aide Training Competency Evaluation Programs comply with federal regulations and state statutes and meet the need for quality health care providers. APCTE ensures there are tools and resources available to secondary and postsecondary entities to align programs with industry-recognized credentialing. APCTE provides leadership in CTE teacher and administrator certification programs including the provision of college credit for occupational experience thus ensuring proper occupational certification for instructors. The division provides leadership and support to career and technical centers pursuing accreditation of the Public Postsecondary Vocational Education programs.

Industry Certification/OSHA Training

The Bureau of Career and Technical Education, Division of Adult and Postsecondary CTE is sponsoring two OSHA Train-the-Trainer workshops on June 16 – June 19, 2008. OSHA 500 – Instructor Training for the Construction Industry and OSHA 501 – Instructor Training for General Industry will be held at Berks County Career and Technology Center – West in Leesport, PA.

Upon completion of these workshops, classroom instructors will be able to deliver industry-recognized safety programs to their students. Each instructor will be certified for four years. Their students will be able to receive the OSHA Safety Card (10 or 30 hours depending on the training the instructor offers). These are the ONLY industry- and OSHA-recognized safety cards.

Accreditation of Adult (PPVE) Programs

The Pennsylvania State Board for Vocational Technical Education is recognized by the United States Department of Education as an authority for the approval of public postsecondary vocational education (PPVE) institutions and programs offered at career and technical education institutions that are not offered for college credit. This recognition establishes the State Board as the accrediting body for PPVE in Pennsylvania. It further requires the State Board to establish policies and standards pertaining to the accreditation process.

In response to its mission to lead and serve the educational community to enable each individual to grow into an inspired, productive and fulfilled lifelong learner, PDE, BCTE, Division of Adult and Postsecondary CTE is accrediting postsecondary institutions and programs in the Commonwealth whose programs equal or exceed 300 instructional hours, have credentialed instructors, and are administered separately from the secondary programs.

The accreditation process is voluntary and facilitates the documentation of internal processes and procedures that comprise a high quality postsecondary education. Once accredited, institutions may register their programs with Title IV, which makes available federal financial assistance to students. Programs exceeding 300 hours are eligible for Low Interest Student Loans and programs exceeding 600 hours are eligible for Pell Grants. The BCTE has been working with six institutions for the 2007-08 school year.

Program standards have been developed in an effort to promote a high commitment to excellence and continued improvement of career and technical education in Pennsylvania.

PA Partners

The division is involved with the upcoming PA Partners Conference to be held May 7-9 at the Hershey Motor Lodge. The theme of the Conference is "Leading the Way in the Global Economy." The Bureau is presenting a partnership award to Greater Johnstown CTC and Lampire Industries, Inc. for the relationship and program they have developed in the biotechnology industry.

Construction Career Day

The division was involved in planning and promoting a very successful Construction Career Day that was held on April 23 at the Centre County Grange Fairgrounds. Over 900 high school-aged students attended the event and were able to participate in hands-on activities to promote careers in heavy equipment maintenance and road construction.

Nurse Aide Training Competency Evaluation Programs

There are 916 approved Nurse Aide Training programs.

  • Active programs: 283 with additional clinical sites
  • Inactive programs: 388
  • Conditional Status: 1
  • Terminated programs: 235
  • Terminated with waiver: 9

The bureau is responsible for ensuring the programs are meeting federal and state regulations. Thirty-six monitoring visits occurred between January – March 2008. OBRA requires NATCEP’s to be visited and review at least once within a 2 year period. The five programs that graduate 500 students annually are visited annually.

On site monitoring visits: 6 of the 36 visits resulted in non-compliance. Major issues at these sites include: inadequate or poor record keeping, admitting students into a NATCEP prior to the completion of a Pennsylvania criminal history record information report or FBI report background checks.

In addition to the monitoring visits, the three bureau staff are responsible to provide workshops to the Nurse Aide instructors. Thirty - three (33) new instructors attended Teaching-the-Educator workshops held in February and March 2008. Participation in a T-T-E workshop is required to teach nurse aide training as per OBRA regulations. Eight workshops are scheduled and conducted on an annual basis and throughout the Commonwealth.

Applications reviewed for eligibility to take the state nurse aide competency examination other then completing a state approved nurse aide-training program include.

  • Student Nurses – 102 applications were approved
  • Trained out of state nurse aides – 1 approved
  • Foreign Educated Nurses – 12 approved

In addition to the OBRA related workshops, the three bureau staff are required to conduct an annual conference, which is conducted through distance learning technology. Approximately 300 participants attended the annual NATCEP teleconference on April 16, 2008. This year’s theme is Healthcare and Cultural Competence.

A keynote speaker introduced cultural diversity, sensitivity and knowledge. A second speaker, a nursing home administrator, presented Cultural Change in Long Term Care.

Pearson VUE, the national nurse aide competency evaluation testing vendor has updated the skills that will be tested in Pennsylvania. The bureau staff reviewed the proposed skill and made several recommendations based on the industry that is served. The date for implementing the new skills is July 1, 2008.

An annual Strategies: Educational Excellence for Health Care Providers Conference for Instructors of nurse aide training will be held at the Penn Stater, State College on November 6th and 7th. The theme of this year conference is “Your Passport to Self-Enrichment.” The conference is in it final phase of planning.

  • Guest speaker this year will be representatives from the State Board of Nursing
  • The revised nurse aide skills for the state competency examination will be demonstrated to instructors

Division of Professional Development and Support Services

The mission of this division is to provide technical assistance to school districts and career and technical centers on issues and concerns the local entities face in regard to meeting state and federal performance accountability requirements. PDSS provides information to stakeholders to assist them in attaining a smooth transition and self-sufficiency through career guidance and adherence to the State Board of Education Career and Education Work standards. The division also works with the federally recognized student leadership preparation programs, Career and Technical Student Organizations.

Technology Student Association (TSA) State Leadership Conference

The Pennsylvania TSA State conference was held at Seven Springs Conference Resort on April 9 to 11, 2008. There were over 1,500 student, plus 250 advisors and judges. This is the largest State Conference with a significant increase of 300 students. PA TSA had 48 middle and 73 high school chapters that participated in over 40 middle and high school events that were Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related. TSA is one of the leading student organizations fostering STEM education. The TSA fosters STEM education through personal growth, leadership, and opportunities in Technology, Innovation, Design, and Engineering (TIDE).

Members apply and integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts for the challenges of a dynamic world through co-curricular activities, problem solving, competitive events, and related programs resulting in academic development and endless possibilities in our global society.

The Bio-Medical Research essay event awarded regional winners at $100 each and two state winners $250 each. The Terry Schwalm Memorial scholarships were given out to the outstanding male and female students where each received $1,500.

Health Science Technology Education (HOSA) State Leadership Conference

The 29th Annual Pennsylvania HOSA State Leadership Conference took place at the Host Resort and Conference Center, Lancaster, PA, on April 6-11, 2008. This year’s conference theme was “Where Dreams are Made and Futures Begin”. Attendees totaled 1,009 which included 712 students, advisors/teachers, members of collegiate chapters, school administrators, representatives from business and industry, parents and guests.

Judges from business and industry participated in evaluating students competing in 53 events, such as Health Science (dental spelling, dental terminology, medical math, medical spelling, medical terminology) health professions events, such as Clinical Nursing, Medical Assisting, Physical therapy, Sports Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Emergency Preparedness events. Each of these competitions included knowledge and written tests as well as skills. There were also leadership competitions, teamwork events and recognition of the Outstanding HOSA Chapter, Outstanding HOSA Advisor, Outstanding HOSA Alumnus and Outstanding State Officer.

The PA HOSA was recognized by the National HOSA Office for starting 13 new chapters this year. The PENN HOSA, Inc. Foundation awarded 50 scholarships to recipients totaling $85,000 to HOSA students who are planning on entering the health field as career.

PA FCCLA State Leadership Conference

The Pennsylvania Association Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (PA FCCLA) 62nd annual State Leadership Conference was held on April 2 – 4, 2008 in the Host in Lancaster. It was a successful culmination of goals, plans and action determined and orchestrated by the eight student state officers. Additionally, local chapter members showcased and received recognition for their chapter programs and activities. The member-developed meeting theme, “Leadership Revolution” was designed to inspire confidence, challenge members, and provide the opportunity to gain life skills. Members were encouraged to develop leadership abilities, connect to careers, strengthen family ties and increase community involvement. The STAR Events National Team who will represent PA at the National Leadership meeting was announced.

PA FCCLA New Scholarship Provider

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY is a new scholarship provider to Pennsylvania Family, Career and Community Leaders of America members. At the recent State Leadership Conference, they awarded scholarship to students in the following categories:

  • First, second, third, and fourth place STAR Events Early Childhood Occupational winners ($6,000, $4,000, $2,000, $500)
  • First, second, third, and fourth place STAR Events Focus on Children Senior Team and/or Individual winners ($6,000, $4,000, $2,000, $500)
  • First, second, third, and fourth place STAR Events Focus on Children Occupational Team and/or Individual winners ($6,000, $4,000, $2,000, $500)
  • First, second, third, and fourth place STAR Events Culinary Arts winners ($6,000, $4,000, $2,000, $500)
  • First, second, third, and fourth place STAR Events Food and Beverage Service winners ($6,000, $4,000, $2,000, $500)
  • First, second, third, and fourth place STAR Events Hospitality Team and/or Individual winners ($6,000, $4,000, $2,000, $500)
  • First, second, third, and fourth place STAR Events Pastry Arts Baking ($6,000, $4,000, $2,000, $500)
  • First, second, third, and fourth place STAR Events Pastry Arts Cake Decorating winners ($6,000, $4,000, $2,000, $500)
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)

Pennsylvania Future Business Leaders of America’s (FBLA) 57th state leadership conference held at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center from March 31-April 2, 2008. Over 3,000 students, advisors, judges and guests participated in the conference by winning at the regional level. The state level events included objective tests, case studies, performance events, oral interviews and written reports. Students who qualified at the state level are now eligible to attend the National Leadership Conference in Atlanta, GA from June 24-30, 2008.

During the state conference, next year’s student officers were elected by student delegates. Workshops were available to students and advisors. Student workshops focused on improving leadership skills, professionalism, effective communication and teamwork and vision. The advisor sessions focused on updated information about technology and curriculum for business, computer and information technology.

Presenters during the adviser sessions included representatives from Classrooms for the Future schools, Junior Achievement, PA Free Enterprise Week and the American Management Association. A number of postsecondary institutions, fundraising companies and textbook publishers exhibited at the conference.

Advisors also had access to a free cyber cafe to check e-mail while they were away from school. For the third year in a row, PA FBLA streamed live video of its awards session via the Internet. The video is now available for viewing via the PA FBLA website, www.pafbla.org.

PA FBLA’s conducted Middle Level competitive events program. These students have opportunities to compete in objective test and performance events at the local level. These students were provided with trophies from PA FBLA. National FBLA provided medallions for these Middle School students and will post the winners on their website.

In addition, the organization presented the American Trauma Society—Pennsylvania Division with a check for $66,306.88. The money was raised throughout the school year by FBLA chapters through a variety of local fundraising events.

SkillsUSA - Trade and Industrial Students of America

SkillsUSA State Leadership Conference held at the Hershey Lodge and Conference was a big success. Approximately 1,397 participants attended the conference. The majority of the skills contests were held at the Lebanon Expo Center and the leadership contests were held at the Hershey Conference Center. Each contest was chaired by advisors selected from each of the participating schools and was run with the help of industry and trade associations. A few of the contests were held at different CTCs around the Hershey area.

Lowe's awarded $10,000 to PA SkillsUSA for their state team work competition. Normally the cost for the materials is approx. $13,000. Lowe's has been a very active partner with SkillsUSA nationally and on the state level. In the past SkillsUSA charged each team $100 to compete in this event however this year the fee was waver.

Approximately 250 winners who take first place in their event will be able to attend the PA delegation at the SkillsUSA National Conference held in Kansas MO on June 24-30, 2008. The SkillsUSA Championships will be held on Thursday, June 26 in H. Roe Bartle Hall and Municipal Auditorium. More than 5,000 outstanding career and technical education students—all state contest winners—will compete in hands-on skills competitions in 93 different trade, technical and leadership fields.

Addition to TCTW

BCTE is working with the Southern Regional Education Board to provide sustained professional development to career and technical centers. The goals are to provide ongoing technical assistance to career and technical centers as they adopt literacy strategies into the career and technical education classroom and establish high expectations for student performance.

There are eight schools participating in this program:

  • Schuylkill Technology Centers - South Campus
  • A.W. Beatty
  • Reading Muhlenberg CTC
  • Middle Bucks Institute of Technology
  • Lancaster County CTC – Brownstown Campus
  • Monroe Career and Technical Institute
  • Bethlehem AVTS
  • Central Westmoreland CTC

The professional development covers two different activities. The first activity was how to implement literacy strategies into the career and technical education classroom. Staff will follow up on this workshop two more times during the year. The second activity demonstrated to the career and technical center staff how to create a culture of high expectations. Staff will follow up on this professional development one more time during the current school year.

In addition, during this year, staff are coordinating four technical assistance visits to career and technical centers involved in the SREB reform model. The technical assistance visits will provide an in-depth examination of the career and technical center to determine what type of assistance they need to address high expectations, increased academic achievement and increased technical skill attainment. BCTE will provide technical assistance to help the schools implement the strategies necessary to overcome identified areas.

The eight schools that agreed to participate in the program also have to give their students an assessment that is similar to the NAEP. A assessment will provide the schools with baseline data to consider in future implementation strategies. In September the assessment data will be released to the schools and PDE will sponsor a workshop that demonstrates how the data can be used for program planning purposes. We also expect the schools to conduct workshops at the Integrated Learning Conference in November 2008, using the data.

This TCTW Program is just in the beginning stages of its full potential. The CTCs have noted increased teacher and student engagement in the learning process. For 2008-09 the Bureau will increase the number of CTCs in the program.

Division of Data Analysis, Assessment, and Contract

The mission of this division is to serve secondary and postsecondary educational institutions by administering state and federal Perkins IV funds. DAAC ensures equitable education for all students by conducting on-site Civil Rights monitoring reviews. The division analyzes data associated with state and federal accountability measures. DAAC administers the student occupational competency testing required by Chapter 4 and federal Perkins IV regulations.

Perkins IV State Plan

The purpose of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 (Perkins IV) is to develop more fully the academic and career and technical skills of secondary education students and postsecondary education students who elect to enroll in career and technical education programs. The State Board of Education approved five year state plan was submitted to the US Department of Education for their review and approval. The state plan addresses each of the required elements. The key components will guide career and technical education efforts in Pennsylvania and include programs of study. The required elements of the programs of study include secondary to postsecondary academic and technical course sequencing; state led technical assistance by BCTE directing resources to underperforming schools in meeting negotiated performance measures and standards; improved data collection systems to capture valid and reliable disaggregated data for all and special populations of career and technical education students at the secondary and postsecondary levels; negotiating with the United States Department of Education two year performance targets based on required measures and standards.

Technical Skill Assessment

BCTE is responsible for ensuring completers of secondary CTE programs participate in an occupational assessment. The recent changes to Chapter 4 require all schools that offer career and technical education programs to assess CTE students. Perkins IV also requires that postsecondary recipients participate in an occupational assessment. This is a new requirement for postsecondary Perkins recipients. The bureau has formed an ad hoc committee to research implementation of this requirement. The ad hoc committee is comprised of assessment experts and postsecondary Perkins recipients.

Civil Rights

Staff continues to visit school entities to ensure all individuals are provided access to education. On-site reviews are conducted to ensure that sub-recipients are in full compliance with OCR guidelines. Recipients of federal financial assistance, including postsecondary institutions, must comply with the Title VI, Section 504 and Title IX implementing regulations. The Title IX implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R.$106.8 (a) require that each recipient designate at least one employee to coordinator its efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under each of these Titles. On-site reviews may consist of investigating complaints communicated to the recipient alleging noncompliance with Title IX. Section 106.8(a) also requires the recipient to notify all students and employees of the name, address, and telephone number of the designated coordinator. Section 106.8(b) requires that each recipient adopt and publish grievance procedures providing for prompt and equitable resolution of student and employee complaints under Title IX. Section 106.9 requires that the nondiscrimination notice be displayed prominently in each announcement, bulletin, catalog, or application form used in connection with recruitment of students or employees. During on-site reviews, PDE staff reviews all of these materials. Visits scheduled or will be scheduled the universe visited this year includes 10 schools and postsecondary institutions. The most common findings are related to access to the program and the materials used to advertise and admissions materials. The universe is 280 school buildings that must be visited by the Civil Rights Coordinator.