Training for 2006 State Candidates and Campaign Staff

Education Issues Workshop, A Non-Partisan One-Day Program for Pennsylvania Legislative Candidates and Staff, Sponsored by The Education Policy and Leadership Center

8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Friday, March 17 – Valley Forge

Saturday, March 18 – Monroeville

Tuesday, March 21 – Harrisburg

For Voters and Candidates in Pennsylvania, Education Issues will be key topics in the 2006 Campaign.

Are you Ready?

Will you be the candidate best prepared to discuss these issues?

Will your campaign material and your statements highlight these issues?

Will you have the best ideas?

Will you be a leader?

Will you do your best in this campaign?

Learn More About These Important Education Issues:

"No Child Left Behind" (NCLB)
Governor's Proposed 06-07 Education Budget
State Academic Standards PA's Education Funding System
State Assessments for Students
Act 72 of 2004
Governance of Public Education Property Tax Relief Proposals
Local vs. State Control Local Referendum
Early Childhood Education Special Education Funding
Teacher Quality and Supply Issues Charter Schools & Cyber Schools
School Leadership Home Schooling
State Initiatives to Help Struggling Districts & Students
Higher Education Governance
State Takeovers of Districts Higher Education Funding
State Education Policy Levers Community Colleges

Only $59 for entire Workshop including lunch and the 2006 Issues Workbook. (Campaign funds may be used for tuition and travel expenses.)

Workshop Registration Form

Workshop Agenda

7:30 a.m. Registration/Coffee

8:15 a.m. Welcome

Introduction to Resource Book & Materials
8:30 a.m. K-12 Educational Governance in Pennsylvania
Federal-State-Local Roles
State-Level Education Governance
Governor, PDE, Legislature, State Board of Education
State-Level Education Policymaking Process – Statutes & Regulations
Policy Levers Available to State Policymakers
School Districts, School Boards and Superintendents

9:30 a.m. Standards-Based Reforms in Pennsylvania

Background of Standards-Based Reforms in PA
Requirements and Impact of “No Child Left Behind” Act
Assessment Issues
Accountability and Consequences
Key Issues for State Policymakers


10:30 a.m. Break

10:45 a.m. State Policies to Support Student Achievement

“What Works” and Educational Capacity at the School, District & State Level
Interventions for Failing Schools and Students
Early Care and Education
Pre-School and Kindergarten
Teachers and School Leaders - Quality and Supply
Parents and Community
High School Reform – PA Project 720
SBE Project – PAGE 1
School Choice (Vouchers, Charters, Home Schooling, etc.)
PDE Web Site resources

12:00 p.m. Lunch & Networking

12:45 p.m. Education Finance

Understanding PA Education Funding System
History, What’s Wrong, How We Got This Way
Special Issues: Special Education, Charter Schools, Construction
Principles of a Sound Education Funding System
Review of Rendell Administration Initiatives
Governor’s 2006-07 Education Budget Proposal
Act 72 of 2004
Update on Special Session on Property Tax Relief
Key Issues for State Policymakers

2:15 p.m. Break

2:30 p.m. Higher Education Issues
Governance
Funding
Student Aid
2004 National Report Card on Higher Education
2006 Report on Condition of Higher Education in Pennsylvania

3:30 p.m. Q & A with Panel of State Policy Leaders and Advocates

4:45 p.m. Other Information Resources and Wrap-Up

5:00 p.m. Adjourn

The Education Issues Workshop is sponsored by The Education Policy and Leadership Center, 800 North Third Street, Suite 408, Harrisburg, Pa. 17102 - 717-260-9900 - www.eplc.org