PA Department of Education released the list of PA's lowest performing schools today.

The more than 242,000 students (in the 414 school buildings in 74 school districts across Pennsylvania) may be eligible to apply for a scholarship through the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program funded by tax credits from the expansion of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC 2.0).

This program signed into law by Governor Tom Corbett last month is intended to give low- and moderate-income students in low-achieving schools the option to obtain a scholarship to attend a participating public or nonpublic school.

What does this mean for public school students in Pennsylvania?

On this blog, I will try to provide families with information about eligibility requirements and how to apply for the scholarship.

The PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s website at www.newpa.com, has provided the following information:

To be eligible, a student’s family income could not exceed:

Through June 30, 2013 - $60,000, plus $12,000 for each dependent member of the household.

After June 30, 2013 - $75,000, plus $12,000 for each dependent member of the household.

An additional amount, to be determined by a formula, would be added to the income limit for students receiving special education services.

The PA Department of Education would annually publish a list of the bottom 15 percent of elementary schools and the bottom 15 percent of secondary schools, based on combined math and reading PSSA scores.

School districts in which a low-achieving school is located would be required to notify parents of the scholarship program with instructions about how to apply.

Eligible students could receive up to $8,500 for a regular education program or up to $15,000 for a special education program.
More details are coming soon.

When can families expect to be notified by their school district?

According to the Education Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC):

The Department of Education is required by law to notify school districts that have schools identified as low-achieving by Aug. 1, 2012. In 2013 and each subsequent year, school notification will be made by Feb. 1.

Within 15 days of notification by the department, school districts are required to notify parents and post on its website, a description of the opportunity scholarship tax credit program, as well as instructions on how families may apply.

Which PA schools are on the list?

I will not list all 414 school buildings but you may find the full list here: Pennsylvania Department of Education List of Low Achieving Schools.

Below I've listed the Pittsburgh Public School District (PPSD) schools (the district where my children attend) and will pay particular attention to these schools in the implementation of this program.

It is interesting to note that 7 of these PPSD schools have closed and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that you remain eligible for the scholarship if your child's new school is also on the list.

Fort Pitt Elementary, Langley High, Murray Elementary, Northview Elementary, Oliver High, Schaeffer Elementary, and Stevens Elementary

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/state-list-of-failing-schools-has-53-in-county-646260/#ixzz21klHHS2Y

Here is the list of Pittsburgh Public School District schools that made the list of the lowest 15% performing schools in the state. Next to the schools that have closed, I've indicated the new assigned school (from the PPSD website) and if the new school is also on the eligibility list.

ALLEGHENY TRAD MS ACAD

Regular Elementary/Secondary

ARLINGTON EL SCH

Regular Elementary/Secondary

ARSENAL EL SCHOOL

ARSENAL MS

Regular Elementary/Secondary

BRASHEAR HS

Regular Secondary

CARRICK HS

Regular Secondary

FORT PITT EL SCH

Closed, assigned to Arsenal PreK-5 (eligible), Woolslair K-5 (eligible) and Fulton Pre-K-5

Regular Elementary

GRANDVIEW EL SCH

Regular Elementary

HELEN S FAISON ARTS ACADEMY

Regular Elementary/Secondary

KING M L EL SCH

Regular Elementary/Secondary

LANGLEY HS

Closed, assigned to Pittsburgh Brashear (eligible)

Regular Secondary

LINCOLN EL TECH ACADEMY

Regular Elementary

MANCHESTER EL SCH

Regular Elementary/Secondary

MURRAY EL SCH

Closed, assigned to Arlington Pre-K-8 (eligible)

Regular Elementary/Secondary

NORTHVIEW EL

Closed, assigned to Pittsburgh King Pre-K-8 (eligible) and Pittsburgh Morrow PreK-8

Regular Elementary

OLIVER HS

Closed, assigned to Pittsburgh Perry Traditional Academy (eligible)

Regular Secondary

PERRY TRADITIONAL ACAD HS

Regular Secondary

PITTSBURGH MILLER PRE K-5

Regular Elementary

PITTSBURGH UNIVERSITY PREP

Regular Elementary/Secondary

SCHAEFFER EL SCH

Closed, assigned to Langley K-8 (new school)

Regular Elementary/Secondary

SCHILLER CLASSICAL A

Regular Elementary/Secondary

SOUTH BROOK MIDDLE SCH

Regular Elementary/Secondary

SPRING HILL EL SCH

Regular Elementary

STEVENS EL SCH

Closed, assigned to Langley K-8 (new school), Pittsburgh Westwood K-5, Pittsburgh South Hills 6-8

Regular Elementary/Secondary

SUNNYSIDE EL SCH

Regular Elementary/Secondary

WEIL TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE

Regular Elementary

WOOLSLAIR ELEM SCHL

Regular Elementary

Will the scholarships be available in time for students to start the school year in a new school?

The answer to this question is unclear. In an article by Peter L. DeCoursey, Bureau Chief at Capitolwire, it is noted:

There is going to be a concerted effort to make this work this year to help kids.

The Post-Gazette adds,

The new scholarships are scheduled to be available for the upcoming school year, though with districts welcoming students back beginning in late August, several administrative hurdles still must be cleared.

So, I have more questions that I hope to have answered in the coming weeks. Here is my list, let me know if you have any others.

Which private schools will accept the scholarships (from low income students that went to low performing schools?

What are public schools districts doing to prepare for the potential loss of students?

Are private schools required to accept children with special education needs?

Mindful Education Reform

Friday, July 27, 2012

Are African-American Students Left Behind?

Read the press release from the White House: Executive Order -- White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans

Thursday, July 26, 2012

PA Scholarship for Children in Low Performing Schools

On this blog, I will try to provide families with information about eligibility requirements and how to apply for the scholarship.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Beware: Public School Advocate May Be a Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

by Pamela Harbin