Happy new year from Donald and Joshita! As another year unfolds, we hope that you fully enjoy 2016. From our end, we can promise that this year will promise new changes that will change YOUR education!
January 13 to 14th, the State Board of Education convened for its 300th meeting! The main discussion point of the meeting was vaccinations and the new Every Student Succeeds Act passed by President Obama on December 10th.
The PA Department of Health created new standards to require students to be vaccinated. Currently, students have eight months to receive doses, but this law is not strictly enforced. The Secretary of Health and the rest of the members working on this resolution decided to reduce the window to five days. If a student had no doses, he or she would not be allowed to attend public schools. If the child has a pending vaccine, that person must get it within the aforementioned five days.
The Board of Education members firmly believe that this duration should be extended due to logistical issues, voiced by the Superintendent of Erie School District and others. However, to facilitate the process and comply to the timeline of having these standards in place for the upcoming school year, the Board determined that passing the preliminary guideline would open up the required public comment. This would allow the Department of Health to create edits as necessary.
Furthermore, the members received a report from the Executive Deputy Secretary David Volkman involving the new changes for Pennsylvania. Specifically, the US Department of Education has given more autonomy for states. These include systems for school accountability, assessing teachers, and more. With the greater flexibility, the Board will articulate comprehensive guidelines with one goal in mind: improving education of PA.
Stay tuned for more information!
January 13 to 14th, the State Board of Education convened for its 300th meeting! The main discussion point of the meeting was vaccinations and the new Every Student Succeeds Act passed by President Obama on December 10th.
The PA Department of Health created new standards to require students to be vaccinated. Currently, students have eight months to receive doses, but this law is not strictly enforced. The Secretary of Health and the rest of the members working on this resolution decided to reduce the window to five days. If a student had no doses, he or she would not be allowed to attend public schools. If the child has a pending vaccine, that person must get it within the aforementioned five days.
The Board of Education members firmly believe that this duration should be extended due to logistical issues, voiced by the Superintendent of Erie School District and others. However, to facilitate the process and comply to the timeline of having these standards in place for the upcoming school year, the Board determined that passing the preliminary guideline would open up the required public comment. This would allow the Department of Health to create edits as necessary.
Furthermore, the members received a report from the Executive Deputy Secretary David Volkman involving the new changes for Pennsylvania. Specifically, the US Department of Education has given more autonomy for states. These include systems for school accountability, assessing teachers, and more. With the greater flexibility, the Board will articulate comprehensive guidelines with one goal in mind: improving education of PA.
Stay tuned for more information!
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