Guns, Mental Health, and God

            As we discuss the latest school shooting in the United States, I am compelled to share my thoughts. I have been in public education for over 26 years. My career precedes Columbine. Since Columbine, the United States has endured 25 school shootings. Before we have time to grieve or bury the dead, the political pundits advocate for their side of the aisle. The national discussion about school safety has no singular cause or solution. Reasonable gun control, addressing the mental health needs of society, and acknowledging we have lost our faith are pillars of this debate.

            I am a believer in the 2^nd amendment. My personal gun safe has several handguns, shot guns, and hunting rifles. I am not anti-gun. That being stated, our freedoms are not unlimited. Our latest school shooter could not legally purchase a 6 pack of beer, but could legally purchase an assault rifle. The government is within its right to regulate the sales of weapons. According to a February poll conducted by Quinnipiac, support for universal background checks is itself almost universal, 97 - 2 percent, including 97 - 3 percent among gun owners. It also makes sense to delay purchases of all guns until 21. A younger individual would not be precluded from possessing or utilizing the weapon. The individual would be precluded from purchasing the weapon.

            According to the Washington Post, the United States spends over $100 billion on mental health treatment. That works out to about 5.6 percent of the national health-care spending. Mental health dollars mostly go toward prescription drugs and outpatient treatment. States cut $1.8 billion from their mental health budgets during the recession. As we have cut our mental health dollars, services, and institutions more of our mentally ill end up in prison. The departments of corrections are ill-equipped and not designed to treat mental illness. We may profess otherwise but the primary purpose of prison is to warehouse those individuals who have broken the norms of society.

            We must also acknowledge that the United States is now a secular country. In short, we have lost our faith. God was officially removed from schools in the early 1960s. In the Engel v. Vitale case in 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court made its first-ever decision on prayer in public schools. This was the first in a series of cases in which the Supreme Court of the United States used the establishment clause to eliminate religious activities in schools. These activities were traditionally a part of public school activities. It made its second in 1963—the Abington School District v. Schempp ruling, which made the corporate reading of the Bible and recitation of the Lord's Prayer unlawful in public schools. Although I understand that the government should not endorse one religion, in this case Christianity, over another religion, I believe the court went too far. Americans are promised a freedom of religion, not a freedom from religion. Any religion, be it Judaism, Christianity, Hindu, Buddhism, etc. provide a code of conduct. This moral code guides the believer. Certain things are right. Certain things are wrong. Over the last half century, those certainties and standards have been eroded.

            Do you remember when school was a sacred place? Do you remember when a teacher was revered/respected? Would you have ever gone home and complained about the actions of a teacher, that they were “mean” to you? Do you remember having your “school clothes” as compared to your play clothes (fyi- we also had bed clothes called pajamas and didn’t think to wear them to school)? In addition to the erosion of the sanctity that was our place of worship and our God, the school has become less ideal. Due to a change in societal attitude, we place the word of a child at the same level as the word of an adult. We question and challenge the role and authority of the teacher.

            We have devalued what it means to be an adult. People half my age have no problem addressing me by my first name. All too often I have heard adults of my generation, encourage the practice. We were raised to address adults with appropriate courtesies. If we put minors on the same level as adults, why would students not feel they are on the same level as teachers?

            Let the criticism begin. In today’s partisan society there is no room for compromise. If I express a desire for background checks, the right will condemn me. If I refuse to surrender my weapons, the left will condemn me. To say we have lost our faith, this sinner may be condemned as a religious zealot. Regardless we must understand that complex problems require serious solutions. No political purity test will solve the problem Tip O’Neil and Ronald Reagan used to argue during the day and eat dinner together at night. I ask us to acknowledge common sense compromise. I ask us to treat our mentally ill rather than imprison them. Finally, it is the duty of all believers to spread the word.

What is the ROI for an education?

            If education is an investment, then what is the return? Business asks itself all the time, what will be the return on these invested capital resources? As a father of 3 children ages 16-21, I challenge my children to look at their educational choices and get the best ROI that they can. My children are of different abilities, interests, etc. I expect different career pathways for each of them. What should be the constant is that if we are going to pay for the education, then that education needs to pay off.

            No one single pathway is correct. The skilled trades are not for everyone. Neither is college. Young people need to answer, what do I like to do? What skills and/or knowledge to I need to have to do that job? How much will that cost? What can I expect to make after investing the resources of time, effort, energy, and money?

            Skilled trades are occupations that require special skills and work that is typically done with your hands. Skilled trade jobs can be found in construction, service and industrial areas. Training for skilled trades often combines classroom time with on the job training. Some examples of skilled trade occupations include electrician, auto mechanic or machinist.

At LCCTC, we offer 14 different vocational programs that lead to entry level work in a variety of careers. Students pick and area of interest and over a 3 year curriculum gain the skills and knowledge necessary to enter the workforce. This education comes at no cost to the student. The student enters the workforce with no debt.

Many skilled trade workers are in high demand! Someone looking for work in the skilled trades will find large increases in online job postings from just a year ago. Many skilled trade industries showed tremendous growth in our area: construction, machining, welding, fabrication, health care occupations to name a few. The need for some skilled trades is expected to continue not only in Lawrence County, but across the nation.

According to the Pennsylvania Center for Workforce Information and Analysis (http://www.workstats.dli.pa.gov/Products/HPOs/Pages/default.aspx), ten of the top 15 jobs in our area do NOT require a college degree. They require skills, experience, and training.

 Education does pay. Getting a degree does pay. In its most recent survey, the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that for 10 broad degree categories ranging from engineering to communications, 2016 graduates are projected to have an average salary of $50,556. That's up 5% from 2014, when new grads earned an average of $48,127.

College degrees to have a cost. According to their Project on Student Debt, 68% of 2015 bachelor's degree recipients graduated with student loan debt. The average was $30,100 per borrower. One-quarter of graduate students borrow nearly $100,000, and another 1 in 10 borrow more than $150,000. Before any other expenses, students will have to address that debt.

I currently have one child who is currently in the workforce, one child currently pursuing post-secondary education, and one child still in high school. I encourage them to follow their dreams. But also understand if your passion does not produce a good paycheck, your dream will be a financial nightmare. 

             

Unity Chain

     Recently the political discourse in America has divided our country. We have lost the ability to discuss, to communicate, to understand, to empathize. If you disagree with me, you must be my enemy. If you disagree with me, I can show you no tolerance. We gather here together, we rise here together, because as a school community, we are united.

          We are reminded of the words of Mahatma Gandi: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” I am not waiting for a President to drive change. I am not waiting for Congress to drive change. Change starts with you and I. Change can occur at LCCTC, in New Castle, in Pennsylvania, in the United States, and in the world.

As a student of history recent events have also made me think of the words of Abraham Lincoln. Prior to becoming  President of the United States, then Senatorial Candidate Abraham Lincoln called upon the book of Matthew 12:22-28 for his inspiration in the now famous House Divided Speech. Lincoln took the original text which said: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand,” and adapted it to the context of the mid-19^th century. Lincoln’s words were: “A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become lawful in all the States, old as well as new — North as well as South.”

Our house is divided. America is divided; black and white, liberal and conservative, Democrat and Republican. We have forgotten that we should celebrate our diversity, celebrate our differences. I too have succumb to emotional visceral thoughts and actions over the last year. We can do so no longer. Before we define ourselves by color, ethnicity, gender, creed, sexual orientation, etc. can we not define ourselves as American? We are the land of the free! We are the home of the brave!

Over the course of the summer of 2017, racism played out on the national stage. And again, history has the answer. On August 28, 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered the following words.: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” It is clear that 54 years later we still need to work on making this dream a reality.

So I ask you today, do you want to be part of the problem or part of the solution? No one here will stand alone. No one here will kneel alone. We are stronger when we are arm and arm together.

Remember those who have been victims of social injustice. Remember those who have served and paid the ultimate price for that service.

I love this country because of the freedoms provided. I love this country because we can peaceably assemble like we are doing today! I love this country because we can disagree without being disagreeable.

The person to your left is your neighbor, your fellow American. The person to your right is your neighbor, your fellow American! I ask that you help your neighbor. I ask that you respect your neighbor. I ask that you love your neighbor. I ask that you understand your neighbor. Let the Lawrence County CTC be the change you want to see in the world.

If you want to stand together for social justice, so do I!

If you want to stand together for respect of our armed services, so do I!

If you want to stand together in respect for first responders, so do I!

If you want to stand and be part of the solution, so do I!

If you want to love your neighbor and help your neighbor, so do I!

I ask at this time that you rise. Individually you are but a link. Together we form a chain. I ask that you link your arms together in a chain of Unity. Please rise, link arms, and remain standing for the national anthem!

PA Cyber School Reform Fails

Pa. lawmakers caving on cyber charter reform | Guest column

By Express-Times guest columnist By Mark Spengler Updated on July 18, 2017 at 10:30 AM Posted on July 18, 2017 at 10:19 AM

Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene Depasquale recently reminded the public that we have the worst charter school system in the country. Easily the worst part of the Pennsylvania charter school embarrassment has to do with cyber charter schools, which have shown deplorable results in terms of graduation and student performance and have wasted a ton of taxpayer money. Here are some of the most recent numbers:

Average graduation rates for 2015-16:

·         Pennsylvania public schools, 86.1 percent.

·         Pennsylvania cyber charter schools, 47.7 percent.

Average school performance profile results, 2015-16 (70 is considered passing)"

·         Public schools, 70.3 percent.

·         Cyber charter schools, 50.9 percent (nine out of 14 scored below 50).

Total local Pennsylvania taxpayer money spent on cyber charter tuition, 2013-15:

·         $1.2 billion

Perhaps the saddest part of our cyber charter system is the funding method. Cyber charters are funded at the same per diem rate as bricks-and-mortar charter schools. This of course makes no sense, because cybers do not have anywhere near the same level of expenses as bricks and mortar schools. Going all the way back to 2012, it was reported by the Auditor General's office that Pennsylvania  taxpayers were being overcharged $365 million a year. Clearly, much of this has to do with overspending for cyber charters.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/07/pa_cyber_charter_schools_guest.html#incart_2box_opinion

School Performance Profile Scores for PA Cyber Charters 2013 - 2016

Source: PA Department of Education website          

A score of 70 is considered passing

Total cyber charter tuition paid by PA taxpayers from 500 school districts for 2013, 2014 and 2015 was over $1.2 billion; $393.5 million, $398.8 million and $436.1 million respectively. 

Not one of Pennsylvania’s cyber charters has achieved a passing SPP score of 70 in any of the four years that the SPP has been in effect.

School Name	2013	2014	2015	2016
21st Century CS	66.5	66.0	69.2	62.2
Achievement House CS	39.7	37.5	44.8	54.5
ACT Academy Cyber CS	30.6	28.9	36.1	40.7
Agora Cyber CS	48.3	42.4	46.4	37.6
ASPIRA Bilingual CS	29.0	39.0	38.4	41.9
Central PA Digital Learning Fdn CS	31.7	48.8	39.3	46.7
Commonwealth Connections Academy CS	54.6	52.2	48.8	47.5
Education Plus Academy Cyber CS	59.0	50.0		67.9
Esperanza Cyber CS	32.7	47.7	31.7	50.7
PA Cyber CS	59.4	55.5	65.3	51.0
PA Distance Learning CS	54.7	50.9	49.2	53.9
PA Leadership CS	64.7	59.3	54.7	57.5
PA Virtual CS	67.9	63.4	64.6	49.7
Solomon CS	36.9
Susq-Cyber CS	46.4	42.4	45.5	49.3

Edward Albert, Ed.D

Executive Director 

Pennsylvania Association for Rural and Small Schools

113 Stone Hedge Court

Lebanon, Pa 17042

717 587 3521

Bill Proposes Changes to PA School Code

            Changes to the school code are part of the PA budget process. These bills will be considered once the Assembly and governor reach an agreement on revenues to support the $32B in spending. Issues being addressed include: “lunch shaming,” teacher furloughs for economic reasons, delay of the Keystone exam, more dollars for EITC, school board training, opioid instruction, develop of PA plan to meet ESSA guidelines, funds for school construction, and changes in superintendents’ contracts.

A new term has entered the educational lexicon “lunch shaming.” The bill proposes that all students regardless of ability to pay eat the advertised menu. Supposedly it is shameful to deny a product when one who has the ability to pay, does not pay. All students eat. Even if they don’t have money, schools provide a bag lunch minimum. Many schools even allow a deficit up to a certain dollar amount. No one goes hungry. However, if you want the hot lunch, you have to pay. It is a novel concept. District cafeterias cannot operate as if they are serving Popeye’s buddy, Wimpy. There is not payment on Tuesday for a burger today! School personnel call families, provide notice of direct certification for free and reduced meals, email families, and send letters home on child accounts. Child accounts may also be monitored over secure student information systems. Parents can log in and check account levels, spending levels, and add money to the account. Who is going to pay the shortfall, the state? By the way, I want to introduce a new term to the economic lexicon, “Cadillac shaming.” I will be at my nearest Cadillac dealership, ready to pick up my new ride, and pay what I want, when I want.

Currently schools can only reduce force with a drop in population or a change in programs. Economic furloughs are currently forbidden. Schools have and do lay off teachers for economic reasons. Quite simply, school districts currently “lie.” Under the guise of change in programs or drop in populations, furloughs are approved. The state has rubber stamped these requests knowing full well that the motivations for furloughs were economic. The bill proposes that the least effective teachers get furloughed first, regardless of seniority. If the state wants furloughs of the least effective teachers first, as measured by the PDE form 82-1, then schools will need protection from suit. I guarantee that the first furlough that does not follow seniority guidelines will face suit in Commonwealth court. In addition schools will need protection against federal suit. Schools could face age, race, or gender discrimination suits if the person furloughed falls into a protected class.

The bill also proposes ending the controversial Keystone Exam requirement for graduation. Just because the Keystone Exams are “going away” as a graduation requirement, doesn’t mean they are going away. School districts still need to comply with ESSA. We still have to have a “test” for accountability. I support multiple pathways to demonstrate proficiency (SAT/ACT tests, portfolio of experience, NOCTI/NIMS) and therefore qualify a student for graduation.

The proposed legislation seeks to increase the Earned Income Tax Credit program. EITC is a win-win for business and schools.  EITC gives business an opportunity to say where their tax money goes. In addition it builds partnerships between business and schools.

School Board training is an excellent idea. The bill calls for 4 hours of initial training and then 2 hours of training following each re-election. Just because you went to school doesn’t mean you are qualified to sit on the board of a multimillion dollar operation. Look at the PSBA web site. Great references on what a school board member should or should not do. If approved, PDE should partner with PSBA. Don’t waste money and reinvent the wheel.

The bill calls for a mandate on opioid education. Yes, opioid addiction is a problem and yes the bill is another unfunded mandate. Opioid education as well as education on a healthy lifestyle that refrains from the abuse of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol does need to be part of an on-going wellness curriculum within schools. Before any mandate, has PDE surveyed the 500 districts in PA and see when, where, and how opioid abuse is being addressed? Each district and the municipality served is different.  A one-size fit all mandate may not be relevant. Schools need flexibility. Any mandate needs to be supported with funding, or bag it.

The state is looking to create a political committee to create/advance the Commonwealth’s plan as it relates to ESSA. In addition to the politicians, what do the stakeholders have to say about the plan? Incorporate superintendents, principals, teachers, and parents. The more voices involved, the better the product.

Planned construction projects supported by state funding are dead. The state plans on continuing this moratorium. School buildings will continue to age. This is passing the buck to future tax payers at the expense of the educational experience of students. The state needs to pay what they currently owe on approved projects and develop a plan to move forward. How will the state and districts address the physical plant needs of the 21^st century? If the old system is bagged, what is the new system?

Finally, the legislature is looking to change the notification boards of education must give superintendents regarding renewal.  The law may reduce the timeframe for renewal from 150 to 90 days, but individual superintendents and schools should be allowed to negotiate a longer timeframe. The law can establish a minimum, but allow local decisions to determine if they want 150 or even 180 days. These jobs are not glorious and there is an ever shrinking pool of candidates.

Change is the only constant. I commend the legislature for tackling complex issues. However, if we can learn anything from the dysfunction in Washington, proposed solutions should not exacerbate the current problems. Our system of public education is imperfect.  Public educators across the state are responsible for approximately 1.6 million students. We will gladly partner with any stakeholder who wants to make changes to the system of PUBLIC education in Pennsylvania. These changes should result in greater student achievement, a greater educational experience, and a more cost efficient process. Good luck to all engaged in this conversation!

PSBA Charter School Funding and Auditing Reform

     The Pennsylvania School Boards’ Association (PSBA) recently issued a special report on charter school revenues, expenditures, and transparency. The following is a summary of that report. The thoughts and conclusions expressed below are the result of PSBA, and not original to me. I agree with their conclusions.

            Charter schools need to be held to a higher standard of accountability and transparency, equal to that of traditional public schools. More than 80% of charter school revenue comes from public tax dollars paid by sending school districts to educated students. Charter schools are not held to the same standards when it comes to auditing fiscal decisions, operational costs, and accountability.

Charter schools are also the worst offenders of failing to comply with the Right-to-Know Law, according to Terry Mutchler, Director of the Office of Open Records. Less than 54% of charter schools complied with a PSBA request without need of appeal. Another 19 charter schools failed to respond even after OOR ruled in favor of PSBA following a successful appeal.

PSBA discovered that some charter schools spend significant monies on advertising, between $150-$500 per student. Reporting the money varied. Some charter schools showed discrepancies in spending when the RtK request is compared with the IRS form 990.

The RtK request also led to concerns regarding real estate and leasing. There is a lack of consistency regarding lease agreements and expenses for charter schools. The agreements may be in the best interest of the property owners and not necessarily the charter schools.

PSBA recommends that a more through and defined state mechanism be developed to hold charter schools accountable. The accountability and transparency laws applicable to school districts should be applied to charter schools.

School districts alone cannot be responsible for ensuring that charter school operators are in compliance with state and federal regulation. Charter schools must follow the Ethics Act, Right-to-Know Law, Sunshine Law and code related to the Charter School Law. Options other than revocation of the charter need to be made available to public school districts. Local districts need to be able to hold charter schools accountable. The costs of monitoring the charter schools need to be reimbursed to the local school districts.

The current charter school funding formula has consistently resulted in school districts overpaying charter schools for special education students. Since 2009-2010, school districts have paid $327 million more in special education tuition than charter schools have reported in special education expenditures. It is supposed to be a zero sum came. Revenues should equal expenditures. Therefore, this has been a $327 million windfall for charter schools.

The current calculation of special education tuition payments only takes into account the special education expenditures of the student’s district of residence for the prior school year. The calculation does not take into account the actual costs the charter school incurs.

The charter school funding formula for special education students should be based on the same three-category formula enacted by the state legislature in 2014 a the recommendation of the special education funding commission. Special education payments should be capped and verifiable at actual per-pupil costs for each sending school district.

The current special education tuition calculation creates an inflated rate for charter schools. Charter schools should be required to annually report the school district of residence the actual costs of the special education services provided. There should be a method for charter schools to return overpayments to sending school districts.

Charter school financial operations should be studied further by a legislatively created commission. Reforms should be based on those findings. The public should have every confidence that their money is being spent effectively.

            The data from the RtK requests and charter school IRS 990 forms does not match. A number of inconsistencies exist in how charter schools report funding and expenditures. Over 40% of charter school fees to contractors on the IRS 990 forms were placed in the “other” category. Also, discrepancies between the RtK requests and the IRS 990 forms regarding leasing information and real estate interests create a barrier to understanding the true expenditures.

Administrative compensation varies widely when it comes to charter schools. Brick and mortar charter schools are spending more than 2X per pupil on administrative salaries and almost 4X as much per pupil on CEO expenditures when compared to public school districts. When any organization spends questionable amounts on management, administration, occupancy and/or advertising, it would certainly be required to defend its actions. The state must require this responsibility of all charter schools as nonprofit organizations receiving public tax dollars.

School districts need relief from charter school tuition payments. These payments represent %5 of all school districts expenditures. The tuition to cyber charter schools must account for only those costs associated with providing an online educational program. School districts are able to provide their own rigorous and comprehensive cyber education at a significantly reduced cost. Many school districts are able to provide a comprehensive online curriculum for a fraction of the cost of tuition to cyber charter schools.

The state should establish a fair and balanced commission to study and make recommendations on charter school funding and financial operations. The state needs to create a commission of stakeholders that would focus solely on the finances and financial operations. The commission must consider the difference in instructional costs in cyber charter schools from that of online academic programs provided by traditional public schools. Where school districts offer a comprehensive online curriculum, cyber charter tuition should be capped at the school district’s cost to provide online education. If the district does not offer an option, then a funding formula that reflects actual instructional costs of an online education should be establishe

Good is Still the Enemy of Great

In 2001, American society was introduced to Jim Collin’s work, Good to Great. The first and greatest takeaway from this book is that indeed good is the enemy of great. Good is not good enough.

As we prepare to launch the class of 2017, I am reminded of Collin’s mantra. I encourage the class of 2017 to be more than good. Work to be great. Collins elaborates on 7 principles that take a company from good to great. I believe these principals can take a person from good to great.

Level 5 Leadership: Leaders who are humble, but driven to do what's best for the company. The class of 2017 needs to strive to lead. Leadership is earned. Pay your dues with your work ethic. Embrace starting at the bottom and working to the top.

First Who, Then What: Get the right people on the bus, then figure out where to go. Finding the right people and trying them out in different positions. Surround yourself with successful people. Like minded individuals perform similarly. If you want to be employed, hang around people who work. If you want to be charitable, associate yourself with volunteers. Those who chose to be less than great, associate themselves with others who chose to be less than great.

Confront the Brutal Facts: The Stockdale paradox—Confront the brutal truth of the situation, yet at the same time, never give up hope. Know the hurdles you have in front of you. Also know that desire and commitment can drive you to accomplishment. Your greatness is demonstrated when you achieve. You may never cure cancer. You may never go to the NBA. Those facts do not stop you from achieving greatness. What do you have inside of you that allows you to contribute to society? Share your greatness with society! Make your community better because you are there and part of it.

Hedgehog Concept: Three overlapping circles: What lights your fire ("passion")? What could you be best in the world at ("best at")? What makes you money ("driving resource")? You are about to embark on a 47 year journey (at least) before you can retire. Find your passion. Combine your talents with your interests into a career. You should be employed for the rest of your life, but hopefully you do not have to “work.” When your passion is your employment you have a job for life but it does not feel like work.

Culture of Discipline: Rinsing the cottage cheese. Collins describes the level of commitment Dave Scott, the first six-time Ironman Triathon World Champion, had with every detail of his training. While he burned 5,000 calories a day he STILL was extremely disciplined to the point of rinsing his cottage cheese to get as much fat off of his fuel as possible. Who does that? People who find every small way to be that much better than their competition. The people who don’t see discipline as a hassle or kill-joy, rather an opportunity to be their very best. 

Technology Accelerators: Using technology to accelerate growth, within the three circles of the hedgehog concept. Use technology to your advantage. Use technology responsibly. Good to Great does not allow for social idiocy. Slamming one another, insulting one another through the anonymity of social media degrades humanity.

The Flywheel: The additive effect of many small initiatives; they act on each other like compound interest. Good to Great comes about by a cumulative process. Step by step, action by action, decision by decision, turn by turn of the flywheel adds up to sustained and spectacular results. Often organizations or people who are “overnight successes” have been working at it for years.

Never settle for less than your best. Be a leader. Remember Humorist Robert Benchley once told us, that unless you’re the lead dog, the view never changes. Confront and conquer your obstacle. You can overcome. You do not have to avoid. Be passionate! Be Great! Make the most of your blessings! Arthur Ashe reminds us that success is a journey not a destination. Find ways to be better than the competition. Technology is a tool, not a weapon. May the culminating efforts of cranking your fly wheel result in your overnight success.