Day: October 2, 2013

NEA General Counsel Bob Chanin Says Farewell

NEA General Counsel Bob Chanin Says Farewell — This video is courtesy of Lisa Esler


We have power because there are more than 3.2 million people who are willing to pay us hundreds of millions of dollars in dues each year.
— Bob Chanin

For the record, Bob, a whole lot of those dues are collected unwillingly. You end the practice of requiring the school district employing them to forcibly deduct dues from their paychecks you’ll find that most of those people stop chipping in. I guess they think you really don’t represent them all that well and don’t feel obliged to pay for your one-percenter lifestyles and support for extremist social policy.

NEA General Counsel Bob Chanin Says Farewell

Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Bill Tabled

Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Bill Tabled — House Bill 1538, the bill that would allow counties, municipal governments and school districts
to opt out of Pennsylvania’s onerous prevailing wage requirements, was tabled, yesterday, Oct. 1. Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Bill Tabled

A spokeswoman for State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-12), one of the more responsible political figures in Harrisburg, says the bill is not dead however.

The prevailing wage law, which requires labor cost to be be paid at a
rate set by the state for most public construction projects,  adds 20 percent to the cost of these projects according to Commonwealth Foundation.

Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Bill Tabled by House

HB 1718 Pushes Online Courses

HB 1718 would create a database of online courses in Pennsylvania

Legislation was introduced last week to create a clearinghouse of online courses for students in public schools, nonpublic schools and home education programs, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129). The bill seeks to offer greater course choice, enrich educational opportunities and offer a more customized learning experience for Pennsylvania students.

House Bill 1718, the Online Education Initiative, would make the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)  establish a database of online courses available to public schools in the Commonwealth. Sixth through 12th graders would have the chance to choose courses selected by their school district.

The bill ensures school districts have maximum flexibility to develop their own courses, contract with online course providers and/or use courses available on the clearinghouse.

The bill has been referred to the House Education Committee for consideration.

HB 1718 Pushes Online Courses

HB 1718 Pushes Online Courses