State legislators must pass a state budget by June 30. Tell them that public school students need help - not big corporations.
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6/14/2013
PSEA released Sounding the Alarm 2 on June 14, which details the impact of three years of funding cuts under Gov. Tom Corbett’s administration, and encourages lawmakers to levy fair corporate taxes so that Pennsylvania has the revenue necessary to start restoring the governor’s unprecedented school funding cuts. More »
6/14/2013
A new report shows that Gov. Tom Corbett's unprecedented school funding cuts are pushing Pennsylvania school districts deeper into distress, forcing them to cut key student programs. More »
6/5/2013
Recipients of PSEA's 2013 Adler Friend of Education Award and PSEA Human & Civil Rights Awards were honored at PSEA's Celebrating Excellence Dinner on May 16. More »
5/30/2013
Gov. Tom Corbett's pension plan fails the tests that any legitimate pension reform proposal must pass before it should be taken seriously by the General Assembly, said PSEA Vice President Jerry Oleksiak at a May 29 pension hearing. More »
5/29/2013
PSEA joins Pennsylvania and the nation to celebrate National Nurses Day on May 6 and National Nurses Week, May 6-12. More »
5/8/2013
Dawn Marshall, a high school science teacher in the Greater Nanticoke School District, was thrilled to be invited to a press conference with Gov. Tom Corbett. More »
5/8/2013
PSEA celebrates National School Nurse Day, May 8, 2013. If you think school nursing is all about flu shots, Band-Aids, and record-keeping, you haven't been inside a school lately. More »
5/8/2013
Even after taking three months to modify and find legislative sponsors for his pension proposal, Gov. Tom Corbett's plan is still more costly to taxpayers, dramatically reduces retirement payments for teachers, nurses, and law enforcement officers, and is unconstitutional. More »
5/7/2013
PSEA joins the NEA, the PTA, students, communities, and the nation in celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6-10, and National Teacher Day on May 7.
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5/3/2013
As PSEA members, there's a fast, easy way to receive PSEA action alerts, Member Benefits discounts, education news, and the latest updates on the fight to stop Gov. Tom Corbett's attacks on public employee pensions. You can find it on Facebook. More »
4/24/2013
This year, continuing to face financial crisis, the Allentown School District proposed the elimination of 144 additional teaching positions. The proposed cuts would eliminate elementary art, music, library and physical education, reduce middle school arts and physical education by half, and drastically increase class sizes at all levels. English as a Second Language support would be reduced. More »
4/18/2013
Earth Day is April 22. Earth Day has become a worldwide event - reminding people of the importance of taking care of the planet by "going green." The NEA and other groups have developed a variety of resources to help Pennsylvania schools bring Earth Day into the classroom. More »
4/16/2013
Gov. Tom Corbett's administration renewed efforts to persuade news media that the governor's ill-conceived changes proposed to current public workers' pensions would not violate the state Constitution. More »
3/27/2013
PSEA is a proud co-sponsor of this year's National Healthy Schools Day: Tuesday, April 30. This event is a national partnership campaign for indoor air quality in schools coordinated by Healthy Schools Network with the US EPA and the Council of Educational Facility Planners-International. More »
3/21/2013
Testifying on school safety issues before the state Senate Education and Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committees, PSEA President Mike Crossey said students learn best when they are in safe learning environments, and recommended several policies to achieve this goal for all public school students. More »
3/1/2013
Lawmakers should make restoring Gov. Tom Corbett's nearly $1 billion in public school funding cuts a priority in this year's state budget, said PSEA President Mike Crossey. More »
2/27/2013
Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community each March 1, celebrating the birthday of the beloved Dr. Seuss. More »
2/26/2013
Due to inclement winter weather, PSEA committee meetings scheduled for this weekend, February 22-23, 2013, in PSEA Headquarters and nearby hotels, have been cancelled. More »
2/22/2013
Gov. Tom Corbett's proposal to privatize state liquor stores and use that one-time revenue for the public schools is just another part of his plan to use students as bargaining chips to push his political agenda. More »
2/13/2013
Once again, Pennsylvania educators were represented at the State of the Union Address, as Ryan Devlin, member of Brockway Education Association and Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year attended the address as a guest seated in the gallery. More »
2/12/2013
PSEA's online School Funding Cuts Calculator helps show Pennsylvanians how two years of Gov. Tom Corbett's nearly $1 billion in public school funding cuts has impacted the school districts where they live. More »
2/7/2013
March is National Women's History Month. To help you commemorate the Women's Rights Movement and the achievements of women throughout our country's history, PSEA has compiled lesson plans, educational resources, and other information to bring Women's History Month into the classroom. More »
2/6/2013
Gov. Tom Corbett introduced his state budget proposal on Tuesday, Feb. 5. The governor launched an attack on school employee pensions, outlining a series of unconstitutional changes that won't save taxpayer money, but will reduce pension benefits for current and future school employees. More »
2/5/2013
For the third consecutive year, Gov. Tom Corbett proposed a state budget that fails Pennsylvania's students, ignores the school funding crisis he created, and uses public school students as bargaining chips to achieve an ideological agenda. More »
2/5/2013
February is Black History Month. PSEA joins the NEA and the nation in commemorating African-American history and culture. More »
2/1/2013
PSEA President Mike Crossey released a Jan. 30 statement on Gov. Tom Corbett’s liquor privatization scheme. More »
1/30/2013
Help end verbal bullying in schools by participating in national No Name Calling Week, January 23-27. Find lesson plans, fact sheets, and other resources for students and educators. More »
1/30/2013
As educators, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and siblings, each of us is experiencing heartache and sorrow following the tragedy that took the lives of 20 children and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. More »
1/29/2013
Recent reports about Gov. Tom Corbett's plans for his Feb. 5 budget address to the General Assembly show that he is trying to force legislators to make a false choice about the Commonwealth's spending priorities. More »
1/28/2013
Recently, anti-union groups renewed their attacks on the rights of teacher and public employees, introducing a package of 'Right to Work' bills in the PA House of Representatives. More »
1/25/2013
"The State of Working Pennsylvania 2012," a report by the Keystone Research Center, shows that from 2000 to 2010, worker productivity increased 30 percent, while the median income of a four-person household declined by more than $6,000. More »
1/23/2013
PSEA President Mike Crossey reacted to the Keystone Pension Report, released Monday, Nov. 26 by Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget secretary, Charles Zogby. More »
1/3/2013
A recent survey shows that nearly $1 billion in Gov. Tom Corbett’s state funding cuts continue to wreak havoc on Pennsylvania’s school districts, forcing them to dramatically reduce or eliminate student programs at the same time that the state’s academic expectations are increasing. More »
1/2/2013
PSEA congratulates Ryan Devlin, member of Brockway Education Association, for receiving the honor of Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year. More »
12/13/2012
Michigan legislators used a "lame duck" session to push through bills that will hurt hardworking American families and attack unions. The legislation is a bad policy designed to hurt unions and collective bargaining. More »
12/13/2012
Across Pennsylvania, PSEA members are talking about the consequences Gov. Tom Corbett’s unprecedented school funding cuts are having on the students they teach. Through the Kids, Cuts, and Consequences project, PSEA members are sharing their stories and describing the impact of these devastating cuts. More »
11/21/2012
Wednesday, Nov. 14 is Education Support Professionals Day, part of American Education Week. PSEA recognizes the dedication, hard work, and contributions of ESP members, and thanks each of them for their invaluable service to Pennsylvania students. More »
11/15/2012
PSEA joins the nation to celebrate American Education Week, a week recognizing the importance of providing every child in America with a quality public education. We must all do our part in making public schools great. 2012 marks the 91st anniversary of American Education Week. More »
11/13/2012
Pennsylvania state Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis owes parents, students, and educators an explanation about why he relaxed academic standards for charter schools without federal approval while targets for traditional public schools have increased dramatically. More »
10/18/2012
“Bullying prevention must occur each and every day,” Crossey said. “Any type of bullying is unacceptable and any incident must be taken seriously by students, educators, staff, administrators, parents, and members of the community.” More »
10/11/2012
PSEA President Mike Crossey issued an October 2 statement regarding the Commonwealth Court’s decision to postpone the Pennsylvania Voter ID law. More »
10/2/2012
“The Corbett administration released Pennsylvania’s PSSA test scores for the 2011-12 school year and tried to blame a slight drop in statewide scores on a miniscule number of schools in which there have been allegations of cheating on the tests,” said PSEA President Mike Crossey. More »
9/21/2012
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 by recognizing the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the United States and celebrating Hispanic heritage and culture. More »
9/19/2012
This November, PSEA members have a chance to “Stand Together’’ and support pro-public education candidates who will work to stop bad policies and fix the crisis in public schools. More »
9/12/2012
The arts take center stage this week, as the nation celebrates the second annual Arts in Education Week. PSEA joins the nation in celebrating the importance of the arts in education. More »
9/11/2012
With state funding cuts forcing school districts to eliminate more than 14,000 educators, Pennsylvania’s school-age children will see fewer teachers, larger classes, and fewer electives and tutoring opportunities for struggling students in their schools and classrooms. More »
8/28/2012
Any proposed changes to Pennsylvania’s public employee pension systems will have to measure up to the savings already achieved in reforms enacted two years ago, with the passage of Act 120 of 2010. That’s the message delivered from PSEA President Michael Crossey, commenting on the joint hearing of the House State Government and Finance committees on pension legislation, held August 14 at the state Capitol. More »
8/14/2012
Marc Kornfeld, longtime friend and colleague, passed away on August 5, 2012. More »
8/7/2012
A recent survey of school district officials confirms what educators, parents, and students already know: State budget cuts are hurting our schools - and things are getting worse. More »
7/9/2012
More than 700 members from across Pennsylvania traveled to Harrisburg to advocate for Pennsylvania’s public schools. They visited their legislators. And they crammed the rotunda for one of the loudest and largest events held there this year. More »
6/30/2012
PSEA President Mike Crossey issued the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act. More »
6/29/2012
In a June 27 statement, PSEA President Mike Crossey pointed to significant improvements in a teacher evaluation proposal poised to be considered by the General Assembly. More »
6/27/2012
Hundreds of corporations are paying nothing in state taxes. At the same time, the public schools are cutting programs that work for our students, laying off teachers and support professionals, and increasing property taxes. More »
6/22/2012
A good first step Senate budget proposal rejects Corbett “block grants” and restores some education funding The state Senate took a first step toward addressing the school funding crisis by proposing a budget that rejects Gov. Tom Corbett’s plan to More »
5/10/2012
Once again, Gov. Corbett’s unprecedented school funding cuts in Pennsylvania make national news. York City EA President Kim Schwarz recently appeared on MSNBC’s The Ed Show to discuss the impact of these cuts in York City School District. More »
5/3/2012
Gov. Tom Corbett’s plan to fund Pennsylvania’s public schools with “block grants” will shortchange students, let political deals drive state funding, and force local school districts and communities to solve the $1 billion crisis that state funding cuts have caused, according to PSEA President Mike Crossey. More »
4/30/2012
A new study by the Keystone Research Center found that Pennsylvania school districts that contract with private bus operators end up spending more taxpayer dollars on transportation than those that manage their own bus fleets. More »
4/25/2012
Ending a corporate tax break and restoring a successful education program can begin to reverse Gov. Tom Corbett’s unprecedented funding cuts to Pennsylvania’s public schools. More »
4/5/2012
A toxic mixture of state special education and charter school laws and more than $23 million in funding cuts are violating the civil rights of Chester Upland School District’s 700 special needs students. More »
3/12/2012
Across Pennsylvania, the reality of unprecedented school funding cuts is forcing dramatic cuts to student programs and pushing a growing number of public schools to the financial brink, according to a new PSEA report that documents the root causes of a growing financial crisis and details the consequences that confront students every day. More »
3/12/2012
To help Pennsylvanians understand how two years of Gov. Tom Corbett’s school funding cuts affect their local school districts, PSEA created a School Funding Cuts Calculator, now available on PSEA.org and SavePASchools.org. More »
3/12/2012
PA Dept. of Education Secretary Ron Tomalis’ testimony before the House Appropriations Committee on March 5 ignored the fact that school districts across Pennsylvania are cutting programs that work for their students because of nearly $1 billion in state funding cuts. More »
3/5/2012
First, Gov. Tom Corbett tried to limit his discussions of overall state education funding to the basic education subsidy for K-12 schools, since he supplied more state money for that item than previous budgets did. But education groups kept noting that he cut lots of other things that the state used to provide along with the subsidy: $429 million that Corbett did not supply last year for tutoring, charter school reimbursements and block grants were the primary items. More »
3/1/2012
More than 150 parents, teachers, school board members, community leaders, and legislators gathered at the South Fayette High School Theatre on Feb. 29 and said "I’m a Partner." More »
3/1/2012
Pennsylvania Education Secretary Ron Tomalis in his testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Feb. 27 offered no real plan to support school districts spiraling into financial distress. More »
2/27/2012
Gov. Tom Corbett, two days after chiding critics for saying he cut state funding for the K-12 public basic education formula, made an admission. He said his administration had cut overall state funding for K-12 public schools in the current budget. More »
2/15/2012
Career and technical education plays an important role in preparing students for jobs after graduation or furthering their post-secondary education. More »
2/15/2012
Using a complicated fiscal shell game to “redesign school and district” basic education funding, Gov. Tom Corbett's state budget proposal represents an unwise experiment that will cause chaos in the public schools and eliminate research-tested, classroom-proven programs. More »
2/15/2012
Pennsylvania educators know what works in schools and classrooms, on the school bus, and in the cafeteria. That is why PSEA proposed its Solutions That Work initiative. Solutions That Work includes research-based approaches like full-day kindergarten, parent involvement, and tutoring initiatives. More »
2/3/2012
PSEA President Mike Crossey stood with state Representative Eugene DePasquale (D-95) to support legislation he will introduce to invest in struggling school districts where students need proven, effective programs and the resources to fund them. More »
2/1/2012
The Corbett Administration finally agreed to provide the financially-strapped Chester Upland School District with the funds it needs to keep its doors open, but the governor's unprecedented, draconian state funding cuts are wreaking havoc in school districts across the state. More »
1/26/2012
Sara C. Ferguson, a teacher from the Chester Upland School District said she is honored to accept President Barack Obama’s invitation to be the president’s distinguished guest for the State of the Union address. More »
1/24/2012
Leaders of the school employee unions representing teachers and support staff in the Chester Upland School District released a January 23 statement thanking state legislators who worked to secure an agreement with Gov. Tom Corbett to avert the district’s looming financial crisis. More »
1/23/2012
The Chester Upland School District in Delaware County, Pennsylvania is in the midst of extreme economic crisis. On January 17, a federal judge approved a plan for the state to advance $3.2 million in state allocations to the district that it had been scheduled to get later in the year. The amount should be enough to allow the district to make payroll and meet expenses for a few more weeks. More »
1/23/2012
Delaware County's Chester Upland School District is on the verge of financial collapse. In June, its state funding was cut by $8.4 million, a 14 percent reduction in state aid. By December, the school distirct was virtually out of money, unable to meet its payroll and pay its bills. District officials asked the governor for an advance on the district's subsidy payments, but his education secretary refused. More »
1/20/2012
As school districts struggle to compile their FY 2012-2013 budgets, the school funding crisis caused by Gov. Tom Corbett’s unprecedented $860 million in public school funding cuts is getting worse and forcing districts to cut more essential programs that help students succeed. More »
1/10/2012
On December 14, the state House of Representatives abandoned efforts to pass Gov. Corbett's tuition voucher plan, hearing the concerns of two-thirds of Pennsylvanians who oppose this bad policy. Shortly after, state representatives voted down a charter expansion bill by a vote of 105-90. More »
12/15/2011
In September 2011, Terry Madonna Opinion Research conducted a survey of Pennsylvanians. The survey asked for opinions about a variety of education reform initiatives. Find out what Pennsylvanians said. More »
12/14/2011
The state Senate passed legislation that includes a program to provide tax-funded tuition vouchers to students attending private and religious schools. The program would cost Pennsylvania taxpayers more than $200 million by 2013-14. The bill now moves to the state House for consideration. More »
11/30/2011
Students in Chris Meyer’s 7th grade classroom refer to it as the “Day of the Waterfall.” They were taking a test when the rain outside came pouring through a light fixture in the ceiling. The water hit the exposed wires and sparks flew as the students were sitting in collected puddles of water. More »
11/29/2011
As Gov. Tom Corbett redoubles his attacks on public education in the final days of the General Assembly’s fall session, PSEA President Mike Crossey strongly cautions legislators that these proposals will hurt Pennsylvania’s public school students and drain resources from public schools still reeling from $860 million in funding cuts. More »
11/21/2011
On November 8, Ohio residents overwhelmingly voted to repeal a law aimed at slashing the benefits and bargaining rights of nearly 400,000 public employees. Reacting to the news, PSEA President Mike Crossey urged the Commonwealth's policymakers to abandon Gov. Tom Corbett's legislative initiatives that the public strongly opposes. More »
11/9/2011
President Obama invited a group of NEA members, education activists, and stakeholders from across the country to attend a working meeting on education jobs and school modernization. More »
11/3/2011
Pennsylvanians strongly support investing in tutoring students, reducing class sizes and making schools safer. By a similarly wide margin, Pennsylvanians oppose creating a taxpayer-funded voucher system for private and religious schools. More »
10/28/2011
PSEA Vice President Jerry Oleksiak and members of the York City EA, York City ESP, and PSEA-Retired welcomed Vice President Joe Biden to Goode Elementary School on October 18 as he rallied support for the American Jobs Act, which would invest as much as $1.15 billion in Pennsylvania's public schools and support 14,000 education jobs. More »
10/28/2011
Citing overwhelming public opposition to expensive, untested tuition voucher schemes and to Gov. Tom Corbett’s $860 million in public school funding cuts, PSEA strongly opposes Senate Bill 1, which includes a voucher program with an estimated cost of hundreds of millions of dollars. More »
10/24/2011
When Gov. Corbett went to the Lincoln Edison Charter School in York to unveil a set of education "reform" ideas that would divert even more money from the public schools, PSEA-Retired President Sue Jones and a group of PSEA-Retired members were there to meet him. More »
10/17/2011
Teachers, taxpayers and parents want real education reforms that are proven to work for all of Pennsylvania’s students, not initiatives to drain more tax dollars from public schools. Research-backed education reforms, coupled with adequate and equitable resources, will do more to improve student achievement than the initiatives outlined by Gov. Tom Corbett at an October 11 news conference in York, PA. More »
10/11/2011
Student achievement results for the 2010-2011 school year released September 29 by the Pennsylvania Department of Education confirm what educators already know: investments in proven educational methods work for students. More »
9/30/2011
What if Pennsylvania had a valuable natural resource our elected officials weren't tapping? Marcellus Shale? Coal? Iron ore?
No. Something even more valuable. People. Education professionals. More »
9/26/2011
Some members of the state House of Representatives are making a push to pass new legislation to allow the state to award charters to for-profit companies to take over hundreds of public schools, diverting even more funding from programs that our students need. More »
9/26/2011
As Pennsylvania children start the new school year, they are finding fewer teachers and school staff, larger class sizes, reduced course offerings, outdated textbooks, reduced opportunities for extra help, and cuts to and fees charged for extracurricular activities. More »
9/15/2011
For a guy who never intended to become a teacher, Mike Crossey has become as much a part of the public education landscape as a yellow school bus ambling down a country road. More »
9/12/2011
No one needs to be reminded of the tough times we’re facing. As school districts announce furloughs and program cuts, PSEA members who receive furlough notices, and their families, know what these tough times mean. We continue to face challenging times, but PSEA is here to help. More »
9/8/2011
If we want to improve the performance of our public schools, we should cut school funding. And we should make really big cuts in our most challenged schools. Really? Does someone really believe this? Sadly, yes. The Corbett administration recently cut public school funding by $860 million - with unprecedented cuts that hit Pennsylvania’s struggling schools the hardest. More »
8/19/2011
The history of organized labor in the United States and the history of our Association is filled with compelling, important stories. These stories not only show where we’ve been, but illustrate the tremendous power of unions, solidarity, and collective action. PSEA tells these stories through words, images, and video at www.psea.org/history. More »
8/17/2011
PSEA President Jim Testerman questioned how Gov. Tom Corbett’s administration could support an expensive new entitlement program after cutting public school funding by $860 million in this year’s state budget. More »
8/3/2011
PSEA honors longtime colleague Gary Smith, who passed away July 17, 2011, after a year-long battle with cancer. He worked for PSEA for 17 years, in a variety of positions, most recently as PSEA’s Region Field Director for Mideastern Region. More »
7/21/2011
The misguided attempt to dismantle the PA Wine and Spirits Shops would cost more than 5,000 Pennsylvanians their jobs and badly-needed revenue that now funds vital state programs, the leaders of the PA Coalition for Labor Engagement and Accountable Revenues (CLEAR) said in a recent public statement. More »
7/18/2011
Governor Tom Corbett’s refusal to reduce unprecedented funding cuts to K-12 public education will have lasting consequences for Pennsylvania’s 1.8 million public school students. The 2011-2012 state budget includes $860 million in cuts to K-12 public education, in part because the governor insisted on maintaining more than $500 million of Pennsylvania’s growing revenue surplus in a state reserve fund More »
7/15/2011
PSEA-Retired members know that retiring from your job doesn't mean you retire from PSEA and the important activities of your Association. These retired educators value their membership, and play an active role in PSEA and the future of public education. More »
7/15/2011
The research speaks for itself - Pennsylvania schools are among the best in the nation - and so are our educators. Educators and education support professionals deliver the power of a great education in PA schools and classrooms every day. But a new proposal released by the PA Department of Education would make students’ standardized test scores a major part of teacher evaluation. More »
6/14/2011
On June 6, PSEA unveiled Solutions that Work, a comprehensive blueprint for change in public education, at a press briefing at the organization's Harrisburg headquarters. More »
6/6/2011
PSEA President James P. Testerman urges Senate members and budget negotiators to use the Commonwealth’s growing revenue surplus to prevent devastating state funding cuts to Pennsylvania’s public schools. More »
5/25/2011
The House of Representatives is due this week to vote on a state budget. PSEA urges lawmakers to vote against a budget that slashes funds for public schools and other programs serving Pennsylvania’s children and most vulnerable citizens. More »
5/23/2011
PSEA member delegates representing their colleagues at the May 2011 PSEA House of Delegates in Philadelphia voted to elect Michael J. Crossey, a teacher from the Keystone Oaks School District, to a two-year term as PSEA president, beginning Sept. 1. More »
5/16/2011
The Governor’s proposed $1.2 billion in public school funding cuts is the problem that he should focus on solving, rather than creating a taxpayer-funded tuition voucher program for private schools, the president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association said today. More »
5/12/2011
Legislation that would permit furloughs of teachers for economic reasons could be improved with language establishing a “trigger” mechanism to minimize adverse effects on students. More »
5/10/2011
Nearly 5,000 Pennsylvanians - including nearly 1,000 PSEA members and staff - attended the May 3 Rally for a Responsible Budget on the Capitol steps in Harrisburg. More »
5/9/2011
A torrential downpour and lightning didn’t drown out the roaring message from more than 250 PSEA Central Region members and other public education supporters Tuesday as they joined in solidarity to attend a “Public Education: We Are One” Rally at Talleyrand Park in Bellefonte. More »
4/27/2011
Across the state, local associations are preparing for the PSEA Week of Action - April 25 to 29. But locals like Allegheny County’s Steel Valley EA already have their plans in full swing. Steel Valley’s 153 members know what Governor Tom Corbett’s proposed $1.2 billion in school cuts means to their schools and students – and they are working hard to T.E.A.C.H. him. More »
4/20/2011
A new opinion poll makes it clear - Pennsylvanians oppose proposals to create a tax-funded tuition voucher scheme. PSEA President Jim Testerman said today’s release of findings from Terry Madonna Opinion Research shows that by a wide margin, the citizens of Pennsylvania do not like the idea of a state-funded program for some parents to enroll their children in private, parochial or religious schools. More »
4/11/2011
An unprecedented $1 billion in funding cuts to public school classrooms would reverse years of significant academic gains, forcing school districts to increase property taxes and eliminate programs that work in order to balance their budgets. More »
4/6/2011
PSEA President Jim Testerman released a March 16 statement responding to Gov. Tom Corbett’s call for school employees to consider a one-year pay freeze. More »
3/16/2011
Across the nation, school employees' and public employees' rights to organize and collectively bargain are under attack. Learn more about what's happening and how you can show your support for workers' rights. More »
3/4/2011
PSEA resolution supports Wisconsin Education Association Consortium The PSEA Board of Directors unanimously passed a resolution supporting the members of the Wisconsin Education Association Consortium and all Wisconsin union members, whose rights to collectively bargain are being threatened by their governor More »
2/26/2011
The tuition voucher program proposed in the State Senate could cost as much as $1 billion and could do lasting damage in Pennsylvania public schools. More »
2/17/2011
Hailing from Abington School District and this year’s recipient of the PSEA ESP of the Year Award, Cynthia Begley began her career with the school district more than 12 years ago. More »
2/1/2011
Abington EA member Jeffery Chou will represent Pennsylvania as 2011 Teacher of the Year. Chou teaches 6th grade at Highlands Elementary School in the Abington School District in Montgomery County. More »
2/1/2011
The Pennsylvania Department of Education recently finalized the changes it is making to its review of Master’s Equivalency (MEQ) applications. At issue is PDE’s interpretation of the following longstanding language from Chapter 49. More »
1/5/2011
Pertussis, also called “whooping cough,” is a highly contagious but treatable disease affecting the lungs and air passages. The infection is spread through the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs. As cases continue to appear in schools and classrooms across Pennsylvania, it's important to learn about the disease and how to prevent it. More »
1/3/2011
Show your support for public schools by wearing red on January 4. More »
1/3/2011
PSEA members deliver the power of a great education for students, working in our schools and classrooms. In 2010, more than 100,000 members went even further, SPEAKING UP for PA kids and schools at every opportunity. PSEA members’ e-mails, telephone calls, post cards, and visits to lawmaker offices helped to make achieve historic victories for children and public education.
More »
1/3/2011
World AIDS Day, observed every December 1, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV. More »
12/1/2010
Thanks to a bipartisan problem-solving approach by state lawmakers, a serious fiscal problem confronting Pennsylvania’s public employee pension systems won’t have to wait for action until next year. More »
11/19/2010
PSEA believes that all Pennsylvania workers deserve a living wage. PSEA recently premiered a new tool in our campaign to help education support professionals earn a living wage. The video featuring PSEA members talking about the importance of a living wage. More »
11/15/2010
The leaders of the state House of Representatives should pay attention to legislators who want to return to session this week to pass pension reform and other important legislation. More »
11/8/2010
'Waiting for Superman' will reach Pennsylvania movie theaters in October. The film raises important issues - but a 90-minute film cannot cover the thoughtful and more meaningful conversations all of us must have to improve public education. More »
11/2/2010
Education documentary 'Waiting for Superman' is now playing in Pennsylvania movie theaters. The film purports to analyze the failures of the American public education system by following several students. It's gotten a lot of attention: Time Magazine, Education Week, The Nation, and other national publications have covered the film extensively. The issue was a focus of the Oprah Winfrey Show and NBC's Education Nation Teacher Townhall. More »
11/1/2010
NEA Today caught up with actor Tony Danza to talk with him about his year teaching sophomore English at Northeast High School in Philadelphia. Danza discussed everything from the public dialogue about education and teachers, to what it’s like to tackle the demands of teaching in front of a camera crew. More »
10/4/2010
Members of HealthCare-PSEA have a new, virtual place to call home. HealthCarePSEA.org features news and resources for current members, and information for health care employees across the state. More »
9/22/2010
PSEA President Jim Testerman called on the state Senate not to repeat the mistakes of the past, and to pass a responsible pension reform measure when the lawmakers return to Harrisburg this week. More »
9/20/2010
Thanks to the support of Pennsylvania state government and taxpayers, and the hard work of educators, public schools are continuing to demonstrate strong academic achievement. More »
9/15/2010
PSEA honors longtime colleague John Clark, who passed away September 2, 2010. More »
9/3/2010
Thanks to the federal stimulus funds, aid to help students in struggling schools is on the way. The PA Department of Education Thursday announced that Pennsylvania schools will share in $101 million in grants designed to raise student achievement. More »
8/27/2010
PSEA President Jim Testerman expressed surprise that the federal government did not select Pennsylvania as a recipient for Race to the Top, the federal competitive grant program intended to encourage education innovation. More »
8/24/2010
Buying a new cell phone, new accessories, or paying for current cell phone service could be more affordable for members who take advantage of a new discount opportunity exclusively for PSEA members. More »
8/3/2010
Studies in recent years have shown what teachers have long contended: There is a link between smaller class sizes and student achievement. Reduced class sizes enable teachers to provide more individualized instruction. Studies show students in smaller classes during their elementary years tend to take more advanced courses in high school, and are more likely to graduate in the top 10 percent of their high school class. More »
8/1/2010
Each school day, Pennsylvania’s school nurses face the stressful potential of pinballing back and forth between schools in order to safeguard students’ health. The Pennsylvania School Code requires just one certified school nurse for every 1,500 students, making travel between several buildings a daily possibility for PSEA school nurse members More »
7/21/2010
Critics of public education have latched on to a few well-honed political sound bites that unfortunately often get repeated by the news media without proper vetting. Such was the case with the recent editorial, “State ignores school waste: Good money after bad.’’ Spreading misperceptions and half-truths does an injustice to all involved in public education, but particularly to the many fine students in Pennsylvania schools. More »
7/12/2010
PSEA President Jim Testerman commended elected officials for a $250 million increase for basic education in the 2010-11 state budget, saying it will help protect against deep cuts in the public schools and will help Pennsylvania’s students continue their achievement gains. More »
6/30/2010
School funding cuts, education layoffs, and cuts to school employee pensions would hurt everyone – schools, students, and communities. In the heat of the budget battle, PSEA members made sure legislators hear that message. More »
6/23/2010
PSEA and AFT-PA support House Bill 2497 - bipartisan legislation to address the Commonwealth’s pension crisis by refinancing employer contributions and restructuring benefits for employees. More »
6/18/2010
Amidst student teaching, preparing for final exams, and juggling the typical student schedule, more than 350 future teachers traveled to Reading, PA to attend the 2010 Student PSEA Conference and Convention. Attendees found a wide variety of workshops, including classroom management, leadership, technology, student achievement, culture and diversity, and surviving the first year of teaching. More »
5/20/2010
Each May, PSEA and the NEA join the national celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. We take time to recognize the special contributions of people of Asian and Pacific-Island heritage. The lessons here introduce students to famous Asian Americans and explore their origins and their literature. More »
5/10/2010
The nomination of Tom Gluck, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, as the next state Secretary of Education, is a wise decision, according to PSEA President Jim Testerman. More »
4/26/2010
The goal of becoming a teacher was made a little bit easier for five future educators, thanks to PSEA. Five Student PSEA members and two high school students have won this year’s Lucy A. Valero Scholarships. More »
4/23/2010
The employees of the Young Scholars of Central Pennsylvania Charter School in State College voted on March 29 to unionize with the Pennsylvania State Education Association. The new union includes teachers, speech and language therapists, guidance counselors, librarians, teacher aides, custodians, and secretaries. More »
3/30/2010
Although Pennsylvania came up short in the initial bid to receive federal funds for school improvement in the Race to the Top grant program, kudos should go to all from the Keystone State who participated in the application process, said PSEA President Jim Testerman. More »
3/29/2010
Paraprofessionals in the Clairton School District, Western Region, understand the importance of organizing. Employees voted Yes on March 25 to form a union with PSEA. The Clairton Education Support Professionals has a potential of adding new PSEA members. More »
3/26/2010
The fight to protect our PSERS pension fund likely will continue through much of 2010. When moving forward, it’s important to understand where we’ve been. To help, PSEA has created an animation to help explain the current debate More »
3/24/2010
On March 23 the PA House of Representatives made an important statement on behalf of Pennsylvania’s public schools. With bipartisan support, the House approved a $354 million increase for basic education in the budget proposal now forwarded to the PA Senate.
More »
3/23/2010
The Obama Administration this weekend unveiled its "blueprint" proposal for reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (also referred to as No Child Left Behind). The result is a disappointing outline for more of the same focus on testing, according to NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. As a result, the NEA cannot support the plan as released. More »
3/18/2010
The presidents of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO and PSEA signaled the beginning of a new, stronger bond, signing historic agreement to allow for greater solidarity and advocacy on behalf of working Pennsylvanians. More »
3/9/2010
After a two-year battle, the Williamsport Area Education Support Professional Association (WAESPA), applauds a decision by the PA Labor Relations Board (PLRB) which calls on the Williamsport Area School District to rescind its contract with a private bus company and to reinstate the 38 former WAESPA drivers with back pay. More »
3/5/2010
An increase in state funds for the 2010-11 fiscal year is critical to achieve Pennsylvania’s goal of strong schools, successful children and vibrant communities. More »
2/9/2010
On January 7, PSEA released a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive document that uses educational research and decades of practice to outline what really makes a difference for students and quality education. More »
1/8/2010
The National Education Association (NEA) Academy has partnered with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the nation's premier civil rights/human relations agency, to offer the NEA's 3.2 million members access to the ADL's online professional development tool, Making Diversity Count. More »
12/23/2009
PSEA President Jim Testerman on December 16 delivered a a clear message to state lawmakers: protect public school employee pensions. More »
12/16/2009
PSEA Retired is collecting donations for the NEA Retired Jack Kinnaman Memorial Scholarship, and you can make a difference in the life of a future educator with your donation. More »
12/2/2009
Recommendations for protecting schools from exposure to H1N1 in the upcoming school year focus on minimizing exposure, not closing schools. More »
11/30/2009
On November 16, food service workers in Perkiomen Valley School District voted to organize with PSEA, joining the Perkiomen Valley Maintenance/Custodial Association. More »
11/25/2009
On October 31, the Reading Education Association Community Committee and several partnering organizations held a seminar titled “Together In Support Of Our Exceptional Children” at the Hopewell Mennonite Church in Reading, PA. More than 75 educators, parents, administrators and community partners attended the event. More »
11/13/2009
PSEA submitted a formal response to the U.S. Department of Education’s proposed guidelines for the “Race to the Top” competitive incentive grant program to states, recommending changes that encourage states to adopt research-based reforms in public education. More »
11/13/2009
For PSEA members who work as school nurses, health care aides, public health care workers and hospital nurses, the surge of H1N1 cases this fall in schools and hospitals has made their jobs more stressful and hectic as they struggle to meet the demands of more sick students and patients, along with growing concerns about a possible pandemic. More »
11/9/2009
Southern Tioga school employees, including secretaries, paraprofessionals, nurse aides, cafeteria workers, and custodial and maintenance workers voted on October 29 to unionize with PSEA. More »
11/4/2009
Michelle Switala, Treasurer of the Pine Richland EA and mathematics teacher at Pine Richland High School delivers the power of a great education through her work in the classroom and for her local association. On October 27, her contributions and excellence in the classroom were recognized across the state when PA Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak announced Switala as Pennsylvania's 2010 Teacher of the Year. More »
10/29/2009
Urge Senator Specter and your representative in Congress to support the Employee Free Choice Act. This important, bipartisan legislation, protects workers' rights to organize and join a union without harassment or retaliation from employers. More »
10/21/2009
On October 14, the education support professionals in the Jefferson Morgan School District in Southwestern Region voted to form a union with PSEA. More »
10/16/2009
PSEA commends the General Assembly and the Governor for making Pennsylvania schoolchildren a priority in the 2009-10 budget and for keeping their commitment to full and fair funding of Pennsylvania’s 500 public schools by 2014. More »
10/10/2009
On September 24, three groups of education employees in Belle Vernon School District and Bristol Borough School District voted to form unions with PSEA. More »
10/9/2009
The selection of a Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year focuses public attention on excellence in teaching within the Commonwealth. By honoring an exemplary member of the profession, we are highlighting the contributions of thousands of dedicated educators. The Pennsylvania More »
10/6/2009
At a September 22 Northwestern Region Executive Committee meeting, PSEA members representing locals throughout the Region pledged support for the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, advancing technology that could cure cancer. More »
10/1/2009
Power comes from unity. That was the message delivered by NEA President Dennis Van Roekel when became the first NEA President to address the national AFL-CIO convention. More »
9/16/2009
Despite a rainy, dreary Labor Day on Sept. 7, PSEA members proudly participated in a celebration of American labor. PSEA Vice President Mike Crossey led a group of PSEA members and their families wearing black and gold "UNION STRONG" T-shirts to march in the 25th Labor Day parade in Pittsburgh. More »
9/8/2009
PSEA President Jim Testerman issued the following statement about Tuesday's Presidential Address to American students: “President Obama’s planned speech to America’s schoolchildren next week is an opportunity for students to participate in democracy. It should not be politicized by the President’s opponents." More »
9/8/2009
Bethlehem residents believe in the power of a great education, and took to the streets on Sunday, August 23, to speak out for the future of their district. Hundreds of educators, community leaders, parents, students and labor leaders held a protest rally at Bethlehem’s City Hall to voice strong opposition to the school board’s drastic budget cuts. More »
8/24/2009
The PSEA-Retired Board of Directors recently adopted a change to the Constitution and Bylaws to create a biennial Retired House of Delegates and change the way state officers are elected. This formalized process is consistent with other PSEA elections. More »
8/24/2009
Anne Loeffler, Southern Region PACE Chairperson and member of the Lincoln IU#12 EA, was one of three PSEA members to attend this year's NEA Republican Leaders Conference in Washington, DC. Loeffler, along with Nadia Prisuta, member of Sharpsville EA and John Odell, member of Phoenixville EA joined more than 100 members of the National Education Association to take part in three days of skills training and networking. More »
8/24/2009
When it comes to planning ahead, of course, the secret to success is in the details. Use this checklist to help you with any details you might have overlooked in planning for your first day at school as a new teacher. More »
8/18/2009
PSEA President Jim Testerman renewed the call on leaders of the General Assembly to focus their talks on the state budget on the real needs of students. “School funding reform in Pennsylvania will either move forward or halt -- perhaps for many years -- with this state budget,” said Testerman. “The children of the high school class of 2022 are entering kindergarten this fall, and in education there are no do-overs. More »
8/10/2009
A preliminary July 29 court order will safeguard PSEA members’ home addresses from being released to the public. Earlier this year, changes to the Right-To-Know law expanded the information available to the public from state and local government. More »
7/30/2009
Pennsylvania taxpayers are not hearing the full story about the state budget and its impact on children, so the Pennsylvania State Education Association is launching a public outreach campaign to set the record straight. More »
7/30/2009
In the midst of this year’s budget battle, as the fate of the future of public education in Pennsylvania hangs in the balance, new test scores make the point clearly: fair, equitable school funding helps students in their efforts to meet the goals of No Child Left Behind. More »
7/28/2009
The Education Department announced its guidelines for the $4.35 billion “Race to the Top” fund on July 24, which spells out how states can apply to win grants for innovation in education. The program is part of the nearly $100 billion allotted to education as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. More »
7/28/2009
A Quinnipiac University poll released July 21 reaffirmed Pennsylvanians' support for public schools, Testerman expressed confidence that the General Assembly will succeed in finding the means to fully fund basic education. Asked if they would be willing to pay more taxes to protect specific state spending, a majority of the respondents said they would, in order to protect healthcare and public schools from cuts. More »
7/23/2009
On Monday evening, the PA Senate passed an amended version of House Bill 1416 that "turns back the clock" on this year's budget process, and on PA schools. The amendment slashes education funding by more than $700 million. More »
7/21/2009
Student-PSEA members go the extra mile for the future of education. This summer, they went an extra 3,000 miles to represent Pennsylvania at the NEA Student Leadership Conference (SLC) held in San Diego June 26 - 29. Student-PSEA members representing seven different colleges and universities attended this year. More »
7/8/2009
Hundreds of education supporters packed the Capitol Rotunda on July 7 to send a clear message to lawmakers: maintaining a commitment to the state’s new education funding formula is non-negotiable with their constituents - even if it requires legislators to increase revenues. Speakers urged legislators to support a balanced approach to the state budget that includes a $418 million increase for basic education. More »
7/7/2009
The Williamsport Area Support Professionals Association (WAESP) is ready to go to court to stop the school district from subcontracting 40 bus drivers and aides. The association is also seeking to take its contract dispute to factfinding to settle the 18-month stalemate. More »
6/24/2009
PSEA President Jim Testerman receives Sol Hoffman Award PSEA President Jim Testerman was honored for his leadership and service to public education, school employees, and the Commonwealth at a recent event. The Keystone Research Center presented its Sol Hoffman Award More »
6/22/2009
An alarming number of students who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (GLBT) underachieve academically, miss school, or drop out as a direct consequence of the bullying, harassment or physical abuse that they suffer in school. A new NEA report provides practical interventions and strategies to improve school environments for all students. More »
6/22/2009
PSEA welcomes the PA Learners Online - a regional cyber charter school with facilities in Homestead, PA - to the PSEA family. The teachers voted for PSEA representation in a June 15 election conducted by the state Labor Relations Board. More »
6/17/2009
The class of 2022 enters kindergarten this fall. These children get only one chance to go to kindergarten; there are no do-over's. It’s critical that Pennsylvania provide children a quality education every year. More »
6/16/2009
The battle is not over. That’s the message from the Williamsport Area Education Support Professionals Association (WAESPA) following the Williamsport School Board’s vote on June 2 to subcontract more than 40 WAESPA bus drivers and aides. More »
6/4/2009
At May's House of Delegates in Pittsburgh, PSEA members re-elected James P. Testerman, Michael J. Crossey and W. Gerard Oleksiak as officers of the association. More »
5/18/2009
On May 5, more than one hundred PSEA members from Williamsport, Lycoming County, and across Pennsylvania gathered for a solidarity rally in support of the Williamsport ESPA. More »
5/11/2009
Looking for more information on what causes swine flu and how can you stop the spread? NEA's Health Information Network has answers. PSEA will continue to update this page as information becomes available. More »
4/30/2009
On April 29, hundreds of students, parents, teachers, staff, alumni and supporters of the Scranton School for the Deaf assembled in the Capitol Rotunda to urge the General Assembly to save their school. They delivered petitions containing more than 51,000 signatures from voters who support saving the school. More »
4/29/2009
PSEA strongly supports a new plan released today dealing with the high school exit exams. The new proposal, called “Keystone Exams 2.0,” addresses concerns of PSEA members. More »
4/23/2009
122 teachers from every corner of Pennsylvania traveled to Harrisburg this week to be honored for an important achievement. Each earned certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. More »
4/21/2009
In Pennsylvania, it pays to be a union employee. A recent Keystone Research Center report shows that being union membership significantly boosts the wages of workers in the Commonwealth’s service industries. More »
4/20/2009
The Pennsylvania Learning First Alliance (PA-LFA), supported a statewide conference on April 6-7 to examine how some districts are solving the shared challenge of closing achievement gaps. Participants included school district teams and representatives from other groups committed to closing student achievement gaps in Pennsylvania. More »
4/9/2009
College affordability continues to be a hurdle for Pennsylvania’s high school and college students, but the goal of becoming a teacher became little bit easier for seven future educators thanks to PSEA. Five Student-PSEA members and two high school students received Lucy A. Valero Scholarships this year. More »
4/8/2009
The goal of becoming a teacher was made a little bit easier for five future educators, thanks to PSEA. Four Student-PSEA members and a high school student have won this year’s Lucy A. Valero Scholarships. More »
4/8/2009
April 1, 2009 is Arts in Education Day in Pennsylvania. A Pennsylvania House of Representatives resolution establishing April 1 as Arts in Education Day said that arts education, whether in visual arts, music, dance, theater or literature, strengthens the development of creativity, discipline and cognitive and social skills that are crucial in the preparation of all Pennsylvania's students for future growth. More »
4/1/2009
HealthCare-PSEA members are cautiously optimistic that they will have a second big legislative victory this spring as lawmakers consider a proposal that would establish minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in health care facilities in the Commonwealth. More »
3/26/2009
Bus drivers and mechanics for the Hempfield School District, all employed by First Student Transportation - the largest supplier of student transportation in the world - recently voted to affiliate with the Pennsylvania State Education Association More »
3/25/2009
A recent rally supporting the Scranton State School for the Deaf drew a crowd of over 200 to the school grounds. In the governor’s February budget address, funding for the Scranton School for the Deaf, along with funding for the Scotland School for Veterans' Children, was cut from the state budget. More »
3/12/2009
Hundreds of supporters gathered outside of Harrisburg’s state Capitol on March 11 for a rally to save the Scotland School for Veterans’ Children. In the governor’s February budget address, funding for the Scotland School, along with funding for the Scranton School for the Deaf, was cut from the state budget. More »
3/11/2009
House and Senate leaders reached an agreement on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Wednesday on a $789 billion stimulus package. The House approved the bill with a 246-183 vote, and the Senate is expected to pass the legislation very soon. President Obama is expected to sign the legislation as early as next week. More »
2/27/2009
The Pennsylvania General Assembly recently made major changes to Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law, with new changes in effect as of January 1, 2009. While these changes were designed to increase transparency in the government’s decision-making and activities, the new law also may increase public access to information about individual public employees. More »
2/26/2009
Online Member Category tool created for local leaders PSEA President Jim Testerman and Treasurer Jerry Oleksiak are pleased to announce the launch of a new resource on Leader Tools an online system for your Membership Category Updates. PSEA developed this More »
2/9/2009
Thanks to the cooperative work of PSEA, Kades-Margolis Corporation and Employer Admin Services, Inc., PSEA members can continue to make contributions to their chosen 403(b) accounts. More »
2/5/2009
Attention PSEA members! Make sure you think carefully about what you say in the classroom and during work hours. Three recent court cases have imposed limits on First Amendment protection of your speech during your work day. More »
1/28/2009
Every worker deserves a living wage. Thanks to a successful campaign, Pocono Mountain ESPA members will now receive a living wage for their jobs. More »
1/22/2009
“A buck a paycheck.” That’s the campaign that the Hollidaysburg Area Education Association, Central Region, is using to ratchet up their PACE contributions. The campaign has been a great success with HAEA’s PACE membership increasing to more than 70 percent of the total membership. More »
1/21/2009
With strong support from their community, the Johnsonburg Education Support Professionals Association has emerged victorious after a two year battle against the school board’s threat to subcontract the cafeteria workers. More »
1/12/2009
PSEA donates toys to Pennsylvania children Each year, stuffed animals, board games, dolls, racecars, story books, and other colorful toys fill the PSEA headquarters building with holiday cheer and a reminder of the importance of giving during the holiday season. PSEA staff and members More »
12/23/2008
Patient care in Pennsylvania will be better protected as new legislation bans mandatory overtime for nurses. Legislation passed by the House and Senate in October, and signed by Governor Ed Rendell prevents health care facilities from using mandatory overtime to manage chronic understaffing. More »
12/18/2008
Rebecca Snyder, Pennsylvania’s newly honored Teachers of the Year, didn’t hesitate for a minute when asked what motivated her to become a teacher. “The greatest influences on my decision to become a teacher have been my own teachers, who believed in me and inspired me.” More »
12/17/2008
President-elect Barack Obama has named Arne Duncan, the superintendent of Chicago Public Schools, as the next secretary of education. Duncan has called for doubling funding for No Child Left Behind, and tempering the law’s teach-to-the-test rigidity with more flexibility. More »
12/16/2008
In today’s challenging economic times, PSEA reminds members to look no further than your membership to help you save in your holiday gift giving. Through the high quality PSEA and NEA Member Benefits programs, you can find a wide variety of cost savings opportunities to help you and your family enjoy the holidays. More »
12/16/2008
PSEA President James P. Testerman congratulated Sen. Jeff Piccola (R-Dauphin) on his appointment as Chairman of the state Senate Education Committee. Testerman said the Association is eager to work on education issues with Sen. Piccola in his new post. More »
12/5/2008
In the fall of 1982, the members of Southern Region began a relationship with a special group of people – to work together on a very special project - the building of the Hershey Ronald McDonald House. Southern Region mounted a fund raising campaign that raised $25,000. The funding helped get the capital campaign underway and helped to fund construction of the house in 1984. More »
11/21/2008
Student-PSEA members Ashley Lovejoy and Karyn Reinhold and PA Association of Higher Education President Jane Munley understand the problems of college and university affordability in Pennsylvania, and each testified before the Board of Education this fall about how tuition and college debt affects students and our higher education system. More »
11/14/2008
“Voters spoke clearly on November 4: it’s time to put the country back on the right track,” according to the president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association. “The elections show that voters in Pennsylvania and the entire country are ready for the change that Barack Obama promised throughout the campaign,” PSEA President James P. Testerman said. “PSEA members supported Obama because of his positions on issues important to all Americans.” Testerman said the elections highlight the importance of citizen involvement. More »
11/6/2008
PSEA and NEA recommended candidates succeeded in state and national elections on November 4th. President-elect Barack Obama, Attorney General Tom Corbett, State Treasurer-elect Rob McCord, Congressman Jason Altmire and others were successful in an election that brought out a record turnout of Pennsylvania voters. More »
11/5/2008
For young workers in Pennsylvania and around the United States, it pays to be in a union. Though graduating from high school, college and graduate programs in higher numbers than ever, young workers’ earnings have fallen farther behind over the past 30 years.However, a new report by the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) shows that young workers in unions are receiving higher wages and better benefits than their non-union counterparts. More »
10/31/2008
PSEA’s headquarters building in Harrisburg is a little bit brighter this fall, thanks to members who loan their students’ artwork for a display in the lobby. PSEA recently added two display cases in the lobby, in order to showcase members and their students. More »
10/24/2008
Pennsylvania lost a true statesman and champion of public education on October 17. PSEA members are shocked and saddened to learn of Senator James Rhoades’ sudden passing. On behalf of all 187,000 PSEA members, our thoughts go out to his family, especially his wife. More »
10/20/2008
The Moshannon Valley Education Support Professional Association (MVESPA) was elected by a unanimous vote of the workers. MVESPA leaders they intend to be a powerful voice for their members. More »
10/10/2008
Pennsylvania nurses and health care employees achieved a major victory with the passage of House Bill 834, the "Prohibition of Excessive Overtime in Health Care Act." This new legislation bans mandatory overtime for Pennsylvania nurses and other direct-care providers. Governor Rendell signed the bill on October 9, calling the measure "long overdue." More »
10/10/2008
Rebecca Snyder, language arts teacher and member of the Greater Latrobe Education Association, was named Pennsylvania’s 2009 Teacher of the Year. PDE Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak announced the award at an October 7 ceremony in Harrisburg. More »
10/7/2008
Teaching becoming increasingly female occupation The number of men teaching K 12 in Pennsylvania public schools is on the decline. According to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and accumulated by the NEA between 1970 through 2006, 61.0% of More »
10/1/2008
Attention PSEA members! The deadline for voter registration is October 6. Visit www.votespa.com to find voter registration forms and your polling place for Election Day on November 4. Encourage your friends and families to register to vote. This year's election will have a tremendous impact on our jobs, our personal lives and the future of American education. More »
9/30/2008
On September 16, PSEA joined the Pennsylvania Partnership for Children, and organizations across the nation for the national Step Up For Kids Day. Public, non-partisan events were held in all 50 states and in Washington D.C., as part of a nationwide effort to draw public attention to issues affecting America's children. More »
9/21/2008
Teachers in the Souderton Area School District in southeastern Pennsylvania have been on the picket line since September 2, standing up for their right to fair compensation. The strike could last until Sept. 23, the date necessary to ensure 180 days of school by June 15. More »
9/13/2008
Education and the future of America’s public schools were front and center issues at the Democratic National Convention in Denver last week. More than 200 NEA members traveled from all corners of the United States to make sure that education issues remain a key issue of this year’s election season. More »
9/10/2008
It was unions’ day to shine in the Pittsburgh Labor Day parade on September 1. More than 80 PSEA members from the Midwestern, Southwestern, and Western regions marched in the annual parade, the second largest Labor Day parade in the country. More »
9/9/2008
PSEA enters a new era of electronic communications and service to members with the new, improved PSEA.org. On this site, you will find a revamped, reorganized design. We've also expanded information, resources, and interactive features for our members. PSEA.org provides you with more information and resources on education issues, resources for your profession, and benefits of PSEA membership. More »
9/1/2008
Winners of the 2008 annual Jenifer J. DuBois Fabric of Unionism art competition were announced at an awards reception held Sunday, July 20, 2008 at Gettysburg College. More »
9/1/2008
PSERS announces strong fiscal year end investment performance The Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) announced this week strong investment return results for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007. The pension fund generated a total return of 22.93 More »
9/1/2008
Pennsylvania Senator Robert P. Casey convened a July 10 hearing of the Joint Economic Committee titled, "Your Money, Your Future: Public Pension Plans and the Need to Strengthen Retirement Security and Economic Growth." A panel of experts examined public and private sector impacts of defined benefit pension plans in the public sector. More »
8/31/2008
A 150% surge in children’s television viewing during the summer is the focus of a new national campaign. The Smart Television Alliance (STA) announced the “OutSmart the Summer Spike!” campaign with a call to action for busy parents and caregivers to use technology to control what television children watch, to make smart viewing choices, and to promote a balanced media diet. Nielsen audience data shows that children’s television viewing during the summer increases 150 percent compared to the rest of the year. More »
8/31/2008
Pennsylvania has made historic progress toward providing resources for a quality public education to every child. With the passage of this year's budget, the Pennsylvania General Assembly approved a $275 million increase for K-12 education in Pennsylvania, the largest increase for education funding in at least two decades. More »
8/31/2008
The final installment of "Lessons Learned," a series produced by Public Agenda, a Washington D.C. based education research group, reports on two specific areas in which more training may be necessary for new teachers: preparedness for the diversity of the contemporary American classroom and teaching students with special needs. More »
8/31/2008
Retired PSEA Executive Director Carolyn Dumaresq was honored with a prestigious award from a statewide group. The Keystone Research Center presented Dumaresq with a 2008 Sol Hoffman Award for her service to PSEA and public education in Pennsylvania. More »
8/31/2008
Opportunity to support tornado disaster relief in Iowa PSEA members have the opportunity to contribute to a disaster relief fund benefiting Iowa schools that were recently devastated by tornadoes in the midwest. PSEA will contribute $500 to the fund. Iowa State Education More »
8/31/2008