Pennsylvania State Education Association

Week of 10-2-2023

Inside this issue

• PSEA’s legislative priorities are your priorities
• PA Basic Education Funding Commission continues its fact-finding tour
• PDE launches “Teach in PA” website for aspiring educators
• ICYMI: PEARL relaunch
• Upcoming Center for Professional Learning events
• Member Benefits spotlight: URL life insurance

PSEA’s legislative priorities are PSEA members’ priorities. That’s why PSEA has been working to pass bills to address the school staff shortage, improve the quality of life in public schools, and provide a much-needed COLA for pre-Act 9 retirees.

We’ve made solid progress on these priorities. Here’s a refresher.

• Invest in a statewide scholarship program for aspiring educators. House Bill 688 was approved by the state House of Representatives on May 2 and is now awaiting consideration in the state Senate.
• Invest in “Grow Your Own” programs that help paraprofessionals and other school support staff go back to college to earn their teaching credentials. House Bill 141 was approved by the state House of Representatives on May 1 and is now awaiting consideration in the state Senate.
• Pass COLA legislation for pre-Act 9 retirees. House Bills 1415 and 1416 were approved by the state House State Government Committee on June 28.
• Increase minimum educator salaries to $60,000 and increase minimum wages for education support professionals to $20 per hour. Senate Bill 856 was introduced in the state Senate on June 30.
• Stand up to tuition voucher schemes. Over the summer, PSEA members’ incredible advocacy killed a disastrous $100 million tuition voucher plan, sending more than 28,000 emails to lawmakers to make it absolutely clear that we can’t afford to take money away from public schools and send it to private and religious schools.

As it works to address education funding disparities, the Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding Commission convened for its fifth meeting last Thursday, this time in Hanover. The commission is halfway through its 10-meeting, statewide tour aimed at rectifying the longstanding issue of unequal education funding following a Commonwealth Court ruling that declared Pennsylvania's school funding system unconstitutional.

During the session held on Thursday, testifiers discussed the allocation of funds for critical infrastructure improvements that will make our schools safer, more comfortable places to work and learn.

The goal of the commission’s fact-finding tour is to develop and propose a new funding formula that will promote fairness and equity among all of Pennsylvania's school districts.

This week, the Pennsylvania Department of Education launched a new website aimed at aspiring educators. “Teach in PA” is a comprehensive resource hub that offers insights and guidance for those interested in pursuing a career in education within the commonwealth.

It’s designed as a one-stop shop for aspiring educators to find detailed career and certification process information, personalized pathways to becoming an educator, and more.

“At the Pennsylvania Department of Education, we know the critical and fundamental role educators play in our communities and are committed to rebuilding the educator pipeline in the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “The Teach in PA website will help inspire students to become educators and provide them with the resources they need to enter into this meaningful, fulfilling career.”

In case you missed it, the PSEA Center for Professional Learning recently relaunched the PEARL online learning system with many updates and improvements. Featured updates to PEARL are described on our brand new PEARL Updates Page where you can learn about the latest improvements including:

• Log in using your PSEA.org credentials: PSEA members have instant access to PEARL with just their PSEA.org username and password.
• Personalized Dashboard: Access all your courses, certificates, badges, and other information in a single space.
• Updated, Mobile-Friendly Interface: This modernized look and feel enhances your experience on any device.
• Simplified Navigation: The navigation bar is available from every page and connects you to all you need.
• Enhanced Support: Easily get help with improved FAQs, clarifying help videos, and a direct connection to tech support using the integrated form.

We also improved our member support with an updated FAQ Page and a showcase of videos showing you all the steps you need to make the most of PEARL.

Webinars

• The Future is Happening as We Speak: Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Classroom Today for Early Career Educators
  
  • Oct. 10, 7-8 p.m.
• Supporting Gifted Learners
  
  • Oct. 18, 7-8:30 p.m.
• Effective Classroom Management for Today's Early Career Educator: What does the research tell us works?
  • Oct. 24, 7-8 p.m.

Book Discussions

• Time to Roll
  
  • Oct. 17, 7-8 p.m.
• The Introverted Educator
  
  • Oct. 26, 7-8 p.m.
• The New Classroom Instruction That Works: The Best Research-Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement, Part 1, Chapters 1-4
  
  • Nov. 8, 7-8 p.m.

Postgraduate Credits

Earn postgraduate credits from PennWest University for $70 each!

More than 150 postgraduate credits are available across a wide range of teaching and learning topics.

These postgraduate credits (microcredentials) can count toward the 24 credits required for a Level II certificate and also may count toward salary advancement.*

For support professionals, these courses may meet Chapter 14 requirements.**

*Check your contract to determine if you can apply standalone postgraduate credits for column movement.
**Seek approval from your employer prior to completing hours to apply toward Chapter 14 requirements.

URL Insurance Group is the life insurance provider for PSEA members and their families. URL understands that it shouldn’t take a lifetime to apply for life insurance coverage. That’s why they offer the ability to get instant-decision life insurance.

PSEA members and family members (ages 18-60) can now get a term life insurance quote in seconds and be insured in minutes, all from a smartphone. Coverage starts at $50,000 and goes up to $1.5 million. No doctors, no hassles, no waiting. If you’re over the age of 60 or have kids and/or grandchildren under the age of 18, URL has you covered as well.

Click the link below to access the instant quote and instant decision life insurance:

Click for a quote

Or, click the link below if you prefer to have a consultation regarding life insurance options:

Click for a consultation with a PSEA Life Insurance Specialist