Bellefonte Area Education Association

Advertorial: A vision for a bright future
PSEA's recent advertorial, "A vision for a bright future," appeared in newspapers across Pennsylvania on August 31. I remember walking into school in the fall and feeling a sense of opportunity, hope, and anticipation – for new experiences and the chance to learn new things.

News from the 2010 NEA Representative Assembly
Looking for information from this year's NEA Representative Assembly in New Orleans? Find amendments, new business items, and resolutions from the Representative Assembly online.

PA schools share funds for improvement from federal stimulus act
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.

PSEA surprised that PA will not receive Race to the Top funds
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.

Congress passes Education Jobs Fund and critical funding for states
Thousands of teachers and education support professionals will keep their jobs in Pennsylvania schools and classrooms thanks to legislation passed by the U.S. House and Senate.

New Verizon Wireless discounts now available
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.

Important Information for 2010 NEA-RA Delegates
Important information and documents for NEA-RA delegates can be found online at <a href="http://www.psea.org/NEARA2010" target="new">www.psea.org/NEARA2010</a> (member login required).

Class sizes matter
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.

School nurses say improved ratio could save lives
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

Cutting education funding doesn’t save money. Just the opposite.
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.