#papromise

Out d’Coup Podcast for March 29, 2019

  Out d’Coup | Mueller Report Lite; No Abrams for Biden; Big Week for AOC & GND; Wackadoo Mike Lee; DNC Blacklist; PA Special Election; Jesus, Borowicz; Climate Denial Circus; #PAPromise; NASA; Beer

Mueller Report dropped and it’s over 300 pages, but we just get to see the four-page Barr Report. Trump says he’s vindicated. Adam Schiff nearly explodes. And Rachel Maddowdoubles down on Russia,…

A rally for the PA Promise legislation will be held Wednesday, March 27th at 11 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Pennsylvania State Capitol. This event comes in light of the bill being reintroduced to state legislators at a press conference in January.

Pennsylvania currently has some of the highest student debt rates in the country. The per capita funding for higher education in Pennsylvania ranks 47th in the nation. The state is ranked 40th for the share of adults with an education beyond high school, according to data from State Senator Vincent Hughes Website.

The PA Promise aims to cover two years of tuition and fees for recent high school grads enrolled full-time at one of the 14 state public community colleges. It will also focus on cutting the cost for those who attend four year state and state-related universities.

Because of rising costs, more students are choosing not to enroll in college after high school graduation. “Pennsylvania Promise will open doors for students and keep students in school. It will help close the resources gap that has made a college degree such a huge hurdle for many low and middle-income students.” says Senator Hughes.

70% of students in Pennsylvania graduate with college debt according to the institute for College Access and Success. With numbers this high, it is clear that a solution must be created. The PA Promise may be just what we need.

Free bussing to the rally will be available for Kutztown students, staff, and faculty. If you are interested in attending, contact Sarra Guissé in the APSCUF-KU office: [email protected] to reserve your spot.

Works consulted:

Representatives and senators from Pennsylvania met on Wednesday, January 30th, at the state capitol to reintroduce the PA Promise legislation. The event was held at 9:30 A.M  and consisted of several speakers including public officials, and representatives from universities in the state.

First to speak was Senator Vincent Hughes who represents the 7th district. Senator Hughes stated, “Pennsylvania college students need a new deal when it comes to college and affordability.” referencing the troubling financial climate that the Pennsylvania higher education system is facing.

Currently, Pennsylvania is ranked 47th in the country for support for college funding, and 50th in higher education due to the debt amounts. Since 2000, tuition and fees have seen a 50% increase. “There is $1.5 trillion in student debt nationally. This is unacceptable.” Says Senator Hughes

In the state of Pennsylvania, student loan debt is $1.3 trillion collectively. The average rate of student loan debt per student is currently $36,193. On top of these statistics, students are also facing living difficulties while trying to get their degrees.

Ken Mash, the APSCUF president, also spoke at the event. Mash pointed out that the cost of living for college students has increased 50% since 2000.“Some students are working 2 or 3 jobs, skipping sleep, and taking on crushing loans,” says Mash, “ Not every student can be a superhero.”

“56% of students at The Community College of Philadelphia are food insecure, and 19% are homeless.” says Senator Hughes. This lack of basic living amenities also extends to Temple University. 36% of students find themselves food insecure, 34% are housing insecure, and 7% are homeless.

Nathan Warren is an English education major at Millersville University. He works 18 hours a week, while balancing 5 classes. “I’m worrying every day if I can afford my way through graduation,” states Warren. “Even then, I’m surrounded by the reality that I will be in debt for life.”

In addition to work and school, Warren is also disabled. He experiences full body pains and a great deal of fatigue. Yet, he is expected to financially support himself by paying his rent to keep the heat on in his apartment, and make sure tuition is paid until he graduates.

Warren says that he is also a member of the Pennsylvania Student Power Network (PASPN) that runs statewide, centralized in Philadelphia. Recently, PASPN has brought much attention towards student loan debt and rising tuition costs.

“Students shouldn’t feel financially burdened by college.” says Patrick Barfield of Penn State University. “Parents shouldn’t have to take out a second mortgage to send their children to college.” which is becoming common practice during this financial climate.

Back in September, members of the organization stood ground at the office of Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, where they demanded loan cancellation as well as affordable college. Pennsylvania currently has the highest student debt rates in the country.

The PA Promise would not only aim to make college more affordable, but it would also help adults go back to school, inmates get an education, and drastically reduce the amount of debt acquired at state-related colleges such as the University of Pittsburgh and Temple University.

Rural communities will see more educational opportunities. They will be able to attend community colleges that aren’t otherwise supported by the state. Students will be able to attend these community colleges with the same benefits as state recognized community colleges. The hopes of this is that the job market improves as well as the quality of life in these communities.

The bill will also fund trade skills and apprenticeships for students that choose to go the vocational route. It will award grants which could make these programs free for students. In turn, the job market could see a significant bump.

Representative James R. Roebuck asked how we are supposed to give people jobs when less than half of adults have a college education in a market that is demanding of a higher education? 60% of jobs in Pennsylvania require a higher education. Only 40% of adults in PA have education beyond high school.

Rep. Roebuck stated that the PA Promise was an “Opportunity for business” and that the state would be able to introduce highly skilled individuals to the workforce. “ The PA Promise is a step toward correcting Pennsylvania students’ enormous student debt.”

The PA Promise legislation is beginning to make waves once again. On March 27th, a rally will be held at the state capitol. Students, faculty, and staff from state related and state system schools are welcomed to attend to show their support for a groundbreaking bill that could change the pace of education forever.

Pennsylvania has the highest rate of student debt in the country. It comes as no surprise that undergrad students are struggling to afford college more and more. Tuition is taking a major hike and people are starting to weigh an education with years and years of debt. Can you blame them? Loan suppliers like Sallie Mae and Wells Fargo are digging financial graves for those who depend on loans to get through college.

A lot of students will graduate with over $36,000 in student loans according to PA Penn Live. Collectively, students in the state of Pennsylvania have incurred $1.3 trillion in student loan debt. Community colleges were once affordable options. But now, students are going into debt just by attending for two years. Is transferring worth it? Some would say no.

Pennsylvania has been swaying back and forth with passing the PA Promise bill. On Wednesday, a conference was held in Harrisburg to reintroduce it.There are already states that have passed a Promise bill. As far as PA goes, Pittsburgh has its own version of the bill that seems to have benefited the major city greatly. Since the bill has been implemented, the Pittsburgh Promise has funded over $100 million in scholarship funds and has supported over 8,000 students. Not to mention, retention and graduation rates are up tremendously.

This bill has been sitting on the fence, going nowhere and helping no one. It’s needed. It’s talked about by a number of officials, yet, it’s just here. We know there is a problem and we’ve discussed it. But what now? Student debt is destroying the economy as well as putting universities out of business. As a result, higher education in itself has become a business in order to maintain stability.

We’ve reached an age where we see financial issues within an educational institution, and it becomes chatter, discussion, nothing more than something else to complain about. Just like the rising sea levels, there’s always concern and something that should be done, but can we get serious and get it done?

What about the long-term implications of student debt? Enrollment rates are already plummeting and have been since 2013. Employment isn’t going to fix itself and without a doubt, there are going to be bigger issues in rural areas.

This isn’t a matter of giving people a free pass. It’s whether or not we are willing to acknowledge a problem that has been blowing up right in front of our faces for years, slowly chipping away at our credit scores and inflating…well pretty much everything. But, taxes and Americans right? There has always been an overwhelming skepticism when the government wants to put its hands in the pockets of hard working people, especially when that money is going to be spent on other people.

Regardless, weighing this option is more important than letting the results sit for years. State schools are even becoming expensive, and students are leaving with a comparable amount of debt that some have when attending a private or state related school. The more fiscally responsible options are running out and students are deciding that higher education just isn’t worth it.

Can we look to officials to finally settle on a bill that will not only dig students out of a hole, but the Pennsylvania economy as well? It wasn’t a secret that the implementation of the PA Promise would require tax dollars. If administration can get past that, a solution can finally be established while examining how deep this issue truly goes.

https://www.pennlive.com/expo/news/erry-2018/08/70ea1af3eb3539/here-are-the-50-pa-colleges-wh.html

On Thursday, November 1st, Dr. Daniel Greenstein, the newly elected PASSHE Chancellor came to Kutztown University. Greenstein did an open forum where he talked about his goals for the PASSHE system as well as answered any questions that educators, students, and the public were concerned about.

Greenstein comes to PASSHE at a time when massive cuts are being made on higher education. Student debt in Pennsylvania is also at an all time high, being the state with the highest amount across the nation.

The opening speech was hopeful. Greenstein read emails from the public.  “They are super intense. They carry so much emotion, intensity, and passion.” says Greenstein. “These are flat out inspiring. And I believe from these emails from the faculty, students, and staff, that we are willing to attack our problems head on.”

Greenstein’s beginning speech to the open forum focused heavily on the importance of solidarity and where reform is needed the most in the PASSHE system. “We know that there are populations that we need to serve, that are underserved. Adult learners, students of color, single working parents. They need us too.” says Greenstein.

Greenstein was appointed as the 5th PASSHE Chancellor assuming his position on September 4th. Prior, Greenstein served as a director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a nonprofit organization heavily focused on the growth of public education.

His visit to KU is an important one. Within the last 8 years, PASSHE schools including Kutztown University have seen a decline in enrollment. The PASSHE schools are tuition dependent. The dip in enrollment can be blamed on rising tuition and cost of living on campus.

Greenstein has urged state schools to change their business strategy. During his open forum, he mentioned how some state schools are excelling in the realm of online higher education. He urged the faculty and public at Kutztown to get on board with supplementing enrollment with affordable online education, hopefully giving access to a wider range of students.

Working through college is a reality for a large sum of students. Most seek jobs in restaurants, gas stations, or some other retail job. While living away from home or no longer collecting a weekly allowance from mom and dad, the extra money helps out with college expenses, groceries, gas, and for some, bills and rent. Then, there are the students who depend on a federal work-study program.

Federal work-study is a program that allows for undergrad and graduate students to work part time jobs that help assist with college funds. These are financial need based programs. The program lets students work on or off campus in a job that’s either related to their path of study or with a nonprofit organization. Work-study not only provides funds needed to help pay for education, but it also offers job experience for the real world.

In the light of the Trump presidency, Federal Work-Study programs are in danger of being cut out of the FY budget or completely eliminated. There would be no compensation in place for students to help pay off their expenses.

The budget proposes a $1 billion cut to Federal Work-Study programs. According to the Department of Education’s FY outline, “the money from cutting work-study programs will be given to the students who need it most”. The statement leaves a lot of questions unanswered as to how that money will be given to students with additional financial needs.

Pennsylvania has its own work-study program aside from the federal work-study. PA work-study, according to the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), students can currently work up to 40 hours a week with a pay rate that must be at least minimum wage. Minimum wage in Pennsylvania is currently $7.25 an hour.

Recently, PA Governor Tom Wolf has signed a bill that will raise minimum wage to $12 an hour for state workers and contractors and will raise to $15 an hour by 2024.Something similar will occur under the PA Promise with PA Work-Study students.

The PA Promise aims to expand the state Work-Study program, especially in the absence of federal funding. Part of the plan would propose that federal work-study for 15 hours be given. However, PA is prepared for any lack of funding federally. In that case, they would use state funds to expand the program. This will allow students to work 500 hours during the semester and give them a salary of up to $15 an hour by 2024.

Thousands of students depend on work-study in private and state schools to help them pay for expenses. With the threat of cuts looming over our heads, PA Promise is needed to help strengthen Pennsylvania’s already existing state funded work-study program. Those that are qualifying and willing to work should not have exasperating stress pertaining to their financial standing in the next coming semesters. Working your way through college, balancing homework, and having a social life are hard enough.

By Xiana Fontno, APSCUF-KU Intern

https://www.pennbpc.org/sites/default/files/KRC_PBPC_PAPromise_Final.pdf

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/03/17/trumps-work-study-proposal-causes-stir

https://billypenn.com/2018/07/10/pennsylvanias-minimum-wage-is-7-25-an-hour-does-it-need-to-change/

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/whitehouse.gov/files/omb/budget/fy2018/2018_blueprint.pdf

https://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget18/summary/18summary.pdf

After the 2018 presidential election, Newly appointed president Donald J. Trump made Betsy Devos the Secretary of Education. Devos is a businesswoman from Michigan who also sat as the chairwoman for the Republican party of Michigan but hasn’t spent much time prior on the issues of the American education system. On a very basic level, Devos has been vocal about her support for school choice, charter schools, reducing federal obligations in education, and assisting underperforming students and schools, all of which she has addressed in her plan to reform education in the United States of America.

A fact sheet made available by the U.S Department of Education provides a look at the five major areas Devos wants to reform in education. These objectives have been worked in to the presidential FY (fiscal year) budget for 2018. According to Devos, “This budget makes an historic investment in America’s students. President Trump is committed to ensuring the Department focuses on returning decision-making power back to the States, where it belongs, and on giving parents more control over their child’s education.” The proposed budget will allot $59 billion in discretionary funds towards education reform which, according to the U.S Department of Education, is a 13 percent decrease from the 2017 CR level (continuing resolution).

Throughout her 2018 campaign, Devos has expressed the need for more options pertaining to school choice. The FY budget will give $1.4 billion to help expand new public and private school choices for students. According to the U.S Department of Education this would “enable more students and equal opportunity for a great education.” Parts of the plan provide more ample funding, $167 million, to charter schools which aims to increase the amount due to a growing demand. Also, the budget provides $250 million dollars towards lower income families so that parents can send their children to a private school of their choice. $1 billion will go to Title I, a program that helps schools meet academic standards, in order to help students secure FOCUS grants ( Furthering Options for Children to Unlock Success). The department says that this would “provide supplemental awards to school districts that adopt student centered weighted student funding formulas combined with open enrollment systems.

Second in her policy, she attempts to “Maintain Support for the Nation’s Most Vulnerable Students.” Devos believes this will help children who are disabled, who are learning English as a second language, and those in high-poverty schools. The idea is that more Title I grants will be funded in an effort to supply schools with financial assets to give children more rigorous coursework and teaching. The budget would grant $12.7 billion to provide services to disabled students. Lastly, $736 million will go towards the English Language Acquisition program to assist students who are learning English as a second language.

Her budget plan also includes funding for postsecondary education, focusing mostly on the Pell Grant program. A Pell Grant is a federal subsidy that helps students pay for college on a need basis. The FY 2018 budget would expand this grant to year-round funding and simplify loan repayment according to the department. A combined 20 billion would go towards the Pell Grant program and a cancellation from unobligated carryover funding. Devos claims that this will not affect students or the Pell program. As for loan repayments, Devos would like to reduce the repayment plans from five plans to one that she claims would expedite loan repayment for undergrad students.

TRIO and GEAR UP programs will see reduced funding. These programs help low-income students prepare for postsecondary education and also provide services such as childcare so students can complete their education even while raising a family. Devos will give $420 million to historically black colleges and Universities to improve academic programs, the capacity of the institution, and support services. Federal Work-Study programs are also at risk of financial reduction. Devos has labeled it as a “poorly-targeted program”. Funds seen after the reduction will be “given to students who would benefit most”. Work-Study is a need based program that allows students to work and go to school to pay for their education.

Probably the most controversial part of her reform policy is the streamlining of existing programs. Devos has stated that by eliminating aspects like community learning center programs, literacy development grants, and instruction grants would save taxpayers $9 billion. Devos claims that these programs are redundant and ineffective. She also feels as though there is little evidence to support the the effectiveness of these programs. Yet, Devos is allotting millions of dollars towards research into other programs that are already proven to work.

Devos would like to analyze the effectiveness of certain programs in order to replicate them if they are proven to work. Funding will go towards these efforts so that administrators. policymakers, educators, and stakeholders can see what is more statistically fit for the students in their institutions. Over a million dollars will fund programs such as the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED).

However you see Devos, she is the Secretary of Education and it is smart not to turn a blind eye to these policies, especially in the light of legislation such as PA Promise which is aimed at helping public school systems. Many including myself have argued that Devos is hurting rather than helping public school systems by increasing the amount of charter schools and private schools. Free education is available to everyone but even with her bills, there is no indication that the middle class and even a vast majority of the lower-class would be secure in her “school choice” programs.Regardless if we are halfway through 2018, her policy on paper still has plenty of holes and it seems as if Devos can’t fully explain it either as seen here in an interview with Lindsey Stahl of CBS News:

(Courtesy of CNN, YouTube)

By: Xiana Fontno, APSUCF-KU Intern

Source:

https://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget18/budget-factsheet.pdf

https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/education-budget-prioritizes-students-empowers-parents-saves-taxpayer-dollars

https://www2.ed.gov/programs/gearup/index.html