Waters: PLBC to hold hearings on improving education for Pennsylvania’s students

HARRISBURG, April 4 – Chairman Ron Waters has announced the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus will hold four statewide hearings on providing better educational opportunities for Pennsylvania’s students.

The hearings are entitled “A Civil Right for Pennsylvania’s Children: High Quality Universal Education,” and will focus on improving access to education and eliminating the achievement gap.

Experts and stakeholders will discuss issues pertaining to equal access to a quality education, including: The detrimental outcomes of Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed state budget, school climate and its effect on student performance, disciplinary policies and other student support services.


PHILADELPHIA HEARING
Date: Friday, April 8, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Terrace Room, Claudia Cohen Hall (Ground Level), University of Pennsylvania

Testifiers · Jerry Jordan, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers · Jaileah Gibson, senior at Sayre High School, member of the Philadelphia Student Union and leader of the Campaign for Nonviolent Schools · Shayla Johnson, senior at Overbrook High School, member of the Philadelphia Student Union and leader of the Campaign for Nonviolent Schools · David Lapp, staff attorney at the Education Law Center · Bach Tong, junior at Science Leadership Academy, member of the Asian Student Association and Campaign for Nonviolent Schools · Member of the Statewide NAACP Education Committee · Durant Radcliff, Youth United For Change · Emily Maronta, Youth United For Change


HARRISBURG HEARING
Date: Monday, April 11, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Room 205 Ryan Office Building, Harrisburg, PA

Testifiers · Ronald R. Cowell, president of The Education Policy and Leadership Center · Dr. Betty Davis, PA Statewide NAACP · Dr. Joan Duvall-Flynn, PA Statewide NAACP Education Chair


CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY HEARING
Date: Thursday, April 14, 2011
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Ed Bradley Broadcast Center, Duckrey Social Science Building, Cheyney University

Testifiers · Dr. Joan Duvall-Flynn, statewide NAACP Education Chair · Ann Frazer, president of the Cheyney University Chapter NAACP · Christopher Carter, president of the Cheyney University Student Government Association


PITTSBURGH HEARING
Date: Friday, April 15, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Lower Lounge of the William Pitt Union Building, University of Pittsburgh

Testifiers · John Tarka, president of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers · Erik S. Lowe, University of Pittsburgh School of Law student · Member of the statewide NAACP Education Committee