State Reduces Mandated Testing for Students
In a win for Pennsylvania students, families and educators, mandated tests that are part of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) will be reduced by 20 percent for the upcoming 2017-18 academic year. This will allow teachers to better instruct their students in specific subjects rather than increasing the amount of classroom time preparing for mandated exams.
Specifically, the state Department of Education is removing two sections – one in math, one in English/language arts – and additional questions from the science section, which could eliminate up to two full testing days for some schools.
This change impacts students and teachers in grades three through eight, who will now spend an average of 20 percent less time on statewide testing.
In similar efforts, the House continues to look at all facets of education to ensure a quality, affordable education for Pennsylvania families. Within the past year, the House has spearheaded legislation to further invest in public schools, ensure greater effectiveness and accountability with the PSSA, bring needed reforms to charter schools, and enhance career and technical education.
Senior Expo Set for Sept. 7
Sen. John Yudichak and I are hosting a Senior Expo on Thursday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall, 101 East 10th St., Jim Thorpe. Our expo brings exhibitors from local, county and state agencies to share information about services available for seniors in our community. For more information, call my office at 610-377-6363.
Save for College with State 529 Plan
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For families looking to plan for higher education, the Pennsylvania Treasury offers the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP), in which growth is tied to the rate of college tuition inflation, and the PA 529 Investment Plan (IP), which offers 15 investment options by The Vanguard Group.
Contributions to PA 529 plans are deductible from Pennsylvania income taxes, grow tax free, and, when used for qualified educational expenses, are federal and state tax exempt. Both plans provide flexibility to pay for higher education expenses at most higher education institutions across the country.
The PA 529 GSP is designed to enable your savings to help keep pace with the rising costs of higher education. The PA 529 GSP contributions grow at the rate of tuition inflation but are subject to fees and premiums.
The PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) is offering free enrollment – a $50 savings – for all new accounts opened before Sept. 30, at PA529.com. Use code “HEFFLEY” or “SUMMER2017” when prompted.
Pennsylvania also offers a second 529 plan, the PA 529 Investment Plan (IP), which features low fees and more than a dozen conservative and aggressive investment options from The Vanguard Group. No enrollment fee is charged for the PA 529 IP.
Families may also enter for a chance to win $529 to get started at PA529.com/contest until Sept. 30.
New Immunization Requirements for PA Schools This Fall
In March 2017, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, along with the Department of Education and the governor’s administration, revised Pennsylvania’s school immunization requirements for the 2017-18 school year.
The new rules require parents to get their children fully immunized prior to the fifth day of school or the students will be excluded from school. Previously, parents had eight months to meet school immunization requirements.
If a student is in the middle of an immunization series and it is too soon for the next dose, the parents must provide the school nurse with a written plan, signed by their health care provider, within the first five days of school.
Exemptions for religious, philosophical or health reasons are still applicable.
For more information, contact your health care provider, visit www.health.pa.gov or call 1-877-PA-HEALTH.
Property Tax Referendum: Explained
I have heard from so many of you about the property tax referendum that will be on the Nov. 7 ballot. Check out this video which explains some of the commonly asked questions about this issue.
Fire, EMS Grant Program to Open Sept. 6
Fire companies and ambulance services throughout Pennsylvania are encouraged to apply for this year’s grant program from the Office of State Fire Commissioner. The application period will open on Sept. 6 and close on Oct. 20.
Grants may be used for construction or renovation of a unit’s station, the purchase or repair of equipment, training or debt reduction. The maximum grant amount is $15,000 for fire companies and $10,000 for volunteer ambulance services. Career ambulance companies can apply for the grants, so long as they are designated as a municipality’s primary EMS provider.
A total of $30 million will be awarded through the program, which is funded through state gaming proceeds.
For more information about the program, click here.
Around Our Community
I attended Monday night’s Weissport Borough Council meeting to show my support for their efforts to address the opioid epidemic.
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