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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Jake Wheatley |
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Wheatley to host hearing in Pittsburgh on education achievement gap; Public invited to testify
PITTSBURGH, March 4 – State Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Pittsburgh, chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, is bringing the subcommittee to Pittsburgh for a public hearing March 7 to discuss the governor's proposed education budget and the achievement gap in K-12 education in Pennsylvania.
The hearing will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, March 7 in the Schenley High School auditorium, 4101 Bigelow Blvd., Pittsburgh.
"Across the United States, a gap in academic achievement persists between minority and disadvantaged students and their white counterparts. This is one of the most pressing education-policy challenges that states currently face," Wheatley said.
Key areas often targeted for addressing achievement gap issues include: early childhood education, improving teacher quality, early intervention for college and extra learning opportunities, such as after-school programs. Beginning with the 2003-04 fiscal year, Pennsylvania has invested substantial funds in these areas and the subcommittee hopes to examine the role these resources have played in addressing the achievement gap.
Stakeholders at the national, state and local levels have been invited to participate, providing a diverse perspective on this issue. The hearing will be held in a panel format, with each panelist providing a brief presentation followed by a discussion with subcommittee members.
Members of the public will be able to offer testimony on the achievement gap from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. Those interested will be able to sign up at the hearing to testify on a first-come basis.
Anyone with questions about the hearing may call or stop by Wheatley’s Pittsburgh office, known as “The People’s Office,” 2015-2017 Centre Ave., first floor; phone 412-471-7760.
Wheatley is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which oversees the state budget, as well as the Education, Health and Human Services, Transportation and Majority Policy committees in the House.
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House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education
Hearing on the Achievement Gap
Friday, March 7, 2008
Agenda
1 p.m.: Welcome and opening remarks – state Representative Jake Wheatley, chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education
1:05 p.m.: PANEL #1
1:05 p.m.: Linda Croushore, executive director, The Consortium for Public Education
1:10 p.m.: Mark Roosevelt, superintendent, Pittsburgh Public Schools
1:15 p.m.: Dr. Marilyn Barnett, principal of Imani Christian Academy and chair of the Education Committee, Pittsburgh Branch of the NAACP
1:20 p.m.: Dr. Jerome Taylor, associate professor, Department of Africana Studies, University of Pittsburgh
1:25 p.m.: OPEN DISCUSSION/QUESTIONS
1:45 pm: PANEL #2
1:45 p.m.: Beth Olanoff, director, Office of Policy, Pennsylvania Department of Education
1:50 p.m.: Jim Buckheit, executive director, Pennsylvania State Board of Education
1:55 p.m.: Ross Weiner, vice president for program and policy, The Education Trust
2 p.m.: Dr. Olga Welch, dean of the School of Education, Duquesne University
2:05 p.m.: Dr. Regina Holley, principal, Pittsburgh Lincoln K-8 School
2:10 p.m.: OPEN DISCUSSION/QUESTIONS
2:30-3 p.m.: PUBLIC TESTIMONY