Student Staff Announced!

Standing Left to Right: Benjamin Barnhart, Ben Zauzmer, Jake Paston, Travis Gilbert

Seated Left to Right: Natalie Geist, Christina Atterbury

Travis Gilbert's new student staff, a group of 9 student leaders across the state have been announced. Region directors have been appointed to each of the 7 regions of Pennsylvania to help Travis better manage the state and maintain good communication with the students of Pennsylvania.

Region A: Vacant

Region B: Vacant

Region C: Christina Atterbury (Westmont Hilltop High School)

Region D: Maia Stam (Wellsboro Area High School)

Region E: Benjamin Barnhart (Lampeter-Strasburg High School)

Region F: Jake Paston/Ben Zauzmer (Upper Dublin High School)

Region G: Natalie Geist (William Allen High School)

Chief of Staff: John Kocsis (Cumberland Valley High School)

Congratulations to All of the New Staff Members!

Pennsylvania Regions Created!

Pennsylvania has been broken up into Regions! Check out which one you are located in!

Region A: Medium Purple (Northwest)

Region B: Red

Region C: Light Purple

Region D: Yellow

Region E: Green

Region F: Orange

Region G: Dark Purple (Center, East)

Travis Recognized at Big Spring School Board Meeting

On June 1, Travis Gilbert was recognized at the Big Spring School Board monthly meeting. “It's no surprise to anyone at Big Spring High School that Travis was selected for such a prestigious appointment on the PA State Board of Education. His work ethic coupled with his people skills are a winning combination that will bring him great success in the years to come. We are extremely proud of his accomplishments. He truly projects the pride and class that is reflective of what one thinks of when they hear the name of Big Spring High School," Big Spring High School principal, John Scudder said. Travis would like to thank Ms. Christa Daugherty, Mr. John Scudder, Mr. Fred Potzer, and the Newville Community for all their support.

Keystone Exams: UPDATE

Yesterday the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill 281, stripping power from the Pennsylvania Board of Education to create graduation tests and giving that power to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. There were 48 'yea' votes, and 1 'nay' vote. Senator Jim Ferlo, from the Pittsburg area, was the only 'nay' vote.

Governor Rendell vowed to veto Senate Bill 281, so stay tuned for more updates!

What Are The Keystone Exams?

Everyone may be asking, "What Are the Keystone Exams?" and "How do they Affect Me?"

Well, here is your answer: The Keystone Exams are a series of tests that you must pass in order to graduate. There are 10 tests, each specific to an educational area such as Algebra I, civics/government education, or writing. Students must pass 6 of the 10 tests: one science, one history, 2 math, and literature and composition tests. Students still must receive at least proficient in the math, reading, and science PSSA test as well. The exams would be given once each fall, winter, and spring. Students would be able to re-take any exams they did not pass.

Any questions you may have about the Keystone Exams may be forwarded to Travis Gilbert's facebook page, just click the link on the right side of the blog. Keep updated on the Keystone Exams by checking out the blog daily.

PA Graduation Testing: UPDATE

On Tuesday the Pennsylvania Senate Education committee, chaired by Senator Piccola (R-Dauphin) voted in a 11-0 decision to send Senate Bill 281, introduced by Senator Jane Orie (R-Allegheny), to the floor for vote. The Bill states that the Pennsylvania Board of Education cannot, "develop or implement any standard.....approve or propose any regulation to require school districts to develop new or additional high school graduation requirements." This bill puts the powers of graduation testing into the hands of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Governor Rendell vows to veto the bill if it reaches his desk, and the bill may reach the senate floor as early as next week. Stay Connected for Updates on this issue!

Welcome!

Hello Everyone! I'm Travis Gilbert, the new student member-elect on the Pennsylvania Board of Education. I was appointed to the position on May 21, 2009 after an application process ran by the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils (PASC). I ran on the platform of increasing the communication between the two student members on the board of education, and the students of Pennsylvania. Since May I have created a facebook page, twitter, and this blog to kick off using the Internet to connect to students. Pennsylvania is a very large state, but the Internet has no limit. So Welcome! Check out this blog and the other sites. Check back, post comments, contact myself so we can begin two years of conversation between the students of Pennsylvania and the lawmakers of Pennsylvania. Their decisions directly affect you, so get informed, and most importantly, get involved!