Community Account. A coalition of community groups has collected hundreds of anecdotes to document the successes and celebrations as a direct result of Pennsylvania's school funding formula. Be sure to access the brochure.
Current Initiatives
Opportunities to Learn Summit, Oct. 19, PittsburghJoin parents, community and business leaders, policy makers and others in Western Pennsylvania as they examine opportunities to learn for all students in Pennsylvania. A panel of education experts will be on hand to answer questions like: What are the educational elements that have the most impact on students? How can resources be used effectively? Who are the state and local leaders with control over the elements of influencing educational quality? Space is limited; please reserve your place now.
Good Schools Pennsylvania
6757 Greene Street, Suite 310
Philadelphia, PA 19119-3508
(866) 720-4086
info@goodschoolspa.org
Good Schools Pennsylvania is a statewide network of citizens who are informed and mobilized in support of public education. We believe that we can improve our schools when we join together in calling for adequate funds that are equitably distributed, proven educational practices to meet a standard of excellence, and effective accountability measures. We invite you to become part of the movement for educational justice in Pennsylvania! Learn more >
News & Announcements
12/14/09
Good Schools Pennsylvania just released our fall/winter 2009 newsletter. Didn't receive one in the mail? You can read it here in a PDF format.
10/9/09
Support for a rational system of education finance prevailed today as the Governor and General Assembly agreed to a 2009-10 state budget that maintains the adequacy formula adopted in 2008, provides new resources for local improvements to basic education programs, and keeps the state on track toward the long-term objective of an equitable system of education finance. Read our action alert and press release for more information.
9/16/09
9/11/09
Good Schools Pennsylvania and the Education Law Center want to ensure that legislators and the media are asking the right questions about education funding during these critical budget debate negotiations. Pennsylvania made historic progress last year in adopting a school funding formula that is based on a costing-out process. It's important for legislators and the media to address the following questions so taxpayers know that the final education budget continues to support all students, strengthen schools, reduce property taxes, and revitalize communities. Read the questions.
The state's education budget came a step closer to resolution today, when legislative leaders announced that a tentative agreement was reached in Pennsylvania's nearly three-month budget impasse. Very few details were made public, but leaders from three caucuses announced an agreed-upon framework for a $27.945 billion budget for fiscal year 2009-10. Read our statement.
8/27/09
As students prepare to return to school after their summer recess, Pennsylvania's fiscal year 2009-10 budget - now more than 50 days overdue - is still unfinished. To help students understand the forces influencing their educational experiences this year, Good Schools Pennsylvania is offering a lesson plan that addresses the state budget and school funding issues. State Budget 101: A lesson plan for students to solve Pennsylvania's budget problems (without politics) was developed in partnership with the Education Law Center. Access it today to see if you can solve Pennsylvania's education budget impasse.
8/13/09
Good Schools Pennsylvania is partnering with the Education Law Center and the Disability Rights Network to host a series of three regional briefings on special education reform. The briefings come at a critical time as advocates are working throughout the state to advance special education reforms in order to strengthen and improve the way our system of education finance supports students, schools and communities. The briefings will take place in Glenside (near Philadelphia), Pittsburgh and Lancaster. Please make plans to attend one.
7/16/09
We've witnessed in Pennsylvania how a key policy such as education finance can contribute to the blighting of communities with weak property tax bases. Now, a new documentary sheds light on similar trends around the country. "A New Metropolis" focuses on America's first suburbs - those suburban communities built next to urban centers. Join us for one of two sneak previews of this documentary - July 23 in Chester and July 30 in Norristown. Both are hosted by the Southeastern Pennsylvania First Suburbs Project.
6/18/09
Dave Smith, Good Schools Pennsylvania's central Pennsylvania manager, was the recipient of the Champion of Diversity award from the Lancaster Urban League and the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce. He received the award for his work to improve public education in Pennsylvania and for his years of community service to promote diversity in Lancaster. Read his remarks here.
6/6/09
David Rusk, a leading urban and metropolitan researcher (and a speaker at past SEPA First Suburbs Project events), has released a new report on the relationship between housing policy and school policy in the Lancaster County public schools. Read the report here.
5/26/09
A panel of advocates, including school board members, parents and students, testified in front of the House Education Committee today on the success stories that have occurred since the passage of Pennsylvania's new school funding formula and its accountability provisions. Be sure to view the powerpoint presentation and a brochure of success stories from southeastern Pennsylvania.
4/29/09
Special education finance reform is gaining traction as Reps. Mike Sturla, Barbara McIlvaine Smith and James Roebuck, along with more than 45 co-sponsors, have introduced House Bill 704, legislation to enact an equitable special education funding formula and an accountability system to ensure effective investment of resources. Visit the special education advocacy groups' website for more information.
Click here to view an archive of past news from Good Schools Pennsylvania.