News Archive
Past news from Good Schools Pennsylvania:
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
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.
4/2/09
The role of education finance in the health and vitality of Pennsylvania's third-class cities was the topic examined at a joint hearing of the House Education, Appropriations and Urban Affairs Committees in Bethlehem on April 2. Good Schools Pennsylvania testified among other education, business and smart growth organizations proving the the importance of a sound public education in creating successful students, schools and communities and strengthening the economy. Read more.
3/5/09
Pennsylvania's school districts can stay on course toward improving their schools while relieving pressure on local property taxes, thanks to the federal stimulus package. While many states will be using it to plug deficits in their education budgets, the Rendell administration this week announced that it will use the funds to keep schools on track to meeting their adequacy targets under the new school funding formula adopted in July 2008. Continue reading our statement.
2/4/09
Good Schools Pennsylvania acknowledged Governor Rendell for keeping Pennsylvania on course toward establishing a sound system of education finance when he released his state budget proposal on Feb. 4. Read our statement and visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education's website for more information on the proposal. Continue to check back as we update our website and continue to post more information.
11/21/08
Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly met in Harrisburg this week to hold elections for leadership positions within their caucuses. Many of those positions changed hands. Click here to see our full list of leadership positions and here to see a list of statewide education leaders.
10/14/08
With election season in full swing, education took center stage as Good Schools Pennsylvania and the Lancaster Foundation for Educational Enrichment hosted a public forum for the candidates seeking a seat in the 13th District State Senate race. More >
7/4/08
The General Assembly today finalized the state budget and in it, authorized $275 million in additional funding for education that will be distributed by a new school funding formula that begins to address the inequities experienced by students and communities. Click here to read our press release and action alert for more information.
6/4/08
House Bill 2449, the legislation that would enable Pennsylvania's first true school funding formula since the early 1990s, passed today in the House Education Committee by a vote of 23-5. Read our action alert and press release for more information.
5/31/08
Community leaders from the "first suburbs" of Southeastern Pennsylvania gathered for an issues convention to vote among four priority issue areas that challenge their communities. Those issue areas included education finance, housing, infrastructure and social services. When the votes were cast, leaders overwhelmingly identified education finance as the primary culprit for the weakening of their communities. More >
4/17/08
"What will you do to reform public education in our district?" That was the pressing question as business and community leaders, parents, teachers, students and education advocates attended an education forum for candidates running for the 13th district state Senate seat in Lancaster and York Counties. More >
3/17/08
At Good Schools Pennsylvania, we've added another communication tool to our tool chest - a blog! Visit our blog to view entries about activities and events from our field organizers across the state, and be sure to use the comment tool to weigh in with your feedback and thoughts. More >
2/6/08
When he released his 2008-09 budget proposal yesterday, Governor Rendell's plan for education was anything but business-as-usual. Building on the work of the General Assembly to identify what level of resources are truly needed to meet our state’s academic goals for students, Governor Rendell has outlined a new school funding formula that incorporates the principles of adequacy, equity, efficiency, accountability and predictability. More >
2/1/08
Galvanized by the results of the statewide costing-out study, a first-time statewide coalition of education and advocacy organizations have united to call upon Governor Rendell and the General Assembly to fundamentally reform Pennsylvania's outdated and broken school funding formula. More >
1/24/08
Good Schools Pennsylvania advocates in Lancaster are hitting the books... Literally. If you want to learn more about the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., join the book study group focusing this month on Taylor Branch's Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 1954-63. More >
1/18/08
To commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on January 21, Good Schools Pennsylvania has produced a series of church bulletins to advance his vision of educational justice and our work to fix the way Pennsylvania funds public education. More >
1/15/08
The State House cast an overwhelming vote of support today for House Resolution 460, the proposal to create a Joint Legislative Commission on Public School Finance. HR 460 passed by a tally of 192-2. More >
1/4/08
Do you want to be a part of Good Schools Pennsylvania's work to change the way our state funds public education? We have two exciting opportunities for field organizers to join our staff. Be sure to visit our employment & volunteer page to view the job descriptions. More >
12/12/07
The House Education Committee today took steps to ensure that the costing-out study counts when it unanimously passed House Resolution 460, the proposal introduced by State Representatives John Siptroth and Beverly Mackereth to create a Joint Legislative Commission on Public School Finance. More >
12/5/07
In October, we alerted you to the introduction of House Resolution 460, a proposal to create a Joint Legislative Commission on Public School Finance. Now HR 460, which has been under review in the House Education Committee, is coming up for a vote on Wednesday, December 12. Learn what you can do to ensure that the proposal moves out of committee and in to the General Assembly. More >
11/16/07
In response to the costing-out study, Senator Pat Browne (R-16) recently introduced Senate Resolution 210, a proposal to create a Joint Legislative Commission on Public School Finance, similar to House Resolution 460, introduced by State Representatives John Siptroth and Beverly Mackereth in October. More >
11/14/07
After years of guesses, theories and estimates, we finally have answers. Today, the State Board of Education released the results of Pennsylvania's statewide costing-out study. View the results of the study, our press release and our updated webpage for more information. More >
11/11/07
As the November 14 release date of Pennsylvania's first costing-out study nears, visit our updated webpage to read backgrounders and fact sheets on the costing-out study, and information on our Pennsylvania Funding Reform Campaign, and learn how you can take action during this historic and critical time for Pennsylvania's system of public education. Learn more here >
10/26/07
The State Board of Education recently announced the details of the release of the costing-out study. The formal release will be November 14 at 3:00 p.m. in the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. In addition, representatives from the board and study consultants will conduct six regional hearings to discuss local implications of the costing-out study. Learn more here >
10/18/2007
In anticipation of the release of the costing-out study on November 14, two state representatives issed a proposal to form a Joint Legislative Commission on Public School Finance. Read coverage from newspapers across the state and our press release >
7/19/2007
During a year in which the governor advanced multiple ambitious spending priorities, public education received its due in the 2007-08 budget, passed this week. Read more about the budget >
7/17/2007
UPDATE: Good Schools Pennsylvania has compiled the 2005-06 comparative school district data. See your school's data >
7/12/2007
Good Schools Pennsylvania is pleased to announce the addition of three new members to our Board of Directors. Read More (PDF)>
6/05/2007
Citizens came from several parts of the state on June 5th to call on members of the General Assembly to make public education a priority in the 2007-08 state budget. Read More (PDF)>
5/30/2007
Good Schools provided testimony to the House Education Commitee. Read More (PDF)>
5/23/2007
With the poor voter response to Act 1, public opinion is growing that lawmakers need to fix school funding. Click here to read the editorials>
5/17/2007
Good Schools Pennsylvania, Education Law Center, and Education Policy and Leadership Center say that local property tax votes and proposed state education policies highlight need for school funding reform. Read More (PDF) >
5/17/2007
National $6 milion fund back local efforts -- including Good Schools Pennsylvania -- to organize SEPA communities around public education reform. Read More (PDF) >
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