Guess What Happens When States Fund Their Schools and How Philadelphia Can Make History on Pre-K – January 23, 2015

New Research Backs the Need for Pennsylvania to Fund its Schools

No surprise here!  When underfunded schools have proper funding, students do better in the classroom and in life according to a recently released report from researchers from Northwestern and California-Berkeley.   Their study confirmed that an increase in funding to schools with inadequate resources results in students completing more years of school, receiving higher wages in adulthood and being more likely to avoid poverty.  Researchers found that with a 10% increase in funding in underfunded schools, the positive outcomes were especially pronounced among low-income students who earned 10% more in wages in adulthood.

The study also points out that it’s not just more money that leads to success, but how education dollars are spent.  Researchers found that increased funding had the greatest effect if it was used to reduce class sizes and provide better salaries to attract and retain great teachers.

The report echoes research from Bruce Baker at Rutgers University who found that when schools have more money, they can provide students with a better education.  Despite the overwhelming research on the benefits of investing in education, Pennsylvania ranks among the worst in the percentage of state aid to school districts and inequity among schools.

The legislature created the Basic Education Funding Commission last Spring and charged it with crafting a school funding formula for the state.  The Commission is holding its final round of field hearings and plans to be in Montgomery County on February 5th at 10am.  The location of the hearing is up in the air, but we will update our supporters once it’s confirmed.

While the Commission is expected to propose a formula for allocating state funding to schools, the leadership of the Commission has blocked any discussion of how far short state resources are to enabling schools to prepare students to meet state academic standards.  Fortunately a newly formed Campaign for Fair Education Funding is pushing to ensure that the legislature enacts a funding formula backed by a substantial increase in state funds for schools so that we can enable the impressive results research proves are possible when poorly funded schools wisely apply cash infusions.

Click here to get involved in PCCY’s advocacy toward the goals of the Campaign.



Philadelphians May Soon Be Able to Vote for Pre-K

Philadelphia is poised to make history!   At the first Council meeting of 2015, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell introduced legislation to put a question on the May, 19th, 2015 ballot regarding universal pre-k. It seeks voter approval to create a Task Force charged with creating a plan to enable the city to implement and fund high-quality pre-k programs  for every 3-and 4-year old child.

Philadelphia can reap major rewards by providing pre-k for all its children.  Research shows children who have access to high-quality pre-k succeed in school. Every dollar invested in pre-k returns as much as $17 in savings over the long-term and full state investment in pre-k programs leads to an additional 28,000 jobs created and $800 million spent in the local economy. It’s a win-win all the way around.

City Council must move quickly to approve Councilwoman Blackwell’s bill so the question can appear on the ballot for the May 19th primary. Council is expected to hold a hearing on the bill on February 18th.  We want to collect 10,000 signatures before the bill must be passed on February 26th!  Click here to be part of our “10K for Pre-K” and add your name to the petition.

Click here to read the Bill No. 150005.

Click here to let us know you will attend the City Council Hearing on February 18th.



Pre-K for Pa Heats up in the Suburbs in 2015

Join the Pre-K for PA Campaign on Wednesday, January 28th at 1:30 pm for a quick Call-In Update about our Pre-K vision and ideas for the new year and how you can help.  RSVP here to get the call-in number.

Can’t make the call, join us on Monday morning, February 2nd, when we will be leading one of several Capitol Caravans to Harrisburg.  For more information, contact Anne Gemmell at anneg@childrenfirstpa.org.



An Expert Response to the PCCY Case for Holding the Line on Charter Schools

Last week, PCCY released a report making the case that, absent new revenues, the School Reform Commission should not approve any new charter schools.  Today, Joe Dworetzky, a former Commission member with five years of first-hand experience overseeing the District, echoed our case pointing out that the cost of approving only 13,000 of the 40,000 requested new charter school seats would cost more than $90 million a year.  That’s more than the amount of new revenue expected from the cigarette tax increase.  Dworetzky also suggests if there is $90 million to pay charters, then it makes sense to at least consider spending that $90 million to improve District run schools.  Read more here.



Top Five Reasons Why YOU Should Attend the 2015 Public Citizen of the Year Celebration

While we brace for the snow this weekend, here’s something that is sure to warm you up.  In just a few short months we will host the 2015 Public Citizen of the Year celebration at Vie.  Here’s why you may want to attend:

  1. To support PCCY’s mission of providing better lives and life chances for our region’s children and having a good night out
  2. To see some of the area’s most talented young artists perform live on stage
  3. To toast Greg Redden, regional president for Wells Fargo, for his support of children through the citywide READ! by 4th Campaign.
  4. To mingle with local leaders who share the same vision of improving opportunities for children
  5. To bid on and win great silent auction prizes donated by PCCY supporters

Click here for details and to buy your tickets.

Check out the video below.  You WON’T want to miss this great night of fun to benefit southeastern Pennsylvania’s children!



3,500 Students Get Access to the Arts through the Picasso Project

This Tuesday, January 27th, PCCY will officially award mini grants totaling $70,000 to 15 Philadelphia schools at the Picasso Project grant ceremony at Moore College of Art and Design.  Throughout the rest of the year, 63 teachers will work with 43 teaching artists to help students complete their arts projects and advocate for additional resources so all schools can give their students access to arts education.  Picasso Project grants are made possible through generous donations from Picasso Project supporters and local foundations.  If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Steven Fynes at stevenf@childrenfirstpa.org.

Click here for more details about Tuesday’s event.