Breaking News: Campaign for Fair Education Funding Proposes New Funding Formula to Help Struggling Pennsylvania Schools

More than 90% of schools cut staff, 91 percent raised property taxes, 74 percent cut school programs and 57 percent increased class sizes at least once since 2010-2011 according to the new school survey published by the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials.  This survey points to the dire need for the state to step up its investment in public education.

Pennsylvania School Districts Raised Property Taxes to Make up for State Underfunding

Source: “Continued Cuts: The PASA-PASBO Report on School Districts,” January 2015

The good news is that Campaign for Fair Education Funding, a coalition that PCCY helped found, released its proposal for a new student-driven funding formula that moves every district toward the adequate level of funding necessary to ensure schools can prepare students to meet state academic standards.  The proposal includes a formula that fairly allocates resources to school districts based on the actual number and needs of students and closes funding gaps between wealthy and poor school districts.  The proposal also includes recommendations to expand efforts to help districts increase efficiency and provides for a more useful accountability structure to help schools boost student outcomes.

The formula distributes state funding based on factors including the number of students living in poverty or English Language Learners as well as the level of local tax effort, district size and charter enrollment.

The Campaign’s proposal finds that state spending must increase by $3.6 billion, which the Campaign recommended be made available over  the next six to eight years, or approximately $451 million annually over an eight year period.  Of course, every new tax dollar spent on education must be spent effectively and efficiently.

The Governor will propose his first budget on Tuesday, March 3rd at 11am.  To watch the live stream of the budget address, click here.  The Campaign’s proposal offers the Governor a blueprint for how to build a successful system of education across Pennsylvania. Click here to read the Executive Summary of the Campaign’s Proposal.  Click here to send a letter to your legislator asking that they make school funding a priority in the FY 2016 budget.

Join PCCY at our upcoming education workshops on Wednesday, March 18th from 6-8 pm and Saturday, March 21st from 9-12 pm.

Click here to read the PASA-PASBO survey.

Did you see this:  Philadelphia parent gets it right on charter expansion, read more here.

City Council Takes Baby Step Forward on Universal Pre-K

We did it!  Thanks to the nearly 4,000 parents and pre-k supporters who signed our petition, Philadelphia City Council unanimously approved a ballot question for the May Primary asking voters if the City should establish a commission tasked with creating a plan to implement and fund high-quality pre-k for every 3-and 4-year old in the City.  Seven out of ten children in Philadelphia cannot access the high-quality pre-k needed to help them start school ready to learn.  This bill is far from a final solution, but it represents a crucial first step in improving access to pre-kindergarten. The next step is for voters to come out to the polls on May 19th and cast their vote “Yes” for the Universal Pre-K Commission.

Click here to send a letter to your local Council member thanking them for approving this critical bill for children.

Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday with PCCY

This Monday March 2nd at 9 am, we will celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday during the Read Across America nationwide event.  We’re reading with Delaware County Rep. Bill Adolph, Pre-K for PA, a pre-school in Harrisburg and the one and only Cat in the Hat. When you see the great pictures on Facebook or Twitter this Monday, please share with your friends!

Ask the Mayoral Candidates Where they Stand on Education

Here’s your chance to get answers from the candidates running for Philadelphia Mayor. The candidates will tell parents and voters where they stand on education at a special forum on March 24, 2015 at G.W. Childs School (1599 Wharton St. in South Philadelphia). Doors open at 6:30 pm.  You can submit your questions by emailing them to questions@PhillyEdForum.org.  If you plan to attend, please email RSVP@PhillyEdForum.org. The forum is hosted by Neighbors Investing in Childs Elementary, Newbold Neighbors Association, Friends of Jackson and The South Philly Schools Coalition.

You don’t want to miss this! Click here to download a flyer to share with your neighbors.

How Would a Vacation in St. Maarten Sound Right About Now?

What better way to beat the winter blues than to start thinking about your summer vacation?  At PCCY’s celebration of the 2015 Public Citizen of the Year, we will see and hear live performances from local children, eat delicious food and have the chance to bid on items in our robust silent auction that includes a weeklong stay at a beach home in beautiful St. Maarten.

All proceeds from the event will benefit PCCY’s research, advocacy and direct services for children in southeastern Pennsylvania.  Click here to buy your tickets.