How Pennsylvania Can Save Money by Investing in Pre-K

Pennsylvania can save millions of dollars down the road by investing in high-quality pre-k, according to new research from the Economy League of Philadelphia and released by the Pre-K for PA Campaign.  Researchers analyzed dozens of pre-k programs across the country and found that children who attended high-quality pre-kindergarten programs were less likely to need special education services, less likely to repeat a grade and have fewer behavioral problems in school.  You only need to look across the Delaware River for an example of how pre-k is making a difference in the lives of children.  The report found that New Jersey’s public pre-k program decreased special education placement by 31%, reduced the likelihood of grade repetition by 40% and increased achievement in language arts, math and science through fifth grade.  Pennsylvania can reap these same great benefits by investing in pre-k. Currently, high-quality publicly funded pre-k is only available to one in six children, leaving about 125,000 three-and four-year-olds unable to access these valuable programs and start school ready to succeed.

Click here to read the report.

Want to help improve access to pre-k?  Click here to join the Pre-K for PA campaign.

It’s Funding, Not Fighting, that Will Solve Philadelphia’s Education Crisis

Thousands of Philadelphia school teachers, concerned students, parents and citizens protested the School Reform Commission’s decision to terminate the union’s contract and require teachers to make payments toward their health care premiums.  The District indicated that the funds generated by teachers paying toward the health care costs would be given to schools to cover urgent school needs such as supplies or additional staffing.  There is good reason to believe that the union would not have objected to a negotiated agreement that did exactly what the School Reform Commission unilaterally imposed.  But after 21 months of negotiations, there is also ample evidence to show that neither party is working hard enough to bring the negotiations to closure.

Despite the district’s explosive announcement around the canceling of the entire contract it appears the only substantial change in recent weeks have been to health care.  Without a doubt the new health care payment is a hardship on teachers who are already paying for classroom supplies and more often than not are paying for food, clothes and other necessities for students in need.

The conditions that led to the SRC’s actions were put in place four years ago when the state slashed nearly $300 million in funding for the District.  The union and those who know the hard, dedicated work of teachers are reasonably offended by the SRC’s action.  But the conditions of our schools will not be solved by pitched local battles.  The only solution to the dire situation in Philadelphia is to join with the 499 other school districts around the state and demand a restoration of the state education cuts and the adoption of an amply funded formula that supports the education system needed to prepare our students for success. 

Area Superintendents Testify on the Need for Fair School Funding

School District Superintendents across the region agree: the state must understand the true costs of education when crafting a new fair funding formula for schools.  At a Basic Education Funding Commission hearing yesterday, seven superintendents representing schools in Bucks, Chester and Montgomery Counties all testified that the Commission should establish an adequacy goal for education to ensure schools receive fair, adequate and predictable state funding.

Commission Member Rep. Mark Longietti agreed with their testimony, saying, “are we going to end up with a system where districts say, ‘OK, you have shifted the dollars around, but the dollars were inadequate to begin with?’ ”
The Campaign for Fair Education Funding is quickly taking root across the state to push the Commission and the legislature to recognize that more must be done to repair the state’s system of funding public schools.

Click here to learn more about the Campaign and how you can get involved.

Save the date!  The Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding Commission will hold public hearings in Philadelphia on November 18th and 19th.  We’ll let you know the time and location once it is announced.

Adults Support Equal Access to Healthcare for Undocumented Children

A new survey released this week finds 42% of adults who work with children believe all children should have access to the same level of quality healthcare, regardless of their immigration status, according to the National Voices Project, a national organization that promotes racial equality for children.  State and localities such as Illinois, sections of California and Washington D.C. have already made healthcare available to undocumented children.  But Pennsylvania has yet to take action to respond to the health care needs of these children in spite of the fact that an estimated 47,000 undocumented children live in the Commonwealth.

Click here to sign up as a supporting organization of healthcare for all children.  For more information contact Colleen McCauley, PCCY Health Policy Director, at colleenm@childrenfirstpa.org or 215-563-5848 ext. 33.

Meet Philadelphia’s Newest Icon for Child Literacy

Philadelphia Eagles Cornerback Brandon Boykin knows how to do the 22.  This week he joined the READ! By 4th Campaign to become the first Philadelphia icon for childhood literacy.  Click here to see how he’s helping boost the number of children reading on grade-level by the start of 4th grade and what it means to do the 22.

Children’s Sabbath is This Sunday

Join PCCY this Sunday, October 19th at 3:00 pm for the 2014 Children’s Sabbath, a special interfaith service at Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill as part of the national Children’s Sabbath Celebration.

There will be singing, praise, dancing, food, and words from many faith traditions. The event will feature performances from the CAPA Dance Company, Pennsylvania Girlchoir, Keystone State Boychoir, and Singing City’s Children’s Choir.

We will be collecting gently used and new books for children up to age 6 with all proceeds benefitting Philadelphia READS and Project HOME.

Spread the word!

Children’s Sabbath
Sunday, October 19 at 3pm
Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill
8855 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118
Click here for more information about the event.

Click here to download a flyer that you can share with your friends.