Sick of budget talk? – December 11, 2015

PCCY’s report on neighborhood high schools was released on Monday at a special press conference with SDP Superintendent Hite.  Click here to get the report.

Something Else to Talk About…

Anyone else sick and tired of hearing about the budget? Let’s take look at high school students who deserve some attention and could use some help.

Separate and Unequal

In Philadelphia, our publicly-funded high schools include charter, citywide and special admission, and neighborhood high schools. Neighborhood schools are the District’s backbone, serving more than half of all students in the city. But they’ve been hit hardest during recent budget cuts, experience high teacher and principal turnover, and, unlike their counterparts, neighborhood schools are required to accept students year-round without additional in-year funding.

While almost all of their students live in poverty, there are even more challenges. In an average neighborhood class of 30 students, four students don’t speak English, seven require special education services, and seven are involved in the child-welfare system.

A Path Forward

Earlier this week at Roxborough High School, PCCY released “Separate and Unequal: A Path Forward for Neighborhood High Schools”, which included the above findings as well as making specific recommendations to address staggering challenges. [Download the report here.]

Our report recommends creating a District-level position in charge of neighborhood high schools, adopt a plan to retain effective principals, create processes for special admission schools to increase their numbers of students learning English and require special education, increase the number of counselors, allow funding to follow students should they switch schools mid-year, increase career and technical programs, and expand access to college prep courses.

The challenges abound but a path forward is clear.

House Republicans Take Parents to the Brink

We can’t help it! The stakes are too high for us not to include a quick mention of the budget.

Many moons ago, the legislature was poised to claim victory over a historic bipartisan compromise with Governor Wolf which included the Commonwealth’s largest funding increase ever. But with NEXT year’s budget deadline less than seven months away, House Republicans have yet to live up to their agreement and do their job. What does it cost them? Pass the budget or not, they still get paid. Teachers will still get paid. But what of the price parents will pay?

Without funding in place, state-subsidized pre-kindergarten programs will close and hard-working, low income parents who need them will be left scrambling with few options for their families.

And parents in both Greenville and Sharpsville, PA, are bracing for catastrophe as officials in  those school districts say they may not reopen schools after the holidays because, without a budget, they’re running out of money. Closed school districts could become a reality across the state.

While we may see a budget deal in the coming week, none of us need to be reminded that’s a well-worn and suspect refrain. That’s why we’re asking you to call your House member and the House leadership today and let them know you expect them to put the needs of Pennsylvanians first. Click here for more information.