Hope in Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware counties

Over the last two weeks, leaders, parents and students stood up to celebrate a recent victory for all Pennsylvanians, especially students, at PCCY press conferences in each county. They brought their passion for public education, their grief over the failures of the current system, and their impatience over the apparent indifference of state officials to do their jobs.

WATCH THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY EVENT HERE

Most importantly, they brought a new sense of hope that change could be coming.

Last month, we told you about the PA Supreme Court’s decision to allow a lawsuit to proceed brought by districts and parents against the governor, legislators, and the PA Department of Education. At its core, the suit says the three parties have failed in their duty to provide a “thorough and efficient” education system that offers every student “equal protection,” as mandated by the PA constitution.

Major changes in how education is funded in this country have happened as a result of the courts. To hear it from our speakers, it’s time for justice in Pennsylvania.

“I’m excited for our students. I know this is just the first step in this process, and I hope we move quickly on this. We can’t afford to wait,” said Jane Ann Harbert, superintendent of the William Penn School District.

As districts across the commonwealth have long-suffered inadequate, inequitable funding with no relief in sight, it’s understandable that we have become somewhat inured to the pain. So when the Supreme Court reverses an over 20 year precedent, compelling the Commonwealth Court to hear the case, it’s a major win and a great relief.

As the Delaware County Daily Times wrote in their front page photo headline, it’s a “Supreme feeling!”

One of our most compelling speakers was also our youngest. Penn Wood High School’s Nia Lartey, senior class president, who has seen funding disparity with her own eyes and has had to deal with inadequate education funding in her own academic career.

“I just went to Lower Merion High last week, and they have a pool. They don’t have to fight for a threadbare textbook,” she said. “Their students are, I would say, very blessed …. Lower Merion, Upper Darby, even Springfield, their students are better funded than we are. It’s only by their zip code. And that’s not right.”

That state education funding in Pennsylvania is unfair and inadequate isn’t in dispute outside of a courtroom. Neither is who is responsible for this chronic failure; a failure that profoundly affects every family, business, and institution in PA. But hope has come to Bucks, Montgomery, and Delaware that the governor, legislators, and the Department of Education will finally be held accountable by the only authority that can do so.

Thanks to the Supreme Court, our students could actually learn in school that things can get better.

We’re all hoping for that teachable moment.