Community Account. A coalition of community groups has collected hundreds of anecdotes to document the successes and celebrations as a direct result of Pennsylvania's school funding formula. Be sure to access the brochure.
Good Schools Pennsylvania
6757 Greene Street, Suite 310
Philadelphia, PA 19119-3508
(866) 720-4086
info@goodschoolspa.org
Good Schools Pennsylvania is a statewide network of citizens who are informed and mobilized in support of public education. We believe that we can improve our schools when we join together in calling for adequate funds that are equitably distributed, proven educational practices to meet a standard of excellence, and effective accountability measures. We invite you to become part of the movement for educational justice in Pennsylvania! Learn more >
News & Announcements
6/18/09
Dave Smith, Good Schools Pennsylvania's central Pennsylvania manager, was the recipient of the Champion of Diversity award from the Lancaster Urban League and the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce. He received the award for his work to improve public education in Pennsylvania and for his years of community service to promote diversity in Lancaster. Read his remarks here.
6/6/09
David Rusk, a leading urban and metropolitan researcher (and a speaker at past SEPA First Suburbs Project events), has released a new report on the relationship between housing policy and school policy in the Lancaster County public schools. Read the report here.
5/26/09
A panel of advocates, including school board members, parents and students, testified in front of the House Education Committee today on the success stories that have occurred since the passage of Pennsylvania's new school funding formula and its accountability provisions. Be sure to view the powerpoint presentation and a brochure of success stories from southeastern Pennsylvania.
4/29/09
Special education finance reform is gaining traction as Reps. Mike Sturla, Barbara McIlvaine Smith and James Roebuck, along with more than 45 co-sponsors, have introduced House Bill 704, legislation to enact an equitable special education funding formula and an accountability system to ensure effective investment of resources. Visit the special education advocacy groups' website for more information.
4/2/09
The role of education finance in the health and vitality of Pennsylvania's third-class cities was the topic examined at a joint hearing of the House Education, Appropriations and Urban Affairs Committees in Bethlehem on April 2. Good Schools Pennsylvania testified among other education, business and smart growth organizations proving the the importance of a sound public education in creating successful students, schools and communities and strengthening the economy. Read more.
3/5/09
Pennsylvania's school districts can stay on course toward improving their schools while relieving pressure on local property taxes, thanks to the federal stimulus package. While many states will be using it to plug deficits in their education budgets, the Rendell administration this week announced that it will use the funds to keep schools on track to meeting their adequacy targets under the new school funding formula adopted in July 2008. Continue reading our statement.
2/4/09
Good Schools Pennsylvania acknowledged Governor Rendell for keeping Pennsylvania on course toward establishing a sound system of education finance when he released his state budget proposal on Feb. 4. Read our statement and visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education's website for more information on the proposal. Continue to check back as we update our website and continue to post more information.
Click here to view an archive of past news from Good Schools Pennsylvania.