Special education reform

Pennsylvania makes progress on new school funding formula

In 2008, Pennsylvania adopted a landmark funding formula for basic education – the state’s first since 1991 – which began to restore adequacy and equity to students, schools and communities throughout the commonwealth. However, special education students have been left out of the equation.

A coalition of more than 40 organizations is now working together to improve Pennsylvania’s school funding formula by including reforms to the way special education is funded. The coalition believes that despite the challenging economy, it’s time for the General Assembly to approach special education funding with the same sharp eye its members approached basic education funding in 2008.

What you can do:

• Read the Special Education Costing-Out Study
• Read House Bill 704
• Contact your legislators and ask them to support reforms to special education in order to improve upon the progress in public education that Pennsylvania made last year.