Legislative Update
Below are current legislative initiatives or policies that may impact all our children's access to great education.
Public Education in the 2008-09 State Budget
Building on the work of the General Assembly to identify the level of resources needed to meet Pennsylvania's academic goals for students, Governor Rendell has outlined a new school funding formula that incorporates the principles of adequacy, equity, efficiency, accountability and predictability in his 2008-09 budget proposal. More>
Click here to read about the 2007-08 education budget.
Pennsylvania's Costing-Out Study
After years of theories, guesses and estimates, Pennsylvanians finally have an answer to the question of what it takes to provide a high quality education to every student, as the State Board of Education unveiled the results of a statewide costing-out study on Pennsylvania's education system on November 14, 2007. Learn more >
Proposals to create a Joint Legislative Commission on Public School Finance
In response to the costing-out study, legislators in both the State House and Senate have introduced proposals to create a Joint Legislative Commission on Public School Finance. The proposals, House Resolution 460 and Senate Resolution 210, would convene a diverse group of members of the General Assembly, business leaders, educators, nonprofit leaders, parents and citizens to use the results of the costing-out study to offer recommendations for how best to reform the way Pennsylvania funds public education. Learn more >
Cost-Effectiveness of School District Consolidation
As authorized by Senate Resolution 208, the Legislative Budget & Finance Committee contracted with Standard & Poor's to evaluate the potential cost-effectiveness of various approaches to school district consolidation. Standard & Poor's released the report on June 13, 2007. Click here to view the report.
The Task Force on School Cost Reduction
The Task Force on School Cost Reduction was established in Special Session Act 1 of 2006. The purpose of the task force is to thoroughly examine all costs to school districts, regardless of the reason or source of such costs, and to offer viable options for use by both the General Assembly and local governments to minimize or reduce the costs to school districts within the Commonwealth. Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education's website to access links to the quarterly and final reports.