Accomplishments

By creating an independent statewide constituency for public education, by forging powerful collaborations, and by crafting winning legislative and advocacy strategies, Good Schools Pennsylvania succeeded in accomplishing the following:

  • Identifying organizations, public officials and grassroots leaders to act as champions for education funding reform.
  • Securing the approval of the General Assembly to authorize a comprehensive costing-out study to determine the real resources needed to prepare all students to meet the state’s academic standards and to be prepared for college, career and beyond. The study was released in November 2007.
  • Raising the visibility of the study to grassroots leaders, policymakers and the media as a compelling justification for a new, more equitable school funding formula.
  • Securing the adoption of the new school funding and accountability formula on July 4, 2008 as part of the 2008-09 state budget. The new formula is largely based on the costing-out study and takes into account the actual needs of students and communities, which are widely divergent throughout the state.
  • Working in coalition with more than 40 other education and disability rights organizations to have legislation introduced in the House and Senate in 2009 to reform the Pennsylvania funds special education.
  • Strengthening the link between successful schools and sustainable communities by partnering with smart growth organizations to focus on regional equity in Pennsylvania.

Current priorities:

  • Maintain a sound system of education finance: After successfully advocating for a new state funding and accountability system for public education in 2008, as well as it’s continuation in 2009, we are working to sustain and improve upon these reforms and ensure their prioritization in a new gubernatorial administration.
  • Local school improvement: The recent statewide school funding victory and in the influx of unprecedented levels of federal education funding challenge advocates to ensure that increased investment results in better schools and increased student achievement. Good Schools Pennsylvania is employing our organizing efforts to support targeted school districts in linking funding reforms to school improvement efforts.