Action

Equitable Public School Funding

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Renew Lehigh Valley has partnered with a number of individuals, concerned organizations, parents, teachers, and students in the movement to reform the funding of Pennsylvania's public education system in hopes of achieving educational justice in this state. Strong, efficient, and equitably funded public schools are critical to the quality of life and economic well-being in the Lehigh Valley. 

Pennsylvania's current state funding system is inequitable. Districts with higher wealth and lower student needs spend more per student than lower wealth districts with higher student needs. On average, the higher wealth districts can do this while still making a lower tax effort than other districts.

Renew Lehigh Valley is therefore in favor of a better funding formula, like the one proposed by Govenor Rendell, since parents of school aged children -more often than not- chase the best educational opportunities for their children and are drawn to developing suburban districts, where local taxes are lower and spending for public schools higher. The community they leave behind consequently struggles to keep up despite its stagnant tax base, while farmland and open space continues to be devoured in order to make room for the new families who want their kids in that particular suburban school district.

The present discrepancies in the allotment of resources available per pupil throughout the Lehigh Valley not only creates unjust circumstances, but it inherently hinders RenewLV's efforts to revitalize our cities and older, built out communities as a result of this pursuit.

Governor Rendell has introduced his plan for education in the 2008-09 budget proposal. He outlined a new school funding formula, using the results found in the 'Costing-Out' study, that advances the principles of accountability, adequacy, equity, efficiency and predictability - principles identified by the National Council of State Legislatures as essential building blocks of an effective system of public education. The 'Costing-Out' study was designed to understand what it costs for all students in Pennsylvania public schools - no matter where they live - to receive a quality education allowing them to meet state standards for academic achievement. By understanding these costs, the state has adjusted its funding system to close the gap between high-spending and low-spending school districts.

Major Findings 
from the Costing-Out Study:

1. The average annual total funding needed per student in Pennsylvania is $11,926. The average per-student amount actually spent in 2005-06 was $9,512. Thus, the study found that an average increase of $2,414 per student per year is needed for all students to reach Pennsylvania's academic proficiency and performance expectations.
2. 471 of Pennsylvania's 501 school districts are currently spending below the levels recommended by the costing out study. 1.67 million students attend these under-funded schools. Some districts are currently spending more than $6,000 per student below the level needed to provide a quality education under state standards.
3. In total, Pennsylvania MUST increase education spending by $4.38 billion per year over current levels - a 25.4% increase - in order to meet established performance standards. This number was calculated by adding up the per-student spending gaps in districts across the state.
4. Pennsylvania's current state funding system is INEQUITABLE. Districts with higher wealth and lower student needs spend more per student than lower wealth districts with higher student needs. On average, the higher wealth districts can do this while still making a lower tax effort than other districts.

Take Action:

It is very important that your legislators hear from you and understand that education is a priority. Legislators know that your vote can be won or lost by their response. Take a moment to contact your legislator and voice your opinion on this pertinent issue.  

To learn who your state legislator's are click here to visit the PA General Assembly website! 

Press:

Check back for updates! We will keep you updated on the latest news and information regarding the campaign's progress toward establishing a system that adequately and equitably funds Pennsylvania's public schools.  Additionally, we will be providing vital information on upcoming local events and public meetings that we hope you can attend! Below you will find a list of upcoming events. If you would like to join the RenewLV email list in order to receive email alerts on the latest up-to-date news and upcoming opportunities for public participation, visit RenewLV's Join Us page.

Learn More:

Endorsing Organizations:

Good Schools PA
Education Law Center- PA
PA PTA
Education Policy  & Leadership Center
PA Partnerships for Children