Pennsylvania has recently taken bold steps to adequately fund education for all Pennsylvania students. By using the results of the Costing-out Study, Pennsylvania has developed a formula that distributes funding rationally, fairly and with strong standards of accountability. This formula creates immediate improvements in classroom conditions.

 

Thanks to PA-PACT legislation,school districts must draft plans for spending increases in funding distributed through the formula. This makes it easy to track spending and to monitor improvement.

 

Since last summer, members of the Cross City Campaign for School Reform received testimony from hundreds of education stakeholders: students, parents, teachers, principals, business leaders, faith leaders, and other concerned taxpaying citizens from Southeast Pennsylvania.

 

As part of this process, we have evaluated many Southeast Pennsylvania School District PA-PACT plans and monitored their implementation. Where we found problems, we’ve communicated concerns to school district administrations. But more often, we found successful education investments. The testimonies in this Community Account are examples of wise, responsible education investments and the positive changes they’ve created. The stories in this brochure illustrate what is possible when all students have an education supported by adequate resources.

 

Last year we made progress towards adequately funding education, but we still have a long way to go. Therefore, we urge the following: