skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Election 2024 - close races to decide control of US Congress; Alabama felony voting ban leaves thousands disenfranchised as polls open; Glynn County under watch as key Election Day player; PA voting report: Strengthening election integrity amid potential disruptions.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Philadelphia's District Attorney says the city is prepared for any election violence, doctors advise about how to handle Election Stress Disorder, and Oregon has a high number of women in government.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A Cambodian poultry farmer who lost his livelihood could be a hero for others, rural Montanans are anxiously awaiting a court ruling over a climate lawsuit brought by young people, and Northeast states say more housing for working families could boost jobs.

Call to Action: PA Group Pushes for More K-12 School Funding

play audio
Play

Wednesday, April 19, 2023   

More school funding for basic and special education, along with more funding targeted to lower-income districts are on the wish list of a Pennsylvania advocacy group for public schools.

Gov. Josh Shapiro's budget includes an increase of just over $567.4 million for education, or 7.8%, with an increase of almost $104 million for special education.

Deborah Gordon Klehr, executive director of the Education Law Center-Pennsylvania, said her group is asking legislators to improve on the governor's plan with what she calls a "significant down payment" in this year's budget, and an action plan for reforming the funding system moving forward.

"In the short term, we're looking for a budget that allocates an additional $700 million for basic education funding, $300 million in 'Level Up' funding, and $237 million for special education in this year's budget," Gordon Klehr outlined.

She noted the Commonwealth Court decision made clear earlier this year Pennsylvania's system of funding public schools is unconstitutional and must be revamped. In the meantime, hundreds of thousands of students are attending schools without enough basic resources for them to receive a quality education.

Advocates are going to Harrisburg on April 26 to meet with legislators about the Level Up program, along with other school funding needs. Gordon Klehr emphasized it is all part of the down payment they are asking for, of about $2 billion in new education funding. Their other priority is for state officials to make an immediate start on a comprehensive plan for a new school funding system.

"Ensuring that the resources the court identified as lacking in low-wealth school districts are available," Gordon Klehr urged. "Including sufficient and qualified staff, courses and curricula that prepare students for college and career, safe and appropriate facilities, appropriate books and technology."

She added new funding levels must be based on what is needed to give students a comprehensive, effective, and contemporary education, not on legislative whims from year to year. And she says there is a sense of urgency because the state is operating on a school funding system that violates students' constitutional rights.
The new state budget must be adopted by the end of June.

Disclosure: The Education Law Center contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy and Priorities, Children's Issues, Education, and Human Rights/Racial Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
In 2016, Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton by almost 29% of the vote in Glynn and four years later beat Joe Biden by 23% of the nearly 42,000 votes cast in the county. The former president is expected to prevail again this year in the heavily Republican county. (Michael Rolands/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

By Jabari Gibbs for The Current.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Georgia News Connection reporting for the Rural News Network-Public News Serv…


Social Issues

play sound

It is Election Day and Maine voters are weighing the future of the state's extensive trail system. If passed, the Maine Trails Bond would inject …

Social Issues

play sound

Election Day is finally here, and this year more than 17 million Latinos are expected to cast a ballot. The National Association of Latino Elected …


A New York State Comptroller report found New York City had the highest rental cost burden in the state between 2016 and 2020. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A package of New York City bills can help preserve affordable housing. The Community Land Act creates more pathways for communities to purchase and …

Social Issues

play sound

By Lourdes Medrano for Yes! Media.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Arizona News Connection reporting for the Yes! Media-Public News Service …

Michigan law has several built-in enforcement provisions to safeguard the process against the county and state officials who blatantly refuse to certify. (Olena Yefremkina/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A nonprofit report aims to build trust in Michigan's voting system by explaining the safeguards that ensure fair and free elections. The report …

Social Issues

play sound

Wyoming's secretary of state is asking county clerks to report non-citizens who try to vote, although cases of that - or any other - kind of election …

Environment

play sound

By Grace Hussain for Sentient.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborat…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021