A victory and an update

Here is the overall update about what happened last week:

On Wednesday, July 1, the House Education Committee voted to approve House Bill 704, reforming the special education funding and accountability system in Pennsylvania.

The vote — with bipartisan support — was 22 to 3 in favor of the bill. Click here to see how the Committee members voted. Representatives Clymer, Rapp, and Tallman voted against the bill. The bill has 65 co-sponsors.

The Senate companion bill, Senate Bill 940, is now up to 14 co-sponsors. Senators Kasunic, Logan, and Pippy are considering joining the bill as co-sponsors, and they need to hear from you if you live in their districts.

The legislators leading this effort are expected to negotiate this week with Governor Rendell to seek an agreement about including these special education reforms as part of the annual School Code Bill, which is adopted along with the state budget. Governor Rendell is focusing on other priorities and needs some encouragement to also pay attention to our issues.

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO CONTACT GOVERNOR RENDELL’S OFFICE THIS WEEK. ASK HIM TO SUPPORT HOUSE BILL 704 AND SENATE BILL 940 AS PART OF THE 2009-10 BUDGET AND SCHOOL CODE BILL.

FIRST ACTION NEEDED (Please read this now and take action this week.)

• Contact Governor Rendell this week by phone (leave a detailed message), by e-mail, or by letter.

Governor Edward G. Rendell
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120

Phone: (717) 787-2500
Fax: (717) 772-8284
Click to E-mail the Governor’s Office

SECOND ACTION NEEDED (Please read this now and take action this week!)

• Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.

• Explain why House Bill 704 and Senate Bill 940 should be adopted with the 2009-10 budget and why this is an important issue.

Talking Points

1. Please include House Bill 704 and Senate Bill 940 in the annual School Code Bill to be adopted along with the 2009-10 state budget.

2. I am asking you to support reform of the state funding and accountability system for special education.

3. The current funding system is broken, is unfair, and does not provide enough resources for special education in the right places. It sets the number of students eligible for state funding for special education at 16% regardless of whether the district has fewer or more students receiving special education. It also does not focus the funding on strategies that have a track record for improving student performance.

4. Pennsylvania school districts need additional resources and support from the state for special education. Federal stimulus money can temporarily fill the gap, but state funding and accountability reforms are also needed.

5. I have personal experience with how this broken system hurts children with disabilities and all students.

Thank you for taking quick action on this important issue. We are truly making great progress. Call with any questions or thoughts.