Reform Special Education Funding
A clear and concise York Dispatch editorial about House Bill 704 and the need for special education funding and accountability reform:
EDITORIAL The York Dispatch
Updated: 06/10/2010 10:46:06 AM EDT
Basic education funding is shaping up to be a major sticking point in Pennsylvania’s ongoing budget process.
Facing a potential $2 billion deficit, just about every state program is on the chopping block — except education.
This is Gov. Ed Rendell’s top priority, and he wants to increase funding by $354 million, saying “there’s nothing more important to the commonwealth’s future.”
Some legislators, particularly from the GOP, counter there should be no sacred cows in these tough times.
Both have a point. Giving our children the best possible education is one of the most important things we can do for them. But we’re also in dire financial straits, as a state and individually.
Which ever side one comes down on, we all probably can agree on one thing: No matter how much we spend on education, every dollar must be used wisely. There’s simply no room for waste.
With that in mind, it’s interesting to see how the state funds special education.
School districts have been getting special education funding based on the assumption each district has 16 percent of its total enrollment in special education.
But obviously that’s not always the case. Some districts have less than that, while others have more — sometimes significantly more, as in the case of York City schools, which usually has closer to 25 percent or more of its students in special education.
It never made sense that the state would severely underfund one district, while sending more money than needed to another. At best it’s inequitable; at worst it’s wasteful.
A new bill intended to fix this problem is awaiting a House vote. It would move special education funding from the flat rate to a per student-based formula.
Yes, special education funding is separate from basic education funding, but the two combined determine how much we have to make up in the form of property taxes.
We urge lawmakers to approve this legislation, and ensure every dollar is spent where it’s needed most.
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