Reform Special Education Funding
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Bill alters special-ed funding
Sunday, June 27, 2010
By BRIAN WALLACE, Lancaster Intelligencer Journal Staff Writer
The state House has approved a new funding formula for special-education services, but the bill doesn’t include the mandated funding increases hoped for by some school officials and advocates for the disabled.
In fact, the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. [...]
Bill alters special-ed funding
Sunday, June 27, 2010
By BRIAN WALLACE, Lancaster Intelligencer Journal Staff Writer
The state House has approved a new funding formula for special-education services, but the bill doesn’t include the mandated funding increases hoped for by some school officials and advocates for the disabled.
In fact, the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Mike Sturla of Lancaster, said state special-ed subsidies are likely to be frozen at 2008-09 levels for the next two years.
What House Bill 704 would do is assure that whatever money is available for special-education services each year goes to the school districts that need it most, Sturla said.
Continue reading »
Tagged with: HB 704 • Lancaster • Media • Rep. Sturla • special education • special education funding
HB 704 has gotten some press following its approval by the House. Check back for more!
Administrators hope bill will bring fairness to special education
By Amy Crawford
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, June 24, 2010
A bill that would change the way state special education funding is distributed to school districts was approved by the [...]
HB 704 has gotten some press following its approval by the House. Check back for more!
Administrators hope bill will bring fairness to special education
By Amy Crawford
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, June 24, 2010
A bill that would change the way state special education funding is distributed to school districts was approved by the House of Representatives yesterday, giving hope to administrators who say the system shortchanges districts with the most special needs students.
“This is a good day,” said Ed Maritz, a Sto-Rox school director who has advocated for special education funding reform for more than a decade. “It’s about time that we got some fairness in special education.”
Currently, Pennsylvania calculates subsidies for special education by assuming that 16 percent of students in each district have disabilities. The average is about 15.5 percent, but some districts have much higher numbers.
In Sto-Rox, for example, more than a quarter of students have disabilities. With a budget of about $24 million, the district spends about $3.5 million on special education, only $1 million of which comes from the state.
Continue reading »
Our bill for special education funding and accountability reform (House Bill 704) passed the whole State House of Representatives on June 23, 2010 by a vote of 173 to 25.
Click here to see how your representative voted.
Together, we made this happen when everyone else said it couldn’t. Let’s keep working and [...]
Our bill for special education funding and accountability reform (House Bill 704) passed the whole State House of Representatives on June 23, 2010 by a vote of 173 to 25.
Click here to see how your representative voted.
Together, we made this happen when everyone else said it couldn’t. Let’s keep working and see if we can get the bill passed into law with the state budget by mid-July.
Stay tuned for further action steps.
For now, please consider the following immediate actions:
(1) Call or e-mail your state representatives and thank them for voting for HB 704. They are currently in their Harrisburg offices. Find their contact information here.
(2) If you have not signed our online petition, this would be a good time to do so.
(3) Consider adding your comments about HB 704 on our online discussion page.
Your tireless efforts are most appreciated.
House Bill 704 received unanimous support on Tuesday, June 22 from the State House of Representatives – 199 to 0. Click here to see the vote totals.
This was not the final passage of the bill, but was something called “second consideration.” However, Tuesday’s vote was the biggest hurdle. And you did [...]
House Bill 704 received unanimous support on Tuesday, June 22 from the State House of Representatives – 199 to 0. Click here to see the vote totals.
This was not the final passage of the bill, but was something called “second consideration.” However, Tuesday’s vote was the biggest hurdle. And you did it!
The vote on final passage will be after 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Watch here. The bill is expected to be overwhelmingly approved on final passage, although some representatives may vote against it.
Thank you for all of your wonderful efforts in support of special education funding and accountability reform. Together, we all played a big role in making this happen. Every phone call and e-mail was heard, and added up to a powerful voice on behalf of children with disabilities.
There are a few next steps before HB 704 is enacted into law. We want the bill to be adopted by the full General Assembly along with the budget this year, which could take place by the middle of July.
We will let you know about those next steps over the next few days.
For now, please consider the following immediate actions:
(1) Call or e-mail your state representatives and thank them for voting for HB 704. They are currently in their Harrisburg offices. Find their contact information here.
(2) If you have not signed our online petition, this would be a good time to do so.
(3) Consider adding your comments about HB 704 on my online discussion page.
Thank you for proving that collaborative action can make positive things happen. Let’s keep up our efforts until HB 704 is signed into law.
An excellent Op-Ed from Greg Knox of the Arc appeared in Sunday’s York Daily Record:
Education bill needed
GREG KNOX
Elected officials in Harrisburg are demonstrating that they certainly can act as responsible public servants. In a time of political turmoil, that’s a very good sign.
What is bringing out the best in our [...]
An excellent Op-Ed from Greg Knox of the Arc appeared in Sunday’s York Daily Record:
Education bill needed
GREG KNOX
Elected officials in Harrisburg are demonstrating that they certainly can act as responsible public servants. In a time of political turmoil, that’s a very good sign.
What is bringing out the best in our leaders in the state Capitol? A bill addressing the educational needs of students with disabilities — House Bill 704.
This bill shouldn’t have a chance, given the difficulties of state government in these days. But the bill is only days away from being approved by the House of Representatives and moving on to prompt consideration in the Senate.
In a time when partisan tensions are common, HB 704 has 66 cosponsors from both parties and was approved by a bipartisan vote of 22 to 3 in the House Education Committee. Continue reading »
THE TOP PRIORITY REMAINS MAKING CALLS TO YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE. SEE BELOW.
The whole State House of Representatives continues to move closer to a vote on House Bill 704. This is our legislation for reform of the state systems for special education funding and accountability.
Prior to this historic vote, a few extra days [...]
THE TOP PRIORITY REMAINS MAKING CALLS TO YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE. SEE BELOW.
The whole State House of Representatives continues to move closer to a vote on House Bill 704. This is our legislation for reform of the state systems for special education funding and accountability.
Prior to this historic vote, a few extra days are needed for the bill sponsors to negotiate amendments with some other House members.
We have worked to develop and support HB 704 for nearly two years. This is a monumental step for students with disabilities and their schools.
Thank you for helping our online petition to gain more than 1,400 signatures. Forward this alert to others to add more signatures and comments to the petition.
Please take the following actions ASAP:
Contact Your State Representative
- Locate your state representative and contact information here — http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/find.cfm.
- Call his or her Harrisburg office.
- Leave a phone message using the following talking points.
- Ask the state representative to call you back.
- Also send an e-mail using and personalizing the talking points. Call first.
- Do not call state senators or other officials.
Talking Points
- Please vote for House Bill 704 when it comes to the House floor. HB 704 deserves your support and a vote without amendments.
- I am asking you to support reform of the state funding and accountability system for special education.
- HB 704 has 66 bipartisan cosponsors. It was approved 22-3 by the House Education Committee.
- 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.
- The school districts you represent need additional resources and support from the state.
- I am your constituent and I have personal experience with how this broken system hurts children with disabilities and all students. (Describe your experience.)
- Thank you for supporting this important issue and voting for HB 704 this week.
Extra Help and Follow Up
For extra help, call Baruch Kintisch (215-238-6970 x 320) or Sandy Zelno (412-255-6414).
Send us an e-mail and let us know how your phone calls, e-mails, and letters turn out.
Additional Resources:
Summary of HB 704 (two-page summary)
Q&A on Special Education Funding Reform (4-page detailed information)
Thank you for getting involved and making good things happen for children with disabilities and all children.
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 [...]
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.”
Continue reading »
Show your support. Sign our petition to help special education in Pennsylvania.
Show your support. Sign our petition to help special education in Pennsylvania.
I welcome discussion with legislators regarding the need for special ed funding reform in PA. I was a Director of Special Education in a large western PA school district for 13 years. I have experience trying to balance the immediate mandated needs of educating special needs children and the impact of my proposed budgets on [...]
I welcome discussion with legislators regarding the need for special ed funding reform in PA. I was a Director of Special Education in a large western PA school district for 13 years. I have experience trying to balance the immediate mandated needs of educating special needs children and the impact of my proposed budgets on the entire District budget. Often, the increase in funding was minimal and I was forced to prioritize the needs of the students…often cutting from one or more categories in my budget. School boards and school administrators have a difficult responsibility to implement mandated changes, federal laws and provide for the many needs of students without the appropriate financial support from the state and federal levels. Please take immediate action to support HB 704.
– Joanne C. Meredith, educator
Show your support. Sign our petition to help special education in Pennsylvania.
Meeting the unique needs of students with special needs is critical not only for them but also for other students in our public schools. As a grandmother of three — one of whom ahs developmental disabilities, one of whom is gifted but with some unique issues, and one who functions well in a regular classroom [...]
Meeting the unique needs of students with special needs is critical not only for them but also for other students in our public schools. As a grandmother of three — one of whom ahs developmental disabilities, one of whom is gifted but with some unique issues, and one who functions well in a regular classroom — I recognize the importance of this legislation.
– Barbara Smith, grandparent
Show your support. Sign our petition to help special education in Pennsylvania.
VOICES OF SUPPORT
2010 video from Senate hearing on special education reform legislation
PAGES
SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING
Q&A on Special Education Funding Reform
Read the full report:Costing-out Special Education Funding
Read the executive summary: Costing-out Study: Executive Summary
View statewide data report:
Pa. Data on Special EducationView a presentation on:HB 704
DRAFT: State Survey on Special Education Funding Formulas
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
There are approximately 40 organizations supporting special education funding reforms, including:
The full list of supporting organizations is on the About page.
CONTACTS
Education Law Center
In Philadelphia:
Baruch Kintisch
215-238-6970
bkintisch@elc-pa.org
In Pittsburgh:
Sandra Zelno
412-255-6414
szelno@elc-pa.orgDisability Rights Network of PA
Sallie Lynagh
1-800-390-1279
slynagh@drnpa.orgThe Arc of Pennsylvania
Pam Klipa
717-234-2621
pklipa@thearcpa.orgGood Schools Pennsylvania
Janis Risch
215-332-2700
janis@goodschoolspa.orgCATEGORIES
- Action Items (26)
- Media (19)
- News (37)
- Organizing (6)
TAGS
Above Average Jane charters coalition Education Law Center funding Harrisburg HB 11 HB704 HB 704 hearing hearings House House Education Committee Lancaster Lancaster County Lebanon Lehigh Valley map Media notebook Organizing parent Pennsylvania philadelphia Pittsburgh Pocono Record Pottstown reform Rep. McCall Rep. McIlvaine-Smith Rep. O'Neill Rep. Roebuck Rep. Smith Rep. Sturla SB 940 SB 1115 Sen. Browne Sen. Dinniman Senate senate education committee special ed special education special education funding York Zahorchak
