Reform Special Education Funding
There are a few key improvements to HB 704.
Here’s the formal Summary:
Current Contents of House Bill 704 (65 co-sponsors) & Senate Bill 940 (15 co-sponsors)
(as introduced, as adopted 22-3 and amended in the House Education Committee, and reflecting a negotiated agreement between Governor Rendell and the bill sponsors)
SUMMARY [...]
State funding for special education was not cut for 2009-10.
Every school district will receive the same state funding for special education as in 2008-09. See a detailed spreadsheet here. This is a major victory, as nearly all other education line items were cut.
In addition, every school [...]
In 2008, Pennsylvania adopted a landmark funding formula for basic education, putting more dollars into the neediest schools and implementing rigorous accountability measures for school districts. However, special education students have been left out of the equation.
A coalition of groups is now sending the message that it’s time for the General Assembly to approach [...]
What: Briefing and Planning Sessions on State Reform for Special Education Funding and Accountability
When: Wednesday, August 19 (Pittsburgh); Thursday, August 20 (Southeast PA); Wednesday, September 2 (Lancaster).
DETAILS BELOW.
The Arc of PA, the Disability Rights Network of PA, [...]
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 [...]
Political blogger Above Average Jane has a thoughtful post on HB 704.
Here’s the link: Special Education Update
Dan Berrett of the Pocono Record has a good piece today on what enacting HB 704 would mean for Monroe County schools.
Here’s the link:
Special-needs funding in Monroe County’s 4 school districts could get $500K boost
And the story:
Special-needs funding [...]
State Reps. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster; Barbara McIlvaine Smith, D-Chester; James Roebuck, D-Philadelphia; and Keith McCall (D-Carbon) were among the 65 co-sponsors of legislation approved today making the state’s special education funding formula more equitable and strengthening accountability for effective investment of new funding.
Representatives Roebuck and McIlvaine Smith were among the 22 Education Committee members [...]
The Bucks County Courier Times published an Op-Ed on HB 704:
Here’s the link: Special education funding falls short of meeting need
And here’s the article:
Special education funding falls short of meeting need
By: COLLEEN TOMKO AND BARUCH KINTISCH
Bucks County Courier [...]
This is it. Big push this week. The House Education Committee will vote on House Bill 704 on Wednesday, July 1 in the morning.
Please contact your committee members and talk with them about voting for HB 704.
With a little more effort, we will be successful in reforming the [...]
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
