Reform Special Education Funding
Currently viewing the tag: "HB 704"
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 »
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 »
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.
Please support the bill. I have a daughter with Special Needs in the public school system in Pennsylvania.
– Robert J. Rossi, parent
Show your support. Sign our petition to help special education in Pennsylvania.
Please support the bill. I have a daughter with Special Needs in the public school system in Pennsylvania.
– Robert J. Rossi, parent
Show your support. Sign our petition to help special education in Pennsylvania.
My son has autism and he is not doing well in school, not because he is not capable, but because he does not have the resources needed for him to be successful. With enough money, the resources can be secured so my son can get access to his education so he can compete in this [...]
My son has autism and he is not doing well in school, not because he is not capable, but because he does not have the resources needed for him to be successful. With enough money, the resources can be secured so my son can get access to his education so he can compete in this society and not be a burden on the social security system.
– Cecelia Thompson, parent
Show your support. Sign our petition to help special education in Pennsylvania.
I have a child who has special needs. She was helped by some awesome and patient teachers. The problem now is that many of these teachers are BURNT out. They need you to pass this bill. By passing this bill, all special needs students will get the help that they need. Also all school districts [...]
I have a child who has special needs. She was helped by some awesome and patient teachers. The problem now is that many of these teachers are BURNT out. They need you to pass this bill. By passing this bill, all special needs students will get the help that they need. Also all school districts will receive equitable money. Please sign this bill to help the future of not only our special needs students but also the future of Pennsylvania.
--Teresa DePaul, parent
Show your support. Sign our petition to help special education in Pennsylvania.
PAGES
SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING
Q&A on Special Education Funding Reform
Our bills from 2010: HB 704
SB 940Read 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 (22)
- Media (19)
- News (35)
- 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
