Reform Special Education Funding
Currently viewing the tag: "special education funding"
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.
JUNE 1 UPDATE
More than ever, we need you and your friends to contact your state representatives this week and tell them to vote for House Bill 704. With your help, we can win this vote and have some good news for a change! See the details below, including action steps and talking points.
[...]
JUNE 1 UPDATE
More than ever, we need you and your friends to contact your state representatives this week and tell them to vote for House Bill 704. With your help, we can win this vote and have some good news for a change! See the details below, including action steps and talking points.
Please enter your name on our online petition to support House Bill 704. It takes two minutes. You can even write a short comment for others to see. Everyone can place their name on the petition, including students, parents, educators, advocates, and others. FORWARD THIS ASAP TO YOUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES SO THAT WE CAN GENERATE LOTS OF SIGNATURES.
Let us know what else we can do to help.
Hurry up and wait. An unfortunate but sometimes necessary part of human existence, supermarket lines, and political reality in Harrisburg.
HB 704, the bill on special education funding and accountability reforms, was scheduled for a vote in the whole State House of Representatives on Wednesday, May 26. The vote has been rescheduled for Tuesday [...]
Hurry up and wait. An unfortunate but sometimes necessary part of human existence, supermarket lines, and political reality in Harrisburg.
HB 704, the bill on special education funding and accountability reforms, was scheduled for a vote in the whole State House of Representatives on Wednesday, May 26. The vote has been rescheduled for Tuesday or Wednesday, June 8 or 9.
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE ASAP. We need your help to get calls, e-mails, or letters to every state representative. Click here for talking points and actions that you can take to help the House vote for and pass HB 704 on June 8 or 9.
Click here to see a more detailed explanation of the two-week delay and a list of amendments intended by some representatives for HB 704. If your state representative is sponsoring one of these amendments, you may want to call him or her to express your concerns – HB 704 deserves their support and a vote without amendments.
For extra help, call or e-mail Baruch Kintisch (215-238-6970 x 320) or Sandy Zelno (412-255-6414).
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.
The Harrisburg Patriot-News ran our new Op-Ed on Tuesday, just as hearings in the Capitol began for the proposed 2010-2011 education budget: Status_quo_won’t_work_on_PA_special_ed_funding.
Here’s the full text:
Status quo won’t work on Pennsylvania special ed funding
Children with disabilities often experience tremendous challenges when they reach adulthood. National research shows that about 70 percent [...]
The Harrisburg Patriot-News ran our new Op-Ed on Tuesday, just as hearings in the Capitol began for the proposed 2010-2011 education budget: Status_quo_won’t_work_on_PA_special_ed_funding.
Here’s the full text:
Status quo won’t work on Pennsylvania special ed funding
Children with disabilities often experience tremendous challenges when they reach adulthood. National research shows that about 70 percent of all adults with disabilities are unemployed.
That often translates to a greater reliance on public benefits and significant isolation from the world of work, taxes, elections, shopping malls and everything else that constitutes full participation in Pennsylvania community life.
Ensuring a quality education for all children in all public schools in Pennsylvania is the first step in preventing this unfortunate outcome.
Our Op-Ed on the pending special education funding and accountability legislation was published in a trio of papers during the past few days.
Centre Daily Times: Support_funding_to_educate_children_with_disabilities
Pocono Record: Disabled_kids_face_a_school_funding_imbalance
York Daily Record: All_kids_count: Fairly_fund_special_education
Our Op-Ed on the pending special education funding and accountability legislation was published in a trio of papers during the past few days.
Centre Daily Times: Support_funding_to_educate_children_with_disabilities
Pocono Record: Disabled_kids_face_a_school_funding_imbalance
York Daily Record: All_kids_count: Fairly_fund_special_education
Tagged with: Centre Daily Times • HB 704 • Pocono Record • SB 940 • special education funding • York Daily Record
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 [...]
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 – The updated provisions of the legislation for state reform of the special education funding and accountability systems make the following
improvements:
- Increase the accuracy of the special education formula by using three weights;
- Establish an open oversight/regulatory process to set the final formula weights;
- Hold spending at 2008-09 levels for the next year;
- Delay the 6-year phase in to adequate funding levels, set to start in 2011-12;
- Streamline and strengthen school district accountability, applied when new funding occurs in 2011; and
- Strengthen the Contingency Fund and make it more accountable and transparent.
Continue reading »
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, [...]
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, the Education Law Center, and Good Schools PA are hosting three regional special education funding reform briefings and planning meetings. Please mark the dates on your calendar and plan to be part of these interactive sessions.
UPDATE. The news is very good, thanks to your hard work and dedication. HB 704 is Representative Sturla’s bill — “our” bill — for special education funding and accountability reforms. The bill has made it all of the way into the annual School Code Bill (HB 11) that is usually adopted with the state budget. The House Education Committee has now voted twice to support HB 704. Governor Rendell also recently decided to support HB 704. If the legislative leaders can wrap up their negotiations for the budget, HB 11 (including HB 704) should be adopted in the next few weeks.
We hope you will join us to discuss these developments and our crucial next steps on August 19, August 20, and September 2. Continue reading »
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
