Reform Special Education Funding
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The York Dispatch ran an op-ed from the Education Law Center today, explaining the hold harmless provision of House Bill 704:
PA_students_with_disabilities_deserve_better
OP-ED: Pa. students with disabilities deserve better
Updated: 07/15/2010 01:12:15 PM EDT
There’s been a lot written recently about a piece of legislation that would create new state laws for special education funding [...]
The York Dispatch ran an op-ed from the Education Law Center today, explaining the hold harmless provision of House Bill 704:
PA_students_with_disabilities_deserve_better
OP-ED: Pa. students with disabilities deserve better
Updated: 07/15/2010 01:12:15 PM EDT
There’s been a lot written recently about a piece of legislation that would create new state laws for special education funding and accountability.
Let’s be clear: The reforms in House Bill 704 are needed because special education was left out when the General Assembly enacted basic education reforms in 2008. Students with disabilities should not be left out of these important reforms and deserve better. These children have waited long enough for the state to pay attention to their needs. The Senate should act before the end of the year to consider and approve HB 704.
Under HB 704, state funding for special education will be distributed based on the actual needs of students and schools. Schools will be held accountable for effectively investing these resources, without creating excessive bureaucracy or paperwork requirements. HB 704 also revises the reforms made for basic education to better match the needs of the special education system and to reflect the lessons learned since 2008. These are huge steps for improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities.
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The York Dispatch’s Education Reporter Andrew Shaw published a story Monday on the House passage of HB 704:
Special_ed_funding_change_passes_in_Pa._House
Read the full story:
Special ed funding change passes in Pa. House
ANDREW SHAW | The York Dispatch
Updated:06/28/2010 01:04:41 PM EDT
Special education funding reform is now before the state Senate after a bill [...]
The York Dispatch’s Education Reporter Andrew Shaw published a story Monday on the House passage of HB 704:
Special_ed_funding_change_passes_in_Pa._House
Read the full story:
Special ed funding change passes in Pa. House
ANDREW SHAW | The York Dispatch
Updated:06/28/2010 01:04:41 PM EDT
Special education funding reform is now before the state Senate after a bill that would greatly change the funding formula was passed by the House.
The House last week overwhelmingly approved a bill, 173-25, that would move Pennsylvania away from a flat funding method.
State Rep. Will Tallman, R-Reading Township, was the lone York County dissenter.
Tallman said he supports increased special education funding but believes the state is adding too much additional oversight.
School districts have been getting special education funding based on the assumption each district has 16 percent of its total enrollment in special education. That formula has been in place since 1991, according to state Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, who developed the bill.
Under the proposed legislation, school districts would receive funding based on the number of special-education students they have, as well as on factors such as district poverty level.
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.”
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VOICES OF SUPPORT
2010 video from Senate hearing on special education reform legislation
PAGES
SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING
Q&A on Special Education Funding Reform
The Bill: HB 2
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
Brett Schaeffer
bschaeffer@elc-pa.orgThe Arc of Pennsylvania
Pam Klipa
pklipa@thearcpa.orgDisability Rights Network of PA
Sallie Lynagh
slynagh@drnpa.orgCATEGORIES
- Action Items (31)
- Media (19)
- News (50)
- Organizing (7)
TAGS
Above Average Jane charters coalition Education Law Center funding Harrisburg HB 2 HB2 HB 11 HB 704 HB704 hearing hearings House House Education Committee Lancaster Lancaster County map Media notebook Organizing parent Pennsylvania philadelphia Pittsburgh Pocono Record Pottstown reform Rep. McIlvaine-Smith Rep. O'Neill Rep. Roebuck Rep. Sturla SB 940 SB 1115 Sen. Browne Sen. Dinniman Senate senate education committee special ed special educaiton funding special education special education funding special education funding reform York Zahorchak
