Good Schools Pennsylvania E-Update
Putting the public in public education
March 21, 2008
In This Issue
Art and Government Combine in Philadelphia
New Documents Inform Education Debate
Weekly Wrap Up: Pa. School Funding Campaign
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Good Schools Pennsylvania
 
The calendar alerts us to the fact that a new season is officially here. There are signs of spring's rebirth all around us -- flowers are beginning to bloom, birds are starting to sing and the sun is shining brighter and longer with each passing day.
 
At Good Schools Pennsylvania, we see a spring awakening of a different sort. We see progress toward significant education reform "springing" up all around the state. So, as winter gives way to spring, we can't help but think that there's no better time -- and no better season -- for the rebirth of public education in Pennsylvania.
March 26: Art and Government Combine in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Museum of Art
If you visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Wednesday, March 26 at 1:00 pm, you can expect to see much more than works of art by Frida Kahlo and Thomas Eakins. You have the opportunity to participate in the works of our state government, when the House Education Committee will hold a public hearing and hear testimony on basic education funding initiatives in the 2008-09 budget, including Governor Rendell's proposed new school funding formula, based on the Costing-Out Study.

Set to testify at the hearing are Dr. Gerald Zahorchak, Pa. secretary of education; Lori Schorr, chief education officer for the city of Philadelphia; Dr. Joseph Galli, superintendent of Upper Darby School District; Dr. Janet Samuels, superintendent of Norristown School District; and Chunae Berry, student at Olney High School and member of Youth United for Change. ... MORE
New Documents Inform Education Debate
2008-09 Pennsylvania State BudgetAs our lawmakers debate Pennsylvania's budget in the halls of the state capitol and citizens debate it in the court of public opinion, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has released new documents to further inform all of the debates about the best way to fund public education in the commonwealth.
 
We provided you with a breakdown of Governor Rendell's proposed school funding formula when he released his 2008-09 budget proposal for education in February. The Department of Education has now posted the enabling legislation which would put the governor's plan into law. See the details on our website. ... MORE
Weekly Wrap Up: Pa. School Funding Campaign
PA School Funding Campaign
In last week's edition of our E-Update, we updated you on the progress of the Pennsylvania School Funding Campaign. More signs of signs of momentum are apparent this week as the Pennsylvania chapter of the League of Women Voters has adopted the campaign's stance on education reform. ... MORE
 
Whether you represent an organization, school, faith community or just yourself, be sure to visit the website to sign on to the campaign and work with us to make sure this is the year we finally achieve our goal of a quality education for every Pennsylvania student.
Stay Connected 
Our website is updated frequently with news, opportunities and links to keep you informed about our work to change public education funding in Pennsylvania. Be sure to add the Good Schools Pennsylvania homepage to your favorites and check back often.
 
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Good Schools Pennsylvania
Good Schools Pennsylvania is a statewide network of citizens who are informed and mobilized in support of public education. We believe that we can improve our schools when we join together in calling for adequate funds that are equitably distributed, proven educational practices to meet a standard of excellence, and effective accountability measures. Visit our website.