Perhaps no one is awaiting Governor Rendell's preliminary budget address next week with as much anticipation as school leaders and education supporters. Will the state's economic crisis stall progress toward achieving a quality education for all students? As Sto-Rox school board member Ed Maritz said in a recent letter to superintendents and school directors around the state, "the result of shifting responsibility from the state to the local level is that school districts, administrators and board members must make the difficult decision to raise taxes and are then positioned as the bad guys!"

With the budget address just a week away, it is imperative that parents, teachers, administrators, students and community members share their success stories with Gov. Rendell and with representatives in the General Assembly. What has the investment in education meant to you and your school? Have the accountability provisions allowed your district to make investments in new curriculum, textbooks, more qualified teachers, or other programs that benefit student achievement? Highlighting these success stories is the best way that we can ensure the state's investment continues even as the economy weakens, and to ensure that the burden is not shifted to our local communities to make up the difference on the backs of property owners. After all, today's students won't get a second chance to receive a quality education.