Good Schools Pennsylvania E-Update
Putting the public in public education

June 2010
In This Issue
Special education reform legislation poised for vote
State budget work continues
Help us to Build One Pennsylvania on July 16
Attend national leadership training
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Good Schools Pennsylvania
June is always a busy month as schools throughout the state adjourn for the summer and the legislature gets to work on the state budget in these difficult economic times. But it's an especially important month this year as the House is considering legislation to address the way the state funds and supports special education. We're also preparing for the Building One Pennsylvania Summit set to take place on July 16 in Lancaster. The summit will be the first of its kind - where more than 500 community, civic, faith and business leaders will come together across traditional boundaries of place, politics, and issues and to put forth a vision of sustainable communities that can transform Pennsylvania. The gubernatorial and senatorial candidates have been invited to attend. Will you be there too? Read through this edition of our E-Update for more information.
Special education reform legislation poised for House vote
State Capital House Bill 704 - a bill to reform the way Pennsylvania funds and supports special education - is slated for a vote in the House next week. The measure, which would complete the school funding formula that was adopted in 2008, already passed the House Education Committee by a resounding 22-3 vote. Please add your name to this petition to show your support for special education funding reform.
Eyes are on education as state budget work continues
In addition to focusing on special education funding reform, both chambers of the General Assembly are working on the state budget, due by June 30. Many of the proposals being circulated by legislators could include deep cuts to public education, which would devastate schools and force increases in local property taxes. As our legislators continue the budget debate in Harrisburg, please contact them and let them know how these cuts would affect your students, schools and community.
Help us to Build One Pennsylvania on July 16
Building One Pennsylvania2010 is a critical election year. Who will lead Pennsylvania for the next four or eight years? And who will set the agenda? Good Schools Pennsylvania is pleased to partner with 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania, the Southeastern PA First Suburbs Project, Pennsylvania Council of Churches, and a number of other organizations and community leaders to host the Building One Pennsylvania Summit on July 16 in Lancaster.

The summit will give visibility during this critical election  year to the common challenges faced by our communities and steer Pennsylvania toward a state and federal policy agenda that will support our schools and restore prosperity to our state and regions. Register now to attend the summit and to represent your community in this statewide forum.
Advance your skills at national leadership training
What does it take to launch a policy agenda and an organizing structure to impact the social, political, environmental and economic issues that most affect our communities? It takes a LOT of skilled leaders with a game plan for running an ambitious strategic campaign. Consider playing up your game by attending the next National Leadership Training, taking place from August 1-6 near Chicago, IL. Training topics will cover strategies to develop relationships, "cut" issues, analyze power structures, and run effective public meetings. You can be a part of a growing group of leaders from Pennsylvania who have gone to training. Contact Good Schools Pennsylvania for more information or to register.
Good Schools Pennsylvania
Good Schools Pennsylvania's mission is to ensure an effective system of public education to meet the needs of students, schools and communities. Since its inception in 2001, Good Schools Pennsylvania works through collaboration, grassroots organizing, policy development, community involvement and education to raise awareness about education issues in Pennsylvania, and to improve the way the state funds and supports public education. Visit our website.