Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

It is universally understood that Pennsylvania has a serious public K-12 education problem. Our current legislators have been unable to find a solution because they worry more about re-election than solving the tough problems facing Pennsylvania.

Another part of the dilemma stems from the increasing reliance on our public schools as social service agencies. Schools today are not only expected to teach -- they provide breakfasts, medical help, social outreach, and violence intervention. Teachers should not have to be substitute parents.

Student performance, SAT scores, and overall satisfaction with the system have been stagnant or have declined. Eleven schools in Erie County are listed as "low achieving" and statewide, the gap between suburban and urban districts is widening.

At the same time, the state's share of subsidy to our public schools has fallen from 54 percent in 1972 to 30 percent three years ago, meaning that local districts are left to take up the slack with property taxes.[1]

Something is seriously out of balance here. Education was once intended to prepare our young people to be productive, independent citizens.

I propose reforms that both address the funding inequity and refocus our priorities on making certain that education and subject mastery remain the core focus of our public school system.

The education funding formula has undergone multiple revisions since the days the state provided half of the funds. At the same time, district costs have risen and pension debt has expanded.

We need:

An equitable, understandable formula by which the state determines a district's subsidies.
A renewed focus on the core obligations of our schools.
A way to rein in spiraling education costs.
A return to a larger state share of funding to relieve burdens on taxpayers.
A restoration of parental involvement in the system.

These are goals that will have my attention in Harrisburg. There are no easy solutions to complex problems, but without effort, those problems will only worsen.

Our children deserve better.

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