National study shows big gains in Pennsylvania school achievement

PSEA President Jim Testerman urges state legislators to provide resources in the state budget to continue the academic progress of Pennsylvania schools, highlighted in a national study released August 19.

“Student achievement is continuously improving, thanks to the efforts of teachers and education support professionals who work with our children every day,” said James P. Testerman, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association. “The Commonwealth should continue the work begun a year ago to provide the resources for all students to meet the state’s academic standards.”

The report, released by the Center on Education Policy, shows Pennsylvania students made gains in all academic categories from 2002-08. The report is available online at www.cep-dc.org.

The CEP report is consistent with the findings from the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The NAEP found that Pennsylvania is one of only six states to make significant gains in elementary school reading and math since 2005. Also, Pennsylvania was one of only 10 states to make significant gains in elementary school reading and math since 2003.

“Pennsylvania taxpayers are making a wise investment in public schools, as today’s report shows,” said Testerman. “But without continued support, the General Assembly will be forcing educational program cuts and property tax increases, and could halt students’ academic progress.

“State lawmakers should continue that investment by funding the formula for K-12 education it created a year ago.”

In 2008, the General Assembly passed a school funding formula designed to move the state toward a fair and adequate funding system for all districts over the next six years. The formula was based on a comprehensive, statewide costing-out study that found Pennsylvania's system of public education was under-funded by more than $4 billion.

Now, state Republican lawmakers are backing a proposal to reduce state funding to 2005-06 levels, and backfill using federal monies intended for increases. Their plan counts federal Title I and special education stimulus funds as increases, but in reality these funds are substantially restricted by law, and only available to help educate certain students. As a result, many students would be left behind.

Pennsylvanians support school funding

A Quinnipiac University poll released last month reaffirmed Pennsylvanians' support for public schools. Asked if they would be willing to pay more taxes to protect specific state spending, a majority of the respondents said they would, in order to protect health care and public schools from cuts.

The Quinnipiac poll of 1,173 Pennsylvania voters asked the question: “Would you be willing or unwilling to pay more in state taxes to avoid cuts in state spending on such things as health care and public schools?” The responses were 53 percent willing, 43 percent unwilling, and 4 percent don’t know/unsure. For more on the Quinnipiac poll, go to: www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml.

Learn more about the need for fair and equitable school funding at www.savepaschools.org.