Download
1 / 27
270 likes | 410 Views
For the Love of Schools : Education Advocacy Workshop. Thursday, Feb 27, 6-8 pm and Saturday March 1, 10 am - 12 pm Arch St. United Methodist Church, 55 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA. Follow on Twitter: @pccyteam.
E N D
For the Love of Schools : Education Advocacy Workshop Thursday, Feb 27, 6-8 pm and Saturday March 1, 10 am - 12 pmArch St. United Methodist Church, 55 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA Follow on Twitter: @pccyteam Shanee Garner, Public Citizens for Children and Youth shaneeg@pccy.org 215 563 5848 x 36Gretchen Elise Walker, gretchenelise@pccy.org 215 563 5848 x 22
For the Love of Schools : Agenda Refreshments / NetworkingBudget Overview (3 Years Later)Basic Method: Problem Solution (The “Ask”)StrategyBasic Elements of Phone Call to Legislator: Action Example Breakout Group Session I & IILegislative Visit Events Complete Action PlanReport Back & Close Shanee Garner, Public Citizens for Children and Youth shaneeg@pccy.orgGretchen Elise Walker, Public Citizens for Children and Youth gretchenelise@pccy.org
Three Years Later: Deep Education Cuts Persist with Strings Attached
2008: PA State Adopts Fair, Transparent School Funding Formula • After a two-year study on actual costs needed for students to meet state standards, legislature approved school funding formula • 191 House Members and Every Senator voted to adopt the formula and committed to reaching adequacy targets • The formula and its six-year phase-in was codified in Act 61 of 2008: “In furtherance of the General Assembly’s long-standing commitment to providing adequate funding that will ensure equitable State and local investments in public education and in order to enable students to attain applicable Federal and State academic standards, it is the goal of this Commonwealth to review and meet State funding targets by fiscal year 2013-2014.”
Billion Dollar Cut Hurt Poor Districts Most • Low wealth communities often have the highest taxes but are still unable to generate enough funding for their schools • Poorer districts that depend on state funding the most were most impacted by 2011 budget cuts
State Classroom Funding Slashed • Governor’s 2011 cut slashed class support • Basic Education funding was cut $171 million • State funding for schools with most struggling students cut by $421 million
Governor’s Proposed Plan • Gives school districts that lost LEAST from 2011 billion dollar cut the MOST spending flexibility • Ready to Learn Block Grant restricts use of state funds • The $240 million in the grant will be allocated through a student-focused funding formula that takes into consideration the per-student factor, the ELL factor, and the poverty factor to enhance learning opportunities and resources at the local level • The Block Grant only provides funding for STEM, grade level reading by 3rd grade, and supplemental instruction • Makes it unlikely that schools can restore basic services cut over the last three years
Governor’s Restrictions Make it Unlikely for Philadelphia to Restore Basic Services Cut
Basic Method: Problem Solution (The Ask) Strategy
What’s the problem? • Small picture: My child • Personal story- how are cuts affecting a child / youth you know? Give details. • Big picture: Education is underfunded. Important programs and services are cut for all children.
What’s the ask? • City Council $120 million in additional revenue to PSD by passing sales tax extension and exploring other revenue sources. • PA State legislature Restore $300 million to public education funding & implement a fair funding formula that meets the needs of students.
What’s the strategy? • Testimony to City Council • Student letters to City officials, City Council members, State Representatives and State Senators (Click Here)
More Strategies • Events/ Direct Actions: • Students bringing arts products (giant puppets) to City Council to appeal to Councilwoman • Arts Ed Superhero Capes to 4 Council Members
Stragegy: Advocacy Best Practices • Call • Visit • Events
Strategy: Phone Call Script (City Council) (THANK YOU) Hello. Thanks for taking my call. My name is ________. I work at/ I am a student / parent / community member of ______School. (PROBLEM) Right now, there is a funding shortfall that hurts my child and this is how (PERSONAL STORY): _________________________________________________.) (ASK) Please support $120 million in additional revenue to PSD by passing sales tax extension and exploring other revenue sources. _________________________________ (THANK YOU) Thanks so much for your time and for helping with __________________.
Strategy: Legislative Visit (State Representatives and Senators)
Strategy: Legislative Visit (State Representatives and Senators) (THANK YOU) Hello. Thanks for meeting with me. My name is ________. I work at/ I am a student / parent / community member of ______School. (PROBLEM) Right now, there is a funding shortfall that hurts my child and this is how (PERSONAL STORY): _________________________________________________.) (ASK) Please therefore (Restore $300 million to public education funding & implement a fair funding formula that meets the needs of students.) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ (THANK YOU) Thanks so much for your time and for helping with __________________. uhjy
