Basic Education Funding Commission begins hearings | Chester County Press

State Senator Lindsey M. Williams Statement on Basic Education Funding Commission Hearing

State Senator Lindsey M. Williams, the Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, issued the following statement after the first hearing of the Basic Education Funding Commission (BEFC) in Allentown:

Updated Adequacy Targets for Pennsylvania School Districts

1. Today, the Basic Education Funding Commission held its initial hearing.
2. Dr. Matthew Kelley, Assistant Professor at Penn State University, testified and presented updated adequacy targets for each of Pennsylvania’s school districts.
3. These adequacy targets are crucial in determining the necessary spending for each district to provide a comprehensive, effective, and contemporary education to its students.
4. The targets consider various factors that contribute to student success and make adjustments based on individual districts and student needs.

This is the first time since the Commonwealth Court decision that we are having a conversation about adequacy and equity in education for all of Pennsylvania’s students. Pennsylvania’s Founders included provisions for a thorough and efficient system of public education in our Constitution for a reason. They recognized the importance of an educated citizenry for the future of our Commonwealth. Currently, the General Assembly is violating the constitutional rights of all our students. Today marks the beginning of the discussion on how to address this constitutional violation.

Addressing Adequacy and Equity Targets

• The final report of the BEFC must address adequacy and equity targets and establish a realistic plan to achieve these benchmarks.
• However, the BEFC and its report cannot address all the necessary aspects of creating a safe and inclusive public education system that welcomes students of all backgrounds.
• We need to address funding for Career and Technical Education (CTE), Pre-K, transportation, building start times, and more.
• We must also acknowledge the impact of our disinvestment in higher education on our K-12 spaces, teacher pipeline, and availability of qualified professionals for our students.

Importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) play a crucial role in guiding our efforts to improve public education in Pennsylvania. These goals encompass various aspects of education, including equity, quality, and inclusivity.

Investing in Our Students and Future

The goal and purpose of public education are fundamental, and the factors influencing it are numerous. Students require a system that caters to their unique needs. While the funding figures from these hearings may seem overwhelming at first glance, it is important to understand that they are not an attack on working families. Rather, these funds are intended to uplift working families.

Pennsylvania’s budget consistently leaves money on the table due to policies that prioritize corporate interests over people. There are several potential sources of revenue that could be utilized to improve the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians:

1. Closing the Delaware Loophole, which allows companies operating in Pennsylvania to avoid paying state corporate income taxes.
2. Taxing non-profit organizations like UPMC.
3. Legalizing and taxing adult-use cannabis.
4. Instituting a severance tax on natural gas extraction.

Furthermore, we need stronger protections for whistleblowers who report the misuse of taxpayer dollars. Currently, there is no mechanism to recapture misspent funds.

Budgets are moral documents, and the recent Pennsylvania budgets do not reflect the values held by our founders or current Pennsylvanians. We have not invested adequately in our students or our future. Instead, we have prioritized corporate interests and protected healthcare giants, while neglecting common-sense measures to ensure responsible use of taxpayer money. This is not how Pennsylvanians would choose to spend their money, and it is not how Harrisburg should decide to spend it on their behalf.

Addressing Inequitable and Underfunded Public Schools

It is long overdue to address the inequity and underfunding of Pennsylvania’s public schools. Senator Lindsey M. Williams firmly believes that every single one of our students can be successful, but this can only happen with equitable and adequate financial support.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under the identified SDGs are:

– SDG 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.

– SDG 4.5: Eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and children in vulnerable situations.

– SDG 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.

– SDG 17.3: Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions adequacy targets for each Pennsylvania school district to ensure comprehensive, effective, and contemporary education. These targets can be used as indicators to measure progress towards the identified targets under SDG 4.1. However, no specific indicators are mentioned or implied for the other targets.

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Source: chestercounty.com

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