Good morning on Thursday morning, dear seekers.
While many Pennsylvania school districts have struggled to tame rising pension costs and cope with stagnant tax revenues, the state has also saddled them with the rising costs of educating students with disabilities – without providing them with the financial assistance to cope. – summarizes the recent report.
The state’s 501 school districts increased their special education spending by $2 billion between 2009 and 2019, but state aid increased by just $110 million over the same period, according to a Department of Education report. Education Law Center AND PA schools work– he concludes, citing the latest state data.
Of the recent dollars spent on special education over the past decade, school districts contributed 92 cents of that amount, the analysis found.
“Pennsylvania ranks lowest in the nation because the state has such a low share of overall public education spending at just 38 percent.” Deborah Gordon Klehr Education Law Center Executive Director – wrote in the statement. “For special education, the portion covered by the state is now just 22 percent, down from 32 percent a decade ago. When the state abdicates responsibility in this way, students will suffer, especially in our poorest school districts, which have the greatest difficulty generating more revenue to meet student needs.”
The recently approved state budget includes more than $1.1 billion in funding for special education programs. Due to the pandemic, the item is funded at the same level as in the 2019–2020 fiscal year.
Supporters they have been complaining for years that the state is underfunding special education, and they are calling on the state update your financing formula providing more equal opportunities for students with special needs.
In 2019, a joint analysis by Education Law Center AND Research for actiona Philadelphia-based policy research group, said the formula “does not accurately account for poverty in the district. As a result, state funding for special education fails to meet its intended purpose of eliminating funding disparities resulting from differences in the wealth of local communities.”
Analysts argued that the state was needed annual funding increases of $100 million per year or more to keep pace with rising costs.
A state commission charged with investigating the issue traveled around the state in fall 2019, gathering testimony so it could make recommendations to lawmakers, Elizabeth Hardison of the Capital Star was reported then.
A recent analysis shows that statewide, 307,000 students receive special education services, representing nearly 18 percent of all students enrolled in public schools.
The report stated that:
- “In the years 2008–09 to 2018–19, the share of expenditure on special education covered by municipalities increased from 62 percent. up to 73 percent
- “Over the same period, the much smaller share of costs covered by state special education funds dropped from 32 percent to 22 percent,” the researchers found.
As a result, according to the analysis, over the decade the state’s share in budget financing has decreased by 1 percentage point annually.
“While comparable data are not yet available for the last school year or the current school year, we can project that with the rapid increase in total special education costs, even the state’s unprecedented $50 million increase in special education funding for 2019–20 was insufficient to reverse this tendency,” the scientists concluded. “Special education costs across the state are rising by $200 million to $250 million a year. However, in the 2020–2021 budget, the state subsidized special education.”
Our stuff.
One election isn’t over yet, and state legislators already are floating plans to change the electoral law before the next one. Some are more harmful than others. Stephen Caruso browses the catalog of accounts.
Our Helping Helpers series, in cooperation with Uniontown Herald-Standardcontinues this morning with a look at the noble efforts of the Fayette County shelter tries to reunite cats and dogs with recent homes.
USA Centers for Disease Control plate recommended that countries set priorities health care workers and nursing home workers in connection with the upcoming Covid-19 vaccines, Washington reporter Laura Olson I’m writing.
Country Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, Philadelphiawas honored for his advocacy work on behalf of LGBTQ citizens in the state, winning the prestigious Tammy Baldwin Breakthrough Awardour partners in Philadelphia Gay News report.
Marketing organization Visit Philly is leading the effort to support development Black and Brown companies in Philadelphia, our partners in Philadelphia Tribune report.
A Harrisburg lawyer on our comments page this morning Spero Lappas considers the issue whether President Donald Trump can actually pardon himself. AND David Lapp and Mark Duffyfrom a Philadelphia research organization Research for actionsay school districts like Philadelphia should not rely on charitable donations to ensure students can participate safely in class.
Elsewhere.
Schools with high numbers of Covid-19 cases may be forced to close at low notice in accordance with recent state regulations, Inquirer reports.
State Treasurer Joe Torsella the office says so can finance road and bridge works until June, Mail Newspaper reports (paywall).
There are hospitals begins to cancel elective surgeries and adding beds in intensive care units, PennLive reports (paywall).
Several nursing homes in Luzerne County they are still not reporting Covid-19 data to the state, Voice of Citizens reports.
Morning call has everything you need to know on Allentown’s 2021 budget and financial prospects of the city.
Here’s your #Pennsylvania Instagram of the Day:
Country Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Jerry Oleksiak – he asks the US Senate extend expanded unemployment benefits that expire this month, WHY-FM reports.
ANDis coming Senate President pro tempore Jake Corman, R-Centre, he admitted that “mistakes were made” last week during a maskless hearing at GettysburgSpotlight PA reports (via WITF-FM).
Transgender pioneer Tyler Titus was elected to head the Erie school boardGo Erie reports.
Federal unemployment benefits are weeks behind schedule in almost every state. Pennsylvania struggles with processing times, Stateline.org reports.
Democrats on Capitol Hill they are trying to revive stimulus talks, NYMag Interview reports.What’s going on.
The Independent Regulatory Review Commission meets today at 10 a.m. at 333 Market Square in Harrisburg. A number of proposed regulations are on the agenda.
You say it’s your birthday.
My best wishes go to a regular reader this morning Joe Sprotin Washington and our Canadian colleague, Abby KuathasanWith CTV News Channelthey are both celebrating today. Congratulations and have a nice day, friends.
Heavy rotation.
This is a dreamy piece of pop Winnetka Bowling League. His ‘Congratulations.’ What for? Well, you’ll have to listen to find out.
Thursday free football link.
Paris Saint-Germain he made his way through his uncharacteristically flat foot Manchester United 3-1 in the Champions League match on Tuesday. Neymar from PSG doubled on the way to victory.
And now you’re up to date.
