Type:
NewsBy Eileen Walkowiac, LWVBC Member
(as published in the June/July issue of the Bucks County Women's Journal)
As families approach the end of another school year, it can be a good time for parents
to reflect on their children’s progress as well as what challenges still lie ahead. It might
also be a time when we widen the lens a bit to look at the present state and outlook for
public K-12 schools across Pennsylvania. After all, the effectiveness of public
education in serving all children is directly connected to the well-being and progress of
our communities at large.
Over many years, the League of Women Voters (LWV) has identified the vital link
between good public education and the healthy functioning of a democracy.
Recognizing the fundamental role played by informed citizens, LWV has long advocated
for quality public school education that is accessible to all. Meeting this goal, however,
poses complex challenges for the PA state legislature, local governments, and school
districts.
Equitable Funding
As the current administration in Washington moves to dismantle the role of the federal
government in education, state and local governments will face added pressures. In
Pennsylvania, public schools are financed through a combination of state and local
sources, and property taxes often constitute a substantial component, particularly in
suburban districts. This formula, however, has resulted in a systematic underfunding of
schools in low income and minority areas over the years.
In February 2023, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled that this formula for
appropriating K-12 education dollars was unconstitutional as it resulted in unequal
opportunities for students in poorer communities, and in July of 2024, the governor and
legislature acknowledged that underfunding totaled roughly $4.5 billion. As the state
acts to find ways to pay for public schools more equitably in the coming years, it will
need to decide in each budget how to allocate education resources fairly and effectively.
Charter Schools
In addition to funding concerns, Pennsylvania lawmakers also will be looking at the role
of brick-and-mortar and cyber charter schools and their impact on traditional public
schools. Proponents of charter schools tout more individualized instruction, more
innovative curricula, alternative environments, and greater parental involvement.
Critics, on the other hand, point to variability in the quality of charter schools, their often-
inequitable admission policies and limited accessibility. Also, a significant concern is
that charter schools will divert needed resources and enrollment from traditional public
schools.
School Vouchers
Also on the horizon for Pennsylvania education decision makers is the contentious
issue of school vouchers. Currently, 15 states enable families to use taxpayer dollars to
pay tuition at private schools or to pay for home schooling or other options. Those who
favor school vouchers believe they give parents a choice in selecting the best education
for their children. They suggest that vouchers would offer students in failing schools
more options, and that such a system would eventually improve public schools by
making them compete with private schools.
Opponents of school vouchers, however, see significant problems. They contend that
vouchers redirect tax dollars away from public schools, some of which are already
underfunded. Another concern is that private schools receiving this voucher money are
not held to the same standards of accountability as public schools, including admissions
standards and accommodations for special needs students. Critics insist that vouchers
will not expand choice for all families but rather further deepen educational inequities.
Local School Boards
The allocation of financial resources is not the only key to successful education
outcomes as we well know, Decisions made by superintendents, school boards,
principals, and teachers, all contribute substantially to the learning environment. Sadly,
many of our local school board meetings of recent years have devolved into shouting
matches triggered by hyper partisan political rhetoric that tends to divide our school
families. Certainly, a better way forward would be to concentrate on ways to make our
schools and classrooms safe spaces where students can discover and develop
confidence in their unique talents while also learning the skills they will need in a rapidly
changing world.
Teacher Recruitment and Support
With so many students having already experienced a dramatic disruption in their
education caused by the pandemic, our young people today also face rapid
technological and societal changes that have further complicated their lives. The critical
role of capable and empathetic teachers in this environment cannot be overstated. And
yet, Pennsylvania continues to suffer from a significant shortage of teachers, particularly
in special education, math and science, and in underserved rural and urban areas.
The number of teachers leaving the profession as well as an ongoing shortfall in
graduates entering the field continue to be problematic. Recognizing this worrisome
trend, the state of PA and university teacher-training programs are designing innovative
programs to enhance the public perception of teaching careers and support educators
in the field.
Working to provide quality K-12 education for all students will continue as a complex
challenge for all of us, but one that we must prioritize as we look to the future. This July
4 th , flags will be flying as families gather to celebrate our nation’s independence. But we
are learning in these uncertain times that our democracy cannot be taken for granted.
Thomas Jefferson himself advocated for a system of free, public education accessible
to all citizens. In fact, he insisted that “the cornerstone of democracy rests on the
foundation of an educated electorate.” Let’s do our part to keep that foundation strong.
♦♦♦
League to which this content belongs:
Bucks County
