Key Issues - Education

Resources

Summary of the Proposed FY 2010-11 Education Budget prepared by the Senate Appropriations and Education Committees. 

School Funding Formula Proposal (2010-11 Budget Fact Sheet)

Early Childhood Education (2010-11 Budget Fact Sheet)

Ready, Willing and Unable to Serve, a recent report released by Mission Readiness highlights the statistic that the Pentagon finds 75 percent of all young adults ages 17-24 in America unable to join the military.  The primary reasons for this disqualification are that too many young men and women lack a high school diploma, are in poor physical shape, or have a criminal record.   The report contends that the most proven approach to help kids graduate starts early with high-quality early education for at-risk kids.  This early intervention also helps young people stay away from crime and lead healthier lifestyles.  The report concludes that by making an adequate investment in our youth, policymakers will help ensure they meet the tough standards of the United States military and Pennsylvania National Guard, thereby keeping this possible career choice as a viable, future option for our young citizens.  Mission Readiness is a nonprofit organization of senior retired military leaders dedicated to ensuring continued American security and prosperity by calling for investments in the next generation of American children. 

Communities In Schools (CIS) provides information on dropout prevention programs and resources.  In cooperation with the local school system, CIS identifies the most critical needs of students and families and then locates and coordinates community resources, volunteers and agencies to serve in partnership with the public schools, both during the day and after school.  Almost 200 local CIS affiliates operate in 27 states and the District of Columbia, serving 3,250 school sites.  The Communities in Schools of Pennsylvania website, with information about its local affiliates, can be found here. 

The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Stimulus page includes information on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Education Stimulus program for Pennsylvania, including Estimated School District Allocations, Frequently Asked Questions, and the Pennsylvania School District Guide to the Federal Stimulus Education Investments. 

Cost Effectiveness of Consolidating Pennsylvania’s School Districts Volume I (Legislative Budget and Finance Committee – June 2007)

FY 2008-09 Education Funding (2008 Policy Office Issue Brief)

The Alliance for School Choice’s Research & Resources page includes numerous publications and links to independent research sources on school choice and school choice programs across the country. 

The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Data and Statistics page provides data on, among other topics, school enrollments, graduation rates, school personnel and home education.

The Auditor General’s Special Performance Audit of the Classrooms for the Future program (December 2008) provides information on this program, as well as recommendations for its improved administration.

The Costing Out Study (December 2007) completed in response to a requirement included in Act 114 of 2006 was undertaken to determine the basic cost per pupil to provide an education that will permit a student to meet the State's academic standards and assessments. Additional information on the Costing Out Study can be found here.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Education Funding webpage provides links to information on the funding provided to the Commonwealth’s schools including basic and special education.

The Education Commission of the States webpage contains information on education issues at all levels across the 50 states. The mission of the group is to help states develop effective policy for education by providing research and analysis on education topics.