Education has taken my family from scrubbing floors, to managing a hospital. I am so fortunate that my grandmothers recognized the importance of obtaining an education and worked tirelessly to provide learning opportunities to their children. And for generations the value of education has been passed passed down.
When it was my turn to head a class, I became an elementary school teacher, so that I could impart that same value in education and lifelong love of learning upon other children. When given the opportunity to receive a high-quality education, all students can achieve. I've witnessed first-hand students who come from some of the poorest neighborhoods and most challenging of circumstances grow up to earn college degrees and achieve greatness both personally and professionally. Every child deserves that opportunity!According to a 2015 National Center for Education Statistics report, Pennsylvania has the widest funding gap between wealthy and poor school districts of any state in the country. Per pupil spending in PA’s poorest districts is 33 percent less than in PA’s wealthiest districts. Plus, Pennsylvania is one of only three states without a Basic Education Funding formula to distribute resources both fairly and predictably. The absence of a funding formula, combined with state funding cuts in recent years, hit our schools hard. In recent years, according to a PASA-PASBO report, 93 percent of school districts reduced staff.74 percent cut or reduced at least one academic program; and 57 percent increased class sizes.That's why the Campaign for Fair Education Funding was created. Campaign members, who represent a wide sector including teachers, superintendents, church congregations and business leaders is is on a mission to ensure that every student has access to a quality education no matter where they live. To make that happen, we need to change how public schools are funded. Please join me on this BONUS episode of Mom Talk with Denise LaRosa, as I speak with Allies for Children Executive Director Patrick Dowd and Hear Me Project Manager Jessica Kaminsky about the need for fair education funding in Pennsylvania, and how parents, educators, children and caregivers can get involved!You too can speak out for students across the state! To find out how to get involved, visit FairFundingPA.org!Disclosure: I’m teaming up with the Campaign for Fair Education Funding to speak out for students across Pennsylvania. Although I am receiving some form of compensation, all opinions remain my own. #FairFundingPA