In the last few weeks, we’ve premiered more videos in our "Pennsylvanians Speak Out" series. Check them out below, or visit fundourschoolspa.org/video for a whole suite of clips that address the issues at hand in our case.
WATCH: Pennsylvanians Speak Out: Building Conditions
We spoke with Pennsylvanians ‒ parents, students and community members ‒ about how underfunding in PA schools is affecting them directly.
What they told us confirms what we already know: Students who need the most get the least, because of where they live. This has to change. And this fall, we're taking the state to court to make it so.
For more video on the case, go to fundourschoolspa.org/video.
New trial start date scheduled in PA school funding lawsuit; trial Now Slated to begin Nov. 12
Trial in a historic lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania’s school funding system is now scheduled to begin on Friday, November 12, following a request for a 30-day extension from Sen. Jake Corman due to an unforeseen medical emergency of an attorney in the case. Petitioners in the case send their best wishes for good health and a full recovery.
Read moreTrial in Pennsylvania school funding lawsuit now set to begin October 12
Commonwealth Court Judge Renée Cohn Jubelirer announced the new trial date, a month later than the previous start date of September 9, during an August 17 pretrial conference. [She issued an order with the new trial date on August 18.] The later date will allow superintendents and other petitioners who filed the case against state officials additional time to provide up-to-date specifics to supplement the evidence and testimony gathered during earlier stages of the litigation.
Read moreJudge in Commonwealth Court PA School Funding Case Rules to Allow Evidence about Racial Impact of Underfunding
HARRISBURG, PA (JULY 29, 2021) — A powerful early victory came for plaintiffs in the PA school funding case, as Commonwealth Court today largely rejected PA House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler’s attempt to block the introduction of evidence about the massive racial achievement gaps in Pennsylvania public schools and the severe underfunding that is driving those disparities.
Read moreTrial in Pennsylvania school funding lawsuit will begin September 9
The state capitol dome in Harrisburg
Public school students in Pennsylvania will soon have their day in court. A Commonwealth Court order released June 22 has scheduled trial to begin on September 9, 2021, in Courtroom 3002 of the Pennsylvania Judicial Center in Harrisburg. This confirms a tentative trial date announced on April 1 in a historic lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania’s school funding system.
Read moreCheck Out The Trailer For Underfunded: Inside The Fight To Fairly Fund Public Schools In PA
We’ve spent the last few months interviewing people all over the state to find out the history of underfunding in PA, what it’s doing to students, teachers, and families all over the state, and where it all could go from here. And we’re ready to show you what we’ve found.
This is Underfunded, and it’s coming soon wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe now and visit FundOurSchoolsPA.org to find out more.
Read moreTrial in Pennsylvania school funding lawsuit on track to begin in September
Suit by parents and school districts charges that overreliance on local wealth has caused widespread inadequacy and deep inequality in PA public schools
Read moreSchool funding lawsuit moves closer to trial in 2021 with ruling that parents will remain in case
Court cites ‘public importance’ of case. Parties will meet May 20 to determine trial schedule.
Read moreStatement On Gov. Wolf's 2021 Education Budget Proposal
“For years, our school funding system has allowed students who need the most to get the least, because of where they live,” said Education Law Center executive director Deborah Gordon Klehr. “This proposal finally recognizes that reality – and the reality that the enormous shortfalls in education funding across the state require the state to find additional revenues. We wholeheartedly support the governor’s groundbreaking proposal as a giant step in the right direction that helps to tackles the chronic shortfalls in state funding for both basic education and special education. As laudable and necessary as the proposal is, it is not enough by itself to right the deep wrongs our irrational school funding system has brought to our communities for decades.”
Read more