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Across Pennsylvania, teachers are going the extra mile for their students – but it’s just not enough. We’ve waited too long for the legislature to step up and do their part.
Our state’s deep racial and economic inequality is reflected in our schools. In Pennsylvania schools, whether or not students’ basic educational needs are met depends on local wealth. That’s why, this fall, we’re taking the state to court.
Even before the pandemic, Pennsylvania’s state legislature was deeply underfunding our public schools, fueling disparities that are almost unmatched anywhere else in the country. The last two years have made this inequality impossible to ignore. Parents, students and teachers share their experience with the COVID-19 pandemic in underfunded public schools.
Laura, a parent and school board member from Pottstown, talks about the impact the pandemic had on her district.
“The first thought for everyone in our district was... ’What are the kids going to eat?’ Because they come to school for breakfast and lunch. A lot of them, so before we even thought about Chromebooks, we were doing a food drive.”
Underfunding of our schools that’s this profound has been allowed to go on for far too long. That’s why we’re taking the state to court.
We spoke with Pennsylvanians ‒ parents, students and community members ‒ about how underfunding in PA schools is affecting them directly.
Every child deserves to learn in a safe school building. But what these public school community member told us confirmed a sad truth: in Pennsylvania, that basic need depends on local wealth. Students who need the most get the least, because of where they live.
Our leaders in Harrisburg have created a system where the students who need the most get the least because of where they live.
It’s wrong. It’s unconstitutional.
This November, we’ll see them in court. We need you to amplify the importance of this case. Click here to volunteer or tell us your story.
In the ramp-up to our trial date, we’re partnering with groups across the state to lead webinars on the details of our case. Above is a recording of an August 2021 webinar hosted by the PA Schools Work coalition. Below is a recording of an earlier webinar with simultaneous translation en español, hosted by our friends at Education Voters PA.
To inquire about scheduling a webinar, please email ddriscoll@pubintlaw.org.