SB1 and the Law

PA Constitution, Article 3, Section 14. Public school system.

The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth.

PA Constitution, Article 3, Section 15. Public school money not available to sectarian schools.

No money raised for the support of the public schools of the Commonwealth shall be appropriated to or used for the support of any sectarian school.

PA Constitution, Article 3, Section 29. Restrictions on Legislative Power.

No appropriation shall be made for charitable, educational or benevolent purposes to any person or community nor to any denominational and sectarian institution, corporation or association.



Vouchers (SB 1) and the Law

Baruch Kintisch and Sandy Zelno, Education Law Center

This is a two page analysis of the PA constitutional issues and Federal civil rights issues with respect to SB1.

http://www.elc-pa.org/pubs/downloads%202011/Vouchers_and_the_Law.pdf

In Public School Efforts, a Common Background: Private Education

New York Times, By MICHAEL WINERIP, Published: April 17, 2011

Ten years ago, the No Child Left Behind bill was passed by the House of Representatives, 384 to 45, marking the first step toward a major transformation of public education in America. The law has ushered in what its supporters like to call the "reform movement."

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/18/education/18winerip.html?pagewanted=1&ref=us&src=me

Posted at 01:22 PM ET, 04/18/2011

Resistance to test-based school reform is growing

Washington Post Answer Sheet Blog, By Valerie Strauss

There are growing protests from teachers and parents across the country over high-stakes standardized testing and other school reform measures — many of which the Obama administration has encouraged states to undertake — as well as over huge cuts in public education.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/resistance-to-test-based-school-reform-is-growing/2011/04/18/AFkb0n0D_blog.html#pagebreak

SB1: Ask your PTOs, athletics, music and arts boosters to help –

Keep up the contacts with State Senators before they come back to vote on SB1 next week

Because of your efforts, your Senators heard your concerns about SB 1 and halted its vote in the Senate last week.  This has been real progress but we cannot stop here....we need to make sure they know we support their decision to NOT vote for SB 1.  

Click here to send a message to your legislator urging them to continue to OPPOSE SB 1! When you click through, you'll see a phone number for your Senator.  CALL TODAY and send a written message!

After you call your Senator, please call the following key Senators and urge them to vote NO on SB 1!

Rich Alloway (R-Franklin, Adams):  717-787-4651

Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster):  717-787-4420

Jane Earll (R-Erie):  717-787-8927

Bob Mensch (R-Montgomery):  717-787-3110

Mike Stack (D-Philadelphia):  717-787-9608

LeAnna Washington (D-Montgomery):  717-787-1427

Mary Jo White (R-Venango):  717-787-9684

Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming):  717-787-3280