Historically, Pennsylvania has had some of the highest educational spending in the nation; however, according to recent research and surveys, the Commonwealth is receiving a poor return on its investment because our public school systems are not adequately preparing our students to enter the workforce. As business leaders, parents and taxpayers, we know that these trends must change in order to ensure a long term vibrant economy, a good quality of life and the future success of our children. Therefore, the Chamber supports systematic improvements to Pennsylvania's public education system that will increase the quality of education and overall improvement of student achievement.
Specifically, the Chamber supports:
- Alignment of education standards with college and workplace expectations.
- Programs that emphasize technical skills, business skills, trades and vocational schooling.
- Holding superintendents, principals and teachers accountable for student performance while recognizing the socioeconomic issues that impact those outcomes.
- Increasing authority and flexibility superintendents and principals have over management and personnel decisions and holding them accountable for such decisions.
- Rewarding teachers whose performance contributes to substantial growth in student achievement while at the same time fairly and efficiently removing ineffective educators.
- Efforts to effectively utilize educational spending so that existing dollars are used first and foremost to increase student achievement.
- The elimination of unnecessary state and federal government mandates (i.e. prevailing wage) that divert resources from the mission of education.
- Competitive educational systems and programs, such as charter schools, magnet schools, school choice and Educational Improvement Tax Credits, that provide ample choices for parents and students.
- Encouraging institutions of higher education as well as the private sector to form community-based relationships and programs to enhance the public education system in the Commonwealth.
Approved by Board of Directors 10/7/08
