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PA Chamber: education reform will make students' needs the primary focus
Governor's backing of improvements gives priority status to action on issue On Oct. 11, Gov. Tom Corbett set the stage for improvements to public education in Pennsylvania when he unveiled a comprehensive education reform package. The proposal contains measures long advocated by PA Chamber members, and gives backing to the legislative debate underway in Harrisburg. The PA Chamber supports the governor's and elected officials' effort to change the status quo and agrees that merely increasing state funding for an education system that continuously reports declining test scores is not a sound investment in the future of Pennsylvania's children. By spending smarter instead of simply spending more, the governor's plan re-orders the state's education priorities by making the child the primary focus, with the education system molded around their individual needs.
Corbett's proposal focuses on four key issues: teacher evaluations, charter schools, opportunity scholarships and the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program.
Teacher evaluation The governor's ideas for improving the teacher evaluation process are embodied in S.B. 1087, which would build on an Education Department pilot program by including two new indicators in the teacher evaluation process - identifying where teachers need targeted professional development and factoring in the academic achievement of students in their classroom.
These changes would correct flaws in the current evaluation system that prevent teachers from receiving the feedback needed to improve their skills to the benefit of student students. Case in point, in 2009-10, more than 99 percent of public school teachers received a 'satisfactory' rating even though student performance on the 2011 PSSA showed 26 percent at or below basic levels in reading and 23 percent at or below basic levels in math.
PA Chamber members support the concept that increased accountability will lead to enhanced performance in the classroom. Charter schools Over the last decade, the emergence of charter schools has infused competition in education by giving students an alternative option if their local public school fails to meet their needs. Since charter schools have largely produced quality educational experiences, the PA Chamber supports Corbett's proposal to foster their expansion by creating a state-level body to authorize establishment and broaden the ability of local school districts to convert buildings to charter schools. Creating an education marketplace will allow students to chart their own course for the future and will encourage underperforming schools to recognize and improve upon their shortcomings.
Educational Improvement Tax Credit program The PA Chamber welcomes the governor?s and lawmakers' call to expand the EITC program to a level that can be supported by the state budget. The program is a win-win for students, teachers, and communities because it provides scholarships to Pre-K through 12th grade students to attend schools that meet their educational goals and take advantage of advanced learning opportunities. Tax credits offered by the program incentivize business support, thereby increasing educational opportunities for students in their community.
The PA Chamber has been vocal in supporting legislation pending in the General Assembly, H.B. 1330, that would expand the EITC's scope and serve more students beyond the nearly 40,000 that are already benefiting from the program.
Opportunity scholarships In his education reform plan, the governor also promotes the creation of an Opportunity Scholarship Program, which would provide tuition assistance based on income for students living in the same location as the lowest performing 5 percent of schools in the Commonwealth. Phased in over time, the program would enable eligible students to attend a public or private school of their choice. Since today's students are tomorrow's workforce, job creators have a stake in ensuring that Pennsylvania children receive a quality education. The PA Chamber is grateful that the governor and lawmakers are taking to steps to ensure a better return on investment for public education in the Commonwealth, and continues to encourage a productive dialogue among elected officials that will result in long-overdue education reform this session.
### Founded in 1916, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is the state's largest broad-based business association, with its membership comprising businesses of all sizes and across all industry sectors. The PA Chamber is The Statewide Voice of Business. |
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