Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children is a strong, effective, and trusted voice for improving the health, education, and well-being of the Commonwealth’s children.
By 2014, PPC has helped Pennsylvania move into position as one of the top 10 states in the nation to be a child and to raise a child.
To achieve its vision, PPC seeks substantial gains toward these public policy goals:
All children enter school ready to learn.
All children have access to health care that meets their needs.
All children are raised in loving and knowledgeable families.
All school-age children have access to effective after-school and youth development programs.
All children have access to high-quality public education.
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HISTORIC GAINS MADE IN BASIC EDUCATION INVESTMENT
Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children praises Gov. Ed Rendell and legislators for a 2008/09 state budget that includes increased investments for basic education and other critical children's programs. Despite the economic slowdown and reduced revenues, the budget expands the basic education appropriation by nearly $275 million and creates a rational, adequate and predictable school funding formula for the first time since 1991 - and sets a goal of closing the education funding adequacy gap in six years.
The investment will be distributed to school districts according to findings of the 2007 Costing-Out Study that highlighted school districts' adequacy gaps. In addition, the action taken in Harrisburg will be of value to taxpayers as it aims to stem the tide of escalating property taxes to finance public education.
"Moving forward, every child, regardless of where they live, will have an equal opportunity to public education that will prepare them for life. Pennsylvanians should commend our policymakers for taking such a courageous step in these difficult economic times," said Joan L. Benso, president & CEO, PA Partnerships for Children.
The budget also includes increased funding for other critical investments in children's well-being including jumps of more than $11 million for pre-kindergarten, $2.7 million for Nurse Family Partnerships and approximately $51 million for child care assistance and services.
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Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children
116 Pine Street, Suite 430
Harrisburg, PA 17101
717-236-5680 / 800-257-2030
Fax: 717-236-7745
Contact PPC/Questions
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