Formula fixes funding

After years of political disparaging over education funds, politicians will no longer control the board when it comes to fixing our school systems.

Last week, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted unanimously in favor of a bill that would set a formula for state education funding. Once Gov. Tom Wolf signs the bill into law, the formula will funnel funds towards lower-income school districts based on a set of specific factors.

The Basic Education Funding Commission recommended the formula last year, which will account for factors including number of students living in poverty, district’s income, local tax effort and enrollment levels, amongst others, when it comes to additional funding.

Pennsylvania currently has the widest disparity of spending between high-income and low-income school districts in the country, making this bill more necessary than ever. The formula will officially prioritize the communities ignored by previous, ineffectual systems and fund schools fairly, according to their needs. A one-size-fits-all approach to allotting educational funds clearly does not work in either the statehouse or the classroom, and Pennsylvania’s course correction is far overdue.Hopefully, schools will use the funds to revitalize the way we educate our students.

According to National Center for Education Statistics data, the state’s poorest school districts received 33 percent less state and local funding than its wealthiest schools, with the state exasperating the trend by investing disproportionately to those schools.

Because of this, school districts often have to rely on local property taxes to fund their school districts — varying significantly based on geographic location and community affluence.

While all 500 of the state’s public school districts will receive the same allocations as last year, poorer school districts such as Erie City School District will receive additional increases — 5.42 percent in Erie’s case — while wealthier districts will see smaller increases.

Last year’s budget impasse, along with years of the No Child Left Behind Act punishing lower-income schools for not performing up to federal standards — while rewarding the higher-performing, affluent schools — has left public school districts underfunded, under-resourced and under-staffed.

The new bill will finally address the inherent biases that the government exploited through the No Child Left Behind measures. Without the government influencing the process, the formula can objectively bring equity to our school districts.

Low-income students deserve the same quality of education their affluent counterparts receive, and the location of their district should not determine their overall academic success in life.

With that being said, throwing money at the problem will not solve the entire issue. We need to make sure we are investing heavily into our school systems in a wise and efficient manner.

Poor school districts could benefit immensely from having the same opportunities to take Advanced Placement courses and participate in dual-enrollment programs that will keep them competitive for college applications. It will also expose them to programs that schools cannot always provide or have stripped of funding.

Resources such as textbooks, computers and up-to-date facilities are necessary for successful learning, but we must not forget all the programs that can have a meaningful impact outside the classroom, building up a stronger sense of community and providing constructive outlets for children.

After-school programs and extracurricular activities are crucial for keeping students engaged in their studies. Having mentors or tutors there to help those who are behind or who need individualized attention. After-school sports create strong social skills and teaches the value of working in a team. Arts and science programs can foster interests that can serve students’ thirst for innovation and creativity.

Effective services such as guidance counselors, psychologists, career counselors and social workers helping students address their specific needs and fulfill their potential can save lives  — especially those from impoverished backgrounds.

Now that we have finally made fair funding a priority, we must pursue a holistic approach towards schooling that maximizes the impact schools can have on students. How we use those funds is just as important as how much money is available.

Poor schools are receiving a limited but necessary lifeline. While they are busy catching up, they must be sure every student has the chance to climb it.