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Here’s the short version of what we hope to accomplish this year. For more information, see our agenda page.

Keep Pennsylvania’s new school funding formula in place, and update it to better meet the needs of children with disabilities.
Remove barriers to school enrollment and continuity, especially for children who live apart from their parents or are homeless.
Improve early childhood and early intervention programs, especially for children with disabilities and others with special needs.
Expand schoolwide positive behavior support programs, and reduce unnecessary suspensions and expulsions.
Raise standards in our state’s alternative disciplinary schools.
Limit the use of "seclusion," a dangerous technique currently applied to some students with disabilities.
Ensure that state school reforms address the needs of English language learners.
Support parent and student groups that are working to improve their schools.
Develop new publications and training materials for parents, caseworkers, and others who work with children.

News & Action Items

Pennsylvania State Budget: Join the conversation

The final 2010-11 state budget barely holds the line on education funding. How will your local district be affected? Will there be more layoffs, or cuts in programs? Share your thoughts in our discussion at PASchoolTalk.org. Find out more about the state's education budget from our Budget Summary, our Budget Analysis, and our press release.

State to child services provider: Compensate families
Following a month-long investigation, the Pennsylvania Department of Education recently issued its findings on a complaint against Elwyn, Inc. brought by the Education Law Center and the Disability Rights Network. Read more...
HB 704 passes PA House!
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted 173 to 25 in favor of House Bill 704, the bill on special education funding and accountability reforms. Thank you to everyone who made phone calls and signed our petition. To learn more about the legislation and next steps, go to http://reformspecialedfunding.org.

Read more news and updates from the Education Law Center on our News and Action Items page.

Publications and More Help

For details on any of these events, visit our calendar page.

July 19
The Alliance for Educational Justice is planning a rally in Washington, D.C. on July 19.

July 30
The Community Responses to Zero Tolerance group in Philadelphia will hold a meeting on July 30 at 3 p.m.

August 9-13

The Philadelphia Student Union is holding a free Leadership Institute for students from Aug. 9-13.