COVID-19
Fair School Funding
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In a statement on the Pennsylvania budget, ELC welcomes the news from the General Assembly that state funding for basic education, special education, and pre-K in the coming school year will not be reduced from current levels, despite the dropoff in state revenues. Schools are already facing substantial decreases in revenue from local sources due to the economic downturn – as well as added costs associated with COVID-19 and the shift to remote learning. The state must promptly find ways to provide additional support to the struggling, underfunded school districts whose students have been hardest hit by this crisis. Read the full statement here.
COVID-19
Equal Access
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Young children who experience delays in growth and development, even as young as birth, are entitled to receive free educational services to help them develop and gain skills for later school success. Parents should be included in the planning and delivery of those services. This fact sheet provides information on how parents can make sure their young children get the early intervention services they need.
You can access it here.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many of the longstanding inequities in our educational system. Black and Brown students, students living in poverty, and other historically underserved groups have been disproportionately harmed by the shift to online learning. To ensure that these students are not left behind, schools must focus on equity and respond flexibly to the individual needs of diverse student populations. Schools will need support for this work from every level of government.
This checklist is a guide to ensure that schools providing online instruction are equitably serving students in the new school year. Access the full checklist here.
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Magisterial District Court Judges (MDJs) hear truancy proceedings and have the authority to impose discretionary penalties on families and students. This tool helps MDJs make sure that all attendance barriers have been identified by Local Education Agencies (LEAs), confirm that LEAs have complied with all duties outlined in Pennsylvania’s truancy laws, and provides action steps to address school-based issues.
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Schools have legal obligations under Pennsylvania’s truancy laws to identify and address barriers to student attendance during the School Attendance Improvement Conference. This conference must take place prior to any referral to truancy court and no later than after a student has six unexcused absences. Schools can use this tool to identify attendance barriers and take action steps to be in compliance with truancy laws once a barrier is identified
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Families encountering attendance barriers are entitled to procedural protections under Pennsylvania’s truancy laws. This tool helps families proactively identify barriers to school attendance, request supports to resolve attendance barriers, and prepare for the School Attendance Improvement Conference. This conference must take place prior to any referral to truancy court and no later than after a student has six unexcused absences.
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In a statement on the Pennsylvania budget, ELC welcomes the news from the General Assembly that state funding for basic education, special education, and pre-K in the coming school year will not be reduced from current levels, despite the dropoff in state revenues. Schools are already facing substantial decreases in revenue from local sources due to the economic downturn – as well as added costs associated with COVID-19 and the shift to remote learning. The state must promptly find ways to provide additional support to the struggling, underfunded school districts whose students have been hardest hit by this crisis. Read the full statement here.
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COVID-19 school closures have had an impact on English learners. ELC compiled this resource of 5 important things for Vietnamese speakers and their families to know.
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COVID-19 school closures have had an impact on English learners. ELC compiled this resource of 5 important things for Mandarin speakers and their families to know.
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COVID-19 school closures have had an impact on English learners. ELC compiled this resource of 5 important things for Arabic speakers and their families to know.
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COVID-19 school closures have had an impact on English learners. ELC compiled this resource of 5 important things for Spanish speakers and their families to know.
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COVID-19 school closures have had an impact on English learners. ELC compiled this resource of 5 important things for Nepali speakers and their families to know.
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COVID-19 school closures have had an impact on students in foster care. ELC compiled this resource of 5 important things for students in foster care and their families to know.
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COVID-19 school closures have had an impact on English learners. ELC compiled this resource of 5 important things for English learners and their families to know.
Please note — this document is available in:
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COVID-19 school closures have had an impact on students experiencing homelessness. ELC compiled this resource of 5 important things for students experiencing homelessness and their families to know.
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COVID-19 school closures have had an impact on students with disabilities. ELC compiled this resource of 5 important things for students with disabilities and their families to know.
5 Things Students with Disabilities Should Know
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The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting school closures have reinforced the stark inequities facing children in Pennsylvania. ELC remains fully operational, working remotely to connect students and families with resources to help navigate this unprecedented crisis.
We will be updating these education-related resources to help the community respond to this crisis.
