Scholarship Bill Would Get Students Out of Failing Schools

Williams says it's about more school choice, not party lines

Pennsylvania Independent

July 29, 2010

Legislation introduced by state Sen. Anthony Williams (D – Philadelphia) would create scholarship grants for students enrolled in Pennsylvania’s failing public schools, and the senator says regardless of what officials want, there is broad support for the measure across the commonwealth.

“Polling numbers indicate in every objectively created poll, including the Pew Foundation, indicate people want choice and options. They want to include an option of a scholarship grant. Those of us who are involved in creating quality public education, this is one item on that menu. Elected officials, it’s another conversation,” said Mr. Williams.

Pennsylvania school choice

S.B. 1405 has three cosponsors, all of them Republicans, but Mr. Williams said giving parents the choice and opportunity to move their child out of a failing school should not be defined by party lines.

“I think that’s unfortunate that there are [political party] perceptions around ideas that are necessary,” he said. “The demographic most in need for schools are people of modest and low income. There’s a disproportionate population in urban areas in Pennsylvania, high concentrations of students of color trapped in those schools. I don’t think it should be viewed as a Democrat, Republican, Independent or Green Party perspective. This is an idea that has evolved for a long time and is now being crafted by people who want to use it that benefits the community in need.”

The cosponsors of the legislation are Sens. Stewart Greenleaf (Bucks), Donald White (Armstrong) and Mike Folmer (Berks).

The bill would operate by providing scholarships to students from failing public schools, defined as a school with more than 40 percent of students scoring in the basic or below basic range in both reading and writing and mathematics subject areas on a school administered state test, for two years. Students eligible for scholarship grants would receive funding based on 100 percent of the Commonwealth’s annual per-pupil school aid amount plus 50 percent of the local municipality’s annual per-pupil school aid amount, multiplied by the student’s household income ratio.

Mr. Williams explained this funding model is used in the bill, as opposed to an amount defined by the upfront cost of tuition at a private school, because he wanted to avoid a scenario where private school tuition increased to get more scholarship funding and to maintain flexibility.

“We know there are going to be interested parties across Pennsylvania who like the concept but want to tweak the bill so this will not be the final version of what it’s going to look like. We started with this because we wanted to give ourselves enough creative area to come up with a number we think is going to be effective,” he said.

Groups across the state have also expressed support for the bill. Last week, the Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania (CAP) endorsed the bill and Joe Sterns, executive director of CAP, said the bill would “rescue thousands of kids trapped tragically in failing schools.”

Mr. Sterns argued Harrisburg’s top priority should be insuring every child receive a first-rate education, but low-income inner city students are not, and Mr. Williams’ bill addresses that. “There have been voucher attempts in the past under Gov. Ridge that did not succeed, and the compromise was the earned income tax credit (EITC) program, and that's a very good program but we need to go a step further with opportunity scholarships. It certainly gives every student the opportunity to get a better education in a better school. Ultimately it's a child's choice and a parent's choice but at least they’ll be given that choice with this legislation,” Mr. Sterns said.

And Otto V. Banks, executive director of the REACH Alliance & Foundation, a grassroots coalition advocating parental choice in education, said “Sen. Williams’ legislation serves as a catalyst that will ignite an explosive change in public education that will be heard through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” But there’s still a long road to go before any of that is a reality. Noting support from Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Corbett, Mr. Williams said he hoped Dan Onorato, Democrat gubernatorial nominee, would also support the bill, thus putting pressure on the state legislature to act.

“I can’t say the body today will vote for that bill, but I can tell you the majority of members who are now involved in the EITC are overwhelmingly supportive of that program. That is another item on the menu of choice and gives a menu to private institutions to support a child’s education,” said Mr. Williams.