Town Hall Questions & Talking Points OVERVIEW Thank you for going to a town hall meeting and being the voice of education! Please find some suggested questions and talking points below. If you’d like more information, please contact Susan Spicka at ​ [email protected] Before you ask your question, share some specific information about your local school district. Has your school district made cuts? Have property taxes gone up? You don’t have to be an expert, however, giving some context to the issue is very helpful.

Questions 1. Do you think that the state spends too much, too little or just the right aamount on funding our public schools and why? 2. What role should the state play in funding public schools? 3. Do you support new, recurring revenue in state budget in order to close the $2 billion deficit and to provide additional funding to public schools? 4. What role should standardized testing play in our public schools? 5. How will you work to fix funding inequities in our state system so all kids have a chance to get a decent education? 6. Who do you believe should authorize charter schools in our community--our locally-elected school board or an outside authorizer?

Talking Points ● Pennsylvania ranks as the bottom of the nation in terms of its share of education funding. PA’s share is 35%; the national average is 50%. ● Because the state share of spending is low, PA is excessively dependent on local wealth and property taxes to fund schools. ● Pennsylvania has the widest gap in spending between wealthy and poor districts in the nation. ● Per pupil spending in the poorest districts is 33% less than the wealthiest districts. ● The $15,000 per student average spending number is a red herring. ○ Per student spending in PA ranges from $10,000 to $25,000 per student, a difference of $300,000 per classroom of 20 students. ○ The average per student spending is a reflection of the generosity of local taxpayers--it is not a reflection of state spending. ○ The average spending number masks the tremendous disparity in spending and opportunities in individual school districts. ● Student performance has tracked funding level changes in Pennsylvania. ○ As state education funding increased by 40% from 2003 to 2010, test scores in the lowest-achieving districts increased by 50% [Education Law Center, 2011] ○ Conversely, as state funding was cut since 2011 and our system grew more inequitable without a formula, state test scores dropped and the achievement gap did not close. Can’t find a town hall meeting near you? That’s OK! Give your state lawmaker a call or send an email instead! Find contact information by clicking the “Find Your Legislator” tab at the top menu of our website!