Despite endless whining about a lack of funding, the vast majority of eligible Pennsylvania schools didn't bother to apply for available federal funding. One hundred forty-one schools throughout the state were eligible yet only 40, or less than 29%, applied for funding. Pennsylvania Education Secretary Ron Tomalis criticized school leaders for ignoring opportunities to improve.
Tomalis also identified some requests as "frivolous", including funding for substitute teachers when school is not in session and a request of more than $1 million for iPads. The schools were not identified. School leaders interviewed by the Tribune Review complained that the federal money comes with too many strings attached and isn't a permanent solution in response to Tomalis' criticism.
This puts everyone in a very awkward position. We have a new Governor who inherited a terribly mismanaged state with a whopping $4 billion plus deficit (that's billion with a capitol "B"). His predecessor has gone largely without blame since Corbett took office. This, despite the fact that Rendell increased spending by more than 40% over his 8 year reign yet our infrastructure largely crumbled during his spending spree. Corbett is taking all kinds of flack for not blindly taxing us out of this mess, mostly from those who like to pretend that Corbett is single-handedly waging war against education in Pennsylvania. Yet when educational grants are offered, schools are declining the opportunity and telling Corbett's administration the refusals are fiscally prudent.
Educators say the federal money comes with too many caveats. There are few organizations with more pull over government and law than education interests. Considering that education unions and special interest groups are some of the most politically powerful organizations in the country, who better to lobby the feds to make the process less onerous? Yet instead of doing so, educators are refusing the money while students suffer for it, even as they point all blame at Corbett. Pennsylvania leads the nation by far in teacher strikes so clearly our educators have no problem throwing their weight around and holding people hostage; Why then do they choose to only exercise their might with students, taxpayers and Republican politicians? Why are the Democratic politicians and pet federal programs off limits?
Educators say the federal money isn't worth it because it's not permanent. Lots of things in the world are temporary solutions that keep the world running until we can achieve permanent fixes. Would these folks turn away a neighbor with a garden hose if their homes were on fire while waiting for the fire department to arrive? Would they refuse a life preserver from a passing sailboat because the Coast Guard was on the way? In the hospital, do they tell nurses to buzz off because they only want to be treated by doctors?
These people are railing about the absolute devestation of the loss of "critical" funding yet they're turning their backs on opportunities for money because the terms aren't to their liking. Tomalis is right in that educators have an absolute duty to make every effort to improve poor-performing schools, not just the ones that are easiest or most pleasurable to pursue. They have no business turning down money or making foolish requests. Educators have a duty to the students and to the taxpayers, a duty they don't seem to take very seriously. School leaders can't have it both ways, demanding money at all costs but only on their own terms. It's disingenuous to blame Corbett and the GOP for not just taxing away educators' troubles and it's hypocritical to let Rendell and the Dems off the hook for the mess they created.
“There are far too many Pennsylvania students who are trapped in failing schools, and far too many adults who are unwilling to advocate and pursue meaningful change on their behalf,” Tomalis said. “I find it extremely disturbing that 71.6 percent of eligible schools chose not to engage in an initiative to improve the educational opportunities for their students."
"There has been significant public outcry from education establishment groupsacross Pennsylvania regarding the financial strain public education is facing this year,” Tomalis said. “Yet, when an opportunity arises for a group of schools to receive valuable funds, a majority of them were not willing to put the time and effort into submitting quality applications. The sad fact is, even with guidance and recommendations from the department, 12 schools were unable to produce an acceptable application on their second try.”
This puts everyone in a very awkward position. We have a new Governor who inherited a terribly mismanaged state with a whopping $4 billion plus deficit (that's billion with a capitol "B"). His predecessor has gone largely without blame since Corbett took office. This, despite the fact that Rendell increased spending by more than 40% over his 8 year reign yet our infrastructure largely crumbled during his spending spree. Corbett is taking all kinds of flack for not blindly taxing us out of this mess, mostly from those who like to pretend that Corbett is single-handedly waging war against education in Pennsylvania. Yet when educational grants are offered, schools are declining the opportunity and telling Corbett's administration the refusals are fiscally prudent.
Educators say the federal money comes with too many caveats. There are few organizations with more pull over government and law than education interests. Considering that education unions and special interest groups are some of the most politically powerful organizations in the country, who better to lobby the feds to make the process less onerous? Yet instead of doing so, educators are refusing the money while students suffer for it, even as they point all blame at Corbett. Pennsylvania leads the nation by far in teacher strikes so clearly our educators have no problem throwing their weight around and holding people hostage; Why then do they choose to only exercise their might with students, taxpayers and Republican politicians? Why are the Democratic politicians and pet federal programs off limits?
Educators say the federal money isn't worth it because it's not permanent. Lots of things in the world are temporary solutions that keep the world running until we can achieve permanent fixes. Would these folks turn away a neighbor with a garden hose if their homes were on fire while waiting for the fire department to arrive? Would they refuse a life preserver from a passing sailboat because the Coast Guard was on the way? In the hospital, do they tell nurses to buzz off because they only want to be treated by doctors?
These people are railing about the absolute devestation of the loss of "critical" funding yet they're turning their backs on opportunities for money because the terms aren't to their liking. Tomalis is right in that educators have an absolute duty to make every effort to improve poor-performing schools, not just the ones that are easiest or most pleasurable to pursue. They have no business turning down money or making foolish requests. Educators have a duty to the students and to the taxpayers, a duty they don't seem to take very seriously. School leaders can't have it both ways, demanding money at all costs but only on their own terms. It's disingenuous to blame Corbett and the GOP for not just taxing away educators' troubles and it's hypocritical to let Rendell and the Dems off the hook for the mess they created.
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