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.
“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."