The+Devil’s+in+the+Details

by __YinzerThing __ || = Published by yinzercation = = 3/9/12 = = = = = = During Monday's state-wide call-your-legislator event, many people reported having conversations with the Governor's office in which various staff members argued that the proposed budget actually //increases// funding for public education. It is disappointing to see this __ tired old claim __ repeatedly pulled out and dusted off for use. But since the devil is always in the details, let's be clear about exactly how this devil of a budget slashes another $100 MILLION (while carrying forward last year's nearly $1 BILLION in cuts). = = Here is the list of programs that would be eliminated or reduced under the proposed budget, along with those receiving level funding or slight increases (compiled by the __ Education Policy and Leadership Center __). Governor Corbett has proposed collapsing four current budget line items into a new block grant (the basic education subsidy, pupil transportation, nonpublic and charter school public transportation, and school employees' social security) suggesting this will provide "flexibility." (See why __ school district's say this is fiction __.) While this new block grant increases the basic education funding line item slightly (3/10 of 1 percent over last year), it is almost entirely for state-mandated employee pension payments (which __ translate to actual cuts to student education __). Overall, this budget slashes another $100 million, as you can see in the following, devilish details. = = These programs would receive a **//5 percent reduction,//** as indicated by the dollar value: = = These programs would receive a **//10 percent reduction//**, as indicated by the dollar value: = = These programs would be **//level funded//** (meaning the same as last year). Total funding is listed for each item. = = These education items would be **//eliminated entirely//.** Last year's funding level indicated for each item. = = These line items received **increases,** as indicated by the dollar value: = = = = = = = = = = = = = =News= =home=
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 * = Pre-K Counts ($4.139 million cut) =
 * = Head Start Supplemental Assistance ($1.864 million cut) =
 * = Adult and Family Literacy ($614 thousand cut) =
 * = Education of Migrant Laborers' Children ($45 thousand cut) =
 * = Services to Non-Public Schools ($4.319 million cut) =
 * = Textbooks, Materials and Equipment for Nonpublic Schools ($1.314 million cut) =
 * = Safe School Initiative ($106 thousand cut) =
 * = Teacher Professional Development ($718 thousand cut) =
 * = Community Education Councils ($120 thousand cut) =
 * = Special Education would be flat-funded for the 4th consecutive year ($1.026 billion) =
 * = PA Charter Schools for the Deaf and Blind ($39.401 million) =
 * = Approved Private Schools ($98.098 million) =
 * = Authority Rentals and Sinking Fund Requirements ($296.198 million) =
 * = Payments in Lieu of Taxes ($194 thousand) =
 * = Mobile Science Education Program ($650 thousand) =
 * = School Nutrition Incentive Program ($3.327 million) =
 * = Job Training Programs ($4.8 million) =
 * = Career and Technical Education was increased by 1.5 percent ($1.089 million) =
 * = PA Assessment was increased by 42.6 percent ($15.601 million) =
 * = Early Intervention received a 4.1 percent increase ($8.057 million) =
 * = School Food Services was increased by 2.4 percent ($734 thousand) =
 * = School Employees' Retirement was increased by 52.6 percent ($315.880 million) =
 * = Tuition for Orphans and Children Placed in Private Homes was increased by 3.5 percent ($1.955 million) =