Trial Press

‘A System that Strands Children’: After Months of Testimony, Historic Pennsylvania School Funding Trial Comes to a Close — With Huge Consequences for Low-Income Kids

THE 74

3/11/2022

Students learning in storage closets. Cockroach-infested campuses without heat, reading specialists or updated textbooks. Learning facilities in such disrepair they’ve become dangerous.

Fair funding trial petitioners hold press conference after closing arguments

THE TRIBUNE DEMOCRAT

3/11/2022

“The testimony established that school children across this commonwealth are deeply harmed by decades of under funding, a lack of basic school resources and unconscionable inequities,” Education Law Center PA legal director Maura McInerney said.

PA School Funding Lawsuit: GJSD Superintendent Arcurio Weighs in After Closing Arguments

WJAC

3/10/2022

JOHNSTOWN/CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa — Nearly four months of proceedings during the state school funding trial finally concluded with closing arguments earlier this afternoon.

PA Fair Funding Trial Concludes With Closing Arguments

WENY NEWS

3/10/2022

The Pennsylvania fair funding trial has concluded with closing arguments Thursday evening. Throughout the majority of the trial, petitioners who filed the suit made their case on what they call the inadequate and inequitable funding of Pennsylvania’s public schools.

4-month trial in lawsuit over Pennsylvania public school funding wraps

90.5 WESA

3/10/2022

A marathon trial over how Pennsylvania funds public education reached an end Thursday but it will be months before a judge rules in the case brought by a group of poorer school districts against Republican state legislative leaders.

‘Catastrophic failures’ of Pa. school funding mean students are disadvantaged from the start, plaintiffs argue in landmark trial’s closing

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

3/10/2022

“The catastrophic failures of this system are not because children look at course guides and aren’t smart enough or industrious enough to seize opportunities,” Robson said, but “because they were denied those opportunities to begin with”

A ‘catastrophic failure’ or ‘above the constitutional threshold’? Pa.’s school funding trial comes to a close

WHYY

3/10/2022

After a seven-year journey to Commonwealth Court and months of testimony, the case against Pennsylvania’s system for funding education could be summed up in one sentence: “Low-wealth districts do not have the resources they need to prepare all children for college, career, and civic success.”

‘There should be no underdogs in the education system’: Pa. students reflect on school funding trial

WHYY

3/10/2022

A landmark trial over how Pennsylvania funds its public schools is wrapping up today. For months, lawyers have traded objections, motions, and high-level arguments. But what has it been like for students to hear people debate the kind of education they’re entitled to receive?

PA's Historic School-Funding Lawsuit to Hear Closing Arguments

PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE

3/9/2022

Closing arguments in Pennsylvania's landmark school-funding trial will take place on Thursday, after several months of testimony from teachers, education officials and researchers.

Poverty costs schools

THE RIVER REPORTER

3/1/2022

SCRANTON, PA — Second-grade teacher Laura Sosik has been teaching for 15 years. One of the hardest parts of her job, she says, is answering students who want to know why neighboring schools look “so much different” than theirs. How do you explain to eight-year-olds why richer students get to have better conditions than they do?”

Testimony in Pennsylvania’s school funding trial is over. What happens now?

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

2/26/2022

“After 40 witnesses took the stand over the course of more than three months, testimony in the landmark trial over how Pennsylvania funds public education ended this week.

What you need to know about Pennsylvania’s school funding trial

Pittsburgh City Paper
2/23/2022

“Refusing to fund education equitably does not save us money,” said Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf earlier this month during his final budget address of his two-term career serving the commonwealth as governor.

GOP leaders defend Pennsylvania’s school funding as adequate and constitutional

Chalkbeat

2/18/2022

Republican legislative leaders wrapped up their case in Pennsylvania’s landmark school funding trial Thursday, after presenting 10 witnesses…

From pupil counting to plagiarism, Pa.’s school funding trial takes twists during defense phase

whyy keystone crossroads
2/17/2022

From money matters to plagiarism accusations, the defense portion of Pa.’s historic school funding trial took several twists over the last few weeks.

Guest opinion: Funding disparities are hindering the quality of our children’s education

Daly Local News

2/14/2022

Despite the state’s contrary argument in the fair funding trial, Black, Brown, and low-income students succeed when they have access to adequate supports and resources. To us, this isn’t someone’s theory or an expert opinion; it’s our truth.

Four takeaways from Pa.’s landmark school-funding trial, two weeks into Republican witnesses

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

2/11/2022

A school finance expert called by GOP lawmakers disputed allegations in the lawsuit challenging how Pennsylvania pays for public schools.

Neighboring districts show funding disparities

the reporter

2/10/2022

Pottstown and Pottsgrove high schools belong to two different school districts but sit just 1.9 miles apart. Despite their proximity, the resources they offer to students and families are worlds apart.

The same is true for Norristown and Wissahickon high schools, also in Montgomery County. 

School Districts Battle in Court for Changes in Education Funding

The Wall Street Journal

2/9/2022

A Pennsylvania lawsuit is among several seeking more equitable state funding for public schools.

Legislative leaders withdraw witness accused of plagiarism in Pennsylvania schools fair funding trial

Lancaster online

2/9/2022

Ornstein was slated to testify Monday on the use of standardized test scores and the impact of class sizes and other interventions on student learning. However, petitioner attorney Dan Cantor of O’Melveny highlighted portions of his expert report that copied text from another source without citations.

Fair school funding means fair funding for every Pa. student. Not just a few | Opinion

Pennsylvania Capital-Star

2/6/2022

Pa. lawmakers wouldn't settle for less than the best for their kids. Why should we?

Critics say Pennsylvania school funding does real damage to children

delco Daily times

2/4/2022

Norristown, Pottstown prime examples of state's inequities in case before the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. The case — filed in 2014 by six school districts, five parents, and two organizations — marks the first time in the state’s history that the court is diving into the issue.

Petitioners in PA Fair Funding Lawsuit Conclude Testimony, Respondents to Begin Making Their Case This Week

WENY

1/31/2022

After nine weeks of making their case, with nearly 30 witnesses and over 11,000 pages of testimony, petitioners in the fair funding lawsuit have concluded their case-in-chief. Now, it’s up to respondents for Pennsylvania’s Legislature to make theirs. 

The Regional Roundup – January 31st

WHYY

1/31/2022

Defendants present their case in PA's landmark school funding lawsuit. And, a Delaware bill giving terminally ill residents the right to medical aid in dying gains momentum.

Defense gets its turn in landmark trial that could change the way Pa. funds public schools

WFMZ-TV

2/2/2022

The defendants began calling their own witnesses Wednesday, following eight weeks of plaintiff testimony with 29 witnesses.

Four highlights from the landmark Pa. school funding trial, as plaintiffs rest their case this week

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

1/26/2022

In ninth week, petitioners wrap up their case. Legislative leaders will start calling witnesses on Monday.

Trial: Wilkes-Barre leader says constant cuts are heartbreaking

Chalkbeat

1/26/2022

In ninth week, petitioners wrap up their case. Legislative leaders will start calling witnesses on Monday.

WB Area’s Costello tells court of successes amid much sacrifice

times leader

1/25/2022

Wilkes-Barre Area Superintendent Brian Costello began testimony Tuesday at the school fair funding trial by praising success in his district, from the millions of dollars seniors are offered in scholarships to the STEM academy, the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) Academy and the new Business Academy.

In Philly schools, decisions must often be ‘revenue-driven ... as opposed to needs-driven,’ CFO testifies in funding trial

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

1/25/2022

“It's not conducive in an educational environment” to add staff and supports and then take them away, but Philadelphia’s back is to the wall financially, district CFO Uri Monson testified

The Pa. Constitution supports a fair education for all - rich and poor alike

Pennsylvania Capital-Star

1/23/2022

The drafters were emphatic that Pennsylvania children should be prepared for the duties of citizenship.

‘Pennsylvania is forgoing resources’: Economists say school funding matters

Chalkbeat Philadelphia

1/18/2022

Research shows that more spending, if properly targeted, improves achievement for traditionally underserved students.

Two prominent economists testified this week in the landmark Pennsylvania fair school funding case that research shows increased resources, if properly targeted, can improve academic achievement and life success for traditionally underserved students.

Pennsylvania doesn’t spend enough on schools, state education secretary testifies

Chalkbeat Philadelphia

1/18/2022

PA education secretary Noe Ortega testifies at fair funding trial that the state cannot reach its goals for post-secondary enrollment and completion without investing more in K-12 education.

PA Fair Funding Trial: State Is Falling Short In Post-Secondary Attainment

ERie News Now

1/20/2022

This week, the court heard testimony from Pennsylvania’s top education official, Department of Education Secretary Dr. Noe Ortega. Before he was appointed Secretary of Education in 2020, Ortega spent three years leading the department’s higher education division.

State school funding trial could continue ‘well into February’

The Confluence | 90.5 WESA

1/18/2022

On today’s episode of The Confluence: WHYY’s Mallory Falk updates us on a lawsuit alleging the state does not fund school districts fairly, in violation of the state constitution.

Fair funding trial shows the tale of haves and have-nots

The reporter online

1/16/2022

The “voices of inequity” are speaking in a Harrisburg courtroom, and they have a lot to say. Testimony is being heard in the landmark school funding lawsuit brought by education advocacy groups and school districts in Pennsylvania, including the William Penn School District in Delaware County. The trial in Commonwealth Court is in its third month and is expected to last through February.

A gaping chasm of inequity: Philly schools need more state funding

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

1/13/2022

Mayor Jim Kenney and City Council President Darrell L. Clarke weigh in on the state's historic school funding lawsuit.

Hite testifies lack of resources holds back Philly students

CHALKBEAT PHILADELPHIA

1/11/2022

In school-funding trial, Philly superintendent said a lack of resources is the main reason that more Philadelphia students do not achieve academically at high levels.

Superintendent Hite testifies Philly students meet minimal standards ‘because that’s all they have access to’

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

1/11/2022

In a landmark school-funding trial Tuesday, Hite noted that an investment in more resources means students do better.

School can’t 'cure every societal ill,' GOP lawyers argue in cross-examination of Hite

whyy keystone crossroads
1/13/2021

Defense attorneys sought to paint a rosier picture of the state’s largest school district than the one Hite presented in his direct testimony.

Pennsylvania fair funding trial resumes: "We have done great things … but we don’t have the funding we need."

CHALKBEAT PHILADELPHIA

1/7/2022

Longtime William Penn superintendent Jane Harbert spends the entire day on the witness stand in Pennsylvania’s landmark fair funding trial, touting the district’s achievements while saying that all students are not given the opportunities they deserve.

Former William Penn superintendent testifies in historic school funding trial: ‘I know we don’t have enough’

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

1/6/2022

From crowded classrooms to crumbling buildings, Jane Harbert described the needs that drove the Delaware County district to file a historic school funding lawsuit against the state.

Pa. school funding trial resumes in Commonwealth Court. Here's what to know

Pennsylvania Capital-Star

1/5/2022

The trial could change how Pennsylvania funds its public schools.

Guest Editorial: Lawsuit has serious ramifications

The Sentinel

12/27/2021

For decades, Pennsylvania lawmakers have shunned their responsibilities when it comes to school funding, severely shortchanging many school districts. The result is grave inequity that has affected generations of students and produced rising local tax rates for property owners asked to fill the widening financial gaps caused by a negligent General Assembly in Harrisburg.

In Pennsylvania, A Lawsuit Could Make Historic Changes To School Funding

Forbes

12/23/2021

Pennsylvania’s public school funding is a special kind of mess, and a lawsuit currently before the court could change that.

Sweltering Classrooms, Leaky Roofs, Outdated Curriculum: Lancaster Schools Chief Paints Bleak Picture in Pa. School Funding Trial

The 74

12/17/2021

Lancaster schools Superintendent Damaris Rau painted a stark picture of life inside her district’s classrooms during testimony this week in a long-awaited Pennsylvania school funding trial, telling the court her students have passed out from the heat in aging buildings with no air conditioning. Ceiling tiles have fallen directly onto desks, she said, and garbage pails have lined hallways to catch rainwater seeping through leaky roofs. Some curriculum hasn’t been updated in years and neither have materials: High school physics textbooks are 12 years old and history books reference countries that no longer exist. Student achievement sinks as children move through the district without the academic support they need.

In Pennsylvania, it’s past time to focus on school funding gaps

CHALKBEAT PHILADELPHIA

12/17/2021

“A landmark case is underway now, with plaintiffs challenging the state’s school funding system. “Low-wealth Pennsylvania school districts have $4,800 less to spend per pupil on students than wealthy school districts — and this gap, one of the widest in the country, is growing,” activists are pointing out. So it’s a good time to grapple with the glaring juxtapositions of American schools.”

'I've lived it every day': SDL instructional coach talks student trauma, teacher burnout in education funding testimony

LPN lancaster online

12/21/2021

Aikens’ testimony followed that of SDL Superintendent Damaris Rau and chief finance and operations Officer Matt Przywara, who over the last several days described what they say are the immense needs the school district has and the inequities that exist in the state’s school funding system that lead to insufficient resources to help their students succeed.

Lancaster schools spend above the state average. But poor students need a lot more, superintendent testified at historic funding trial

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

12/18/2021

“You can’t compare children who live in such economically disadvantaged homes to children who are middle-class and affluent,” Superintendent Damaris Rau testified.

Kids are 'walking a mile in wet sneakers': Lancaster superintendent testifies in Pennsylvania school funding trial

LPN lancaster online

12/16/2021

The superintendent of Lancaster County’s largest school district spent six hours testifying in Pennsylvania’s major school funding trial Thursday, painting a dire picture of her district, which she says lacks adequate funding and resources to support students and improve academic performance.

Pa. school funding case update

WITF
12/9/2021

Seven years ago, a group of school districts, parents and advocates sued Pennsylvania over how it funds public schools. The case centers on wide spending gaps among the state’s poorest and wealthiest school districts.

Importance of pre-K takes center stage at Pennsylvania fair funding trial

Chalkbeat Philadelphia

12/14/2021

Experts testify about the importance of pre-K to student development as advocates mass on Capitol steps to demand lawmakers reform the state’s funding system.

whyy keystone crossroads
12/13/2021

At Panther Valley Elementary in the heart of coal country, students struggle to learn in a leaky school building where needs run deep.

‘A systemic, widespread failure’: Pa. school funding is depriving students, plaintiffs argue at start of historic trial

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER 11/12/2021

The statements launched what is expected to be possibly months of testimony and argument in a state capital courtroom over whether Pennsylvania should be ordered to fix its funding system.

‘It’s about children struggling’: Pa. school funding trial kicks off with plea by plaintiffs

WHYY KEYSTONE CROSSROADS

11/12/2021

A landmark case that could dramatically change the way Pennsylvania funds its public schools began in Commonwealth Court today, seven years after it was filed.

The case centers on wide spending gaps among the state’s poorest and wealthiest school districts.

The plaintiffs — six school districts, four parents, and two statewide organizations — argue state funding for schools is inadequate, inequitable, and illegal.

A landmark case that could change school funding across Pa. is going to trial

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

11/12/2021

At the heart of the case are wide gaps in resources between school districts — the product of a long-engrained funding system that relies more heavily on local taxes than all but six other states.

For media inquiries, contact Jonathan McJunkin at Public Interest Law Center,
or Paul Socolar at Education Law Center.