Thread: Hazleton Area needs to spend $43.3 million more, study says

Hazleton Area needs to spend $43.3 million more, study says
Thursday, 15 November 2007
By SAM GALSKI
Staff Writer
Hazleton Area School District would have to increase its annual spending by about $43.3 million to ensure that all of its students are meeting state academic achievement standards, according to a statewide costing-out study of the public education system.

The study found that 474 of Pennsylvania’s 501 school districts are spending below their adequacy levels and that the statewide public education system is underfunded by about $4.61 billion.
The study reported on school district spending in 2005-06 and was geared at generating an ideal per-pupil spending level for each district. That figure was then compared to what was actually spent.
A costing-out analysis established a base cost per student and identified additional money needed by each district for addressing needs of economically disadvantaged students, English language learners (ELL students) and students enrolled in special education programs.
That base amount was also adjusted in relation to whether a district is considered growing, rural or facing other challenges.
The study did not account for money spent on transportation, construction and food service costs but reviewed spending in successful school districts, research on effective educational techniques and listed opinions from educators on how to improve student performance.
According to the study, Hazleton Area spent about $7,499 on each of its 9,783 students in 2005-06. But the costing-out study said that Hazleton Area’s average per pupil expense was about $4,429 lower than it should’ve been – the 15th largest funding gap.
The study says the district should’ve been spending about $11,928 per pupil – or about $43.4 million more than it actually spent.
Superintendent Frank Victor said it would be unrealistic to think local funding sources could provide that additional revenue.
“They’re looking at ideal situations that could occur,â€

A costing-out analysis established a base cost per student and identified additional money needed by each district for addressing needs of economically disadvantaged students, English language learners (ELL students) and students enrolled in special education programs.

Which of the three mentioned 'needs' is the most costly? How did this 'need' arise? Why are American citizens expected to foot the bill?

Just asking.

They are doing the same thing in Arizona!!

Report: State must boost English learning

Group cites inadequacies in Ariz. programs

Pat Kossan
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 13, 2007 12:00 AM

"Kids trying to learn English and graduate from Arizona high schools need more help.

The state is still fighting a 2000 federal court order to give schools the cash they need to help students learn English, get through standard course work and pass the high-school AIMS exam. They need it all to earn a diploma.

Now, Arizona is facing an ultimatum from U.S. District Court Judge Raner Collins: adequately fund English learners by March 4. Exactly what would happen if lawmakers do not heed his order isn't spelled out. The last time the state ignored the court's order, the judge ordered a fine that began at $500,000 a day.

.......Lawmakers have increased funding to about $365 extra for each English learner and fought an ongoing lawsuit that would require the state to pay out more. Schools told researchers it takes some English learners up to an extra $1,800 to learn the language, pass their classes and the AIMS test and graduate.

The entire report, titled "Caught in the Middle: Arizona's English Language Learners and the High School Exit Exam," is at www.cep-dc.org."

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1113ell1113.html

My opinion Debbie Kornmiller : Schools cannot bar entrants

Reader Advocate
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 11.11.2007


""As a school district we comply with the 1982 Supreme Court ruling Plyler v. Doe, which states that public schools are prohibited from denying immigrant students access to a public education. Therefore, we do not require students to provide documentation proving they are legal residents of this country. When a parent registers his or her child for school we ask for proof that the child lives within the school district attendance zone.''

I Googled Plyler v. Doe and read the ruling on Findlaw.com and a story earlier this year by The Dallas Morning News on the 25th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision.

That story, by Katherine Leal Unmuth, explained that in 1977 Jose Lopez, an illegal entrant, wanted his children, who were also in the United State illegally, to go to public school for free in Tyler, Texas, where they lived. That year, Texas courts had upheld a law prohibiting state money from being used to educate illegal entrants. Some schools were charging tuition — $1,000 in Tyler — others turned away children, including Lopez's. A lawsuit ensued and named Tyler Superintendent Jim Plyler.
"By a 5-4 Supreme Court decision, the landmark Plyler v. Doe decision guaranteed illegal immigrants a free public education and established their civil rights and equal protection of the law under the 14th Amendment,'' reporter Unmuth wrote."


http://www.azstarnet.com/opinion/210874.php

U.S. SUPREME COURT

PLYLER v. DOE, 457 U.S. 202 (1982)

http://tourolaw.edu/Patch/Plyler/Burger.asp

Utterly ridiculous.
So, if EVERY child in the world was able to get to the U.S., we would be responsible for educating all of them?????????????????
Yeah, this makes sense.