School is back in session, and that means advocacy work is in full swing across the Commonwealth! As classrooms fill with eager students, we’re excited to see so many of you stepping up to support public education in your communities. The Ed Voters team has been hard at work attending events and training advocates on how to stand up for public education.
Advocacy Across Pennsylvania
On Thursday, September 26, AAUW State College welcomed Susan Spicka, Executive Director of Education Voters of PA, pictured, second from the left. Others pictured are, from L to R, Susan Johnston, AAUWSC Education Committee Chair, Carline Crevecoeur, AAWSC Education Committee and Membership Co-VP, and Susan Chyczewski, AAUWSC Membership Co-VP.
Those in attendance, both in person and via Zoom, learned about PA’s current voucher system, which sometimes masquerades as “scholarships.”
We are thrilled to share the inspiring work of three of our Public Education Champions who are starting a school equity club at their local university! Their goal is to equip students with professional advocacy skills and ignite a passion for community involvement.
Recently, they hosted an engaging informational session featuring Ed Voters’ Manager of Community Outreach Lucas Wolk.
We couldn’t be prouder of the dedication and drive of our advocates as they lead initiatives that foster positive change in our communities!
The Johnstown branch of the American Association of University Women, in cooperation with the education division of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, held a public forum “The Impact of the Pennsylvania Education Budget on our Local School Districts” on October 2nd.
Speakers included Amy Arcurio, Greater Johnstown School District superintendent; Nicole Dull, Conemaugh Township Area School District superintendent; Deanna Haddle, Johnstown Branch AAUW public policy chairwoman; Thomas Mitchell, Westmont Hilltop School District superintendent; Charline Rowland, UPJ division chairwoman of education; and Susan Spicka, executive director of Education Voters of Pennsylvania.
Brand New Ed Voters T-shirts!!
Show your support for public education in Pennsylvania with one of our brand new t-shirts! For a small donation of $20.00 that covers the cost of the printing and shipping, we’ll mail you a Support & Defend Public Education tee! Make sure you include your address and shirt size in the order!
In The News
Susan Spicka, executive director of Education Voters of Pennsylvania, and many other opponents see vouchers threatening public school funding and presenting opportunities for private entities to discriminate against students who have special needs or differing religious beliefs.
“It makes no sense,” Spicka said of potential voucher support among rural lawmakers.
“I don’t know if they think these programs would ever impact them,” she said. “Those rural lawmakers clearly have not looked beyond the blinders they have on, that were probably put on in their caucus.”
“These schools are failing to ensure that the kids they bring in are learning and will be able to graduate, ready for a productive career or higher education,” said Susan Spicka, executive director of the public education advocacy group Education Voters PA. “That is a huge problem.”
“Most Pennsylvania voters don’t support using taxpayer dollars to create a private school voucher program, a new Spotlight PA poll shows, an idea embraced by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro in a break with most members of his party.
Supporters argue vouchers give parents and students in struggling public schools vital choices. Opponents say they’ll devastate public schools by diverting funding and don’t necessarily help students.
Debates over a proposal to spend $100 million on such a program led to a nearly six-month budget impasse in 2023.”
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