Realities of School Funding Changes

AERA Division L

In February 2023, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled the state's school funding formula unconstitutional. This historic ruling underscores the need to re-examine approaches to school funding, especially when grappling with long-standing educational disparities across and within school districts. This podcast series explores the tangible impacts of this ruling by speaking with students, service providers, and educators in the Philadelphia area. This podcast is a production of AERA's Division L Graduate Student Council. In particular, Neisha Terry Young and Michaela Pernetti led the way. Anyone interested in learning more about these issues can check out AERA Division L's 2024 Fireside Chat on Sunday, April 14 at 11:25 AM. It will be located at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 5, Salon H. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. 03/18/2024

    1. Conversations with a Philadelphia-Based School Funding Policy Expert

    In this podcast episode, hosted by Neisha Terry Young and Michaela Pernetti, speakers discuss the intersection of multicultural education, funding disparities in public schools, and the ongoing struggle for equitable education funding, particularly focusing on the Philadelphia school district. Dr. Kimberly Sterin, a postdoctoral researcher at Drexel University's Justice Oriented Youth Education Lab (Joy Lab), shares her educational journey and professional experiences. Raised by first-generation college students, Dr. Sterin's early awareness of educational disparities fueled her passion for teaching. She later pursued a PhD to delve deeper into systemic inequities in school funding, particularly examining the impact of biases and ideologies on resource allocation. The discussion highlights the challenges faced by under-resourced schools in Philadelphia, including crumbling infrastructure, understaffing, and lack of basic supplies. Dr. Sterin emphasizes the need for adequate and equitable funding, urging policymakers to prioritize education funding and implement a fair funding formula that considers student needs. The conversation underscores the importance of collective action in advocating for education funding reform. Dr. Sterin encourages individuals to engage in advocacy efforts through various channels, such as contacting elected officials, writing opinion editorials, and utilizing social media platforms. Overall, the episode provides insights into the complexities of educational funding disparities and calls for collective action to ensure equitable access to quality education for all students. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About

In February 2023, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled the state's school funding formula unconstitutional. This historic ruling underscores the need to re-examine approaches to school funding, especially when grappling with long-standing educational disparities across and within school districts. This podcast series explores the tangible impacts of this ruling by speaking with students, service providers, and educators in the Philadelphia area. This podcast is a production of AERA's Division L Graduate Student Council. In particular, Neisha Terry Young and Michaela Pernetti led the way. Anyone interested in learning more about these issues can check out AERA Division L's 2024 Fireside Chat on Sunday, April 14 at 11:25 AM. It will be located at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 5, Salon H. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.