Enrollment in the Commonwealth’s public schools has declined since the early 1970’s. At the same time, funding for public education has risen tenfold. This has produced some of the highest spending per student in the nation. Yet overall, K-12 education outcomes have continued to lag behind other states.

The Chamber believes that in order to ensure a long term vibrant economy, a good quality of life and the future success of our children, these trends must change. It is clear to us as business leaders, parents and taxpayers that the basic problem with our schools is not a lack of money or a lack of quality teachers, but rather it is the way the public education system is structured. Accordingly, we support systemic improvements to the Commonwealth’s public education system that will increase the quality of education while effectively utilizing dollars spent.

Specifically, the Chamber supports:

• Accountability for superintendents, principals and teachers based on value-added assessments such as the one recommended by the University of Pennsylvania’s Operation Public Education.
• Spending and revenue constraints that would limit future increases in public school spending to no more than the rate of inflation adjusted for public school population growth.
• Innovative educational programs such as charter schools, magnet schools, alternative schools, school choice, and Educational Improvement Tax Credits.
• The elimination of unnecessary state government mandates that divert resources from the mission of education.
• Schools and school districts that are cost effective, less bureaucratic, and more responsive to parents, students, and local citizens.
• Implementation of the Federal No Child Left Behind Act.