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Friday, June 27, 2003

By Joe Carey

HARRISBURG -- Dozens of Pittsburgh area leaders, parents and students braved sweltering heat yesterday to rally on the Capitol steps and urge lawmakers to pass Gov. Ed Rendell's education proposals included in his "Plan for a New Pennsylvania."

The rally, sponsored by Good Schools of Pennsylvania, drew 3,000 people from across the state, including 100 from Western Pennsylvania. The crowd chanted, waved signs, sang and cheered Rendell even as participants wandered to and fro seeking comfort from the afternoon sun on a day when the heat index rose to 105 degrees.

"I took an annual leave to be here so legislators see that people are here from all over the state, interested in seeing that education is properly funded," said Tim Stevens, president of the Pittsburgh chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Rendell's plan would increase the state's basic education subsidy to 50 percent and allocate an additional $559 million for new programs such as full-day kindergarten and tutoring statewide, and pre-kindergarten and reduced class sizes in poorer districts.

Rendell is relying on legislators passing a 34 percent increase in the personal income tax and a bill allowing slot machines at horse racing tracks to pay for his plan.

The state Senate passed legislation earlier this week that would allocate $4.2 billion in state subsidies to public education, but it did not include Rendell's initiatives.

Donnah Durno, executive director of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, said she was pleased with Rendell's commitment to education, especially that in early childhood.

"What I respect about his plan is that he addresses equity and quality of education," Durno said.

She said her organization is involved in extensive early childhood programs and "we know the value of a good start."

A more equitable method of funding school districts is needed to improve the quality of education for all students, Stevens said.

"If you grow up in a poor family, in a poor neighborhood, you're growing up in a poor school district," Stevens said. "Our children should have an opportunity for quality education no matter where they grow up."

Stevens said a "revolutionary change" is needed to improve the quality of education, and the state cannot afford small incremental changes in its system.

The Rev. J. Earl Gramon Sr., president of the Baptist Minister Conference of Pittsburgh, said the world is becoming more diversified and teachers need to reflect that diversity and relate to it.

"I think that the reason we are here is to showcase and highlight the fact that we need teachers with the passion and compassion to teach," Gramon said. "These teachers will teach in a way to be effective across cultural lines."