 MARCH/APRIL 2003 (XXXXI 2) |
As part of a broad-based partnership of religious groups, advocacy organizations, parents and concerned citizens, a large contingent of Quakers will gather in Harrisburg on May 12 to urge the Pennsylvania legislature to make educational justice a top priority in the coming year. This Quaker day of advocacy will be one of more than 50 consecutive days of demonstration by various groups in this "Stand up for Children" campaign, organized by Good Schools Pennsylvania (www.goodschoolspa.org), a non-profit coalition seeking to mobilize citizens on behalf of quality education for all children.
According to Paul Skilton-Sylvester of Central Philadelphia Meeting, one of many PYM members active in this effort, "Each day of protest has been adopted by a different group, mainly different religious denominational groups. May 12 will be the Quaker day of protest. Of course, you need not be a 'card-carrying Quaker' to participate." Paul and other Quakers are coordinating the May 12 effort, and working to make sure that there are at least 100 people in attendance. Good Schools Pennsylvania will provide transportation to Harrisburg from all over the state.
The goals of Good Schools Pennsylvania resonate with one of the key goals of PYM's Covenant on Education, namely: "to encourage and support our local public schools and teachers and parents in their efforts to provide an education of great value to the children of our communities, through participation as teachers, members of school boards, advisory councils, advocacy groups, as volunteers, and as advocates for public funding for public education." Good Schools Pennsylvania was founded by clergy from many denominations, and the organization's website makes the connection between faith and practice explicit: "One of our desires is to activate the people of faith within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to see the issue of the education of our children as truly a spiritual issue, as a justice issue, as an issue that should involve all decent people of faith."
Pennsylvania was recently ranked 47th by Education Week in "school equity," a measure of the disparity between the wealthiest and the poorest schools. However, a glimmer of hope is provided by the appointment of Donna Cooper as the Policy Manager in Governor Ed Rendell's administration. Cooper had been the Campaign Director of Good Schools Pennsylvania, so her appointment to this new position of leadership and influence is hailed as a signal that a more equitable and accountable funding system may be within reach. Those wishing to participate in the May 12 event, or to learn more about this campaign, can contact Paul Skilton-Sylvester at 215-545-7147 or paulss@gse.upenn.edu.
Tom Hoopes
PYM Coordinator of Education Programs
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM