Learning Resources - Laws and Regulations 8.06 8.06 Funding for Public Schools. Describe how funding for public schools is generated in Pennsylvania, and discuss the implications of this for technology initiatives.  Introduction Funding a tech program in a public school in Pennsylvania is a challenge facing every technology coordinator in the state. In order to meet this challenge, you must first have a solid understand of how funding for public schools is generated in Pennsylvania. Only after you have developed a better understanding of funding issues, can you relate and discuss the implications for technology initiatives. After you understand how funding for public schools is generated in Pennsylvania and explored the implications of this for technology initiatives, the importance of becoming familiar with methods for securing funds from various agencies through grants and the aid procedure will become evident. Your Job: Use the details provided below to create a product that addresses and demonstrates mastery of this competency. Use the stepwise process listed under Your Portfolio to display the completed product in your ITSC portfolio. Product Details: Use your discussions within INSYS 462 to create a product that: details how funding for public schools in Pennsylvania is generated.   Then, describe how funding for technology initiatives is acquired by school districts in the state of Pennsylvania. Finally, discuss the implications of this for technology initiatives. Your Portfolio: FTP your completed product for this competency to the "4leader" folder within the web-based portfolio template provided. Click here to view the "Utiliz" page in the portfolio template. Download the "Utiliz" page from your ftp folder. Locate 8.06 Funding for Public Schools on the "Utiliz" page. Under "8.06 Funding for Public Schools" locate this sentence..."To view the evidence that I offer for this competency, please click here." Link the word "here" to your product. Delete the old "Utiliz" page in your ftp folder. Upload your revised "Utiliz" page. Submit the URL for your completed product in the student database.   Related Resources:  Public School Funding - Where do school districts get their money, and how do they spend it? Type of resource: Web site Source: http://www.pcpe.org/infoseries/funding.htm Description: Pennsylvania's public schools are operated with local, state and federal dollars. Although all these funds are provided by taxpayers, the methods of generating and distributing that aid are vastly different -- and impact the operation of schools in a variety of ways. This paper from the Pennsylvania Coalition for Public Education addresses these issues. Report Fails To Head Off Trial on Pa. School-Finance System Type of resource: Web site Source: http://www.edweek.org/ew/vol-15/39poor.h15 Description: This article discusses the lawsuit filed by the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools for the equitable distribution of state funds for public education. The coalition of rural and small schools contends that the current school property tax is not an equitable system for funding public education. Alternate funding proposal are discussed, as well as the issue of linking funding to the proven effectiveness of educational programs. Educational Grants: locating grants, writing grant proposals, and other resources Type of resource: Web site Source: http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/grants/index.html Description: Finding money, writing proposals, knowing who's doing what where: it's all a juggling act. The following resources include some of the better-known, more reliable resources for getting information and expertise needed for an intelligent pursuit of grant funding. Included in the resources are links for locating grants, for writing grant proposals, some links to electronic and print-based information resources; plus an assortment of tools that will, among other things, help you make your own customized grants. [Competencies Home Page] [ITSC Home Page]