Thursday, August 14, 2003

By Johnna A. Pro, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

HARRISBURG -- Gov. Ed Rendell intensified his rhetoric yesterday, calling on Senate Republicans to back his proposed education reforms and end the budget stalemate that has left school districts, social programs and even the state employees benefits fund uncertain about how much money they will get this year.

"It is time for us not only to get back to work, but also for a reality check. It's time for everyone to look deep inside themselves, do a reality check and do what's right for Pennsylvania," Rendell said, using a tone far more stern than has been his practice in recent weeks.

The governor's remarks came just 24 hours after his education department released its first academic achievement report, which the state is obligated to do under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

About half of Pennsylvania's schools didn't meet minimum standards in math, reading or other areas, according to the report.

"The fact that 51 percent did not meet the No Child Left Behind standards should be alarming to all Pennsylvanians," Rendell said of the results from the tests taken by students in grades five, eight and 11. "The red flags ought to be up there as big and bold as possible."

Under Pennsylvania's program, for schools to pass muster, 45 percent of their students in the grades tested must be proficient in reading and 35 percent must be proficient in math in each of the next three years. The percentages increase incrementally to 100 percent by 2014. Schools that fail to meet the standards face a range of sanctions, from a warning to a state takeover.

Rendell said the numbers demonstrate the importance of his agenda for improving schools, which calls for increasing the state's share of school funding to 50 percent and adding new early childhood programs including pre-kindergarten, full-day kindergarten and tutoring.

The governor believes that targeting programs to children in pre-school, kindergarten and the primary grades will make them better prepared in the upper grades.

"It won't happen by wishing and hoping and anyone who thinks that it will is an ostrich with his head in the sand," Rendell said.

Rendell vetoed the state's $4 billion education subsidy from the budget in an attempt to force lawmakers to negotiate over his proposals. Without a budget agreement, schools will open later this month not knowing how much their state funding will be.

In addition to the new education funding and programs, the governor wants to provide property tax relief for homeowners across the state and to implement a new statewide economic stimulus package. Rendell wants to pay for his proposals by increasing the state's personal income tax rate, legalizing slot machines and using revenues from them, and adding other new taxes and fees if necessary.

The governor's plans have been stymied, though, because the administration can't reach a budget agreement with the Republican-controlled Legislature, particularly the Senate.

While Rendell has forged a cordial, working relationship with House Speaker John M. Perzel, R-Philadelphia, and Majority Leader Samuel H. Smith, R-Punxsutawney, he has been unable to convince Senate GOP members that the state must generate new revenues, chiefly through increased taxes.

Senate leaders Robert C. Jubelirer, R-Altoona, David J. Brightbill, R-Lebanon, and Jeffrey E. Piccola, R-Dauphin, say they don't believe any tax increase is warranted.

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