Friday, February 14, 2003

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, announced today $20 million of federal funding for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The funding will be used by the Department to provide assistance to low-performing school districts that are slated for potential take-over and/or on the Education Empowerment List as prescribed by Pennsylvania State Law. The initiative is intended to improve the management and operations of the school districts; assist with curriculum development; provide after-school, summer and weekend programs; offer teacher and principal professional development and promote the acquisition and effective use of instructional technology and equipment.

“I am pleased my colleagues in the House and Senate have provided this funding to Pennsylvania’s Department of Education,” said Senator Specter. “Providing a quality education to our children needs to be a requirement for our society and this funding will assist the state in providing a quality education that will assist Pennsylvania’s youth the rest of their lives.”

“A good education is a fundamental key to success. The announcement of today’s funding for the Pennsylvania Department of Education will help to ensure that ‘No Child is Left Behind’,” said Senator Santorum. “ I am pleased to have worked with Senator Specter to help make this project a reality.” # # #