Press | AFT Pennsylvania

PA school funding increase a 'temporary reprieve'

AFT President Ted Kirsch released a statement today on Governor Wolf's decision to allow House Bill 1801, the General Fund Budget, become law without his signature. Find out how much additional funding your district received here.

Stop playing games with PA students' futures

AFTPA's President Ted Kirsch urges GOP House leaders to stop playing games with children's futures by attempting a line-item override of the Governor's #PaBudget veto. Read Kirsch's full statement.

Ted Kirsch: Wolf's budget reflects our priorities

It's almost summer and the budget battle in Harrisburg is heating up.

Kirsch testifies before PA House committee on education funding

"Schools must ensure that all children are well prepared for life, college or a career and ready to contribute to their communities," AFTPA President Ted Kirsch testified before the PA House Democratic Policy Committee. "Lamakers must value more than academic standards and test scores."

SRC charter expansion is 'unconscionable,' 'irresponsible'

AFT Pennsylvania President Ted Kirsch called the SRC's vote authorizing five new charter schools in Philadelphia "unconscionable," 'irresponsible" and "fiscally unsustainable."

AFTPA supports governor's natural gas tax proposal

AFT Pennsylvania President Ted Kirsch said Wednesday that he supports Gov. Wolf's plan to tax natural gas extraction and reinvest the proceeds in public education.

Kirsch calls on SRC to negotiate, not litigate

Ted Kirsch, AFTPA president, urged the SRC to return to the table to negotiate with the PFT following Thursday's PA Commonwealth Court ruling. Read Ted's statement.

Pension 'reforms' could be hazardous to your financial security

The Corbett administration has declared war on the teachers' and public employees' pension systems. Calling the nearly 100-year-old pension systems a "tapeworm," Gov. Corbett said pension "reform" is a top priority this year. Find out what this means for your future financial security.

Statement on PA Budget Office's Pension Report

The Corbett administration is using scare tactics, exaggerations and misinformation to convince the public that public employee pensions must be cut or eliminated to prevent state pension funds from consuming tax dollars that should go to schools, roads and other vital services. Read

Budget cuts responsible for lower 2011-12 test scores, Kirsch says

AFTPA President Ted Kirsch calls out PA Education Secretary after he blamed a statewide drop in test scores on cheating.