Press | AFT Pennsylvania

Protect Our Dreamers

The Trump administration plans to end a program that protects from deportation 800,000 students and working young adults who were brought to the United States as children. AFT President Kirsch released a statement to the media about administration plans to end DACA and asked union members to urge their Congressional representatives to pass the Dreamers Act of 2017.

Proposed education savings accounts are vouchers. Period.

A mid-state senator plans to push a bill authorizing education savings accounts, which are the latest iteration of school tuition vouchers. AFTPA President Ted Kirsch released a statement opposing this failed privatization strategy. “Let’s not waste time going down this road again – when 20-years of research has shown privatization schemes such as these fail to raise student achievement," Kirsch said. "All students and communities deserve good, neighborhood public schools with the resources to address children’s needs. That’s where we should focus our attention and invest our tax dollars.”

Union endorses Gov. Wolf for another 4-year term

AFTPA convention delegates voted to endorse Governor Tom Wolf for a second, four-year term. The vote was unanimous.

AFTPA endorses Sen. Bob Casey for U.S. Senate

AFT Pennsylvania delegates voted unanimously to endorse Robert P. Casey for a third term as U.S. Senator.

Governor signs education funding formula

Gov. Wolf signed House Bill 1552, which amends the Public School Code to provide a student-weighted formula for disbursement of basic education funding. The vote was 188-3 in the House and 49-1 in the Senate. Read AFT Pennsylvania President Ted Kirsch's comments below:

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."