Dan Onorato

Dan Onorato Releases Plan to Prepare the Next Generation for the High-Skill Economy

February 25, 2010

Dan Onorato Releases Plan to Prepare the Next Generation for the High-Skill Economy
Onorato's Plan Will Create a Better-Prepared Workforce While Easing the Burden on Local Property Taxes

 PITTSBURGH:  Today, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Onorato released his plan to prepare the next generation of Pennsylvanians for the high-skill economy – the sixth major policy paper he’s released.

           “Quality schools are vital for Pennsylvania's economic future and for the health of our communities," Onorato said.  "We must prepare the next generation of Pennsylvanians for a high-skill economy while decreasing our dependence on sky-high property taxes.

          “Even in these difficult fiscal times, there are two items that simply must be top priorities: early childhood education – which saves us money in the long-run for every dollar we invest today – and continuing to implement the Legislature’s Costing-Out Report school funding formula.”

          As Governor, Onorato will work to provide all Pennsylvania students with the high-quality education that is essential to success in our global economy.  To provide every child with the education they need and deserve, Onorato will:

• Fulfill the state’s responsibility for adequate school funding – and keep the burden off local property taxes;
• Provide high-quality early childhood care and education;
• Create an environment where students can learn; 
• Addressing the needs of at-risk students and struggling schools; and
• Ensure that students graduate ready for success in college and the workforce.
  

          “If we fail to live up to our responsibility to Pennsylvania’s children, the result will be ever-increasing property taxes and even greater educational inequity,” Onorato continued.  “Rather than continue our decline, we need to invest in our students and prepare them to take their place in the workforce of the future.”

          Onorato, who has fought against unfair country property tax hikes as Allegheny County Executive, will stem the local impact of the historic decline in the state’s share of school funding and relieve the burden placed on local property taxpayers. 

          As Governor, Onorato will continue to implement the Legislature’s Costing-Out Report.  Pennsylvania’s first school funding formula in nearly two decades was enacted in 2008, and Onorato will continue to implement the formula until it is fully funded, enabling local communities to avoid unaffordable property tax hikes while providing adequate resources to increase achievement in Pennsylvania classrooms.

          As a member of Pittsburgh’s City Council representing the North Side, Onorato saw the positive impact of high-quality childhood education on children from disadvantaged backgrounds.  Onorato continued his commitment to ensuring that all children receive a good start in school to his role as Allegheny County Executive, where he championed programs that increase literacy and that provide academic, after-school and social service support to the county’s families.

          As Governor, Onorato will also focus on providing high-quality early childhood care and education to Pennsylvania’s children.  Every dollar invested in early childhood education generates between $7 and $17 in long-term benefits and savings to taxpayers.  Onorato understands that quality early childhood education is a powerful economic development tool, and he is committed to increasing the number of children enrolled in high-quality pre-kindergarten.  Onorato will expand the number of slots in Pennsylvania’s landmark Pre-Kindergarten County program with the goal of doubling total enrollment in high-quality pre-k by 2020.

          “We need to prepare our students for the high-skill, high tech workforce that awaits them,” Onorato said.  “Education is the lynchpin of the decisions that will drive Pennsylvania’s progress: for businesses searching for the workforce that will fuel their growth, for adults choosing where to raise their families, and for industries that can only thrive in places rich in entrepreneurship and innovation.”

          Dan Onorato will spearhead improvements in how students are prepared for college and for the workforce, including:

• Creating an agenda for imagination, innovation and entrepreneurship by convening a blue-ribbon panel of education stakeholders and private-sector leaders to recommend ways to integrate the development of these skills into the daily classroom activities that students and teachers engage in, beginning with the early elementary years.
• Reinvigorating the 12th grade experience by calling for schools to dramatically expand the range of options available to high school seniors, including advanced courses; internships community service-learning projects; and high-quality Career & Technical Education.
• Expanding programs that increase college attendance. 
• Expanding high-quality Career & Technical Education programs and creating partnerships with businesses and unions to prepare students for the high-skill workforce.
• Preventing students from dropping out of school, starting with early warning systems to quickly identify students who are at risk of dropping out due to their attendance rates, grades or other factors – and then linking those students to immediate assistance.
• Launching a statewide Dropout Recovery Initiative to re-engage young adults who have already left school without a diploma. Onorato’s Dropout Recovery Initiative will include alternative pathways for these former students to earn a high school diploma, attend higher education and receive job training.
• Create a stronger link between schools and employers.  Many of the strategies discussed in this policy paper call for better alignment between pre-K–12 education and the private sector.  
  

          Onorato released his plan to spur economic development in partnership with Pennsylvania’s higher education institutions last year.  “The Onorato Plan for Higher Education” focused on ensuring that Pennsylvanians have the education and training they need for well-paying, high-growth jobs in the global economy.

Click here to read "The Onorato Plan for Pre-K - 12 Education: Preparing the Next Generation of Pennsylvanians for the High-Skill Economy & As Leaders of a Strong Civic Society."