Henderson spoke on behalf of Rendell to about 20 F&M students who turned out in the Buchanan Room of Steinman College Center.

During the speech, Henderson told students education is linked to economics. She said the cost of funding public education now is falling more frequently on state and local governments.

“Accountability is wonderful,” Henderson said. “But accountability costs money. The state government is in a difficult position.”

Henderson, a Democrat, spoke on behalf of the programs of Rendell, Pennsylvania’s Democratic governor, who is seeking re-election this year. His Republican opponent is Lynn Swann.

In Lancaster County over the last five years, 35 percent of new jobs have been minimum-wage jobs, Henderson said. Also, according to her statistics, a person living in Lancaster County must earn $11.20 an hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment.

“Now it’s important to be creative to achieve,” Henderson said.

In some instances, Henderson said, the lack of funding in public education is causing teachers to be laid off and class sizes to grow.

“Big classes are bad for kids,” Henderson said. “Less teachers are bad for kids.”

The cornerstone of Pennsylvania is funding public education, Henderson said. She said public education had been eroding, but it is now “seeing a shift upward” due to many of the educational programs Rendell has implemented as governor.

For example, Henderson said, the state is funding pre-kindergarten programs and has allocated $66 million toward tutoring initiatives if schools do not meet requirements in the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Rendell also is trying to make post-secondary education more affordable with tax credits and increased funding to community colleges, Henderson said.

Henderson said once Rendell has his property-tax relief plan in place, 46 percent of public education will be solely funded by the state.

“I am grateful for the strides and efforts the governor has been making in education,” Henderson said.

Though Henderson believes Rendell is making progress, she believes the state’s public education system can be even better.

“Public education is the foundation of democracy,” Henderson said. blog comments powered by Disqus