Governor Shapiro – Complete the Task!
“Overbrook will NOT be Overlooked.” That is the motto of Philadelphia’s Overbrook High School. The message would have been appropriate back in the 1950s when my father-in-law, a third generation Philadelphian, attended and basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain and astronaut Guy Bluford, the first Black man in space, roamed the halls. Unfortunately, there is no better word to describe Overbrook and dozens of other similar public schools than overlooked after decades of neglect.
Today Overbrook is struggling to meet the needs of its students, 99 percent of whom are minorities. My father-in-law was shocked to learn that in their most recently published test scores, only 3 percent of Overbrook students scored proficient or above on the state’s standardized math exam and only 15 percent of students scored proficient or above on the English Language Arts exam. I commend the teachers who are giving it their all, but the current chances of another future astronaut graduating from the school are sadly, very unlikely.
Thankfully, Governor Josh Shapiro promised to invest in education for all children. I have personally witnessed the many benefits of families having the ability to choose the school setting that best meets their needs: public, charter, or private. On the campaign trail Shapiro pledged to “invest in public education and empower parents to put their kids in the best opportunity for them to succeed.” Once elected, he publicly pushed for Lifeline Scholarships.
These scholarships would have given educational opportunities for students assigned to the lowest performing schools in the state. The program would provide parents between $5,000 and $15,000 to provide their child with educational services including private school tuition and special education services. It would provide much needed relief to families, particularly when supplemented with Pennsylvania’s very popular, but limited scholarship tax credit programs that help families who choose to attend private schools.
As a rabbi, former special education teacher, and advocate for children I was proud of the way Governor Shapiro talked about his Jewish values and then implemented policies based on those values. My mother-in-law taught one of his children and described Governor Shapiro as a “mensch,” a Yiddish term loosely translated as “a person of integrity and honor." He was delivering on his promise to help all children and living up to his well-deserved reputation.
Then he changed course. Seemingly in response to pressure from teachers unions and others, the Governor vetoed the Lifeline Scholarship program from the budget, leaving thousands of families and this rabbi very disappointed.
At his inauguration, Governor Shapiro quoted from the Jewish Talmud (Avoth 2:21) that says, “you are not required to complete the task, but neither are you free to refrain from it.” He has said that this was his guiding principle for public service. Earlier in that chapter (2:6) though, Hillel instructs us that when there is no one else to lead, it is incumbent upon us to endeavor to be that person to perform the needed task. Governor Shapiro said that he had no choice as the budget needed to move forward, but this is a unique opportunity to stand firm and pass a budget while also taking care of those who are too often overlooked.
The upcoming Jewish high holidays are all about second chances. Governor Shapiro has just such an opportunity. The budget battle isn’t over. The Senate just passed the “code bills” that are required to implement parts of the budget and included funding for the Lifeline (also called PASS) scholarships. The negotiations with the House are ongoing and the Governor has an important seat at that table.
Governor Shapiro, on behalf of thousands of overlooked families across the state. Please stand strong. Please complete the task!
Rabbi A. D. Motzen serves as the national director of government affairs for Agudath Israel of America, a national organization representing the Orthodox Jewish community. He is married to a 4th generation Philadelphian.
