feed03.fireside.fm Sun, 01 Mar 2026 14:49:57 -0600 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Underfunded https://underfunded.fireside.fm Wed, 22 Dec 2021 10:45:06 -0500 Public school funding in Pennsylvania has been on the skids for decades now, but today, it’s doing real harm all over the state. And this isn’t by accident. PA’s legislature has created a system where the kids who need the most, get the least, usually because of where they live. So much so that across the Keystone State, 86% of public school students are attending schools that are underfunded. And lots of Pennsylvanians are saying enough is enough. Some of them have gone so far as to take the state to court for failure to properly fund our schools — a constitutional right — with a landmark trial slated to begin in Harrisburg this fall. We’ve spent the last few months interviewing people all over the state to find out the history of underfunding in PA, what it’s doing to students, teachers and families all over the state, and where it all could go from here And we’re ready to show you what we’ve found. This is Underfunded, and it’s coming soon wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe now, and visit FundOurSchoolsPA.org to find out more. With your hosts: Meg St-Esprit, a mom and a journalist who writes about parenting and education for Pittsburgh’s PublicSource, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and more. And Melanie Bavaria, education journalist who has been covering Philadelphia’s schools for the past several years for outlets like The Notebook, Chalkbeat, Next City, and others. Underfunded is a project of the Public Interest Law Center, with grant support from the William Penn Foundation. For more information on the fight to fund public schools in PA, visit FundOurSchoolsPA.org. en-us © 2026 Underfunded episodic Inside The Fight To Fairly Fund Public Schools In Pennsylvania Public Interest Law Center Public school funding in Pennsylvania has been on the skids for decades now, but today, it’s doing real harm all over the state. And this isn’t by accident. PA’s legislature has created a system where the kids who need the most, get the least, usually because of where they live. So much so that across the Keystone State, 86% of public school students are attending schools that are underfunded. And lots of Pennsylvanians are saying enough is enough. Some of them have gone so far as to take the state to court for failure to properly fund our schools — a constitutional right — with a landmark trial slated to begin in Harrisburg this fall. We’ve spent the last few months interviewing people all over the state to find out the history of underfunding in PA, what it’s doing to students, teachers and families all over the state, and where it all could go from here And we’re ready to show you what we’ve found. This is Underfunded, and it’s coming soon wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe now, and visit FundOurSchoolsPA.org to find out more. With your hosts: Meg St-Esprit, a mom and a journalist who writes about parenting and education for Pittsburgh’s PublicSource, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and more. And Melanie Bavaria, education journalist who has been covering Philadelphia’s schools for the past several years for outlets like The Notebook, Chalkbeat, Next City, and others. Underfunded is a project of the Public Interest Law Center, with grant support from the William Penn Foundation. For more information on the fight to fund public schools in PA, visit FundOurSchoolsPA.org. false Public Interest Law Center info@fundourschoolspa.org Where Do We Go From Here? https://underfunded.fireside.fm/6 06db3ea7-5ae3-4b87-b94a-9fa1b87135d0 Wed, 22 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -0500 info@fundourschoolspa.org (Public Interest Law Center) full Public Interest Law Center Now that the trial is underway, one big question remains: What happens now? 38:39 false We’ve gone through the history of public school underfunding in PA, and we’ve taken a look at what the results on the ground look like. But now that the trial is underway, one big question remains: What happens now? In this final episode of Underfunded, we hear from a host of folks — a lawyer, some teachers, a former legislator, an activist and an academic — surveying the current landscape.

To keep up with the trial and learn more about the fight to fairly fund public schools in PA, visit: FundOurSchoolsPA.org

To keep up with our hosts, follow Melanie Bavaria at @melaniebav on Twitter, and Meg St-Esprit at @MegStEsprit on Twitter.

]]> Pennsylvania, education, underfunding, public schools We’ve gone through the history of public school underfunding in PA, and we’ve taken a look at what the results on the ground look like. But now that the trial is underway, one big question remains: What happens now? In this final episode of Underfunded, we hear from a host of folks — a lawyer, some teachers, a former legislator, an activist and an academic — surveying the current landscape.

To keep up with the trial and learn more about the fight to fairly fund public schools in PA, visit: FundOurSchoolsPA.org

To keep up with our hosts, follow Melanie Bavaria at @melaniebav on Twitter, and Meg St-Esprit at @MegStEsprit on Twitter.

]]> We’ve gone through the history of public school underfunding in PA, and we’ve taken a look at what the results on the ground look like. But now that the trial is underway, one big question remains: What happens now? In this final episode of Underfunded, we hear from a host of folks — a lawyer, some teachers, a former legislator, an activist and an academic — surveying the current landscape.

To keep up with the trial and learn more about the fight to fairly fund public schools in PA, visit: FundOurSchoolsPA.org

To keep up with our hosts, follow Melanie Bavaria at @melaniebav on Twitter, and Meg St-Esprit at @MegStEsprit on Twitter.

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/CWSJmu0X+omDyWnP_ ]]> How We Got Here: From No Child Left Behind To... ? https://underfunded.fireside.fm/5 fa1112c4-74a5-4182-8de1-9253a8f69582 Wed, 20 Oct 2021 12:00:00 -0400 info@fundourschoolspa.org (Public Interest Law Center) full Public Interest Law Center On today's episode, we look at how PA's public schools have come to the impasse they're in now, at the hand of shifting political priorities over the past handful of governors and presidents. 37:59 false On today's episode, we look at how PA's public schools have come to the impasse they're in now, at the hand of shifting political priorities over the past handful of governors and presidents.

Underfunded is a project of the Publc Interest Law Center, with a grant from the William Penn Foundation. For more information on the fight to fairly fund public schools in PA, and ways to get involved, visit: fundourschoolspa.org.

]]> On today's episode, we look at how PA's public schools have come to the impasse they're in now, at the hand of shifting political priorities over the past handful of governors and presidents.

Underfunded is a project of the Publc Interest Law Center, with a grant from the William Penn Foundation. For more information on the fight to fairly fund public schools in PA, and ways to get involved, visit: fundourschoolspa.org.

]]> On today's episode, we look at how PA's public schools have come to the impasse they're in now, at the hand of shifting political priorities over the past handful of governors and presidents.

Underfunded is a project of the Publc Interest Law Center, with a grant from the William Penn Foundation. For more information on the fight to fairly fund public schools in PA, and ways to get involved, visit: fundourschoolspa.org.

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/CWSJmu0X+X-G4gtnA ]]> Episode 4: A Brief History of Underfunding, 1840-2001 https://underfunded.fireside.fm/4 a6dc403f-52a9-4e0c-87dd-a3d0e595715e Fri, 18 Jun 2021 06:00:00 -0400 info@fundourschoolspa.org (Public Interest Law Center) full Public Interest Law Center History buffs take note! 31:58 false History buffs take note! On this week’s show, we talk with a historian, a longtime journalist and a former legislator and learn that underfunding of PA public schools is very possibly older than the schools themselves.

]]> Pennsylvania, education, underfunding, public schools History buffs take note! On this week’s show, we talk with a historian, a longtime journalist and a former legislator and learn that underfunding of PA public schools is very possibly older than the schools themselves.

]]> History buffs take note! On this week’s show, we talk with a historian, a longtime journalist and a former legislator and learn that underfunding of PA public schools is very possibly older than the schools themselves.

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/CWSJmu0X+RFwGa20M ]]> Episode 3: Underfunding Everywhere: Ambridge, Slippery Rock, Duquesne, & Beyond (Part 2 of 2) https://underfunded.fireside.fm/3 a2498162-1ec8-4261-b7e7-b68546d06819 Thu, 20 May 2021 07:00:00 -0400 info@fundourschoolspa.org (Public Interest Law Center) full Public Interest Law Center On today’s episode, we continue our “road trip” across PA to look at underfunding’s effects in our more rural communities. 23:32 false On today’s episode, we continue our “road trip” across PA to look at underfunding’s effects in our more rural communities. Along the way, we hear from folks who reveal that the problem has manifested in ways that are generational, often racialized, and just about omnipresent all over the state. Plus, a longtime observer of PA rural schools gives us an overhead view of he’s seen over years in PA rural and small town schools.

]]> Pennsylvania, education, underfunding, public schools, rural, Ambridge, Slippery Rock, Duquesne On today’s episode, we continue our “road trip” across PA to look at underfunding’s effects in our more rural communities. Along the way, we hear from folks who reveal that the problem has manifested in ways that are generational, often racialized, and just about omnipresent all over the state. Plus, a longtime observer of PA rural schools gives us an overhead view of he’s seen over years in PA rural and small town schools.

]]> On today’s episode, we continue our “road trip” across PA to look at underfunding’s effects in our more rural communities. Along the way, we hear from folks who reveal that the problem has manifested in ways that are generational, often racialized, and just about omnipresent all over the state. Plus, a longtime observer of PA rural schools gives us an overhead view of he’s seen over years in PA rural and small town schools.

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/CWSJmu0X+RxtWBkBH ]]> Episode 2: Episode 2: Underfunding Everywhere: Allentown & Erie (Part 1 of 2) https://underfunded.fireside.fm/2 cd4220cc-bfdb-4886-aea2-6210497c9201 Fri, 07 May 2021 15:00:00 -0400 info@fundourschoolspa.org (Public Interest Law Center) full Public Interest Law Center This week, we begin a two-part road trip around PA, checking in across the state to hear stories from superintendents and students alike, visiting cities, small towns, rural areas, and everything in between. On today’s episode, we take a look at what’s going on in Allentown and Erie. 21:55 false This week, we begin a two-part road trip around PA, checking in across the state to hear stories from superintendents and students alike, visiting cities, small towns, rural areas, and everything in between. On today’s episode, we take a look at what’s going on in Allentown and Erie.

Join us for part two, when we hear what underfunding looks like in Slippery Rock, Dusquene, and small rural districts across the state.

Note: This show contains lots of facts and figures regarding the size and shape of underfunding in public schools in PA! If data like this is your jam, visit FundOurSchoolsPA.org/the-map.

SHARE YOUR STORY: Likewise, to share your own story how underfunded PA public schools have affected you, your family, or your community, visit FundOurSchoolsPA.org/tellus.

]]> Pennsylvania, education, underfunding, public schools, Allentown, Erie This week, we begin a two-part road trip around PA, checking in across the state to hear stories from superintendents and students alike, visiting cities, small towns, rural areas, and everything in between. On today’s episode, we take a look at what’s going on in Allentown and Erie.

Join us for part two, when we hear what underfunding looks like in Slippery Rock, Dusquene, and small rural districts across the state.

Note: This show contains lots of facts and figures regarding the size and shape of underfunding in public schools in PA! If data like this is your jam, visit FundOurSchoolsPA.org/the-map.

SHARE YOUR STORY: Likewise, to share your own story how underfunded PA public schools have affected you, your family, or your community, visit FundOurSchoolsPA.org/tellus.

]]> This week, we begin a two-part road trip around PA, checking in across the state to hear stories from superintendents and students alike, visiting cities, small towns, rural areas, and everything in between. On today’s episode, we take a look at what’s going on in Allentown and Erie.

Join us for part two, when we hear what underfunding looks like in Slippery Rock, Dusquene, and small rural districts across the state.

Note: This show contains lots of facts and figures regarding the size and shape of underfunding in public schools in PA! If data like this is your jam, visit FundOurSchoolsPA.org/the-map.

SHARE YOUR STORY: Likewise, to share your own story how underfunded PA public schools have affected you, your family, or your community, visit FundOurSchoolsPA.org/tellus.

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/CWSJmu0X+iPSeA_8_ ]]> Episode 1: The Hunger Games https://underfunded.fireside.fm/ep1 d39b38e8-f095-4048-8c81-635a65016044 Thu, 22 Apr 2021 05:00:00 -0400 info@fundourschoolspa.org (Public Interest Law Center) full Public Interest Law Center In episode one of Underfunded, hosted by education journalists Melanie Bavaria and Meg St-Esprit, we take a look at what it's really like on the ground right now, for teachers, kids and communities. 24:00 false Public schools in PA aren't fairly funded, and this has been the case for decades. In episode one of Underfunded, hosted by education journalists Melanie Bavaria and Meg St-Esprit, we take a look at what it's really like on the ground right now, for teachers, kids and communities. Along the way, we'll talk with educators, community organizers, and legal experts who confront daily the struggle of educating in a massively underfunded environment.

Underfunded is a project of the Publc Interest Law Center, with a grant from the William Penn Foundation. For more information on the fight to fairly fund public schools in PA, and ways to get involved, visit: fundourschoolspa.org.

]]> Pennsylvania, education, underfunding, public schools Public schools in PA aren't fairly funded, and this has been the case for decades. In episode one of Underfunded, hosted by education journalists Melanie Bavaria and Meg St-Esprit, we take a look at what it's really like on the ground right now, for teachers, kids and communities. Along the way, we'll talk with educators, community organizers, and legal experts who confront daily the struggle of educating in a massively underfunded environment.

Underfunded is a project of the Publc Interest Law Center, with a grant from the William Penn Foundation. For more information on the fight to fairly fund public schools in PA, and ways to get involved, visit: fundourschoolspa.org.

]]> Public schools in PA aren't fairly funded, and this has been the case for decades. In episode one of Underfunded, hosted by education journalists Melanie Bavaria and Meg St-Esprit, we take a look at what it's really like on the ground right now, for teachers, kids and communities. Along the way, we'll talk with educators, community organizers, and legal experts who confront daily the struggle of educating in a massively underfunded environment.

Underfunded is a project of the Publc Interest Law Center, with a grant from the William Penn Foundation. For more information on the fight to fairly fund public schools in PA, and ways to get involved, visit: fundourschoolspa.org.

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/CWSJmu0X+jqj_SnPf ]]> Trailer https://underfunded.fireside.fm/1 86021dcb-ae5e-4099-ab56-8b82dfb60223 Thu, 01 Apr 2021 21:00:00 -0400 info@fundourschoolspa.org (Public Interest Law Center) full Public Interest Law Center Inside The Fight To Fairly Fund Public Schools In Pennsylvania. 2:18 false Public school funding in Pennsylvania has been on the skids for decades now, but today, it’s doing real harm all over the state. And this isn’t by accident. PA’s legislature has created a system where the kids who need the most, get the least, usually because of where they live.

So much so that across the Keystone State, 86% of public school students are attending schools that are underfunded. And lots of Pennsylvanians are saying enough is enough. Some of them have gone so far as to take the state to court for failure to properly fund our schools — a constitutional right — with a landmark trial slated to begin in Harrisburg this fall.

We’ve spent the last few months interviewing people all over the state to find out the history of underfunding in PA, what it’s doing to students, teachers and families all over the state, and where it all could go from here And we’re ready to show you what we’ve found.

This is Underfunded, and it’s coming soon wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe now, and visit FundOurSchoolsPA.org to find out more.

With your hosts: Meg St-Esprit, a mom and a journalist who writes about parenting and education for Pittsburgh’s PublicSource, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and more. And Melanie Bavaria, education journalist who has been covering Philadelphia’s schools for the past several years for outlets like The Notebook, Chalkbeat, Next City, and others.

Underfunded is a project of the Public Interest Law Center, with grant support from the William Penn Foundation.

For more information on the fight to fund public schools in PA, visit [FundOurSchoolsPA.org](FundOurSchoolsPA.org).

]]> Pennsylvania, education, underfunding, public schools Public school funding in Pennsylvania has been on the skids for decades now, but today, it’s doing real harm all over the state. And this isn’t by accident. PA’s legislature has created a system where the kids who need the most, get the least, usually because of where they live.

So much so that across the Keystone State, 86% of public school students are attending schools that are underfunded. And lots of Pennsylvanians are saying enough is enough. Some of them have gone so far as to take the state to court for failure to properly fund our schools — a constitutional right — with a landmark trial slated to begin in Harrisburg this fall.

We’ve spent the last few months interviewing people all over the state to find out the history of underfunding in PA, what it’s doing to students, teachers and families all over the state, and where it all could go from here And we’re ready to show you what we’ve found.

This is Underfunded, and it’s coming soon wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe now, and visit FundOurSchoolsPA.org to find out more.

With your hosts: Meg St-Esprit, a mom and a journalist who writes about parenting and education for Pittsburgh’s PublicSource, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and more. And Melanie Bavaria, education journalist who has been covering Philadelphia’s schools for the past several years for outlets like The Notebook, Chalkbeat, Next City, and others.

Underfunded is a project of the Public Interest Law Center, with grant support from the William Penn Foundation.

For more information on the fight to fund public schools in PA, visit [FundOurSchoolsPA.org](FundOurSchoolsPA.org).

]]> Public school funding in Pennsylvania has been on the skids for decades now, but today, it’s doing real harm all over the state. And this isn’t by accident. PA’s legislature has created a system where the kids who need the most, get the least, usually because of where they live.

So much so that across the Keystone State, 86% of public school students are attending schools that are underfunded. And lots of Pennsylvanians are saying enough is enough. Some of them have gone so far as to take the state to court for failure to properly fund our schools — a constitutional right — with a landmark trial slated to begin in Harrisburg this fall.

We’ve spent the last few months interviewing people all over the state to find out the history of underfunding in PA, what it’s doing to students, teachers and families all over the state, and where it all could go from here And we’re ready to show you what we’ve found.

This is Underfunded, and it’s coming soon wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe now, and visit FundOurSchoolsPA.org to find out more.

With your hosts: Meg St-Esprit, a mom and a journalist who writes about parenting and education for Pittsburgh’s PublicSource, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and more. And Melanie Bavaria, education journalist who has been covering Philadelphia’s schools for the past several years for outlets like The Notebook, Chalkbeat, Next City, and others.

Underfunded is a project of the Public Interest Law Center, with grant support from the William Penn Foundation.

For more information on the fight to fund public schools in PA, visit [FundOurSchoolsPA.org](FundOurSchoolsPA.org).

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/CWSJmu0X+onRv1cj6 ]]>