A word with Andrea Blassingame on the fight for fair school funding
Q: Hi Andrea! Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
A: Absolutely! I'm Andrea Blassingame, a proud West Philadelphia Reading Captain, a mom, and a passionate advocate for literacy and education.
Q: How did you get involved in the fight for fair school funding?
A: It all started when I attended an online seminar about fair school funding hosted by Read by 4th and Children First. Priyanka Reyes-Kaura and Symbol Lai from Children First talked about Governor Shapiro’s education budget proposal and different ways to advocate for children’s education.
Children First offered the chance to volunteer in Harrisburg to fight for school funding. It sounded interesting, so I thought, "Why not?" I didn't realize I'd be one of a few volunteers and the only mom that day, which made me feel really proud.
Q: What was your experience like in Harrisburg?
A: I learned so much!
We learned a lot about the proposed budget, which is a 7-year plan designed to address the funding deficit and disparities between school districts in Pennsylvania. This is money that we need to fix the buildings, pay our teachers, and get more resources.
With 500 districts across the state, the funding needs vary greatly. You can't give the same amount to a district with three schools as you would to one with a thousand schools. It also provides additional resources for students living in poverty, learning English, or with disabilities.
This new budget is all about equity and getting everyone what they need.
Q: Were there any surprising things you learned?
A: Definitely. One of the biggest surprises was discovering there are so many nonprofits across Pennsylvania dedicated to this cause, all working together through the PA Schools Work Coalition. It was good to know we weren’t alone in this fight.
I also learned a lot about how things work in Harrisburg, from the state representatives’ offices to the way press conferences are held.
This whole experience made me realize how important it is to be aware of local politics. We get excited about presidential elections, but it's local politics that make a difference in your own backyard.
Q: What message do you have for Philly parents about fair school funding?
A: Whether you like it or not, the system is here. It’s important. The least we can do is understand it.
I want parents to know there’s a proposed budget and to understand who their state representatives are because these are the people voting on it. This is an election year, so it’s crucial to learn about candidates and where they stand in their support for fair school funding.
This is the time we get to choose who represents us. If you want better funding for our schools, if we want more resources, we have to research and vote for representatives who prioritize our children’s needs.
Q: Any advice for fellow Reading Captains?
A: Yes, I do! Reading Captains, we can do more than share resources at events (which we’re excellent at!). We can also be powerful advocates behind the scenes.
Educate yourselves about political issues affecting our schools and the policies that impact early literacy. Participate in phone banks, write letters, send emails, and join other nonprofits advocating for early literacy and school funding. All of that counts as being a Reading Captain too.
Everyone has a role to play in growing stronger readers. And that role can look different from person to person. It doesn’t matter how you make a difference, but that you make a difference.
Q: What’s ahead for you?
A: I'm excited to work with Children First to participate in a phone bank and plan to go down to City Hall to fight for our School District’s budget.
Even though I'm a mom of one, I advocate for all children because it's important to me.
Q: Any final thoughts or messages you'd like to share?
A: I want everyone – parents, Reading Captains, community members – to get involved and make their voices heard. Our kids deserve the best, and it’s up to us to ensure they get it.
