(Credit: MCIU)
During the event, students had the opportunity to engage directly with state lawmakers, discussing critical educational challenges affecting their schools and communities
Last week, in partnership with Children First, the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit hosted the third installment of Voices for Education, a legislative advocacy initiative designed to empower high school students across Montgomery County. The program gives students in grades 9-12 a platform to drive meaningful change on educational issues within their schools and throughout Pennsylvania.
During the event, students had the opportunity to engage directly with state lawmakers, discussing critical educational challenges affecting their schools and communities. Through open dialogue, they shared their perspectives, asked questions, and explored solutions to the challenges facing their schools.
Elected officials — including Senator Maria Collett; Representatives Joe Ciresi, Greg Scott, and Liz Hanbidge; John Fennell (representing Napoleon Nelson’s office); and Lansdale Councilwoman Rafia Razzak (representing Melissa Cerrato’s office) — met individually with students to answer questions and share insights about their roles in government. The event also featured a Q&A panel, where lawmakers addressed students' concerns about the ongoing challenges facing public school funding and discussed ways they can advocate for change.
Looking ahead to the Voices for Education advocacy day in Harrisburg this June, Collett urged students to challenge lawmakers on their stance regarding school funding.
(Credit: MCIU)“You have folks that are sitting up here on this panel that are huge champions of adequately and appropriately funding public education through state dollars, but that’s not everyone in the legislature. I hope when you get to Harrisburg and you have your advocacy day with lawmakers, you will ask them where they stand on the constitutionality of adequately funding our state schools and our public schools in the state. I hope you will ask them. I hope you will hold their feet to the fire on that question," she said.
Students left the event feeling empowered to advocate for change.
“The legislators and senators who came to talk to us, they helped me better understand how government works, and how it affects our school—especially our school since we’re underfunded,” said James, a High School student at Pottstown School District. “I feel like it has given me a new perspective. It definitely makes me want to advocate for myself and make sure my voice is heard.”
About Montgomery County Intermediate Unit
The Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU) is a dynamic educational service agency that provides visionary leadership, impactful services, and strategic solutions that maximize access and opportunities for all learners. MCIU provides a vast array of effective and efficient services that meet the educational and social service needs of Montgomery County’s 200-plus schools, including the 22 public school districts, more than 150 nonpublic schools, four career-technical schools, three charter schools and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
