Amplifying Voices and Driving Change: Candy Apple Advocacy's Achievements and 2025 Vision
Fostering Educational Reforms and Advocating for Equitable Support in Pennsylvania
Candy Apple Advocacy made remarkable progress in amplifying parental voices and facilitating meaningful educational reforms across Pennsylvania.​ Central to this mission was empowering parents through initiatives like #BlueOutTheCapitol which mobilized parents to take active roles in influencing educational policy. By encouraging parents to share their personal experiences with lawmakers, the organization significantly boosted parental involvement, ensuring that the needs of their children were prioritized in educational discussions.
Candy Apple Advocacy also focused on supporting cyber charter schools and special education. The organization facilitated dialogues between cyber charter school families and policymakers, ensuring that their unique challenges were addressed in legislative amendments. Additionally, through the "Bridging the Divide" initiative, they prioritized enhancing support for students with special needs during Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings. Participation in legislative conversations to support proposals like House Bill 36 showcased the organization's commitment to fostering transparency and accountability in educational governance, while advocacy for school choice and equitable funding demonstrated a comprehensive effort towards inclusivity.
As we enter 2025, Candy Apple Advocacy emphasizes the urgent need for fully funded special education in Pennsylvania. The organization calls on state lawmakers to address chronic underfunding, as inadequate resources threaten the ability of schools to provide necessary support for students with disabilities. Superintendents, public charter administrators, and teachers agree on the critical need to secure robust special education funding. ​By advocating for immediate and bold legislative action, Candy Apple Advocacy aims to safeguard the future of special education, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to equity and opportunity for all students across the state.​