Open Records Law in Pennsylvania
"This is really a change in the culture of governance in Pennsylvania," said Barry Kauffman, director of Pennsylvania Common Cause. "In too many cases, employees and officials of government agencies had an attitude that they own the government records instead of just being the caretakers of the government records."
After many years of secrecy and obstruction of the public's rights to know about their government, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a new Open Records law in 2008. The law takes effect January 1, 2009. Many groups advocated for the law including: the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition, the League of Women Voters , Democracy Rising PA, Rock the Capital and Common Cause Pennsylvania.
New Pa. open records are key to public access
Full Disclosure - Your eye on government using PA's new Open Records Law
Create an informational project about the new law for the general public:
Tri fold pamphlet that gives step by step directions for making a request.
Make an 8"x10" poster - What are the actions to take if a request for information is denied or if no response is given to a request for information.
A webpage that explains the citizen's rights and how to use the law.
A website regarding the policies in your school district or county regarding records
Give a multimedia presentation regarding the Open Records Law.
Make a digital video project that demonstrates making a successful request.
Make an appropriate request to your school district, local government, county government or state government regarding an item of spending that is important to you.
Does the governmental body comply with the new law?
What do you learn from the response?
Essay Extension:
Select one of the exceptions to the law. Advocate for it or against it.
Identify a current or recent controversy where the citizen's right to know has been important. How would/will the new law impact the outcome?
“This is sweeping, fundamental change in the way government documents are stored, turning the presumption upside down and shifting the burden from the citizen to the government,” said Senator John Pippy. “It says that unless there is a legitimate reason to keep records private, they must be made available to the public, and citizens should not have to jump through hoops to see them.”
Resources:
Internet Hunts / Nature / Computers / Puzzles & Projects / Pennsylvania Projects / History & Civics Studies / Site map / Home
posted 12/2008 by Cynthia J. O'Hora, released to the public domain
Save a tree - use a digital answer format - Save frequently as you work. I do not like losing my work. You will not like it either. Put your name and the date in a header. Bad things happen. Retain a copy of your work on your computer. Submit your assignment via a class electronic drop box or email attachment. You may be working on this project at home, the public library and at school. Consider using free Google Docs.
Proof the project. It is funny how speling errors and typeos sneak in to the bets work. 
Make Your Own Answer Sheet Form using Word Processing
Aligned with the following Pa Academic Standards - Reading, Writing Speaking, History, Civics and Government, Mathematics, Civics, Science and Technology. Aligned with the National Standards for Civics and Government