There’s a lot to celebrate this week as schools reopen around Pennsylvania – new teachers, new friends, and historic funding for K-12 education thanks to Democrats in the State House. As the school year opens, let’s take a look at some of the highlights in the 2024-2025 state budget:
Adequacy gap funding is now the law
For the first time, Pennsylvania law explicitly acknowledges and codifies the state constitution’s mandate that the General Assembly “shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth”. (Article III, Section 14). In order to meet this mandate, public schools need to be better funded. A methodology for calculating the adequacy gap has been passed into law and put into practice — finding that Pennsylvania has a $4.5 billion gap in its basic education funding.
More than 10% budget increase for K-12 public schools
A historic $1.1 billion increase was budgeted this year in K-12 public education funding – the largest ever in Commonwealth history. This brings the state’s yearly investment to $11 billion. Although short of the $4.5 billion increase needed, it is taking the first step toward meeting our moral, constitutional and legal obligation to schools, taxpayers and parents.
Funding increase for underserved districts
Funding has been allocated for school districts that need it most. Through Ready to Learn Block Grants, additional money for the Basic Education Funding (BEF) formula appropriations, and tax equity adjustments, these funds will start to provide relief to school districts like Coatesville that have shouldered more than their fair share of the property tax burden.
This budget did not deliver everything recommended by the Basic Education Funding Commission and proposed by Gov. Shapiro’s budget, but it is a first step. These accountability and funding achievements stand in stark contrast to Republican advocacy of expanding school vouchers while simultaneously rejecting a number of charter school reforms. Democrats were able to accomplish this despite having a divided state legislature – imagine the possibilities if Democrats could flip the state Senate! Vote for Danielle Friel Otten in November to keep fighting for equitable education funding for all students in our state.
Pennsylvania K-12 public education funding is a complex topic. To learn more and dig into the details, we’d recommend visiting Education Voters PA or Children First PA.
