Protect Pennsylvania's future: Save PA Schools

Budget Update: State budget ensures continued progress in funding public education

Pennsylvania's state budget, signed by Governor Rendell on October 9, makes Pennsylvania schoolchildren a priority in the 2009-10 budget with a $300 million increase for PA kids and schools. The General Assembly honored their commitment to full and fair funding of Pennsylvania’s 500 public schools by 2014.

PSEA and school funding advocates across Pennsylvania commended Governor Rendell and legislators for supporting education, even during difficult economic times.

The budget provides for a more than $5.5 billion investment in basic education, including a $300 million increase in basic education subsidies to school districts. This step is critical to keep Pennsylvania on track to meet the funding targets set by the General Assembly in 2008.

While a $300 million increase for basic education is lower than the $418 million outlined in the funding formula passed last year, it is an increase that will support continued student progress as demonstrated through recent reports of academic gains by Pennsylvania students.  Stimulus funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allowed the General Assembly to honor the continuation and maintain the core tenets of Pennsylvania’s school funding formula and provide targeted investments for student achievement over six years to enable students to meet state academic standards.

In the News

Stimulus props up education in state

But federal funds will dry up in 2011, creating shortfall
It's the $654.7 million question. How will Pennsylvania continue paying the bill for basic education when federal economic stimulus expires in 2011?
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Oct 15, 2009

 

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Pennsylvania Schools are Making Progress

• National study shows big gains in Pennsylvania school achievement
• Learn more about Pennsylvania schools
   
  A report released in August by the Center on Education Policy shows Pennsylvania students made gains in all academic categories from 2002-08. Pennsylvania was the only state in the nation to do so. The CEP report is consistent with the findings from the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The NAEP found that Pennsylvania is one of only six states to make significant gains in elementary school reading and math since 2005. Also, Pennsylvania was one of only 10 states to make significant gains in elementary school reading and math since 2003

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