Calls for $510 million state increase for basic, special, and career and technical education
HARRISBURG (December 6, 2018) – The statewide education advocacy campaign PA Schools Work today delivered a letter to Governor Tom Wolf urging him to increase state funding for public education in his 2019-20 budget proposal.
While thanking Gov. Wolf for his continued commitment to Pennsylvania students, including his restoration of past state funding cuts, PA Schools Work noted that the “work has just begun” to achieve an adequate and equitable school funding system in the state. Even with recent increases under the Wolf Administration, Pennsylvania ranks 46th in the country in state share for K-12 education.
The campaign called for annual increases in each of the next four years of $400 million in basic education, $100 in special education and $10 million in career and technical education.
These annual investments would enable students more opportunities for academic success and a smooth transition to college or a career.
The letter also emphasized that consistent, additional state support will help school districts keep up with the inflationary increases of mandated costs, provide new resources for school districts that have been shortchanged in the past, allow districts to make long-term plans for new and improved educational programs, and alleviate pressures to increase property taxes.
PA Schools Work PA is a coalition of organizations from across Pennsylvania representing teachers and other educators; urban, suburban and rural communities; and parents and other community members working together to advocate for PA public schools, their students and the communities they serve.