Election results show voters support historic investments in K–12 education, including three straight years of adequacy funding and progress in closing Pennsylvania’ unconstitutional school funding gap.
HARRISBURG — PA Schools Work, a statewide coalition of education, civil rights, research, parents, and community organizations working for adequate and equitable funding for Pennsylvania’s public schools, released the following statement after pro-public-school candidates earned decisive victories at the ballot box:
“Public education is always on the ballot in Pennsylvania, and yesterday voters made clear what they want from Harrisburg. The legislature’s most important, most public, and most consequential achievement in the last legislative session was making historic investments in our K–12 public schools. That includes adequacy funding to close the unconstitutional gap between what our schools have and what our students need. Voters noticed. They responded by expanding the number of pro-public-school legislators in Harrisburg so they can keep doing that important work. The message from Pennsylvanians is simple: finish the job and fully fund our schools. PA Schools Work looks forward to working with the new General Assembly, House and Senate, Democrats and Republicans, and the Governor to stay on the path to adequacy.”
“In 2023, the Commonwealth Court ruled that Pennsylvania’s school funding system was unconstitutional. Since then, the General Assembly has passed three straight budgets with adequacy funding aimed at the state’s most underfunded districts, and the investments are working. Across rural, suburban, and urban communities, districts are using adequacy funding for full-day kindergarten, smaller K–3 classes, structured literacy, high-dosage math tutoring, expanded career and technical education, and more counselors, psychologists, and social workers.
“The job is not finished. About $3.3 billion of the adequacy gap remains, and 73 percent of Pennsylvania public school students still attend districts with adequacy gaps, while inflation and required costs keep rising. Of Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts, 364 qualify for adequacy funding, and most of them are rural. And all districts rely on continued commitment to increases
in Basic Education Funding.
“Students can’t afford for the state legislature to slow the momentum. That means closing the remaining gap, keeping basic and special education funding in step with rising costs, and delivering on-time budgets that let every child get the thorough and efficient education the Constitution guarantees, no matter their zip code.”
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