ADEQUACY
Pennsylvania ranks 42nd in the nation for the state share of education funding, and because of that, ONE MILLION students attend underfunded schools across the state.
Students aren’t the only ones paying the price of this underfunded system—local taxpayers are too! Across the Commonwealth, local school districts are raising property taxes to fill the gap from a diminished state share. If you agree that the state should increase its share of education funding, lifting the local burden and supporting excellence, join the work!
For decades in Pennsylvania, the commonwealth has been falling behind other states when it comes to the share of funding they provide to school districts. This leaves the major responsibility for school funding up to local school districts, which vary greatly in their ability to raise local funds for schools. Even with high tax rates, property taxpayers in low-wealth school districts – from big cities to shrinking small towns – cannot generate sufficient school funding.
In 2023, Commonwealth Court ruled that Pennsylvania’s current public education funding system is unconstitutional and requires additional resources for low-wealth school districts to ensure an equitable education. The 2024-25 state budget took a first step towards filling a $4.5 billion adequacy gap by investing in adequacy supplements to districts. This funding filled 11% of the current adequacy gap.
What is Adequacy
Despite recent progress, Pennsylvania public schools still face a $4 billion funding gap that impacts our children’s education every day. This adequacy gap affects 70% of Pennsylvania students.