School Funding
Philadelphia schools will get a $232 million increase, but the state opted not to codify a plan to close funding gaps between low-income and wealthy districts.
Philadelphia schools are slated to get a nearly $232 million increase in basic education funding under the new budget Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Thursday.
A group of Philadelphia students rallied for lawmakers to prioritize public school funding. Legislators have been wrangling over education aid and vouchers for some time.
Increased state education spending now will more than pay for itself as more students graduate and attend college, report finds
A spokesperson for Team Roc, the philanthropic arm of Jay-Z’s Roc Nation orgnaization, says their public education campaign about a pending school voucher bill does not constitute lobbying. The state’s definition of lobbying may suggest otherwise.
The legislation would dramatically overhaul how Pennsylvania funds schools following a 2023 court ruling that declared the state’s education funding system unconstitutional.
The state House Education Committee approved a bill that would increase school funding to historically underfunded districts like Philly and reform spending on cyber charter schools.
The bill revives a voucher program called the PASS scholarship, which would give students in the lowest-performing school districts up to $10,000 to use at private schools.
Some residents are also pushing the City Council to increase the share of property taxes that go to public schools.
Philadelphia school board adopts $4.5 billion 2025 budget
Mayor Cherelle Parker wants more money for the district, a greater school share of property tax revenue, and year-round school starting this fall.
Absent state funding, Philadelphia school officials are looking for medical health partners to help launch new school-based clinics in two schools.
The Pennsylvania governor’s proposal for public school aid would set a record for a single-year increase.
School board members have voted in favor of Keystone Opportunity Zones despite their questions about the program.
At the same event, new Mayor Cherelle Parker called on the state to provide the school district more funding.
A court ruling last year mandating an overhaul to state education spending has spurred talks about changing how charters are funded.