Click here to tell Harrisburg that Pa. schools deserve a fair share of state funding.


House Democrats support vibrant classrooms

Combined with the Basic Education Funding Formula, restored education funding spells sufficient, predictable, and equitable funding for school districts across the commonwealth, which vastly improves the learning environment in each of Pennsylvania’s classrooms. Insisting on vibrant places to learn helps ensure Pennsylvania’s long-term economic growth, which will steer money back into education for generations to come.

The right path for vibrant classrooms

In 2015, 96 percent of Pennsylvania school districts submitted a funding impact plan outlining how Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed restored education funding would be invested directly in classrooms. That list constitutes more than a wish list, it represents a road map for a return to vibrancy in ALL Pennsylvania classrooms.

  • 197 school districts in Pennsylvania would use the funding to maintain or expand high-quality early childhood education or pre-kindergarten and full-day kindergarten programs.
  • 98 school districts would apply the funding toward reducing class sizes in elementary school classes.
  • 87 school districts would restore programs and personnel that districts were forced to eliminate as a result of massive cuts over the previous administration.
  • Districts would bring back guidance counselors and librarians and restore extra-curricular programs designed to enhance learning outside the classroom.

 

The wrong path

Eventually, extreme Republican budgets will not only bankrupt the state, but they will force more catastrophic cuts to classroom learning. Remember what the first round of billion-dollar Corbett/Republican education cuts did to local schools and taxpayers?

  • More than 27,000 education jobs were lost, including 14,000 teachers.
  • Schools had to increase class sizes and close or limit early-education programs.
  • Schools lost school nurses and guidance counselors.
  • Sports, student activities and other extra-curricular programs were cut back.
  • Parents had to start paying fees for student activities and school supplies.
  • Facilities upgrades, maintenance and new supplies were postponed or canceled.
  • Pennsylvania's funding disparity – already the worst in the nation – grew worse.