Why we need to change the way we fund public education in Pennsylvania:
1. School funding in Pennsylvania is inequitable. Many schools with majority Black and Latino students receive inadequate funding from the state.
2. In 2023, a Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court judge ruled that the state's funding for public education was inadequate and violated students' rights under the state constitution.
3. Part of our problem is how we fund our schools. Pennsylvania ranks 45th in the nation in school funding, with only 38% of its funding coming from the state. The US-wide standard is close to 50%.
4. The state should provide more funding to schools to reduce school districts' dependence on local taxes.
5. The Basic Education Funding Committee proposed a formula that would provide equal funding to all school districts.
6. Gov. Josh Shapiro supported the plan.
7. The state legislature must approve this budget and make it law.
POWER Interfaith's Lancaster County Educational Justice Team has been working for fair funding for more than eight years. The organization will hold a “Justice for Education” rally on Thursday, April 18th from 4 p.m. The rally will be held at Victory Field in front of JP McCaskey High School. Representatives, pastors, teachers and students will speak. The McCaskey drum line will perform. There will be an opportunity to participate and delicious cookies will be provided. Please come here!
marty kelly
lancaster
