What was your favorite part of the school day? 🙇 Kicking off the morning with the Pledge of Allegiance? Snack time? 🍪 We’re gonna have to go with recess. A close second? Going home. 👋
When it comes to schools in the Keystone State, they’re not all created equal. At least, as far as funding to keep things running is concerned. 💸 Here’s the latest on how lawmakers aim to close a major money gap.
Here’s Five Fast Facts on the budget for PA schools:
- 🎯 Targets and Gaps - A while back, a special PA commission set the baseline of per-student spending at which a school district could properly serve its students. When a district spends less than that amount, it misses the mark. The fancy name for this mark is known as the “adequacy target.” The difference in the amount vs. what’s actually spent is known as an “adequacy gap.”
- 📑 Budget Breakdown - To close the adequacy gap and give the state’s poorest schools a boost, PA lawmakers passed a $4.5 billion budget last summer. So far, $500 million has been actually put towards that goal, leaving some advocates worried they won’t see the rest.
- 🏫 There’s More - In addition to the $500 million put towards closing the gap, other education-related spending was also included in last year’s budget. In total, education spending rose by roughly a billion bucks, including spending for physical school safety, special education, and mental health initiatives.
- 📚 Sounds Like a Plan - Of course, both sides of the aisle have differing opinions. PA Democrats have control of the state House of Reps and support the funding boost. While they haven’t made any specific commitments, they’re all about giving the state's poorest schools more cash.
- 🎒 Hold Your Horses - PA Republicans currently control the state Senate and have a slightly different take. While they agree there’s a funding gap, they’re not thrilled about making bigger investments. They’d rather make sure what’s already been spent is helping before throwing more money at the issue.
🔥Bottom line: PA’s school-aged kiddos should all get the same access to a grade-A education. Will the funding gap get closed or will it get caught up in the ol’ government merry go round? We’ll keep you posted. Are you a PA resident in need of new appliances? This rebate program could throw you some extra bones for that new fridge.
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