Harrisburg, PA - Last week, Governor Shapiro signed a bipartisan budget that makes good on his promises to make historic investments in students and schools – including the largest Basic Education Funding increase in Pennsylvania’s history and guaranteed universal free breakfast.
“This budget reflects the priorities of the Shapiro Administration: providing access to high-quality education opportunities for all learners from pre-K to postsecondary and beyond,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “Pennsylvania’s future depends on a skilled workforce, and that training begins in the classroom. By investing in today’s learners, we are setting our students on the path to success and making a down payment on tomorrow’s communities and economy.”
Thanks to this budget, Pennsylvania will spend over $10 billion on K-12 public education funding for the first time. Highlights include:
- $567 million increase in basic education funding for Pennsylvania school districts to be distributed through the BEF Formula – the largest single-year increase in basic education funding in Pennsylvania history.
- $50 million increase in special education funding to ensure every student has the resources they need to succeed in the classroom.
- $46.5 million increase in funding to provide universal free breakfast to all of Pennsylvania’s 1.7 million public school students and free lunch to the 22,000 students eligible for reduced-price lunches through the National School Lunch Program.
- More than $30 million to expand career and technical education in the classroom and increase apprenticeship opportunities.
- More than $33 million additional funding for Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, a $5.1 million increase for community colleges, and an additional $389,000 for Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
- $10 million to support student teachers through annual stipends.
Gov. Shapiro believes that the foundation for building strong and safe communities starts with an adequate and equitable public education system. The 2023-24 budget the Governor signed into law is the first step toward a comprehensive solution to improve our public schools, support our teachers, and invest in targeted solutions that meet students’ needs at every level.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Education, please visit PDE's website or follow PDE on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or Pinterest.
MEDIA CONTACT: Taj Magruder, tmagruder@pa.gov
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