Pennsylvania Commission Proposes Plan to Close $5.4 Billion School Funding Gap

The bipartisan commission's recommendations, approved in a narrow vote, fall short of the $6.2 billion increase that some advocacy groups are calling for.

• The Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding Commission has proposed a seven-year plan to close a $5.4 billion school funding gap, with $5.1 billion being the state's responsibility and $291 million being the responsibility of low-tax school districts.
• The commission's report, which was approved in an 8-7 vote largely along party lines, includes eight recommendations such as updating estimates of district needs, making teacher salaries more competitive, adding funding for student supports, and reconstituting the commission in 2029 for continued monitoring.
• The report's recommendations fall short of the $6.2 billion increase in education spending over five years that some advocacy groups are calling for.
• The commission's recommendations are not binding and require corresponding legislation approved by the state's General Assembly and the governor.
• Despite the report's recommendations, questions remain about how the state will pay for billions in new school funding.

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