Overview

• Governor Shapiro's 2025-26 budget proposes $526 million for underfunded districts, continuing efforts to address a $4.5 billion funding gap deemed unconstitutional in 2023.
• Philadelphia stands to gain over $200 million, including $137 million from targeted funding for high-need districts and $50 million in savings from a proposed cyber charter tuition cap.
• The plan includes modest increases for basic education ($75 million) and special education ($40 million), which advocates say fail to keep pace with inflation.
• The budget doubles funding for student-teacher stipends to $40 million, addressing teacher shortages, but allocates no new funds for private school vouchers or literacy reforms.
• Education advocates warn that the proposed funding timeline would take seven years to close the adequacy gap, delaying critical resources for current students.