Money matters in education, and children attending well-resourced schools perform better on achievement tests. However, Pennsylvania’s current education budget still falls short of what we need to adequately fund our schools. Our legal challenge has resulted in a 2023 court ruling declaring that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional; students in low-wealth school districts are being denied their right to access “a comprehensive, effective, and contemporary public education.” We are working to ensure that a comprehensive remedy is implemented.

Smaller class sizes, more robust early childhood education, teacher development, arts programming, and afterschool activities in schools are all correlated to better student achievement and student outcomes. Increased funding is necessary to provide such resources to Pennsylvania’s most underserved students and close opportunity gaps. The Education Law Center has long been a leading statewide advocate for more adequate and equitable state funding, and will continue to be a leading voice in this work.