Over the next six years, the governor’s proposal phases in $2.6 billion towards filling the adequacy gap, with an emphasis on school districts that have the highest local tax levels and the greatest needs. The 2008-09 investment of $291.3 million is the largest one-year increase in basic education funding in more than two decades.

Governor Rendell’s plan ensures Pennsylvania’s new investments result in more services for students to continue to ensure that we continue to make progress and move all our students to grade level. If school districts receive a basic education subsidy increase that is higher than the index allowed under Special Session Act 1 of 2006 (the Act 1 index is the average of the change in the statewide average weekly wage and the federal employment cost index for elementary and secondary education):

· At least 80 percent must be invested to launch or expand services to students who are proven to increase achievement, including:

o More time to learn
o Smaller classes
o Pre-kindergarten and full-day kindergarten
o A strong curriculum, and
o Effective teachers and principals.

Up to 10 percent can be used to maintain existing programs that meet these goals and up to an additional 10 percent can be targeted to other promising and proven programs designed to enhance learning. This portion of the resources also can be used for essential, one-time costs that address instructional needs, such as new books, materials and supplies.

A school district’s choices must be based on meeting the specific achievement needs of the students they serve, and geared to the students, schools and grade levels that have the greatest academic challenges. Specifically, the 55 districts that are furthest from their 2014 goals of ensuring every child is at grade level will require state approval of their investment plans.

This continuing investment, coupled with Governor Rendell’s initiatives to bring unprecedented property tax relief to homeowners, cut school districts’ administrative costs and direct more funds into classrooms, will allow the state to meet its obligation toward adequately funding all schools.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

The 2008-09 education budget also continues laying the groundwork for success in the earliest years through targeted investments in early childhood education.

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts funding will increase by $12.6 million to $87.6 million, enabling approximately 12,000 three- and four-year-old children to reap the proven benefits of quality pre-kindergarten programs and allow more families to have access to full-day programs.

With the 2008-09 budget, a total of 35 percent of Pennsylvania three- and four-year-olds will have access to quality early childhood education and care.

In addition, as a result of the $275 million Accountability Block Grant – three-quarters of which is invested by school districts in early childhood initiatives – the number of kindergartners in full-day programs has now reached 63 percent, compared to 32 percent when Governor Rendell took office.

“Our groundbreaking investments in early childhood education have made Pennsylvania a leader in this area,” Governor Rendell said. “The result is we not only prepare our children for success from the start, but we also reap long-term cost savings, since every dollar invested in our youngest students can save taxpayers up to $17 in the long run.”

A MEANINGFUL HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

A cornerstone of Governor Rendell’s education effort is the commitment that all students will be ready for college and high-skilled careers when they graduate from high school. Starting with the Class of 2014, proposed high school graduation requirements will enable students to prove that they've earned their diplomas by showing their skills in English, math, science and social studies.
The 2008-09 budget helps achieve that goal by increasing crucial services to students, including the creation of a voluntary model curriculum for a more rigorous and challenging high school experience, providing school districts with new tools for identifying and helping struggling students and enhanced teacher training. The budget also provides greater flexibility for the $66 million educational assistance program for 175 school districts and area career and technical centers so they can best invest these resources to address students’ academic needs and provide more learning time for struggling students.

The innovative Classrooms for the Future initiative will continue its expansion into more high school classrooms through investments of $90 million for equipment and $20 million for teacher training in 2008-09.

The budget provides $12 million – a 20 percent increase – to expand Dual Enrollment, which allows high school students to take college courses through community colleges and four-year colleges and universities. The $2 million additional investment in 2008-09 is targeted to grants for low-income students and Dual Enrollment programs that engage students who are not successful in a traditional high school setting or are at risk of dropping out.

BUILDING ON OUR INVESTMENTS

Ensuring our students graduate with the skills needed for success will put many on the path to higher education, and Governor Rendell’s 2008-09 budget continues the commonwealth’s efforts to make college available and affordable to all.

The budget increases higher education funding by nearly $43 million, including funding increases of 3 percent each for community colleges, the State System of Higher Education and grants through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.

Zahorchak said the Governor’s overall education strategy will not only enhance the learning experience of all students, but it will help create a well-prepared, competitive workforce that will help Pennsylvania thrive in the 21st Century global economy.

“Our students will leave high school with the skills and knowledge needed to compete and succeed with the best minds from across the country and around the world,” he said. “They will head out into the world with the confidence that readiness brings.

“These investments are about the individual success of our students, and they are about the collective success of Pennsylvania,” Zahorchak said.

For more information on the 2008-09 education budget, visit www.pde.state.pa.us.