HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Pennsylvania’s public schools will once again see a funding boost in the 2026 budget.

The $50.8 billion budget includes an additional $565 in adequacy funding, continuing efforts to rectify a funding system declared unconstitutional following a lawsuit by Pennsylvania’s poorest schools.

It also includes another $58 million in basic education funding, $50 million in special education funding, and $154 in career and technical education funding.

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“These investments advance Pennsylvania’s constitutional obligation to adequately fund public education while strengthening early learning, career readiness, student well-being, and safe learning environments,” Senator Nick Miller (D-Lehigh/Northampton) said. “Every child deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of their ZIP code.”

The Pennsylvania School Boards Association lauded the increases.

“This budget builds on the significant investments made last year and continues Pennsylvania’s progress toward providing school districts with the resources they need to support students, strengthen educational programs, and prepare for another successful year,” PSBA CEO Nathan Mains said.

The Pennsylvania State Education Association also commended the investments.

“This state budget reflects a remarkable commitment to K-12 public education in Pennsylvania and reminds us how important it is to elect pro-public education leaders,” PSEA President Aaron Chapin said. “The budget continues a multiyear plan to improve school funding adequacy and equity, helping more students in more communities reach their full potential. It also invests more in the Student Teacher Support Program, ensuring that nearly every student teacher eligible for a stipend will receive one in the coming school year.”

The budget, PSEA says, includes an additional $10 Million for student teacher stipends, up to a total of $40 million in funding.

The Education Law Center and Public Interest Law Center, which were at the forefront of the 2023 funding lawsuit, said the budget is a step forward but there is more ground to cover.

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“Our schools remain billions of dollars short of the funding the General Assembly identified as needed. And until every child — wherever they live — has access to a well-funded public school, Pennsylvania’s constitutional obligation remains unmet,” Deborah Gordon Klehr, executive director of the Education Law Center, said.

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