Harrisburg, PA – Governor Shapiro Signs Bipartisan Budget with Historic Investments in Education
Last week, Governor Shapiro signed a bipartisan budget that makes good on his promises to make historic investments in students and schools – including the largest Basic Education Funding increase in Pennsylvania’s history and guaranteed universal free breakfast.
Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin stated, “This budget reflects the priorities of the Shapiro Administration: providing access to high-quality education opportunities for all learners from pre-K to postsecondary and beyond. Pennsylvania’s future depends on a skilled workforce, and that training begins in the classroom. By investing in today’s learners, we are setting our students on the path to success and making a down payment on tomorrow’s communities and economy.”
Thanks to this budget, Pennsylvania will spend over $10 billion on K-12 public education funding for the first time. The highlights of the budget include:
- $567 million increase in basic education funding for Pennsylvania school districts to be distributed through the BEF Formula – the largest single-year increase in basic education funding in Pennsylvania history.
- $50 million increase in special education funding to ensure every student has the resources they need to succeed in the classroom.
- $46.5 million increase in funding to provide universal free breakfast to all of Pennsylvania’s 1.7 million public school students and free lunch to the 22,000 students eligible for reduced-price lunches through the National School Lunch Program.
- More than $30 million to expand career and technical education in the classroom and increase apprenticeship opportunities.
- More than $33 million additional funding for Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, a $5.1 million increase for community colleges, and an additional $389,000 for Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
- $10 million to support student teachers through annual stipends.
Governor Shapiro believes that the foundation for building strong and safe communities starts with an adequate and equitable public education system. The 2023-24 budget the Governor signed into law is the first step toward a comprehensive solution to improve our public schools, support our teachers, and invest in targeted solutions that meet students’ needs at every level.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Education, please visit PDE’s website or follow PDE on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or Pinterest.
MEDIA CONTACT: Taj Magruder, tmagruder@pa.gov
# # #
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 4: Quality Education
The article focuses on the budget allocation for education in Pennsylvania, highlighting investments in students and schools. This aligns with SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
- Target 4.5: By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and children in vulnerable situations.
- Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability, and gender-sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all.
The article mentions investments in basic education funding, special education funding, universal free breakfast and lunch programs, career and technical education expansion, funding for higher education institutions, and support for student teachers. These initiatives contribute to achieving the targets mentioned above.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex.
- Indicator 4.5.1: Parity indices (female/male, rural/urban, bottom/top wealth quintile, and others such as disability status, indigenous peoples, etc.) for all education indicators on this list that can be disaggregated.
- Indicator 4.a.1: Proportion of schools with access to (a) electricity; (b) the Internet for pedagogical purposes; (c) computers for pedagogical purposes; (d) adapted infrastructure and materials for students with disabilities; (e) basic drinking water; (f) single-sex basic sanitation facilities; and (g) basic handwashing facilities (as per the WASH indicator definitions).
The article does not explicitly mention these indicators, but the mentioned investments and programs contribute to improving education outcomes, reducing gender disparities, and creating inclusive learning environments, which are key elements of the identified indicators.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes. | Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.5: By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and children in vulnerable situations. | Indicator 4.5.1: Parity indices (female/male, rural/urban, bottom/top wealth quintile, and others such as disability status, indigenous peoples, etc.) for all education indicators on this list that can be disaggregated. |
| Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability, and gender-sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all. | Indicator 4.a.1: Proportion of schools with access to (a) electricity; (b) the Internet for pedagogical purposes; (c) computers for pedagogical purposes; (d) adapted infrastructure and materials for students with disabilities; (e) basic drinking water; (f) single-sex basic sanitation facilities; and (g) basic handwashing facilities (as per the WASH indicator definitions). |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: media.pa.gov
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
