Advocates demand legislative support for education funding in Pennsylvania

On July 7, 2025, in front of Pittsburgh Manchester PreK-8, activists advocating for public education united to urge state lawmakers to prioritize students. Among them was Paulette Foster, co-founder of the Education Rights Network, who emphasized the urgent need for adequate resources for children. The advocates are backing Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget, which includes a $75 million increase for basic education funding, in addition to a $40 million boost for special education. They stressed that these funds are crucial because schools are struggling, and students are not receiving the aid they require. Furthermore, Shapiro's plan proposes allocating $526 million primarily to schools in most need, while also suggesting limiting the cyber tuition rate to $8,000 statewide. This plan is aimed at ensuring that districts save hundreds of millions annually by addressing excessive spending in cyber-charter schools. As Foster noted, strong emphasis should also be placed on increasing teacher pay, recognizing teachers as essential educators alongside parents. Frustration was expressed about the budget proposal's inadequacies. Billy Hileman, president of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, pointed out that while the funding proposal contained significant amounts designated as adequacy dollars, the specific allocations did not benefit Pittsburgh, revealing gaps in needed investment for the city’s schools struggling with various challenges. Hileman called for more effort to ensure that all resources are utilized effectively rather than leaving funds untapped in Harrisburg. Shifting focus to a broader issue surrounding education equity, in Chicago, the discourse around public schooling has shifted towards racial politics. A pastor emphasized the importance of merit in educational achievement, arguing against the belief that racial identity should overshadow student capabilities. This perspective voices concerns that current leadership may find comfort in racial narratives while neglecting the crucial need for genuine educational improvements. Highlighting the failures within local governance, critiques were aimed at Chicago's elite, particularly those in prominent positions who reportedly fail to advocate for the educational needs of Black children. Both locations illustrate a pressing need for systemic change in the education system, with advocates in Pennsylvania calling for direct legislative action while voices in Chicago call out leadership's disengagement from pressing educational issues. The shared frustration across these efforts emphasizes that the future of education for children is at stake and that meaningful actions must be taken to ensure every child’s right to a valued education.