HARRISBURG (MAY 25, 2016) – The Campaign for Fair Education Funding today released the following statement following final passage of House Bill 1552, which adopts the Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding Commission’s (BEFC) funding formula:

“We applaud the General Assembly for taking this important first step toward fixing Pennsylvania’s school funding crisis.

“The Campaign and its members have been working with lawmakers to enact a new fair funding formula for the past two years, testifying before the Commission at its many hearings and working individually with lawmakers to demonstrate how a permanent funding formula truly benefits every student.

“This balanced formula removes politics from state school funding decisions, directing money to school districts based on objective factors, such as student enrollment, the needs of the student population, and school district wealth and capacity to raise local revenues.

“Its enactment demonstrates what can be achieved when both parties work together for Pennsylvania’s students.

“However, the formula is only as good as the funding put behind it. The Campaign is asking state lawmakers to invest at least $400 million in basic education funding in the 2016-17 state budget.

“Pennsylvania may no longer be one of only three states without a formula to distribute school funding, but the school funding crisis is not over.

“Lawmakers must provide sufficient resources this budget year and in years to come so that all students – no matter where they live – can succeed in school and meet the state’s academic standards.”

The Campaign for Fair Education Funding is a statewide non-partisan effort made up of more than 50 organizations that, collectively, represent Pennsylvanians from every corner of the state: teachers and school administrators; representatives of charter schools and traditional public schools; urban and rural interests; business and organized labor; faith-based groups; and community groups.

Learn more at www.fairfundingpa.org.