The spending plan approved today also means further relief to propertyowners, by increasing the state's share of school funding and lessening schooldistricts' reliance on property taxes as a revenue source.

"We now begin a better way of funding our schools -- a system wherefairness is the benchmark, accountability is the norm, and academic successfor all students is the end result," the Governor said. "The General Assemblyhas taken a major step forward by setting a goal in law to meet the state'scommitment to adequate school funding over the next six years."

The budget includes an additional $347 million in Pre-K-12 and highereducation funding, a 3 percent increase from last year.

The new budget introduces a predictable state funding formula for thefirst time in nearly two decades. It increases funding for basic education by$274 million, or 5.5 percent, while also continuing to fund successfulinitiatives that are benefiting children from early childhood throughgraduation.

"This historic funding formula is a major step toward the ultimate goal ofproviding every child and every school with the resources needed to ensureacademic success," Governor Rendell said. "For too long, the quality ofeducation across the commonwealth has been based more on the wealth of thecommunity rather than the potential of the child."

The state's additional investments in Pennsylvania's schools also willhelp alleviate the need for local property tax increases in school districts.As the state's share of school funding has dropped in recent decades, localproperty taxes have been forced to rise. The property tax relief law thatGovernor Rendell signed in 2006 will save taxpayers nearly $800 million thisyear, and enacting fair, long-term school funding at the state level will helpkeep property tax increases in check.

The funding formula will drive additional state resources to each ofPennsylvania's 501 school districts, with every district being guaranteed atleast a 3 percent increase in basic education funding. Larger increases willgo to those districts identified in the General Assembly's Costing-Out Studyas needing additional resources to aid student achievement.

The formula will aid school districts across the commonwealth, in allregions, particularly those with high tax burdens or low wealth. The statewidebenefits to districts include:

-- In northeast Pennsylvania, the five districts with the largest adequacygaps will see an average of $364 per pupil in additional state funding nextyear, or more than $9,000 in additional resources for every class of 25students. For the seven school districts with the highest tax burden, it wouldtake an average 11 percent property tax increase to generate school revenuesequal to this year's basic education subsidy increase.

-- In southwest Pennsylvania, the 10 districts with the largest adequacygaps will see an average of $230 per pupil in additional state funding nextyear, or about $5,750 in additional resources for every class of 25 students.

-- In the five districts in the Erie region, where enrollment hasincreased in the last decade, this year's budget provides $4 million in stateaid to reduce the burden on local taxpayers.

-- The five districts in the Harrisburg region with the largest adequacygaps will see an average of $442 per pupil in additional state funding thanksto the new budget - more than $8,800 in additional resources for every classof 20 students.

-- In the 10 fastest-growing Lehigh Valley school districts, whereenrollment has increased by more than 10 percent in the past decade, thisyear's budget provides $18 million in state aid to reduce the burden on localtaxpayers.

In November, the General Assembly's Costing-Out Report provided -- for thefirst time ever -- a Pennsylvania-specific funding target for each schooldistrict by showing the level of resources needed to help every studentsucceed. The budget signed today begins implementing the legislature'sfindings with the additional $274 million in basic education funding as thefirst step toward what Governor Rendell hopes will be a long-term commitmentto meeting the adequacy gap in every school district.

"Legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle are to be commended forrecognizing that, even in difficult economic times, funding our schools is amust if we are to ensure Pennsylvania continues on a path to success," theGovernor said. "Even in a lean year, we are enrolling more children inpre-kindergarten, expanding our innovative Classrooms for the Future programto reach more schools and putting more money into tuition grants to makecollege more affordable."

The education budget takes a long overdue approach to school funding byaddressing the adequacy gap in each district, while also driving money intothe neediest districts using a formula that stresses investments in provenschool improvement strategies.

"Pennsylvania's progress in increasing student achievement over the pastfive years has made us a national leader," the Governor said. "This year'sbudget will continue to fulfill our commitment of investing in the programsthat are proven to help students learn, while also helping homeowners gainfurther relief from property taxes."

Among the benefits of this new budget on various school districts:

-- The additional funding will allow 1,380 more students in the ReadingSchool District to receive quality full-day kindergarten and pre-k programs byhiring 22 new early childhood teachers.

-- The Pleasant Valley School District in Monroe County will be able toexpand curriculum offerings through online courses in subjects includingtrigonometry, economics, earth science and American history.

-- Erie City School District will be able to offer Spanish and Chineseinstruction to 1,785 elementary students. Research has demonstrated the studyof world languages increases student performance in reading and mathematics.

-- Pocono Mountain School District will use some of its state funding totarget small group tutoring to 1,323 additional students who are struggling tomeet proficiency. The district will be able to provide individualized supportto these students while also maintaining a low student-to-teacher ratio.

-- About 5,650 students in the Allentown City School District will be ableto receive targeted supports in math and reading through new curriculum andteacher professional development. The district's PSSA scores indicate that,while elementary students are slowly progressing, secondary readingachievement remains static, a statistic that the new funding can help improve.

-- Perry County's Susquenita School District will expand its courses toinclude instruction in culinary arts, textile arts and child development.

Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak said the new education budget willenable Pennsylvania to maintain its momentum toward ensuring every childgraduates with the skills and academic proficiency needed to succeed beyondhigh school.

"Our continuous goal has been to provide adequate educational resourcesthat will reach children early, help sustain their momentum throughout schooland graduate with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in the globaleconomy," Zahorchak said. "This budget continues to build on the successfulinvestments we have made in public education."

In addition to the historic basic education funding formula, otherimportant budget initiatives include:

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

The 2008-09 education budget invests $86.4 million in Pennsylvania Pre-KCounts, a 15 percent increase from 2007-08, to enable 800 more children toparticipate in the commonwealth's hallmark, voluntary pre-kindergarteninitiative and to respond to parents' requests for more full-day enrollmentopportunities among some of the existing half-day programs.

CLASSROOMS FOR THE FUTURE

The budget includes $45 million for technology and $15 million forprofessional development to continue the multi-year rollout of Classrooms forthe Future. Thousands of high school English, math, science and social studiesclassrooms across Pennsylvania have been outfitted with laptop computers,electronic "smartboards" and other high-tech tools so students can graduatewith the 21st Century skills needed to compete and succeed in a globaleconomy. Because of the overwhelming demand from Pennsylvania's teachers andstudents, Governor Rendell said he hopes to continue the expansion ofClassrooms for the Future in the 2009-10 budget, enabling all interested highschools to benefit from this initiative.

SCIENCE: IT'S ELEMENTARY

The groundbreaking effort to promote science learning in elementaryschools will receive $14.5 million -- a 7.4 percent increase -- in 2008-09,enabling thousand of more students to benefit from this hands-on learningexperience and be ready for higher-order science classes in middle and highschool. Since its start in 2006, Science: It's Elementary has helped introducethe core concepts of science to the next generation of scientists, engineersand inventors at an earlier age. Students in Science: It's Elementaryclassrooms score an average of 15 points better on science assessments thantheir non-participating peers.

DUAL ENROLLMENT

Pennsylvania's Dual Enrollment program is designed to serve a wide-rangeof students, but particularly those who attend college at disproportionatelylow rates. The budget continues the $10 million in annual funding for DualEnrollment, which allows high school students to take college courses throughcommunity colleges and four-year colleges and universities. By encouraging theparticipation of students who might otherwise be unlikely to attend college,the Dual Enrollment program helps ensure all students have the opportunity toearn a post-secondary degree and become self-sufficient, productive taxpayers.

HIGHER EDUCATION

The budget continues to invest in the commonwealth's higher educationinstitutions to offer affordable and accessible post-secondary education inPennsylvania. State funding for student tuition grants through PHEAA willincrease by $21.2 million, or 5.5 percent. The state's community colleges willreceive a 3 percent operating increase, which will bring our investment to$281 million. An additional $14.5 million will be provided to the State Systemof Higher Education to keep the tuition increases at our four-year stateuniversities at record lows.

The increases in state-funded student tuition grants and additionalsupport for the SSHE will enable families to save an average of nearly $200per student, and up to $600 for the poorest families, thanks to the expansionof the federal Pell Grant program.

Graphics, budget highlights and additional details about the 2008-09 statebudget are online at www.budget.state.pa.us.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate publiceducation system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuingeconomic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find outmore about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weeklynewsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.

Contact: Chuck Ardo 717-783-1116 Michael Race (PDE) 717-343-5087SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor