For too many years, Pennsylvania has woefully underfunded public education. Only six states cover a smaller share of total K-12 education costs than ours. The state also distributes its funds inequitably. Few states do as poor a job of closing the gap between affluent and less affluent school districts. And research has shown a disturbing and consistent statewide pattern that Pennsylvania districts with larger numbers of African American students receive fewer state education dollars.

The net result is school systems that are “separate and unequal.” In many Pennsylvania communities, schools do not have access to enough resources to meet the educational needs of their students.