Governor Rendell's 2006-07 Budget Represents Historic Investment in Education
Posted on: Sunday, 2 July 2006, 03:00 CDT
HARRISBURG, Pa., July 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today signed a budget bill that makes a significant commitment to the future of Pennsylvania's children, providing a total education investment in pre-K through 12 for the 2006-07 school year of $635 million - an 8 percent increase over the current year. Since taking office three years ago, the Governor has increased funding for education by $1.8 billion.
"By addressing school funding adequacy, this budget is a historic step forward in ensuring that every Pennsylvania child receives a quality education," Governor Rendell said. "Our investments are already paying off for our children - with achievement on the rise in reading and math in our elementary, middle and high schools.
"With our increase in funding, we will make an unprecedented investment in technology for our children that will help them fully explore the world at the touch of a button.
"The new budget makes vital investments in science and technology that will turn today's children into tomorrow's leaders and entrepreneurs. Beginning this fall, my $20 million Classrooms for the Future will put an Internet-equipped laptop on every student's English, math, science and history classroom desk in 100 Pennsylvania high schools, and we will work to grow this program until every Pennsylvania high school can benefit," the Governor added.
At the same time, the Governor's Science: It's Elementary program will provide $10 million to upgrade science education in up to 150 elementary schools.
The budget, which delivers on the Governor's education priorities, continues to make key investments in early childhood education. The Accountability Block Grant program that the Governor launched two years ago will grow from $200 million to $250 million - creating opportunities for thousands of additional children to have pre-kindergarten, full-day kindergarten, smaller classes and access to other proven programs. And Head Start - which Pennsylvania did not fund before Governor Rendell took office - will grow by another $10 million to reach more than 1,000 additional children.
"Before I took office, we were one of nine states in the nation that failed to fund pre-K. Today, Pennsylvania is a leader in early childhood education investment," Governor Rendell said.
The budget also builds on the high school reform initiatives the Governor started last year. Thousands more high school students will be able to take college courses as a result of a 60 percent increase in dual enrollment funding. Project 720, Pennsylvania's landmark high school reform initiative, will grow from $4.7 million to $8 million - allowing students in nearly 30 more high schools to take the challenging courses in a small-school environment that will prepare them for post-secondary success.
Included in the budget is $25 million the Governor proposed to support reforms and academic achievement of Philadelphia's children. There also is an extra $10 million for Pittsburgh's schools to spur reform there.
"These are key investments in improving achievement in some of our most challenged school districts," Governor Rendell said.
For higher education, the budget will make college more affordable for Pennsylvania families next year, thanks to an $18 million increase for PHEAA undergraduate scholarships, the Governor noted. Overall, the 2006-07 budget increases higher education funding by $111 million, or 5.8 percent.
The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/.
CONTACT: Kate Philips 717-783-1116
Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
CONTACT: Kate Philips, +1-717-783-1116
Web site: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/
Source: PRNewswire
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