The Shapiro Administration has made historic investments in public education—including the largest increase in K-12 education funding in Pennsylvania history.
Secured historic increases in K-12 public education funding across his first three budgets, delivering nearly $3 billion in new funding to schools and driving resources to the public schools that need it the most. For the first time in Pennsylvania history, the Commonwealth is spending nearly $12 billion on K-12 public education.
Increased funding for career and technical education (CTE) and apprenticeships by nearly $65 million, which is 50 percent more than when Gov. Shapiro took office, helping more students gain knowledge and skills needed to succeed in higher education and their future careers.
Signed into law a $100 million cyber charter reimbursement for public school districts, as well as new oversight requirements for charter and cyber charter schools, in the FY 2024-25 budget.
Secured an additional $175 million in estimated savings for school districts through historic Cyber Charter Reform in the FY 2025-26 budget.
Provided universal free breakfast for 1.7 million Pennsylvania students regardless of income and free lunch for 22,000 eligible students so students can start the day with a full stomach, ready to learn. In the first school year after Governor Shapiro guaranteed free breakfast for every student, participation in free breakfast increased dramatically – PA schools served nearly 10 million more breakfasts to kids than in the 2022-23 school year.
Secured $400 million for environmental repairs and upgrades to Pennsylvania’s schools so students can learn in safe environments, so far supporting over 208 projects at Pennsylvania schools.
Made nearly $375 million available to our schools to support student mental health and security needs, allowing 778 schools to expand mental health services.
Secured $6 million in state funding for free menstrual products in schools so students have the peace of mind to focus on learning.
Fulfilled his promise to appoint two parents to the State Board of Education to ensure parents have a seat at the table when it comes to their children’s education.
Changed the state’s system of school assessments to reduce the amount of time students spend taking standardized tests by supporting schools to move to online testing.
The Commonwealth saw continued educational improvement in the 2024-25 school year, as scores for Math and English Learner Growth and Attainment increased, graduation rates increased for the third consecutive year, and regular attendance rose for the second consecutive year.
I try to be that teacher that brings that parental level of love and support, the way that I want my children to experience from their teachers.
- Kathy Christiano, State Board of Education Appointee
Gov. Shapiro made higher education a priority again in Pennsylvania, and now the Commonwealth is making the first significant progress on higher education in three decades—including making higher education more affordable for Pennsylvanian students.
- Established a new State Board of Higher Education to coordinate every sector of higher education in Pennsylvania for the first time ever and create a strategic plan to ensure higher education serves as an economic driver for the Commonwealth.
Adopted Pennsylvania's first strategic plan for higher education in more than two decades – designed to support and align the higher education sector, increase affordability and degree attainment, and strengthen the economic well-being of Pennsylvania communities.
- Allocated over $120 million in increased state funding for higher education scholarships and grants to make higher education more affordable for students.
- Secured $7 million in annual funding to support dual enrollment opportunities for high school students, allowing them to take advanced courses for college credit and chart their own course.
- Signed into law a tax deduction for Pennsylvanians to deduct up to $2,500 in student loan interest paid.
- Offered a new tax credit to allow businesses to match employee contributions to a state-run college savings plan.
Hear from Pennsylvanians about the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s work:
The Shapiro Administration invested in training quality teachers and support staff to strengthen the pipeline of well-qualified teachers for the classroom.
Delivered $60 million across his first three budgets to provide student teachers with stipends of up to $15,000 to strengthen the educator pipeline. The Shapiro Administration has awarded more than 4,000 student teachers $10,000 stipends.
The wait time for new teacher certifications dropped by 10 weeks, down to 2 weeks, and the Commonwealth has seen a steady increase in teacher certificates issued.
Launched the newly refreshed Teach in PA website to help individuals interested in obtaining a career in education more easily find relevant job opportunities.
- Awarded $3.5 million in grants through the Department of Education for Pennsylvania higher education institutions to partner with local school districts to bolster the special education teacher workforce.
Governor Shapiro has made internet safety and responsible use of artificial intelligence and chatbots a priority to keep our kids safe:
Created a comprehensive Digital Literacy Toolkit to develop the information literacy skills of educators, students, and families to help the next generation learners how to discern fact from fiction online.
Launched a multiagency AI Literacy Toolkit with guidance for kids, parents, teachers, and communities on how to safely use artificial intelligence.
- Created an AI Task Force to crack down on AI companion bots that unlawfully misrepresent themselves as licensed medical providers – and announced the Shapiro Administration is coordinating with the Attorney General’s Office to strengthen consumer protections related to AI companion bots.
It is a privacy issue, it is a dignity issue, and it is bodily autonomy and consent.
- Audrey Greenberg, Radnor High School Parent