Scranton, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro visited Isaac Tripp Elementary School in the Scranton School District to highlight how his Administration’s historic investments in public education are creating real opportunity for students, supporting teachers and school staff, and delivering results across the Commonwealth — emphasizing the importance of continuing to build on this progress through his 2025-26 proposed budget.
Since taking office, the Governor has secured more than $2 billion more for K-12 public education — the largest investment in Pennsylvania history. As a result, for the first time ever, Pennsylvania is investing more than $11 billion each year in its public schools.
The Shapiro Administration also secured a new funding formula to distribute these resources to the schools that need it most and ensure that every student, in every zip code, has access to a high-quality public education. These investments are delivering real results — and school districts like Scranton are seeing the impact firsthand.
Thanks to these investments, the Scranton School District has been able to restore pre-K programs and provide additional support for kindergarten, bring back middle school co-curriculars — including music, art, health and physical education, family and consumer science, and technology education — and support a new STEMM Academy for students in grades 7–12 to improve career readiness and equip them with real-world skills. The district also expanded student support services by hiring one new guidance counselor and four social workers.
Isaac Tripp Elementary School, where Governor Shapiro visited, has seen impressive academic growth. Last year, Isaac Tripp saw a 7 percent increase in math PSSA scores, a nearly 10 percent improvement in science scores, and an almost 8 percent rise in regular attendance.
“Creating opportunity for our kids starts in the classroom — and from day one, my Administration has made it a top priority to bring Democrats and Republicans together to invest in our students and support public education in Pennsylvania,” said Governor Shapiro. “We’ve delivered on that promise, and we’re now seeing real results: test scores are rising, more students are graduating, and more teachers are entering our classrooms. The Scranton School District is a shining example of the kind of progress we can make when we fund our schools fairly and equitably — and I’m committed to working together to keep that going.”
Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, the Scranton School District has received a $28.4 million increase — or nearly 40 percent — in state funding across basic education, hold harmless, special education, and Ready to Learn. As a result, state funding for Scranton has increased from $73.6 million in 2022-23 to $102 million in 2024-25.
"For too long, districts like Scranton have operated under the weight of historical underfunding — trying to do more with less — while trying to compete with communities that have far greater resources,” said Scranton School District Superintendent Dr. Erin Keating. “We applaud your commitment to changing that — your belief that a child’s zip code should not determine the quality of their education — is not only commendable, it is transformative."
"When more money is set aside for the public school system, it creates a domino effect,” said Scranton School Board President Ty Holmes. “We can afford to hire more staff to support our growing population, we can add programs that benefit the growth of our students inside and outside of the classroom, and we can improve our existing infrastructure. When schools are adequately and equitably funded, administrators and directors like me can make sure our students have the best opportunities to learn and grow, and our teachers have the resources they need to facilitate that growth."
Governor Shapiro’s budgets have also delivered targeted resources for Scranton School District, including:
- $1 million Public School Facility Improvement Grant for critical school safety upgrades and environmental remediation projects at West Scranton High School and South Scranton Intermediate School
- $16,215 to provide menstrual hygiene products at no cost to students
- $75,000 PAsmart Advancing Grants for Career and Technical Education (CTE) to expand access to computer science and STEM education across the district.
In his first two years, Governor Shapiro brought Democrats and Republicans together to begin work to fix Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional school funding system — agreeing to a new adequacy formula that delivers more resources to the schools that need them most. His 2025-26 budget proposal continues that commitment with:
- $526 million in adequacy formula funding — the exact number bipartisan leaders agreed to last year, ensuring resources reach the schools that need them most
- $75 million increase in basic education funding
- $40 million more for special education, bringing the total to $1.5 billion statewide
- $125 million for school safety and environmental repair projects through the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program – a $25 million increase over last year’s investments
- $111 million to sustain school-based mental health and safety services
- Establishing a statewide base cyber charter tuition rate of $8,000 per student, saving districts an estimated $378 million annually
- $5.5 million increase to Career and Technical Education (CTE), on top of a nearly $65 million increase since Governor Shapiro took office
- Doubling the PA Student Teacher Support Program to $40 million annually, helping more aspiring educators enter the profession
- Continuing universal free breakfast for 1.7 million students
- $3 million to provide free menstrual hygiene products in schools
The Shapiro Administration’s targeted investments are showing real results:
- Over 90 million breakfasts were served to students last year — 10 million more than the year before
- More than 3,000 students are now enrolled in CTE programs
- 778 schools expanded mental health services using flexible state funding
- 317 school repair projects have been funded to address environmental challenges and make needed infrastructure upgrades
- Pennsylvania certified more new teachers last year than at any point in the past seven years.
As a result, Pennsylvania has been ranked by Consumer Affairs as one of the top five states in the nation for public education quality.
"Across our region and the entire Commonwealth, we are seeing the impact of putting real resources behind our public schools,” said Senator Marty Flynn. “Governor Shapiro's first two budgets delivered the largest K-12 education funding increase in state history. Pennsylvania is now investing more than $11 billion dollars annually, with $2 billion dollars in new funding already committed. This year's budget builds on that progress with an additional $526 million through a fairer, bipartisan funding formula. When we invest in our students, support our teachers, and make school buildings safer and stronger, we set the foundation for long-term success. These improvements are not abstract. They are visible in higher attendance, better outcomes, and stronger communities. I am proud to work alongside Governor Shapiro to make sure every child in Pennsylvania has the opportunity to grow and succeed."
"I'm eternally grateful to Governor Shapiro for coming to Scranton and continuing to invest in the foundation of our future, which is the public education system under his leadership,” said Representative Bridget Kosierowski. “It's historic: over $11 billion annually in K-12 education, and a $2 billion increase during his Administration alone. He's delivered free breakfast for over 1.7 million students, expanded career and technical education, and helped certify more teachers in the last seven years than ever before — which we all need. This is what progress looks like, and here in Scranton, we are seeing it firsthand. Thank you, Governor Shapiro, for showing up, for listening and for delivering. Let's keep building a future where every child has the care, the tools, and the opportunity to succeed."
Governor Shapiro’s visit today reinforced a clear message: the historic investments we’ve made are working — and we must keep going to ensure every student has the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed.
Watch Governor Shapiro’s full budget address to a joint session of the House and Senate. Read more about the Governor’s 2025-26 budget proposal, explore the Budget in Brief, or visit shapirobudget.pa.gov.
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