2026 PDE State Appropriations
Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2026-27 budget proposal emphasizes continued investment in Pennsylvania’s education system, building on prior increases in K-12 and higher education funding. It prioritizes adequacy-based funding, workforce preparation, and equity across sectors amid ongoing debates over school finance reform.
K-12 Education
The proposal allocates an additional $565 million through the bipartisan adequacy formula and tax equity supplements, targeting underfunded districts to address inequities highlighted by recent court rulings. Basic Education Funding rises by $50 million to $8.31 billion total, while Special Education Funding increases by $50 million to $1.58 billion, supporting students with disabilities, mental health services, after-school programs, pre-K, reading instruction, and libraries.
PA Department of Education
Funding supports expanded career and technical education (CTE) with an $18 million boost for vo-tech, apprenticeships, STEM, computer science, and Schools-to-Work pathways now at $7 million. It also includes $420 million for pre-K, $158 million for CTE programs, $35 million for student teacher stipends, and professional development, while eliminating some supplemental programs like Mobile Science and Trauma-Informed Education to prioritize core needs.
Community Colleges
The budget advances Shapiro’s higher education blueprint by proposing significant investments—potentially part of a 15% overall higher ed increase—to pair with PASSHE universities, aiming for better access, coordination, and tuition caps at $1,000 per semester for median-income families (up to $73,170). Specific figures build on prior $127 million combined system boosts, with increased PHEAA grants by $1,000 and new performance-based models aligned to workforce needs.
PASSHE (State System Universities)
Proposals include substantial funding hikes, such as $33 million more in prior years toward a 15% increase, under a new State Board of Higher Education for strategic planning and coordination with community colleges. This supports tuition reduction, PA Promise scholarships for in-demand fields like healthcare and tech, and performance funding to enhance student outcomes and economic alignment.
State-Related Universities
Additional funding targets institutions like Penn State, Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln University, with $31 million proposed in aligned plans to shift to performance-based formulas, eliminating two-thirds legislative vote requirements for less micromanagement. Total higher ed funding aims for $1.7 billion, focusing on affordability and workforce preparation.