Press Release
Senate Republicans School Shapiro Administration, Stand up for Students and Taxpayers
Harrisburg, Pa., February 27, 2025 — Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee heard testimony from Pennsylvania Department of Education Acting Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed education spending in the FY 2025-26 state budget. Senate Republicans asked a series of hard-hitting questions surrounding education funding, student academic performance, and expanding opportunities for students in chronically failing schools.
Despite historic investments in public education over the last decade, Pennsylvania public schools continue to decline in enrollment and student performance. While Pennsylvania spends over $22,000 per pupil, the 7th highest spender in the nation, 69% of students are not proficient in reading and 69% are not proficient in math by 8th grade.
This year, Gov. Shapiro proposed $18 billion in education spending with no plan to address fiscal solvency, student performance, or additional educational opportunities for students in Pennsylvania.
You can watch the full hearing here.
Kevin Kane, Director of Legislative Strategy at the Commonwealth Foundation, issued the following statement:
“Here we go again. Gov. Shapiro proposes irresponsible education spending with no substantive plan to address the most important function of our schools: teaching kids.
“Thankfully, Senate Republicans once again are leading the charge to provide all students with a quality education and protect taxpayers from Shapiro’s inevitable tax hikes.
“Surprisingly, the Shapiro Administration admitted what most of us already know – record increases in education spending have not resulted in improved student performance. I wholeheartedly agree with Republicans in the Senate that we must do better for our students, and reckless spending year after year is not the solution.
Kane continued:
“What is most concerning is that a long time Department of Education bureaucrat and former school superintendent allegedly had no knowledge of one of Gov. Shapiro’s top education campaign promise to save students from failing schools.
“It’s fair to ask, does this Administration care about students or are they more interested in propping up a political donor?
“Parents across the Commonwealth are tired of the photo-ops, failed leadership, and broken promises. If Gov. Shapiro is serious about delivering for students, he should follow the Republican Senate’s lead.”
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