What PA’s New Fair Funding Formula Means for Education

The recently completed 2015-16 state budget includes a fair funding formula which disburses new state education dollars to each school district based on enrollment numbers, the number of students from low-income families, and the number of students who are English language learners.

Before this formula, each district received the same funding from one year to the next, regardless of enrollment changes or the characteristics of the student body. This formula will apply to all new education dollars.

CF's James Paul recently spoke with WAEB’s Bobby “Gunther” Walsh to discuss the new funding formula and what it means for school districts.

James notes the formula needs to be respected in the future and should not be tampered with via ad hoc appropriations.