Recharge your battery

Sharon Sedlar | July 15, 2026

The Pennsylvania budget reflects the difficult work of many leaders in Harrisburg, and we are grateful to those who worked hard throughout the process. While the final budget includes important decisions that helped preserve existing education options, the fact that they were even under attack in the first place is extremely concerning. Pennsylvania families deserve a budget that keeps students at the center and ensures every child has access to the education environment that best meets their needs – something that many in our legislature have forgotten.

Traditional public schools: The budget increases state support for public education by $896 million, including approximately $565 million in adequacy funding. Total state support for public schools now reaches $18.6 billion, reflecting a $5.4 billion increase – 41 percent – in just the last five years.
Special education: The budget also includes an additional $55 million for special education.
Private school scholarship programs: The budget keeps Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit programs at the same levels as last year. While we appreciate that these programs were preserved, more than 70,000 scholarship applicants continue to be turned away every year. Families need more opportunities.
Cyber charter schools: Proposals to impose deep cuts on cyber charter schools were not included in the final budget.
Brick-and-mortar public charter schools: We are also grateful that the final budget did not include proposed cuts to brick-and-mortar public charter schools.

We are very proud of the fact that parents, students, extended family members, schools, and communities from every education model came together to stand up and protect education freedom in Pennsylvania. Their voices made a huge difference, and their efforts helped protect hundreds of thousands of students. This is only the beginning – and a clear reminder of the work ahead. We must stay the course, remain vigilant, and continue standing together for every child’s right to the education that fits them best.

For now, enjoy your summer – friends, families, vacations, cookouts and pool days. But most of all, enjoy your time with your children.