Published Online: February 13, 2007

Published in Print: February 14, 2007, as Keystone State to Weigh Hikes for Preschool and High School

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State of the States

Keystone State to Weigh Hikes for Preschool and High School

Pennsylvania

Gov. Edward G. Rendell has asked the Pennsylvania legislature to approve expansions in early-childhood and high school programs as part of his fiscal 2008 budget proposal.

In his budget address on Feb. 6, the second-term Democrat proposed a $9.3 billion pre-K-12 education budget, a 5.8 percent hike from the amount spent in fiscal 2007. Gov. Rendell’s proposal includes expansion of his “foundation funding” formula, which supplements funding for the poorest districts.

The governor continued his emphasis on early-childhood programs by proposing $75 million to expand prekindergarten and $25 million more to establish more full-day kindergarten.

Mr. Rendell asked the legislature to approve a $90 million addition to his effort to put laptop computers in high schools; a $3 million increase to his “Project 720,” so that 30 more high schools could join the 118 already piloting more rigorous curricula; and a $2 million boost for a dual-enrollment program that allows high school students, particularly those from low-income families, to take college courses.

For More Info

Read a complete transcript of Gov. Edward G. Rendell's 2007 budget address. Posted by Pennsylvania's Office of the Governor.

By Catherine Gewertz

Vol. 26, Issue 23, Page 18