In Monroeville, Governor Shapiro Celebrates Historic Investments in Education in 2026-27 Budget | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Monroeville, PA - Today, Governor Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe, teachers, students, and local elected leaders visited Gateway High School in Allegheny County to highlight how the 2026-27 budget signed by the Governor is delivering $678 million in additional funding for Pennsylvania students - building on three years of historic progress to give every student the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed.

This year's budget continues the Shapiro Administration's work to ensure every student, in every community, has access to a high-quality public education. Under Governor Shapiro's leadership, Pennsylvania has increased funding for our schools by more than $3 billion - or 35 percent - since the Governor took office, for a total of $11.85 billion invested into Pennsylvania's students this year.

"I believe creating opportunity starts in our classrooms and from day one, my Administration has been focused on delivering real resources for students, parents, and teachers," said Governor Shapiro. "Together, we've increased funding for public education by 35 percent since I took office. And as a result of these investments, test scores and graduation rates are going up, attendance is improving, students have expanded access to career and technical education, and more teachers are in our classrooms. We're making a real difference and we're going to keep building on that progress to ensure every Pennsylvania student has the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed."

This 2026-27 budget builds on the progress we've made over the past three years, providing an overall increase in education funding totaling more than $678 million, including a $565 million increase through the bipartisan adequacy and tax equity formula, a $58 million increase for Basic Education Funding, and a $55 million increase for Special Education Funding. It also continues funding for school infrastructure improvements, universal free breakfast, and mental health in schools.

Monroeville's Gateway School District will receive $15 million in state funding this year, a 23.3 percent increase compared to the amount the school received when Governor Shapiro took office. In that time, graduation rates are up nearly five percent across the district. At Gateway High School, the percentage of students who scored advanced or proficient on their Keystones is also up across each testing area - literature, biology, and algebra.

"The strategic investments we make in students and schools today will have a lasting impact on the Commonwealth tomorrow," said Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe. "From funding for universal free breakfast to school infrastructure improvements, from special education supports to educator professional development, this year's budget provides the resources communities need to keep students safe, healthy, and ready to learn."

"Budgets are about priorities, and this budget makes clear that investing in education remains one of Pennsylvania's top priorities, because every child, no matter their ZIP code, deserves access to a high-quality public education," said Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. "Thanks to Governor Shapiro's commitment to investing in Pennsylvania's students, educators, and families, and the members of the General Assembly who worked together to get this budget across the finish line, these investments in basic education funding, special education, and adequacy funding will make a real difference for school districts here in Allegheny County and across the Commonwealth."

The Governor was joined for a ceremonial bill signing by Gateway Superintendent Guy Rossi, Social Studies Teacher Mark Spinola, as well as local and state legislators. As part of today's visit, Governor Shapiro ceremonially signed the General Appropriations Bill.

"Here at Gateway, we recognize the complexity of crafting a state budget, and we appreciate the bipartisan commitment required to achieve this," said Guy Rossi, Superintendent, Gateway School District. "While there is always more to accomplish, this funding has allowed us to maintain sustainable class sizes, expand learning opportunities for our students, and replace aging infrastructure - but none of this progress happens in a vacuum. We deeply appreciate the Governor and the General Assembly's continued support of public education."

"I want to thank Governor Shapiro for making education a priority in this year's budget, because when we invest in students today, we're also investing in the teachers who will inspire the next generation tomorrow," said Mark Spinola, a Social Studies and Economics teacher at Gateway High School. "I'm proud of what we're building here at Gateway, and I'm grateful for the continued support that helps create more opportunities for both our students and our educators."

Governor Shapiro's historic investments give every Pennsylvania student the freedom to chart their own course - ensuring schools have the resources they need to help students succeed and families have access to affordable early learning opportunities.

The investments in this year's budget build on this foundation, including:

• $565 million increase through the bipartisan adequacy and tax equity formula for a total of $1.9 billion driven out to the schools that need them most.
• $58 million increase to Basic Education Funding, for a total of $8.32 billion.
• $55 million increase to Special Education Funding, for a total of $1.58 billion to support students with disabilities and special needs.
• Maintains $125 million for school infrastructure improvements to create safe, healthy learning environments - including $25 million for the Solar for Schools program to lower energy costs and promote sustainability.
• Provides more than $100 million in mental health and school safety funding for K-12 schools, ensuring every student has access to the resources and support they need to thrive, continuing the Shapiro Administration's strong commitment to expanding access to mental health care and support across the Commonwealth.
• Continued Funding for Universal Free Breakfast and Free Menstrual Hygiene Products for Students: This budget continues funding for a key priority of Governor Shapiro - universal free breakfast for all 1.7 million students. It also includes $3 million to ensure students have access to menstrual hygiene products at no cost.
• Supporting Student Well-Being Through Daily Recess: This budget establishes 30 minutes of daily recess for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, ensuring students have dedicated time each school day for movement, social interaction, and stress management so they return to the classroom refreshed and ready to learn. Recess is not an extra - it is a fundamental part of children's growth, teaching skills like collaboration, conflict resolution, and self-regulation that are just as essential as math, science, and reading.

Under Governor Shapiro's leadership, graduation rates across the Commonwealth have risen for 3 years in a row, more new teachers are being certified, and Consumer Affairs ranks Pennsylvania as one of the top states for quality public education in the country.

"The 2026-27 Pennsylvania Budget made historic investments in our students and educators, and I am so proud of the leadership of Governor Shapiro as we held the line on public school funding this year," said Senator Jay Costa, Minority Democratic Leader, PA's 43rd Senate District. "From adequacy investments to special education funding to career and technical education and beyond, this budget will directly improve the lives and futures of learners across Allegheny County and the entire Commonwealth. Senate Democrats have continued to prioritize delivering an excellent education to every Pennsylvanian, and we are very pleased that this budget fulfilled this core value."

"I want to thank Governor Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Davis for their commitment to investing in Pennsylvania's students, schools, and workforce," said Senator Nick Pisciottano, PA's 45th Senate District. "For too long, Pennsylvania failed to meet its responsibility to adequately fund our schools. This budget continues our commitment to making sure teachers and students in every zip code have the resources they need. When we invest in education, we're investing in our future workforce and creating opportunities for family-sustaining careers close to home."

"As an advocate for mental health care, I am proud that this budget continues the $100 million annual investment in school safety and mental health funding," said Representative Brandon Markosek, PA's 25th House District. "With the challenges of bullying and social media, it is critical that we ensure every student has access to the resources and support they need to succeed."

Governor Shapiro's visit today reinforced a clear message - we must keep going to ensure every student has the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed.

Read more about Governor Shapiro's 2026-27 budget, view the Governor's remarks as prepared here, or watch the Governor's delivered remarks here.