PHILADELPHIA (February 4, 2025) – Following is a statement from Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) President Arthur Steinberg on Governor Josh Shapiro's 2025-2026 budget address:
“Governor Shapiro’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal seeks to make good on long-standing commitments that Philadelphia public school students, families, and staff are counting on. We’re pleased to see Governor Shapiro pledge deeper investments in Pre-K programs, early childcare, affordable housing, and family-sustaining work – all of which will meaningfully improve the lives of children at home, thereby positively impacting their ability to learn, grow, and thrive in school.
“Putting more teachers in our classrooms, as this budget proposes to do, is critically important. The School District of Philadelphia’s severe shortage of teachers and specialists – particularly those trained in special education – has been at a crisis point since the COVID-19 pandemic thoroughly upended K-12 learning. Our teachers, specialists, and staff in overcrowded schools are overwhelmed by the growing number of students with special needs – whom public educators are duty-bound to welcome and educate, unlike private, religious, and charter schools.
“To be clear, our duty to educate all students is one we embrace with deep dedication and full hearts. But our members need and deserve the appropriate staffing levels and resources to do their jobs well, and in environments that are conducive to learning for students and to effective instruction for educators. As a former special education teacher, I know that special-needs students are among our most curious and joyful learners. I’m hopeful that lawmakers in the General Assembly can put partisanship aside and use this legislative session to ensure that the Commonwealth protects the constitutional and civil rights of all students, including those with special needs.
“The PFT also applauds Governor Shapiro’s pursuit of new revenue streams for our Commonwealth. While we are relieved to see proposed increases hold steady for early and K-12 education, Governor Shapiro himself acknowledged that 'there’s still work to do before we can say we’ve met our constitutional obligation.' We join public school families and advocates in calling to close the adequacy funding gap much faster. Every student in long-underfunded schools like Philadelphia’s deserves much more immediate relief. We are unapologetically impatient when children’s futures are at stake.”
