Keystone Today

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf was joined by state government officials last week at James Logan School in Philadelphia where they met with elementary students, faculty and education stakeholders to discuss the Level Up funding initiative.

Last year Level Up was first funded in the Pennsylvania stare budget, providing $100 million toward the state's most underfunded school districts, a recent press release from the governor's website said. In this year's proposed budget, Wolf is calling for $300 million for the program.

"Our historic investments in education throughout my administration are ensuring a better future for our children and a stronger Pennsylvania, and we must continue to do so equitably," Wolf said in the release. "Through sound fiscal management, we have been able to make meaningful investments in education and this work must continue. Through these ongoing efforts, we are setting up a Pennsylvania where all students receive a top-tier education, where local taxpayers aren't shouldering the bulk of the responsibility for funding schools, and where all Pennsylvanians have an opportunity to succeed."

The proposed budget calls for $1.9 billion in education from pre-K through college, the release said. This includes $70 million for Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance, $1.25 billion in basic education funding, $300 million for Level Up, $200 million for Special Education and $125 million for higher education institutions.

Sen. Art Haywood praised Wolf for securing more than $3 million in funding for Level Up last year.

"Thanks to this investment, students at the James Logan Elementary School and across the city are achieving against the odds, but there is still work to be done," Haywood said in the release. "The governor's proposed increase in Level Up funding will further support our children and their futures."

State Rep. Darisha Parker was also at James Logan to discuss the Level Up program, saying that every student in Pennsylvania deserves quality of education no matter where they live.

"Every Pennsylvania student deserves access to a quality education that puts them on a path to success regardless of zip code," Parker said in the release. "This is an ongoing fight for fair education funding for the school districts that need it the most. Philadelphia has been terribly underfunded for too long. Governor, thank you for your foresight and your support of this funding. Thank you for helping us help our teachers be equipped in the classroom to help our students be successful, thriving individuals."

James Logan Elementary School Principal Dr. Matthew Grill said that every Philadelphia student deserves access to a quality education.

"We are grateful for the unprecedented increase to education funding the governor has led during his tenure and encourage the General Assembly to continue to prioritize our children and their futures by further increasing the Level Up funding," Grill said in the release.

Donna Cooper, executive director of Children First and a coalition partner for Level Up, spoke highly about the program and the need for it in the state of Pennsylvania.

"Pennsylvanians know that the state coffers are flush with cash and every state lawmaker knows that the education is the top priority of Pennsylvania citizens," Cooper said in the release. "That's why we are optimistic that again this year state lawmakers will get on board and support the governor's ambitious education proposal, which includes the Level Up Supplement — these dedicated state funds don't solve the adequacy funding gap, but they recognize the need to invest in the state's poorest school districts now."