Gov. Ed Rendell, in his 2008-09 basic education budget proposal, calls for the state to commit at least $2.6 billion in additional funds to schools over the next six years.

He is backed by a statewide coalition of education advocates, who say the governor’s proposal is a strong first step toward better education funding, but he needs to convince the state Legislature to support his budget proposal for those funding levels to become reality.

A recent study commissioned by the state Legislature and governor showed Pennsylvania is under-funding public education by more than $4 billion, or an average of $2,414 per pupil. The study also determined — for the first time ever — a Pennsylvania-specific per-pupil dollar target for achieving adequate funding levels in each of its 501 school districts.

Representing the Pennsylvania School Funding Campaign locally, Dr. Kathleen R.