Pennsylvania is at a public education crossroads.

Following the ruling of the Commonwealth Court earlier this year that labeled the state’s system of funding public education unconstitutional, the Basic Education Funding Commission is holding several hearings around the state as they undertake an essential task of reviewing the distribution of state funding for basic education among the state’s 500 school districts. They are also required to prepare a report of their findings for the General Assembly.

Gov. Josh Shapiro stated in his March budget address, “President Judge Renee Cohn Jubelirer of the Commonwealth Court issued a ruling declaring Pennsylvania’s system for funding public education unconstitutional. … Her remedy was for us to come up with a solution that ensures every child has access to a thorough and efficient education … I’m ready to meet you there.”

The commission must be the table that Shapiro referred to.

In its final report this fall the commission should focus on four key priorities stemming from the Commonwealth Court decision.

It must:

¯ Establish a meaningful adequacy target for each school district.

¯ Calculate targets that address unmet needs beyond K-12 basic education funding.

¯ Ensure fair and equitable distribution of the state’s share of funding.

¯ Develop a plan, with a reasonable timeline, for the state to meet its share of these targets.

I urge the commission to do its job by prioritizing these tasks and ensuring that every student in the state has access to a comprehensive, effective, and modern public education system.

Susan Spicka is executive director of Education Voters of Pennsylvania in Shippensburg.