The Law Center then appealed the case to the Pa. Supreme Court, where we presented a comprehensive review of education clauses in state constitutions and their judicial interpretations, demonstrating that Pennsylvania’s clause – as in every other state with a similar provision – should allow for judicial review of the state’s schools.

Unfortunately, Marrero v. Commonwealth was never tried on its merits. As neighborhood schools failed utterly to provide their students even a minimally adequate education, the Pa. Supreme Court refused to examine whether the state’s failure violated the Constitution.

Unable to ensure educational adequacy through the state court system, we turned to the federal courts in Powell v. Ridge.

In subsequent years, we have built on our expertise in the state constitution’s education requirements and pursued improved enforcement through advocacy efforts.