Every year since taking office, Gov. Rendell has pushed for expanded school funding, including programs for early-childhood education, increases for poorer districts, and more for high school improvements.

Republicans fought spending increases and what they saw as an expanded state role in education. For the most part, Rendell prevailed.

This year, driven by the recession and budget deficits, the Republicans are sharpening their attack on Rendell's education plan, proposing to roll back almost all his priorities.

The GOP-dominated state Senate's version of the new budget, passed last week, would cut Rendell's proposed spending on public schools by more than $1 billion - about 10 percent.

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