HARRISBURG A lawsuit claiming that Pennsylvania doesn't provide sufficient funding for public schools is about to face a major hurdle in the courts.

Six school districts inlcuding Panther Valley, seven parents, the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools and the NAACP are the plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed in state Commonwealth Court by the Philadelphia-based Education Law Center. Defendants include the governor and the presiding officers of the state House and Senate and the state Department of Education.The lawsuit says the state has established strict academic standards but failed to provide equal resources for students who must meet them.The plaintiffs contend that per-pupil spending ranges from less than $10,000 in districts with low property values and incomes to more than $28,000 in those with higher property values and incomes.The lawsuit asks the court to declare that the current funding formula violates the constitution and order state officials to devise a funding system that passes constitutional muster.The Commonwealth Court today will consider whether the case should continue.Republican leaders in the Legislature say three prior lawsuits with similar aims were denied by the courts. They say school funding is a profoundly political question that the courts aren't positioned to answer.The legal challenge comes after four yearsof tight state budgets have forced cutbacksat public schools. Last week, Gov. Tom Wolf called for higher education spending.For updates, visit tnonline.com