education reform urbanism

David Hardy: What educational reform can learn from urban renewal

Harrisburg, Pa, October 8 — Pennsylvania leaders should leverage public-private sector partnerships, as Philadelphia did with successful urban renewal projects, to renew education in the city and across Pennsylvania, according to Commonwealth Foundation Distinguished Senior Fellow David P. Hardy in a recent Philadelphia Inquirer op-ed.

Hardy writes:

Regardless, [Philadelphia’s] Sharswood [neighborhood] is on the rise, thanks to the public sector partnering with the private sector. By collaborating with developers and builders, PHA brought in not only hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment into Sharswood but also increased choices for home buyers and renters. …

Education—especially in Philadelphia—is long overdue for a similar renewal, and it needs new partnerships—especially private entities—to grow and provide genuine choice to students.

Expanding educational opportunities means inviting more partners into the equation. This means more charter schools (both in-person and cyber) and private schools.

More importantly, this also means providing financial resources to those in need. For school choice to thrive, students and families, especially those in low-income households, need scholarships, educational savings accounts, and tax credits to escape their underperforming neighborhood schools.

In Pennsylvania, we have several reform options on the table. We can achieve educational choice by expanding current programs, like the Educational Improvement Tax Credit and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit programs, and legislating new ones, like Lifeline Scholarships. We could also enact open enrollment and break the chain that binds our children’s education to their zip codes. …

Education reform can learn a lesson or two from urban revitalization. With the support of private entities, Pennsylvania education can experience a similar renewal and provide the choice students need to thrive and prosper.

Please read Hardy’s full op-ed here.

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The Commonwealth Foundation turns free-market ideas into public policies, fostering prosperity for all Pennsylvanians.