Education
2025 State of Education Spending in Pennsylvania
Overview The national trends impacting education in Pennsylvania in 2025 include an impending fiscal cliff, under-enrolled schools, and population decline, all of which lead to school closures…
Read More: 2025 State of Education Spending in PennsylvaniaPennsylvania’s future is in the hands of the next generation. Parents and students—not activist agendas—should drive the Commonwealth’s education policy. While policymakers have been entrusted with ensuring the next generation receives a quality education, parents should be empowered to choose the quality education that meets their unique child’s needs. Charter schools and tax credit scholarships are integral pieces of school choice, but more reforms are needed to make school choice a reality for all Pennsylvania students.
Education
Philadelphia’s school board needs to get out of charter authorizing
Originally published at Broad + Liberty The Philadelphia school board is the sole authorizer of the city’s charter schools — and its record doesn’t look good. Just days before…
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During COVID, towns raised school taxes when they didn’t need to. They’re not likely to come down.
Originally published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Finally, a normal school year without face masks and split schedules. But one remnant of the pandemic is here to stay — higher…
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Read More: During COVID, towns raised school taxes when they didn’t need to. They’re not likely to come down.Education
If Student Enrollment Is Down, Why Are Some School Districts On A Hiring Spree?
Originally published at The Federalist As students head back to school this year, it’s difficult to ignore the nationwide claims of teacher shortages, with special interest groups blaming underfunding. …
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David Hardy discusses educational opportunity on The Dom Giordano Program
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David Hardy discusses educational opportunity in Pennsylvania on Fox & Friends
Commonwealth Foundation Distinguished Senior Fellow David P. Hardy discusses educational opportunity in Pennsylvania on Fox & Friends.
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Pennsylvania Schools Have a Student Shortage: Districts on Hiring Spree Even as Enrollment Falls
Harrisburg, PA – The Commonwealth Foundation, Pennsylvania’s leading free-market public policy research organization, reported today that despite declining public school enrollments, Keystone State school funding has significantly increased fueling a significant…
Press Release
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Pa. Back to School Education Trends
Overview As students head back to school, there are many claims of teacher shortages and funding shortfalls. In reality, public school spending is at a record high and Pennsylvania ranks…
Report
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Why parents are choosing Black-led charter schools
Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer For years, Black parents in Philadelphia have been pulling their kids out of traditional public schools and enrolling them in charters. As of…
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The historic expansion of tax credit scholarships is a win for our kids
Originally published in The Patriot-News Pennsylvania’s new state budget includes a historic $125 million expansion of two successful scholarship programs—the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and the Opportunity Scholarship…
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How innovative education can help Pennsylvania’s economy
Originally published in the Bucks County Courier Times Over two years after Gov. Tom Wolf’s shutdown of all “non-life-sustaining business,” Pennsylvania’s economy still struggles to recover. Pennsylvania has …
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Tax Credit Scholarship Expansion Big Win for Waitlisted Pennsylvania Kids, Amid Growing Demand
July 8, 2022, Harrisburg, Pa. – The Pennsylvania legislature increased educational opportunities for Pennsylvania children, especially those from low- and middle-income homes, by including a $125 million expansion for tax…
Press Release
Read More: Tax Credit Scholarship Expansion Big Win for Waitlisted Pennsylvania Kids, Amid Growing DemandEducation
Pennsylvania schools have a hoarding problem
Originally published in The Mercury “Pennsylvania has been chronically underfunding school districts for decades,” according to school board member Jackie Huff. That is a common claim by politicians —…
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Pennsylvania Senators Must Defy Teachers’ Unions to Offer Lifeline Scholarships to Students in Failed Districts
Originally published at Broad + Liberty Before this year’s elections, Pennsylvania state senators will have the opportunity to return taxpayer dollars to parents and students victimized by perpetually failing…
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Scholarship bill is a lifeline for kids
Originally published at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Pennsylvania has become a battleground for educational freedom and choice. Parents from diverse perspectives are showing up at school board meetings, filing lawsuits,…
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Pa. Senate Committee Passes Lifeline Scholarships
June 21, 2022, Harrisburg, Pa. —Today, the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee approved a bill to extend Lifeline Scholarships to students in underperforming school districts. House Bill 2169, sponsored by…
Press Release
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Excellent Education Isn’t for the Select Few
Originally published in The Philadelphia Citizen Recent controversy over admission standards for Philadelphia’s selective schools made me think of my wife’s journey to attend Masterman when it…
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Pa. Education Spending Soars to All-Time High
Key Points Pennsylvania school district spending per student increased to $19,900 in 2020–21.State support of public education is up 40 percent over the last decade, reaching an all-time high of…
Backgrounder
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It’s time to get progressive about education
Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer Requis Sherby’s recent Inquirer op-ed about escaping public school bullying as a nonbinary and bisexual student resonates with me. I was bullied,…
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HB 2169: Lifeline Scholarship Program
Overview The Pennsylvania House passed the Lifeline Scholarship Program bill on April 27, 2022. House Bill 2169, if passed by the Senate and signed by the governor, offers an…
Fact Sheet
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Bucks County parents unravel Covid-19 policies while boosting school choice proposals
Originally published in Broad + Liberty Bucks County parents who made efficient use of Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know law during the Covid-19 pandemic have helped to make the case for school choice.
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