Education
Federal Scholarship Tax Credit
Tens of thousands of kids wait-listed for Pennsylvania’s tax credit scholarship programs could receive scholarships under the new federal program. First-Ever Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program Last July, Congress passed…
Read More: Federal Scholarship Tax CreditPennsylvania’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 educational choice a reality for all Pennsylvania students.
Education
Shapiro, lawmakers must choose — students or special interests?
Originally published in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review In education policy, there are two main groups of stakeholders: parents and special interests. Parents want the best opportunities for their children, while…
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School Choice Report, Episode 9
What’s happening in Pennsylvania’s capitol? Why did Governor Shapiro renege on his handshake deal and outward support of Lifeline Scholarships? What should we expect in the days, weeks, and months…
Podcast
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Shapiro can turn his political blunder into a moral good and transform the Democratic Party
Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer What an embarrassment. In the span of 24 hours, Gov. Josh Shapiro went from savvy political strategist to inept novice and sellout; upended…
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Shapiro Lost His Way. But He Can Still Rescue Himself and the Kids Depending on Him.
Originally published at the Delaware Valley Journal Sealing a deal with an old-fashioned handshake may seem like a throwback to a bygone era. After all, does anybody still rely…
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Commonwealth Foundation Fellow Guy Ciarrocchi on the Dawn Stensland Show July 11, 2023
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Commonwealth Foundation President & CEO Charles Mitchell on the Dawn Stensland Show July 11, 2023
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School Choice Report, Episode 8
In this episode, host Dave Hardy interviews Guy Ciarrocchi. Guy recently joined Commonwealth Foundation as a Fellow. They talk about the hottest topic of the day in PA – Lifeline…
Podcast
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Guy Ciarrocchi talks Gov. Shapiro’s Lifeline Scholarship Flip-Flop on the Chris Stigall Radio Show
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A Good Education Isn’t a Perk. It’s a Lifeline.
Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal What would you do to help your children succeed? Would you advocate for them, pushing to change the broken systems that keep them…
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Josh Shapiro Chooses Teachers Unions Over Students
Originally published in the Wall Street Journal Nancy Pelosi infamously stated that to find out what ObamaCare contained, Congress had to pass the bill. This week, Pennsylvania’s Democratic Gov. Josh…
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Governor Shapiro bungles budget, leaves state uncertain and kids trapped in failing schools
Harrisburg, Pa., July 6, 2023 – Gov. Josh Shapiro justified his promise to line-item veto the education reforms he championed by comparing Lifeline Scholarships for children in failing schools to…
Press Release
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Commonwealth Foundation Chairman & CEO Charles Mitchell on the Dom Giordano Show July 6, 2023
Commonwealth Foundation Chairman & CEO Charles Mitchell talks Lifeline Scholarships and the Pennsylvania budget on the Dom Giordano Show.
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Why are some Democrats holding kids hostage in failing schools? For more money
Originally published at The Patriot-News On Friday, the Pennsylvania Senate passed, as part of a comprehensive state budget, Lifeline Scholarships to save kids trapped in the lowest-performing schools—with bipartisan…
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Redirect education funding
Originally published at the Scranton Times-Tribune One crucial question remains at the forefront of public policy discussions about education: How can we ensure every child receives the highest quality…
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Pa. Sen. Tony Williams Delivers Impassioned Speech Supporting Lifeline Scholarships
HARRISBURG, Pa., June 30, 2023 — Yesterday, Pennsylvania State Sen. Tony Williams—a Democrat representing Philadelphia—delivered a rousing speech supporting Lifeline Scholarships. Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Williams addressed…
Press Release
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The dark money message lurking behind the assault on school choice
Originally published at Broad + Liberty Pennsylvania lawmakers who are being told to oppose school choice at the behest of a pressure group wedded to failing public schools would…
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65 Organizations, Individuals Call for Enactment of Lifeline Scholarships
Harrisburg, Pa., June 29, 2023 — A diverse coalition of more than 60 individuals and organizations, including two former U.S education secretaries, rapper and activist Meek Mill, schools and scholarship…
Press Release
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Pennsylvania: School Choice Proponents Poised to Extend Lifeline Scholarships to Students
Originally published at The American Spectator If finances are the top concern of public school officials beset with low state test scores, they should be on board with scholarship…
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Test Scores Say Students Are Failing, but We Are Failing Them
Originally published at National Review It’s report-card time for students — and for the nation. Bottom line: Education scores are down, gone from low to even lower. The National Assessment…
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Commonwealth Foundation Survey Provides Voter Insights as Legislature Wraps Up Budget
Harrisburg, Pa., June 27, 2023 — Pennsylvania voters remain pessimistic about Pennsylvania’s economy, and they expect state lawmakers to keep a tight rein on the state budget, according to a…
Press Release
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Lifeline Scholarship Program
Overview Lifeline Scholarships (Senate Bill 795 and House Bill 1432) offer an Education Opportunity Account (EOA) to students residing in a school ranked in the bottom 15 percent…
Fact Sheet
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