Education
Pennsylvania School Funding Reaches $23,000 per Student in 2024
Pennsylvania Public School Spending is Growing Public school spending reaches historic levels year after year. Pennsylvania public school revenue per student increased to $23,061 in the 2023-24 school year, up…
Read More: Pennsylvania School Funding Reaches $23,000 per Student in 2024Pennsylvania’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
New Report Finds Pennsylvania Violating Law, Endangering Students in Dangerous Schools
Harrisburg, Pa., August 5, 2025—The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is violating state and federal law around “persistently dangerous schools,” endangering the safety of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable students, and threatening…
Press Release
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Persistently Dangerous Pennsylvania Public Schools
Calculating danger based only on arrests ignores student safety. Overview New analysis by the Commonwealth Foundation shows that Pennsylvania violates state and federal law by failing to identify persistently dangerous…
Backgrounder
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The Fake Champions of School Choice
The Wall Street Journal recently highlighted the ideological chasm dividing Democrats over a single issue: education. Matt Barnum of the Journal writes, …
Blog
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Diapers, Asbestos, and Antisemitism—Welcome to Philadelphia Public Schools
Originally published in The Washington Times. “I believe every child of God deserves a shot here in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” Pennsylvania Gov. …
Media Hit
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One Big, Beautiful Bill Benefits for Pennsylvanians
Summary On July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed House Resolution 1, better known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBB), into law. Within the…
Fact Sheet
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Pennsylvania Cyber Students Thrive—No Thanks to Governor Shapiro
Originally published by The Pottstown-Mercury. As an elementary student, Luke Downs struggled to read. “I would cry when I read,” says Luke. “And [my school] didn’t…
Media Hit
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Teacher Unions Limiting Opportunities for Students
Welcome to the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.Follow us on X for the latest updates – and help…
Blog
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By Opposing Educational Choice, Teachers’ Unions Limit Opportunities for Philly students
Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) voted to authorize a strike if the union and…
Media Hit
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Educational Choice for Children Act
U.S. Congress expands educational opportunity for K–12 students nationwide, funding millions in tax credit scholarships for Pennsylvania kids. First-Ever Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program The U.S. Congress passed the Educational…
Fact Sheet
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OBBB Delivers Historic Expansion of Educational Choice, Sweeping Reforms
Harrisburg, Pa., July 3, 2025 — After much anticipation and debate, the One Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB) is now passed and set to be enacted—delivering policy accomplishments that Pennsylvanians can celebrate:…
Press Release
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Don’t Let Randi Weingarten Fool You: Government Unions Are in lockstep with Democrats
Originally published by Bucks County Independence. Are government union leaders and the Democratic Party about to divorce? Two prominent union leaders — Randi Weingarten of…
Media Hit
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No More Blank Checks for Broken Systems
Originally published by PennLive. As the deadline looms, Pennsylvania lawmakers are nowhere near reaching an agreement on the state budget. This uncertainty in Harrisburg revolves around…
Media Hit
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Six Reasons Why Hold Harmless is Anything But for Kids
Hold harmless is a policy that guarantees school districts the same amount of funding as they had in the prior year, regardless of fluctuations in enrollment. This means that public school…
Blog
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New Poll: Voters Concerned About Increased Spending, Lack of Leadership
69% of voters believe Gov. Josh Shapiro needs to take a more active role in budget negotiations. Harrisburg, Pa., June 25, 2025 — As the June 30th deadline looms, voters…
Press Release
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Learning Investment Tax Credit
Summary The proposed Learning Investment Tax Credit (LITC), House Bill (HB) 1662, creates a $8,000 per child refundable tax credit to offset education expenses if parents choose a non-public…
Fact Sheet
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Philly Teacher Union Threatening to Strike is Mostly Performative
Philadelphia’s massive teacher union—the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT)—has already threatened to disrupt students’ education when the doors open this fall. Just a few months into negotiations over a new…
Blog
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Where Is Gov. Shapiro’s Leadership on the State Budget?
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Gov. Josh Shapiro once said, “Leaders have a responsibility to speak truth.” Yet, truth be told, the governor’s lack of leadership on this…
Media Hit
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The Hypocrisy of the ‘No Kings’ Protests
Originally published by Delaware Valley Journal. This past week, left-wing advocacy groups organized nationwide protests under the banner “No Kings,” opposing President Donald Trump. Let’s be real: These protests aren’t…
Media Hit
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Cyber Students: Undeserving Targets of Teacher Unions
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. With all that’s wrong in public education today, what if I told you some good news? There are more than 69,000 students in Pennsylvania who have…
Commentary
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Gov. Josh Shapiro Still Ain’t Got Sh*t Done
Heading into his third budget negotiation, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s official slogan starkly contrasts with his legislative accomplishments. A Commonwealth Foundation analysis found Shapiro’s first two-and-a-half years…
Blog
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PA House Democrats Threaten Thousands of Cyber Charter Students with New Bill
Harrisburg, Pa., June 3, 2025 — This week, Pennsylvania House Democrats passed House Bill (HB) 1500, which would slash funding for cyber school students, out of the Education Committee. …
Press Release
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