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
Inside Pennsylvania’s Budget Battle [PODCAST]
What really happens behind closed doors during Pennsylvania’s budget negotiations? Andrew Lewis sits down with former Pennsylvania Senate Secretary-Parliamentarian Megan Martin (now the Commonwealth Foundation’s chief operating officer and…
Blog
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The Choice That Changed My Life [PODCAST]
A single educational opportunity can change the course of a life. Andrew Lewis sits down with two Pennsylvanians whose lives were transformed by the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)…
Blog
Read More: The Choice That Changed My Life [PODCAST]Education
How Shapiro Turned on School Choice
Originally published by The Washington Times. With the Fourth of July right around the corner, Pennsylvanians should be celebrating, but instead, many low- and middle-class…
Media Hit
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Democratic Lawmakers on the Wrong Side of Educational Choice
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Democratic lawmakers—specifically, Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania House Democrats—are feeling the heat after waging a losing battle on an issue that is…
Media Hit
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4 Signs that Shapiro, House Democrats are Out of Touch with Pennsylvanians
A new poll commissioned by the Commonwealth Foundation surveyed 833 registered Pennsylvania voters from June 18–21, 2026. The results paint a vivid picture of state lawmakers—specifically,…
Blog
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Commonwealth Foundation Applauds Senate Republicans for Advancing Tax Relief and Expanding Educational Opportunity
Harrisburg, Pa., June 25, 2026 — Today, the Pennsylvania Senate, in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 44 to 6, advanced House Bill 1667, legislation that delivers meaningful tax relief to families and businesses while also expanding access to educational scholarships for thousands of students across the commonwealth. The Senate’s legislative…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Applauds Senate Republicans for Advancing Tax Relief and Expanding Educational OpportunityEducation
NEW ANALYSIS: Public School Enrollment Declines as State Spending Climbs
CORRECTION: A previous version of this release incorrectly stated enrollment data. The correct figure is as follows: “Today, there are 80,708 fewer K–12 students in Pennsylvania’s district schools than in…
Press Release
Read More: NEW ANALYSIS: Public School Enrollment Declines as State Spending ClimbsEducation
2026 State of Education Spending in Pennsylvania
Overview Demographic trends, most notably declining enrollments, have led to empty school buildings that are costly to operate, forcing considerations on…
Backgrounder
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U.S. Treasury Removed Shapiro’s Last Excuse on School Choice
The U.S. Department of the Treasury released long-awaited details on the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit —and it’s exactly the kind of clarity Gov. Josh Shapiro…
Blog
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New Poll: Pennsylvanians Reject Shapiro’s Budget, Demand More Educational Choice, and Oppose Costly Energy Mandates
Harrisburg, Pa., June 24, 2026 — A new poll commissioned by the Commonwealth Foundation finds Pennsylvanians rejecting Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget priorities, demanding affordable energy over costly climate mandates, and supporting school choice. Pennsylvania State Budget …
Press Release
Read More: New Poll: Pennsylvanians Reject Shapiro’s Budget, Demand More Educational Choice, and Oppose Costly Energy MandatesEducation
Pennsylvania House Democrats Just Voted to Abandon Educational Choice
Originally published by The Center Square. Pennsylvania Democrats have never been more brazen in their disregard for educational choice. House Democrats recently advanced legislation that…
Media Hit
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Trust Parents, Not Bureaucracies [PODCAST]
Pennsylvania spends nearly $24,000 per student each year, yet fewer than one-third of eighth graders are proficient in math and reading. In this episode of Freedom Rising, Andrew Lewis…
Blog
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Pennsylvania House Democrats Are Lying About Scholarship Cuts
Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania House Democrats have launched an all-out assault on educational choice—and they’re hiding behind a smokescreen of misinformation. This week, House Democrats passed…
Blog
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House Democrats Lead Charge to Gut Educational Opportunity
Harrisburg, Pa., June 22, 2026—Today, the Democrat-controlled Pennsylvania House passed HB 2632 with a vote of 105 to 97. Although House Democrats amended the bill after widespread public opposition, the legislation still targets…
Press Release
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PA House Dems Voted to Rip Scholarships Away from Kids
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. On Tuesday, Pennsylvania House Democrats on the Education Committee quietly did something extraordinary—and not in a good way. With barely a day’s…
Media Hit
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House Education Committee Votes to Cut Scholarships, Leaves 30,000 Students Stranded
Harrisburg, Pa., June 16, 2026 — Today, the Pennsylvania House Education Committee rushed passage of HB 2632 on a party line vote. The bill is an attack on students’ access to educational opportunities. The voting meeting was scheduled at the call of the chair, a move which bypasses the…
Press Release
Read More: House Education Committee Votes to Cut Scholarships, Leaves 30,000 Students StrandedEducation
“Progress” Masks Failures
Originally published by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Celebrating Philadelphia schools’ post-pandemic progress misses the larger story. Yes, students have made gains—and hardworking…
Media Hit
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U.S. Treasury Releases New Guidelines on Federal Scholarship Program
New guidance answers concerns about the federal program and removes excuses for Gov. Josh Shapiro’s indecision. Harrisburg, Pa., June 11, 2026 — Yesterday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released new guidance regarding the federal scholarship tax credit program, which passed into…
Press Release
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This Graduation Season, Let’s Not Forget the Students Left Behind
Originally published by Pottstown Mercury. In a few weeks’ time, I’ll be sitting on hot metal bleachers, sweating from the sweltering June sun, watching my oldest nephew graduate from high…
Media Hit
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Kathy Hochul Tries Having It Both Ways On School Choice
Originally published by Daily Caller. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul seems to be walking a tightrope on education reform. Last week, she surprised…
Media Hit
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Pennsylvania’s Best Education Idea Turns 25
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. A quarter century ago, Pennsylvania quietly did something remarkable: created a scholarship program that gave low- and middle-income families an opportunity…
Media Hit
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