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
Can School Choice Solve “Lunch Shaming”?
On July 9th, Wyoming Valley West School District in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania took reckless steps in “lunch shaming” hundreds of students and ordering repayment of their student meal debts. …
Media
Read More: Can School Choice Solve “Lunch Shaming”?Education
Students Lose in the “City of Champions”
Pittsburgh Pirates fans recently gathered at PNC Park to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1979 World Series Championship. When it comes to sports, people in the “City of Champions”…
Media
Read More: Students Lose in the “City of Champions”Education
Tax Hoarders Strike Again
Last month Governor Wolf vetoed House Bill 800, which could have opened new educational opportunities to 50,000 low- to middle-income students. The legislation sailed through both chambers and would have…
Media
Read More: Tax Hoarders Strike AgainEducation
Last Rites for Blaine Amendments?
The election of President John F. Kennedy was a milestone that went a long way in sealing the tomb on anti-Catholic sentiments. With the election of an Irishman from Massachusetts,…
Media
Read More: Last Rites for Blaine Amendments?Education
Opportunity Denied Again: Despite Recent Increase, Thousands of Scholarships Still Denied
In 2017-18, the cap on Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program increased by $10 million. Yet, 49,356 scholarship applications were denied—49% of all applications. To meet demand, lawmakers need…
Memo
Read More: Opportunity Denied Again: Despite Recent Increase, Thousands of Scholarships Still DeniedEducation
How to Help Harrisburg Students, Right Now
There’s plenty of fights and rule-breaking going on in Harrisburg School District. But I’m not talking about the kids: it’s the adults who perpetrate this conflict and corruption. Meanwhile, the…
Media
Read More: How to Help Harrisburg Students, Right NowCriminal Justice Reform
School Choice on Behalf of Pa.’s Poorest Should Be a Bipartisan Issue
In Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and throughout the country, Republicans and Democrats have come together to pass smart criminal justice reforms that help people achieve independence and prosperity…
Media
Read More: School Choice on Behalf of Pa.’s Poorest Should Be a Bipartisan IssueEducation
Getting Real About Education Spending
Another budget season has come and gone in Harrisburg. As usual, education spending was one of the hottest topics. Constant demands for “more money” by teachers’ unions and their…
Media
Read More: Getting Real About Education SpendingEducation
Kids Claim Victory in Pa. Budget
Thanks to school choice heroes like Speaker Mike Turzai and Senator Mike Regan, Pennsylvania students will benefit from a $30 million increase in tax credit scholarships. The agreed upon…
Media
Read More: Kids Claim Victory in Pa. BudgetEducation
Students Need Scholarships, Not Vetoes
While the governor has repeatedly voiced support for freeing students from zip code-assigned schools that aren’t meeting their needs, he vetoed a sorely needed expansion of Pennsylvania’s scholarship…
Commentary
Read More: Students Need Scholarships, Not VetoesEducation
Common EITC and OSTC Misconceptions
“A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.” This saying is even more true in the internet age. Case in point: recent falsehoods…
Media
Read More: Common EITC and OSTC MisconceptionsEducation
How Many Kids Should We Save?
Last week, local mom Thalia McClenton visited the Capitol to tell her tax credit scholarship story. Thalia’s sons attend Harrisburg Catholic Elementary School thanks to scholarship funding. Thalia explained:…
Media
Read More: How Many Kids Should We Save?Education
Five Things Lawmakers Should Know About the State Budget Deal
Less than a week before the start of the 2019-20 fiscal year, legislative leaders unveiled a proposed state budget—including both the spending and revenue outline, and several policy changes that…
Media
Read More: Five Things Lawmakers Should Know About the State Budget DealEducation
Which Wolf Was It? Gov. Wolf’s Hypocrisy on Education Tax Credits
Tom Wolf the private citizen and business owner benefited from and lauded private school choice and the EITC program. But Governor Tom Wolf has used his political clout to deny…
Media
Read More: Which Wolf Was It? Gov. Wolf’s Hypocrisy on Education Tax CreditsEducation
Pennsylvania Kids Need School Choice Heroes
I must confess, my superhero education is lacking. Much to the chagrin of my children, I don’t know the difference between DC and Marvel or the characters in each universe.
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Kids Need School Choice HeroesEducation
New Report: Education Tax Credits Save School Districts Billions
Pennsylvania’s tax credit scholarships are life-changing programs that help students succeed and taxpayers save. According to brand new analysis by Martin F. Lueken, Ph.D. of EdChoice, tax credit scholarships…
Media
Read More: New Report: Education Tax Credits Save School Districts BillionsEducation
Wolf’s Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Governor Wolf talks the talk. In his 2018 budget address, he called for ensuring “your zip code doesn’t determine what kind of education you can get.” In his …
Media
Read More: Wolf’s Actions Speak Louder Than WordsEducation
Magic 8 Ball, What Lies Ahead for HB 800?
I asked my Magic 8 Ball if Gov. Wolf would sign HB 800—legislation increasing the caps on the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. “My sources say no,” was the unfortunate…
Media
Read More: Magic 8 Ball, What Lies Ahead for HB 800?Education
Helping Kids Through EITC and OSTC
Governor Tom Wolf wants to be sure that children from poor parts of the state can get a good education. In his 2018 budget address he called…
Media
Read More: Helping Kids Through EITC and OSTCEducation
Champions for Pa. Students
Yesterday the Senate took bold, swift action on behalf of Pennsylvania kids by passing HB 800—which would increase the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) K-12 tax credit scholarship cap by…
Media
Read More: Champions for Pa. StudentsEducation
Fiscal Forgetfulness
Next year the governor wants to spend $1.4 billion more than he requested for this year, according to his recent budget proposal. Separately he’ll need as much as $750 million…
Media
Read More: Fiscal Forgetfulness