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
Opportunity Denied: 50,000+ Tax Credit Scholarship Applications Rejected Annually
Pennsylvania’s tax credit scholarship programs are so popular that they could double in size and still not meet demand. That’s a major finding of a new report by the…
Press Release
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Young Entrepreneurs in Action
It’s rare to see kids voluntarily give up their Saturday to work. But that’s exactly what my 12- and 14-year old daughters—along with a dozen other kids—did at the recent…
Media
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More is Not Always Better
In the ongoing school funding case, William Penn School District v. Pennsylvania Department of Education, several school districts are suing the state on the grounds that Pennsylvania has…
Media
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Safe Schools and School Choice
It’s back-to-school time. For parents, sending children into someone else’s care can be bittersweet. We want our kids to experience the wonder of learning and the joy of play. But…
Media
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“Sick Schools”: Philadelphia Students Deserve Better
Earlier this year, the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News published a shocking series, “Toxic City: Sick Schools.” The report revealed abysmal conditions in Philadelphia district schools: peeling lead paint,…
Media
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Filling in the Gap: Cyber Charter Schools
Last month, the Commonwealth Foundation sat down with cyber charter school leaders Dr. Maurice “Reese” Flurie, Tom Longenecker, and Christine Hakes to discuss school choice. As the CEO, COO, and…
Media
Read More: Filling in the Gap: Cyber Charter SchoolsCriminal Justice Reform
Spending Trends & Policy Developments Under Gov. Wolf
In the last four years Pennsylvania has experienced rapid state spending growth. On the plus side, constant tax hike proposals have been largely rejected and policies like pension reform, school…
Memo
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Philly’s Soda Tax is Legal But Not Beneficial
This week the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld Philadelphia’s soda tax, citing the Sterling Act as grounds for their decision. While supporters celebrate their good intentions, the tax is…
Media
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ESAs: The Future of Education
“Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce. Special orders don’t upset us. All we ask is that you let us serve it your way.” This Burger King jingle from the 1970s…
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Statement on 2018 AFT Convention
Commonwealth Foundation VP and COO Nathan Benefield issued the following statement regarding the American Federation of Teachers convention taking place in Pittsburgh this weekend. The convention’s keynote speakers on Friday,…
Press Release
Read More: Statement on 2018 AFT ConventionEducation
A New Push for Student-Based Ed Funding?
Despite a history of one-note rhetoric about underfunded schools—and thus pushing for more spending and higher taxes—recent comments indicate Governor Wolf may be open to more nuanced education solutions. In…
Media
Read More: A New Push for Student-Based Ed Funding?Education
School Choice Momentum in Pennsylvania
The Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program established Pennsylvania as a school choice leader when it was introduced in 2001. The program helps thousands of students, but it hasn’t kept…
Media
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What does Janus mean for school choice?
On June 27th, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a historic ruling in Janus v. AFSCME. The 5-4 decision found that forcing public sector workers to pay union fees—or lose their jobs—violates their…
Media
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Students Win Big with Tax Credit Scholarship Boost
The recently enacted state budget includes a $25 million increase in the successful and popular Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. This increase is tremendous for families—given that…
Media
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Impact of ESAs Under HB 2228
Education is not one-size-fits-all. For children with special needs, this is particularly true. Ann and Tony Zanca of Florida know this first hand. Their 14-year-old son Ben has dealt…
Media
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Every Child Deserves the Opportunity to Succeed
The Ben Franklin Bridge is all that separates Pennsylvania students from Camden, New Jersey, where families choose from a diverse menu of schools. In 1999, New Jersey enacted the…
Media
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House-Passed Spending Plan Holds Line on Taxes
Today, the Pennsylvania House passed a $32.7 billion 2018-19 spending plan in an overwhelming, bipartisan vote (188-10). The legislation, House Bill 2121, avoids tax increases and pulls back from…
Press Release
Read More: House-Passed Spending Plan Holds Line on TaxesEducation
The Urgent Need for Tax Credit Scholarships
Pennsylvania’s tax credit scholarship programs have helped many students, but thousands of students are turned away each year. Senate Bill 1204 would end the supply problem by allowing tax credit…
Memo
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New Legislation Tackles the EITC and OSTC Waiting List
The Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs have offered lifelines to hundreds of thousands of low to moderate-income Pennsylvania students. Yet many…
Media
Read More: New Legislation Tackles the EITC and OSTC Waiting ListEducation
EITC In Context
Pennsylvania’s Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) provide tax credit scholarships to low and moderate-income students. These scholarships are lifelines for tens of…
Media
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Troubling Features of Pa. Teacher Contracts
Union-negotiated collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) dictate the compensation packages and workplace conditions of over 100,000 teachers in Pennsylvania's 500 school districts—regardless of their union membership. As the “exclusive representative” of all teachers…
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