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
Public Schools Funding Hits Nearly $24,000 Per Student While Achievement Declines
Harrisburg, Pa., May 11, 2026 — New data reveals funding for Pennsylvania’s public schools spiked to nearly $24,000 per student in the 2024–25 school year. In addition to record-high spending, school districts continue to hoard reserve funds, with an average of $4,649 held for every public-school student. …
Press Release
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Shapiro Betrayed Pennsylvania Kids in 2023. He Cannot Do It Again in 2026.
Originally published by Broad + Liberty. When it comes to school choice, Gov. Josh Shapiro often finds himself in hot water. In 2023, he shook hands…
Media Hit
Read More: Shapiro Betrayed Pennsylvania Kids in 2023. He Cannot Do It Again in 2026.Education
NY Governor Moves Toward Federal Scholarship Tax Credit as Shapiro Remains Undecided
Harrisburg, Pa., May 8, 2026 — Yesterday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul expressed her intention to opt into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC). While Hochul has yet to formally submit her opt-in form to the IRS, New York would mark the thirtieth…
Media Hit
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No, Donors Aren’t “Profiting” from Tax-Credit Scholarship Programs
Special interest groups that profit off the status quo in education have repeatedly tried to smear Pennsylvania’s successful tax-credit scholarship programs as “tax shelters for the rich.” Critics claim that…
Blog
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Deficit Watch: May 2026
Background Pennsylvania continues to face serious fiscal challenges. The enacted 2025–26 General Fund budget created a $4.6 billion structural deficit. Gov. Josh…
Deficit Watch
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Education Landscape in Pennsylvania
Overview There are approximately two million school-age children in the commonwealth. Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) 2025–26 enrollment reports show 73.5 percent attend their assigned district…
Fact Sheet
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Philly Schools Don’t Need More Money…
Originally published by The Philadelphia Citizen. A majority of the Philadelphia students receiving diplomas cannot read or do math at grade level. In 2025, …
Media Hit
Read More: Philly Schools Don’t Need More Money…Education
Educational Choice Changes Lives [PODCAST]
Tens of thousands of Pennsylvania families are still waiting for access to a better education. In this episode of Freedom Rising, Andrew Lewis sits down with Pennsylvania Rep. Martina…
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What Are You Waiting for, Gov. Shapiro?
Originally published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. It will cost the state more not to support the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program than it will to…
Media Hit
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[MEDIA] Andrew Lewis Addresses Pennsylvania Press Club
Andrew Lewis, President & CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, addressed the Pennsylvania Press Club on Monday afternoon. In his speech, Lewis outlined the path forward to make Pennsylvania the leading…
Media Hit
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Education Tax Credits Deliver Over 100,000 Scholarships, Yet Waitlists Remain
Summary For the first time since inception, Pennsylvania scholarship organizations awarded over 100,000 scholarships during the 2023–24 school year through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Education Tax Credits Deliver Over 100,000 Scholarships, Yet Waitlists RemainEducation
Commonwealth Foundation Joins Education Secretary McMahon to Advance Educational Freedom in Pennsylvania
Last Friday, the Commonwealth Foundation joined national and state leaders under the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg to deliver a straightforward message: Gov. Josh Shapiro must opt in to the new…
Organization Updates
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The Case for Pennsylvania Tax-Credit Scholarships
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Tax-credit scholarships are vital to Pennsylvania students and families. But they could help even more kids if lawmakers in Harrisburg got out…
Media Hit
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Defunding Cyber Charters Threatens Special Education
Originally published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Diagnosed with Level 2 Autism, Hope has been nonverbal most of her life, making traditional learning a challenge. And like…
Media Hit
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Governor Shapiro, Give PA Kids Access to a New Scholarship Program
Originally published by The Philadelphia Citizen. Last Thursday, educators, advocates, lawmakers, and students gathered to deliver a simple yet profound message: Gov. Josh Shapiro must opt…
Media Hit
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[MEDIA] Andrew Lewis on ‘Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words’
Pennsylvania’s Policy Battles: Energy Independence, School Choice, and America 250 Andrew Lewis, President & CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, joins “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words,” to discuss why…
Media Hit
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If You Win Pennsylvania, You Win America [PODCAST]
Pennsylvania has backed the winning presidential candidate in five straight elections—and according to top pollster Patrick Ruffini, that’s no accident. Host Andrew Lewis talks with Ruffini to break down…
Blog
Read More: If You Win Pennsylvania, You Win America [PODCAST]Education
School Closures Demonstrate the Urgency of Educational Choice
Originally published by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Nearly 5,000 Philadelphia students face a tough decision after the recent announcement of school closures in…
Media Hit
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What is the New Federal Scholarship Tax Credit?
A new federal program will raise money for scholarships to eligible K–12 students. But this new first-of-its-kind scholarship has also raised many questions: What is it? What is it called?…
Blog
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If Public School Enrollment is Declining, Why is Spending Increasing?
Since 2000, Pennsylvania public school district enrollment has declined by nearly 300,000 students, a 15 percent decline. According to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s annual…
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Read More: If Public School Enrollment is Declining, Why is Spending Increasing?Education
[MEDIA] Nathan Benefield Talks Education Spending on ‘Erie News Now’
Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed record-high education funding in his 2026 budget address. The entire proposal, totaling $53.26 billion, would force a $2,100 tax hike on families of four. Nathan…
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Read More: [MEDIA] Nathan Benefield Talks Education Spending on ‘Erie News Now’