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
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, …
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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…
Blog
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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…
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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…
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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
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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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[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…
Media
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Governor Shapiro’s Reckless 2026–27 Budget Proposal
Overview Gov. Josh Shapiro’s unaffordable budget worsens Pennsylvania’s structural deficit. The governor proposes nearly $53.26 billion in general fund spending, a 6.3 percent increase over the 2025–26 enacted budget. He…
Fact Sheet
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Governor Shapiro Presents Unaffordable State Budget
Gov. Josh Shapiro returns to Pennsylvania to pitch spending plan families cannot afford. Harrisburg, Pa., February 3, 2026 — In a campaign-style speech that doesn’t address the needs of Pennsylvanians, Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered his 2026 state budget address, proposing a $3.2 billion spending…
Press Release
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PA Pioneered School Choice. Now We Must Finish What We Started
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. With National School Choice Week upon us, we must reflect on our successes and challenges in expanding educational options across our great…
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School Choice Supporters Urge Shapiro to Act as Demand for Scholarships Surges
The Commonwealth Foundation joined other school choice advocates to testify before a state legislative committee, urging lawmakers to advance school choice in Pennsylvania. The event, hosted…
Organization Updates
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You May Support School Vouchers More Than You Realize
Originally published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Today marks the beginning of National School Choice Week—an annual reminder that all students deserve schools that best meet their…
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