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
How Low-Income Students Benefit from Education Tax Credits
Yesterday, the House Education Committee advanced legislation to expand Pennsylvania’s successful tax credit scholarship program. HB 800, sponsored by Speaker Mike Turzai, would increase the Educational Improvement Tax Credit…
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Is Pennsylvania Poised For a Giant Leap in Student Opportunity?
For kids who need a choice and a chance, help may be on the way. In Tennessee, both chambers of the state legislature passed Education Scholarship Account (ESA)…
Media
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Future Ready Index: A Tool That Can’t Be Used
The Data Quality Campaign recently released “Show Me the Data,” a comparison of state report cards in which Pennsylvania’s new Future Ready PA Index fared well. Released…
Media
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Florida Scholarship Program Boosts College Enrollment, Graduation
Getting into college isn’t easy. It takes grit, good grades, and for some? Bribes. Across the nation, celebrities are being indicted for participating in a bribery scheme to get their…
Media
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Gov. Wolf Blinded to Benefits of School Choice
Gov. Wolf’s 2019 budget promotes public and private options for pre-K and post-secondary education. He calls Pennsylvania’s post-secondary institutions “laboratories for innovation.” Most remarkably, the governor touts Pennsylvania Higher…
Media
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Fight for Education Equality Marches On
Education equality has been the civil rights issue during each unique chapter in America’s story—including today. Empowering parents with school choice options is a key step along our march for justice.
Commentary
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Fighting Poverty can be a Bipartisan Effort
Here's a letter I submitted to the Philadelphia Daily News on how Pennsylvanians of any ideology can share good intent, and work toward a common goal. I was disappointed…
Media
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Expand Educational Choice with Tax Credit Scholarships
In 2016-17, the most recent year with scholarship data available, 52,857 K-12 scholarship applications were denied—52 percent of all K-12 applications. Businesses have applied for $180 million in EITC and…
Fact Sheet
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New Workforce Skills Won’t Come from an Outdated Education System
In his budget address earlier this year, Gov. Wolf cited “workforce concerns” as the reason Amazon rejected Philadelphia for its new headquarters—despite Pennsylvania offering a $4.6 billion dollar…
Media
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Time to Start Treating Philly Charter Families Like First Class Citizens
Our children deserve the best, most individually-tailored education available. Sadly, most students in urban districts cannot access educational opportunities. It's a paradox: Pennsylvania schools are receiving more funds than ever—ranking…
Media
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Military ESAs an Important Part of any Education Plan for Servicemembers
Last month, Governor Wolf introduced a proposal to offer college benefits for families of Pa. National Guard members—like a GI Bill for Pennsylvania. He intends his plan to “show that we…
Media
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Economic Growth or Education OpportunityWhy not Both
In a recent Philadelphia Inquirer op-ed, Mark Gleason explains that growing the economy and expanding educational opportunity are complementary, not competing goals: When it comes to preparing our children…
Media
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Milwaukee Study: School Choice Linked to Fewer Broken Families, Convictions
Former Pennsylvania Secretary of Public Welfare Helen O’Bannon once lamented “the family breaking up” as the root cause of an “untrained, unskilled” workforce, which increases “single, female heads of…
Media
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Philadelphia Parents Rally for Opportunity Scholarships
Last week, Philadelphia parents and community leaders gathered in support of the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) program. The event was sponsored by Educational Opportunities for Families (EOF) and…
Media
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ESAs: Step by Step
Pennsylvania taxpayers are very generous in their support for education. We rank ninth in the nation for per-pupil funding at almost $18,000 per pupil —$3,900 more than the national average.
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Cyber Report Strikes Out
Although my grandfather, Danny Murtaugh, managed the Pittsburgh Pirates, I don’t pretend to be a baseball expert. But you don’t grow up in a baseball family without knowing you…
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Five Reasons Families Demand Opportunity Scholarships
Last week Senator Mike Regan introduced legislation to expand Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs. The reason is simple. Tax credit scholarships…
Media
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Penn Hills: A (Tragic) Love Story
I’m a Penn Hills guy. I’ve lived in some of the most unique and dynamic places in the nation, yet I’ve never been around as many talented, genuine, and engaging…
Media
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A Better Tool for Student Opportunity
As the 2019 legislative session begins, lawmakers need to look beyond talking points and get to the root of problems with education. As Pennsylvania illustrates, more money does not guarantee…
Memo
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Struggle for Education Choice in Montana Could Benefit Pa. Students
Montana’s early settlers braved a tough wilderness in search of better lives for their families. Today, Montana families like the Espinozas, Andersons and Schaefers are engaged in another struggle, the…
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How to Make Schools Safer
On January 17, students drew blood at John Harris High School in Harrisburg. Over 30 students fought in the cafeteria during lunch. By the fight’s end kids needed medical…
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