Education
The High Cost of Pa. K–12 Education Failures
Key Points The cost and risk of failure in our K–12 system is high. Low academic achievement is a predictor of lower lifetime incomes and higher costs for taxpayers. On…
Read More: The High Cost of Pa. K–12 Education FailuresPennsylvania’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
School Districts Overwhelmed by Pension Costs
Pennsylvania’s public sector pension crisis is undeniable. Consider the burden it places on local school districts, whose pension contributions increased from $1.4 billion in 2012-13 to $1.9…
Media
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District Reserve Funds Continue to Rise
Contrary to claims about budget cuts to public education, Pennsylvania school districts continue to accumulate large reserve funds, up to $4.1 billion in 2013-14. This amounts to more than 15 percent…
Media
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Examining State Aid for Public Schools
State revenue to school districts reached an all-time high in 2013-14, at $9.7 billion. In part 2 of our week-long series on education finance in the commonwealth, take a look at…
Media
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Another Year, Another Record High in School Spending
Pennsylvania spent $26.1 billion on public schools in 2013-14. According to state data, this amounts to a $600 million increase over the 2012-13 baseline. As you can…
Media
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A Solution for Persistently Failing Schools
Amidst a flurry of hearings on severance taxes, incomes taxes, and pension reform, a piece of legislation with less fanfare advanced with bipartisan support out of the…
Media
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School Spending Update, 2013-14
The Pennsylvania Department of Education recently released new expenditure and revenue figures for the 2013-14 school year. This memo presents trends in school spending, revenue, pension contributions, district fund balances,…
Memo
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Will Tax Shifting Help Public Schools?
As I pointed out yesterday in a chart and blog post, Pennsylvania spends significantly more per student on public schools than the national average. Moreover, increased spending has…
Media
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Chart: Education Funding Per Student
There is an ongoing myth that Pennsylvania underfunds public schools because our “state share” is low. Let’s set the record straight. As a reminder, schools receive revenue from local, state,…
Media
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Charters Drowning in Red Tape
What could your family, business, or place of work do with an extra 700 hours? This is a question Pennsylvania charter schools are likely asking after a new report from…
Media
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Testimony: Natural Gas Tax Costs Jobs, Threatens Family Budgets
Natural Gas Tax Costs Jobs, Threatens Family Budgets Fixing Pensions & School Funding Formula Better Solutions for Education Good morning, Today, Commonwealth Foundation Vice President of Policy Analysis Nathan…
Press Release
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Natural Gas Severance Tax
Pennsylvania Senate Environmental Resources Energy Committee And Finance Committee Good afternoon. I want to thank Chairmen Yaw and Yudichak and Chairmen Eichelberger and Blake, along with the…
Testimony
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Just the Facts: Education Spending
Do we spend enough money on education? How much do we need to increase funding to improve results? How does Pennsylvania compare to the rest of the nation? These questions…
Poll
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Audio: House Expands State Scholarship Programs
Last week, Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives approved a significant expansion of two state scholarship programs, the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit…
Media
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Education Spending & Academic Achievement
Increased education spending has not led to improved academic performance. This is reflected in SAT scores and NAEP results, as well numerous studies at the state, national, and international level.
Fact Sheet
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House Expands Indispensable Scholarship Programs
In a sweeping, bipartisan vote, members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved a substantial increase to the state’s cherished scholarship programs—the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)…
Media
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Release Time: Diverting Public Resources to Unions
Release time allows government employees to take a leave of absence from their jobs to perform union work. Many government employees working for the union are paid by taxpayers while…
Fact Sheet
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Wolf’s Education Doctrine
Governor Wolf has wasted little time crystalizing his vision for public education—and it doesn’t look promising for families supportive of school choice. If his first few months are any indication…
Commentary
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Important Education Bills Advance in House
In a promising move for Pennsylvania students, the House Education Committee passed two important bills today that will keep effective teachers in the classroom and expand educational options. HB 805,…
Media
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Wolf’s Education Agenda Discourages Choice
Gov. Tom Wolf has wasted little time staking out his vision for public education, and it doesn’t appear to have much room for school choice. In a recent…
Media
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Video: Tax Credit Scholarships Give Options to Thousands
The Educational Improvement Tax Credit program (EITC) offers businesses the chance to be more involved in their communities by offering tax credits in exhange for sholarship funding. This program allows…
Media
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Trapped: One Teacher Tells His Story
Frank is a high school teacher in Lackawanna County who has been frustrated with the NEA’s support of abortion for a long time: “I just don’t want to see any…
Media
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