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
Students Need Alternatives
Originally published by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Despite the Pennsylvania budget being more than two months late, Gov. Josh Shapiro still found time for a photo opportunity…
Media Hit
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New Poll: Inflation, Economy, Taxes, and Crime Top Voter Concerns, Pennsylvanians Hold Shapiro Responsible for Budget Impasse
Harrisburg, Pa., September 3, 2025 — Fewer than 4-in-10 Pennsylvania voters believe the state is on the right track, according to new polling released today by the Commonwealth Foundation.
Press Release
Read More: New Poll: Inflation, Economy, Taxes, and Crime Top Voter Concerns, Pennsylvanians Hold Shapiro Responsible for Budget ImpasseEducation
Rethinking School District Reserve Funds as Students Return to Class
Pennsylvania must focus on funding students. Overview After years of property tax hikes and significant increases in state funding, Pennsylvania school districts ended the 2023–24 school year with more than…
Backgrounder
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Back to School—With Billions in the Bank
As Pennsylvania kids head back to school, many classrooms will look the same: crowded hallways, aging buildings, and parents hearing the familiar trope that schools “don’t have enough money.” But…
Blog
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New TV/Digital Ad: Shapiro’s Budget Impasse is Failing Kids & Families
Harrisburg, Pa., August 22, 2025 — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation launched a new ad, calling for Gov. Josh Shapiro to end the budget impasse with a compromise that protects families…
Press Release
Read More: New TV/Digital Ad: Shapiro’s Budget Impasse is Failing Kids & FamiliesEducation
Pennsylvania Students Can’t Succeed if They Aren’t Safe
Originally published by The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. According to federal and state law, the Keystone State owes parents of students attending dangerous schools the chance to transfer…
Media Hit
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Pennsylvania has a Problem with Dangerous Schools
A sweeping new analysis by the Commonwealth Foundation reveals that Pennsylvania’s approach to identifying and responding to dangerous conditions in public schools falls short and may…
Blog
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More Options
Originally published by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Pennsylvania public schools continue to fail kids with special needs. According to recent coverage by The…
Media Hit
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New Report Finds Pennsylvania Violating Law, Endangering Students in Dangerous Schools
Harrisburg, Pa., August 5, 2025—The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is violating state and federal law around “persistently dangerous schools,” endangering the safety of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable students, and threatening…
Press Release
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Persistently Dangerous Pennsylvania Public Schools
Calculating danger based only on arrests ignores student safety. Overview New analysis by the Commonwealth Foundation shows that Pennsylvania violates state and federal law by failing to identify persistently dangerous…
Backgrounder
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The Fake Champions of School Choice
The Wall Street Journal recently highlighted the ideological chasm dividing Democrats over a single issue: education. Matt Barnum of the Journal writes, …
Blog
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Diapers, Asbestos, and Antisemitism—Welcome to Philadelphia Public Schools
Originally published in The Washington Times. “I believe every child of God deserves a shot here in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” Pennsylvania Gov. …
Media Hit
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One Big, Beautiful Bill Benefits for Pennsylvanians
Summary On July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed House Resolution 1, better known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBB), into law. Within the…
Fact Sheet
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Pennsylvania Cyber Students Thrive—No Thanks to Governor Shapiro
Originally published by The Pottstown-Mercury. As an elementary student, Luke Downs struggled to read. “I would cry when I read,” says Luke. “And [my school] didn’t…
Media Hit
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Teacher Unions Limiting Opportunities for Students
Welcome to the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.Follow us on X for the latest updates – and help…
Blog
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By Opposing Educational Choice, Teachers’ Unions Limit Opportunities for Philly students
Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) voted to authorize a strike if the union and…
Media Hit
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Educational Choice for Children Act
U.S. Congress expands educational opportunity for K–12 students nationwide, funding millions in tax credit scholarships for Pennsylvania kids. First-Ever Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program The U.S. Congress passed the Educational…
Fact Sheet
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OBBB Delivers Historic Expansion of Educational Choice, Sweeping Reforms
Harrisburg, Pa., July 3, 2025 — After much anticipation and debate, the One Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB) is now passed and set to be enacted—delivering policy accomplishments that Pennsylvanians can celebrate:…
Press Release
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Don’t Let Randi Weingarten Fool You: Government Unions Are in lockstep with Democrats
Originally published by Bucks County Independence. Are government union leaders and the Democratic Party about to divorce? Two prominent union leaders — Randi Weingarten of…
Media Hit
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No More Blank Checks for Broken Systems
Originally published by PennLive. As the deadline looms, Pennsylvania lawmakers are nowhere near reaching an agreement on the state budget. This uncertainty in Harrisburg revolves around…
Media Hit
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Six Reasons Why Hold Harmless is Anything But for Kids
Hold harmless is a policy that guarantees school districts the same amount of funding as they had in the prior year, regardless of fluctuations in enrollment. This means that public school…
Blog
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