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
Pennsylvania Education Spending Trends
Pennsylvania school districts spent $26.1 billion in 2013-14, an all-time high, according to the latest data from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This represents a $600 million increase from 2012-13.
Memo
Read More: Pennsylvania Education Spending TrendsEducation
Redesigning Government to Balance State and Local Budgets
Pennsylvania taxpayers shoulder the 15th highest state and local tax burden in the country. Consequently, the Keystone State has seen an exodus of working people. Unsustainable growth in…
Memo
Read More: Redesigning Government to Balance State and Local BudgetsEducation
Groundhog Day: Wolf Demands Millions More for Education
When Punxsutawney Phil casts a shadow, Pennsylvanians expect a long winter. When Gov. Wolf issues a press release, Pennsylvanians expect a massive tax hike. How fitting that Wolf…
Media
Read More: Groundhog Day: Wolf Demands Millions More for EducationEducation
Myth vs. Fact as Wolf Announces Education Plans
Myth vs. Fact as Wolf Announces Education Plans Pa. Spends $3,400 More Per Student than the National Average February 2, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today at 2 p.m., Gov. Wolf…
Press Release
Read More: Myth vs. Fact as Wolf Announces Education PlansEducation
Open Floodgates of School Choice in Philadelphia
How can we expect any single school - public, private, or home school—to adequately serve the unique needs of every student who passes through its doors? We can't—and we don't have…
Commentary
Read More: Open Floodgates of School Choice in PhiladelphiaEducation
Evaluating Pennsylvania’s Charter School Law
In 2015, several states took action to improve the functionality of their public charter school laws. Unfortunately for Pennsylvania’s 130,000 charter students—as well as the thousands of students on currently…
Media
Read More: Evaluating Pennsylvania’s Charter School LawEducation
Wolf’s $3 Billion Education Cut
Upon finally approving the majority of a state budget, Gov. Tom Wolf admonished the General Assembly for “cutting $95 million from public schools.” Yet it is the governor himself who…
Media
Read More: Wolf’s $3 Billion Education CutEducation
Do Record-High Graduation Rates Matter?
In America’s high schools, test scores are stagnant while graduation rates are soaring. How can both be true? A December press release from the Department of Education…
Media
Read More: Do Record-High Graduation Rates Matter?Education
Freedom on the Horizon for Pa. Teachers?
How much money will you have to pay a private political organization just to keep your job this year? If this question sounds ridiculous, that’s because it is—unless you…
Commentary
Read More: Freedom on the Horizon for Pa. Teachers?Education
Governor Wolf’s Budget Hostages
Tom Wolf finally admitted he held school children hostage in hopes of higher taxes: “We're now at a point where I don't want to hold the children of Pennsylvania hostage.” But…
Media
Read More: Governor Wolf’s Budget HostagesEducation
Wolf’s Newest Education Funding Scheme
When Gov. Wolf finally agreed to sign the majority of an emergency funding bill, it remained unclear how his administration would distribute the increased education funding approved by the…
Media
Read More: Wolf’s Newest Education Funding SchemeEducation
Wolf Misleads About Education “Cuts”
On Christmas Eve, Gov. Tom Wolf posted a blog attacking Republicans and the “extremist” budget now sitting on his desk—which passed the Senate on a bipartisan 33-17 vote. Wolf…
Media
Read More: Wolf Misleads About Education “Cuts”Education
Students Need Scholarships, Not Sympathy
Gov. Tom Wolf’s insistence on higher taxes blocks state funding from school districts and jeopardizes private school scholarships for thousands of low- and middle-income students.
Media
Read More: Students Need Scholarships, Not SympathyEducation
Wolf’s School Funding Cuts
In a nutshell, Gov. Tom Wolf’s guiding philosophy on education reform is to spend more money on public schools. Embracing the repeatedly-debunked myth of education cuts under the previous…
Media
Read More: Wolf’s School Funding CutsEducation
Tax Shifts and Education Spending
As proposals to reduce, reform, or (mostly) eliminate school property taxes continue to be debated in Harrisburg, many readers have asked about our position on a dollar-for-dollar tax shift,…
Media
Read More: Tax Shifts and Education SpendingEducation
Philly Union Priorities: Politics over Teachers
How would you feel if your employer took funds meant for your health insurance and spent them on partisan politics? Sadly, this is a reality for thousands of teachers in…
Media
Read More: Philly Union Priorities: Politics over TeachersEducation
For Property Tax Relief, Give Voters Control
Should voters have the right to approve property tax increases? This is a central point of contention within a rumored budget framework that purports to provide Pennsylvanians with property tax…
Media
Read More: For Property Tax Relief, Give Voters ControlEducation
Cyber Schools: Serving an Important Need
In light of stagnating achievement among K-12 students, the last thing Pennsylvania should do is crack down on alternative educational options. Yet a growing chorus says 35,000 students enrolled…
Media
Read More: Cyber Schools: Serving an Important NeedEducation
Another Education Spending Record?
The conventional wisdom in Harrisburg suggests Gov. Wolf is nearing an agreement with the legislature on a state budget. The specific details remain largely unclear, although it appears the…
Media
Read More: Another Education Spending Record?Education
For Latinos, Education is Key to Success
For the Hispanic community, education is the key to making the American Dream a reality. Yet far too many Latinos remain victims of their ZIP code and socio-economic status when it…
Commentary
Read More: For Latinos, Education is Key to SuccessEducation
Sobering Results on The Nation’s Report Card
Over the last quarter century, national education scores in both reading and math have modestly trended upward—until this year. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) recently released its biannual…
Media
Read More: Sobering Results on The Nation’s Report Card