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
In Education Debate, Let’s Fund Students not Districts
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 In Education Debate, Let’s Fund Students not Districts Current System Favors Shrinking Districts at Growing Districts' Expense December 4,…
Press Release
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A Smarter Way to Fund Students
Imagine writing a large check for a new car and finding out a year later that it fails safety tests, won’t pass inspection, and needs thousands in repairs. You’d probably…
Commentary
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A Shoddy Attack on Charters
My letter to the editor of the Philadelphia Daily News takes issue with the paper’s recent characterization of charter schools as “fiscal monsters.” The Daily News editorial…
Media
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Is Second Worst Good Enough for York Students?
The second lowest-performing school district in Pennsylvania is asking for more time to improve but refusing recommended reforms. Unfortunately, more time is not something students and families in York City…
Commentary
Read More: Is Second Worst Good Enough for York Students?Education
Step Forward for School Choice
Geronda Montalvo did not want to send her daughter Zayda to the low-achieving schools in her neighborhood. Thanks to an Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) scholarship, Zayda is thriving at…
Media
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Can Your Family Bear the Burden of Tax Increases?
Can you afford to lose the equivalent of a mortgage payment? How about four? Given a possible 188 percent increase in the state income tax rate to pay for Tom…
Commentary
Read More: Can Your Family Bear the Burden of Tax Increases?Education
Victory for Student Safety
In an important step for safety in the classroom, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a bill that will put an end to the abhorrent practice of “passing the…
Media
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Video: There’s No Magic Money Tree
From education to health care to public pensions, it seems like the answer to every problem—for some—is always more spending. But where does that money come from? And why doesn’t…
Media
Read More: Video: There’s No Magic Money TreeEducation
Audio: PFT Fails Students, Teachers & the Poor
Matt Brouillette and other members of Commonwealth Foundation were on the ground at the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) protest yesterday, handing out fliers and letting teachers know how PFT…
Media
Read More: Audio: PFT Fails Students, Teachers & the PoorEducation
How the PFT Fails Philadelphia
By standing in the way of tens of millions of new dollars for Philadelphia classrooms, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) has revealed its true identity—a self-interested,…
Media
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How PFT Fails Philadelphia Students, Teachers & the Poor
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 PFT Leaders Use Students & Teachers as Pawns in a Political Game Leaders Block Millions of Dollars from the…
Press Release
Read More: How PFT Fails Philadelphia Students, Teachers & the PoorEducation
How PFT Fails Phila. Students & Teachers Revealed at Union Rally Tomorrow
PFT’s Failings Highlighted at Union Rally Tomorrow Union Leaders Playing Politics with Children’s Futures At tomorrow’s union rally in Philadelphia, Commonwealth Foundation will be distributing informational fliers to…
Press Release
Read More: How PFT Fails Phila. Students & Teachers Revealed at Union Rally TomorrowEducation
York Schools Can Send a Lifeline to Kids
The York City school board is considering an intriguing proposal to turn over some of its schools to a charter operator to compete with the remaining city schools (if the…
Media
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York Schools Rank 499th of 500 in Achievement, Change is Overdue
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 York School District’s Student Achievement still at Rock Bottom Despite Funding Increases Spends $656 more per Student than…
Press Release
Read More: York Schools Rank 499th of 500 in Achievement, Change is OverdueEducation
Assessing the Cost of Tom Wolf’s Spending and Tax Proposals
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Wolf has proposed several new spending initiatives and tax code changes, though specific details remain lacking. To give Pennsylvanians a better idea of the impact of these proposals,…
Memo
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Analysis: Wolf’s “Fresh Start” Plan Requires Huge Tax Increases
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Wolf’s $4.6 Billion in New Education Spending Would Require Doubling State Income Tax Analysis Reveals PA Families Face…
Press Release
Read More: Analysis: Wolf’s “Fresh Start” Plan Requires Huge Tax IncreasesEducation
PFT/AFT: Politics Before Health Care
The recent decision by the Philadelphia School Reform Commission (SRC) to cancel the school district’s contract with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT)—and require teachers to pay up to 13…
Media
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Lawmakers Vote Today – Educate Students at a Fraction of the Cost
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Scholarship Programs Already Saved School Districts Nearly a Billion Dollars EITC and OSTC Save Money While Improving Education Outcomes…
Press Release
Read More: Lawmakers Vote Today – Educate Students at a Fraction of the CostEducation
Union-Backed Report Rife with Hypocrisy
Three union-affiliated groups released a report alleging that Pennsylvania charter schools defrauded taxpayers to the tune of $30 million since 1997. Predictably, this story has been greeted…
Media
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School Funding Doublespeak
How can school funding be “slashed” yet “technically rise”? Take a look at this excerpt from a recent article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, (emphasis mine): Education funding to…
Media
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Charter Schools Promote Segregation? Not So!
My letter to the editor in the Lehigh Valley Express Times refutes a claim that charter schools are promoting racial segregation: A recent article cites claims by…
Media
Read More: Charter Schools Promote Segregation? Not So!