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
Friendly Mis-Fire on School Choice
In a column, Chris Freind attacked Senate Bill 1, the Piccola-Williams “Opportunity Scholarship Act.” Having obviously neglected to tune into our webcast on SB 1 with Sen. Piccola,…
Media
Read More: Friendly Mis-Fire on School ChoiceEducation
Sen. Piccola and Matt Brouillette Discuss School Choice in PA
If you missed our webcast discussing Senate Bill 1 and school choice with Sen. Jeff Piccola, you can watch a replay here.
Media
Read More: Sen. Piccola and Matt Brouillette Discuss School Choice in PAEducation
New Ad Takes on Teacher Unions
A new full page advertisement for school choice is appearing in newspapers throughout the state this week. Cutting straight to the point, the ad goes after teacher unions and school…
Media
Read More: New Ad Takes on Teacher UnionsEducation
Does School Choice Violate The Pennsylvania Constitution?
Good video from PA Independent on the Constitutionality of school vouchers in Pennsylvania, with Dick Komer, a senior attorney with the Institute for Justice.
Media
Read More: Does School Choice Violate The Pennsylvania Constitution?Education
Parents Need Choices & Control of Their Children’s Education
Almost 40,000 students used an EITC scholarship last year—with an average value of $1,000—to attend a better or safer school. The average annual family income for these students was only…
Commentary
Read More: Parents Need Choices & Control of Their Children’s EducationEducation
Has More Money Improved School District Performance?
A recent study by the 21st Century Partnership for STEM Education (STEM is short for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, which is a good cause to use an acronym)…
Media
Read More: Has More Money Improved School District Performance?Education
PSBA’s Web of Lies on School Vouchers
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), in a desperate attempt to preserve the status quo in education, has launched a new portal, VoucherWatch. Of the many pieces of misinformation…
Media
Read More: PSBA’s Web of Lies on School VouchersEducation
To These People, Gov. Corbett’s “C” Word Is an Epithet
Well. It sounds like the media and the educational establishment interpreted Gov. Tom Corbett’s inaugural address the same way I did. Since his inauguration, there has been a bunch…
Media
Read More: To These People, Gov. Corbett’s “C” Word Is an EpithetEducation
The Right Thing
I am infamous in the Commonwealth Foundation office and in my family for being old fashioned. There is a litany of reasons: I wear ties a lot. I even own…
Media
Read More: The Right ThingEducation
What the PHEAA is Going On?
The Patriot News reports that former Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) boss Michael Hershock got $200,000 in a settlement over his 2009 firing. To recap, he was fired…
Media
Read More: What the PHEAA is Going On?Education
80 Ideas for a Prosperous Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania must undergo a rapid transformation to reverse the poor policy decisions that have eroded economic freedoms and brought the state to its present condition. To provide a roadmap for…
Report
Read More: 80 Ideas for a Prosperous PennsylvaniaEducation
How Corbett can Balance the Budget without Raising Taxes
Even before Gov.-elect Tom Corbett raises his right hand high Tuesday swearing to tackle the problems left from the previous administration's tax-borrow-and-spend agenda, doubters are lining up to take potshots…
Commentary
Read More: How Corbett can Balance the Budget without Raising TaxesEducation
Success Makes School Choice Take Top Priority
Senators Jeffrey Piccola and Anthony Williams announced The Opportunity Scholarship Act, which expands school choice in Pennsylvania by creating a voucher program for low-income students and increases the state’s…
Media
Read More: Success Makes School Choice Take Top PriorityEducation
More Bad News for Minority Students in Philadelphia Public Schools
How are African-American males faring in Philadelphia public schools? According to a report recently released by the Council of Great City Schools, not very well. The report, “A Call…
Media
Read More: More Bad News for Minority Students in Philadelphia Public SchoolsEducation
Report: School Choice Could Save PA Tax Dollars
The Foundation for Educational Choice has a new analysis out, suggesting that the federal “Race to the Top” (RTTP) funding from the stimulus bill should be used to…
Media
Read More: Report: School Choice Could Save PA Tax DollarsEducation
School Choice Push Extends Nationwide
Pennsylvania Governor-elect Tom Corbett has indicated strong support support for school choice, but he won’t be alone in the fight. Joining him in this push is Governor-elect…
Media
Read More: School Choice Push Extends NationwideEducation
PA School Districts Creating Online Options in Response to Cyber Schools
As reported in the Valley News Dispatch, Pennsylvania school districts continue to add online options in response to students leaving for public cyber schools. Two things to…
Media
Read More: PA School Districts Creating Online Options in Response to Cyber SchoolsEducation
Choosing Schools
Recently, Bruno Manno in Education Week explains that approximately 29 million students are enrolled in the school of their choice (free registration required). This means that over 50…
Media
Read More: Choosing SchoolsEducation
What to Do About Teacher Strikes
Pennsylvania once again led the nation in teacher strikes. Although only 13 states permit them, Pennsylvania tops the chart again as more students are deprived of up to 180…
Media
Read More: What to Do About Teacher StrikesEducation
PSEA Up to Their Old Tricks
I’ve dealt with teachers’ unions for a lot of years in a lot of states in my on-going efforts to bring greater educational options to students and parents, and one…
Media
Read More: PSEA Up to Their Old TricksEducation
Why Do PA College Grads Have so Much Debt?
Pennsylvania college grads are accumulating staggering levels of debt—higher than the national average. Sunday’s Tribune-Review reports the all-too-common story of young college grads tens of thousands of dollars in…
Media
Read More: Why Do PA College Grads Have so Much Debt?