Education
2025 State of Education Spending in Pennsylvania
Overview The national trends impacting education in Pennsylvania in 2025 include an impending fiscal cliff, under-enrolled schools, and population decline, all of which lead to school closures…
Read More: 2025 State of Education Spending in PennsylvaniaPennsylvania’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
Remembering Paul Henkels
Paul Henckels, chaiman of the REACH Foundation and a leader in the school choice movement in Pennsylvania, passed away late last week. Please find the news release from…
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Plan to Reform Public Education
The Washington Policy Center recently released its Education Reform Plan for the Washington school system. It highlights the failure of the current program: Nearly one-third of Washington public…
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School district consolidation unlikely to cut cost
Over at School Board Transparency blog, Fred Baldwin writes that consolidating school districts (to county wide districts) is unlikely to result in substantial cost savings – that is…
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Lesson from Pittsburgh: Low standards Hurt Students
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article covers how the Pittsburgh Public Schools administration is trying to defend its policy of a 50% minimum grade (HT GrassrootsPA), But…
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The PSEA: A Worm in the Apple
Every taxpayer in the Commonwealth should be aware of the influence and agenda of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA). Despite its name, the organization’s top priority is not educating…
Commentary
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Film: A Stone’s Throw
Our sister think tank, the Mississippi Center for Public Policy, recently released “A Stone’s Throw.” The film documents the frustrations of parents in Mississippi–a state notorious for its low…
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Human Capital Contracts: The Future of Higher Ed Funding?
National Center for Policy Analysis summarize the idea of “human capital contracts” to finance student’s higher education costs. Essentially these contracts constitute agreeing to pay a set percentage of…
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Scholarships for Student Conference on Liberty
Students For Liberty (a non-profit organization dedicated to liberty) will host their 2009 International Students For Liberty Conference from February 20-22nd at George Washington University, Washington, D.C. The…
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Why Pennsylvania leads the nation in teacher walkouts
The Wall Street Journal features an article on teacher strikes in Pennsylvania, noting that the Keystone State leads the nation in school employees strikes. The piece cites a…
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School Choice Benefits Students and Taxpayers
Bob Maranto is featured in the Inquirer today writing on why Philadelphia needs charter schools: The academic data provided by No Child Left Behind…
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Failing Science
The Patriot News has a story on the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s news release that almost two-thirds of Pennsylvania’s 11th grade students are not proficient in science. The…
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High Costs of Higher Education: Reforming How Pennsylvania Taxpayers Finance Colleges and Universities
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has long been considered a leader in higher education, touting a publicly supported system that includes community colleges, state, state-related, and state-aided universities. However, as with…
Fact Sheet
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Higher Costs of Higher Education
New report diagnoses skyrocketing PA college tuition, prescribes remedy for lower costs HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation today released Higher Costs of Higher Education: Reforming how Pennsylvania Taxpayers Finance…
Press Release
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“F” for Affordability
Today, the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education released its National Report Card on Higher Education. The report surveyed…
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High Tech Higher Ed
The Washington Monthly ran an article by Kevin Carey of Education Sector last week on the effects of technology on higher education. Carey illustrates how one professor established…
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What’s Wrong With Pennsylvania Higher Education
In the midst of rising tuition, dwindling tax revenue, and a recession, the presidents of 13 state-owned colleges are collectively receiving $147,427 in raises, which would equal tuition for 27…
Commentary
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Compulsory unionism doesn’t benefit teachers, students, or taxpayers
PSEA Head honcho James Testerman has a response to a Tribune-Review editorial which called for making PA a right to work state – citing our report on…
Media
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We’re Number One! In Teacher Strikes…still
The Allegheny Institute, one of our sister think tanks, posted a brief about teacher strikes. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania maintains its reputation of being the “teacher strike capital” of the world.
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Hope for me, but not for thee
Cross posted on Capital Domes. It seems Washington, D.C., is atwitter over President-elect Barack Obama’s first major decision. No, it’s not which cabinet post Hillary will get.
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Charter schools produce graduates, cost less
Jay P. Greene’s blog points to a couple of recent studies on charter schools. The first one (link to full study here) shows that charter schools in Florida…
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Pennsylvania State Education Association: Compelling Teachers, Marginalizing Students, Lobbying Politicians & Increasing Taxes
Originally founded as the Pennsylvania State Teachers Association in 1852, the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) has transformed itself from a professional development organization for educators into one of the…
Fact Sheet
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