Education
The High Cost of Pa. K–12 Education Failures
Key Points The cost and risk of failure in our K–12 system is high. Low academic achievement is a predictor of lower lifetime incomes and higher costs for taxpayers. On…
Read More: The High Cost of Pa. K–12 Education FailuresPennsylvania’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
Don’t write off vouchers
Robert Enlow in USA Today on the merits of school voucher programs. Enlow is providing the counterpoint to a piece arguing for moving away from the push for…
Media
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PHEAA must pay legal fees
The Commonwealth Court ruled that PHEAA must pay $48,000 in legal fees to the AP, WTAE TV, and the Patriot News for “wanton disregard in withholding public records”:…
Media
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Budget Preview
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story previews Rendell’s budget proposal, including “Rebuilding Pennsylvania”, involving a three-year, $860 million ($287/year average) in new spending on infrastructure, mostly through new borrowing. He also promises…
Media
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Voucher foes hurt poor kids
Editorial in the Chicago Sun Times on President Bush’s “Pell Grants for Kids” and the unions’ mindless rhetoric denouncing school choice.
Media
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Is School Choice Enough?
A interesting discussion on City Journal on the subject of school choice. The discussion in a response to an article by Sol Stern implying that school choice advocates…
Media
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Vinsanity at PHEAA
Vince Fumo came to the defense of excesses at PHEAA, demaninding that the Auditor General stop auditing. Jan Murphy of the Patriot News has the story. Fumo contends that…
Media
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Good day for school choice in PA
The Commonwealth Court ruled that Chester-Upland school district could not limit the number of students enrolling in charter schools. Read the Philadelphia Inquirer story. About 40% of Chester-Upland student…
Media
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(Not) A closer look at Cyber Schools
IssuesPA has a new article on Cyber School Funding. They claim to provide “a closer look at the ongoing debate”, but don’t look any closer than quoting what some…
Media
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Cyber School Students Deserve Equal Treatment
HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation called on the House Education Committee to treat all public school students equally, whether they attend traditional district schools or cyber public…
Press Release
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Cyber School Students Deserve Adequate Funding
Thank you, Chairman Roebuck and members of this committee for inviting us to speak today. My name is Nathan Benefield, I am the Director of Policy Research with the…
Commentary
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Public Cyber Schools Save Taxpayers Money: Rendell/Zahorchak proposal would increase taxes, reduce public school choice
HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation issued a response to Pennsylvania Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak’s proposal to reduce funding to the Commonwealth’s public cyber charter schools.
Press Release
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The Public Schools Edifice Complex
How much money should a school receive for a student it no longer has to educate? And, is taxpayer money being wisely spent on classroom instruction or school construction? Those…
Commentary
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The Dollars and Sense of School Choice
Introduction Every year, most Pennsylvania homeowners receive larger property tax bills due to increases in public school spending. In the nine school years from 1997 to 2006, school property taxes…
Fact Sheet
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Celebrating Freedom and School Choice: Honoring Dr. Milton Friedman
HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation and the REACH Foundation will honor Nobel Laureate economist Dr. Milton Friedman as part of the national Friedman Legacy for Freedom campaign on July…
Press Release
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Edifice Complex: Where Has All the Money Gone?
From the 1986-87 to 2005-06 school years, taxpayer spending on Pennsylvania’s government-run K-12 schools increased from $6.6 billion to almost $22 billion—a 72% increase after adjusting for inflation. Between…
Report
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The Truth About Cyber Schools
An increasing number of parents are choosing Pennsylvania’s public cyber charter schools for their children every year—enrollment grew from 1,848 to almost 16,000 students between 2001 and 2006. Cyber…
Commentary
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The Public School Edifice Complex: New report assesses spending on buildings vs. instruction
HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation released a policy report, Edifice Complex: Where Has All the Money Gone?, which examines the spending in public education in Pennsylvania and the…
Press Release
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Count the Costs of Pre-K Counts
Academic and financial costs of taxpayer-funded preschool questioned, alternatives proposed at news conference HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation joined with a coalition of organizations to call on lawmakers…
Press Release
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Taxpayer-Funded, Universal Preschool in Pennsylvania: Benefits Questioned
The push toward taxpayer-funded preschool for every child in Pennsylvania continues with Governor Rendell’s budget proposal for the 2007-08 fiscal year. The Governor wants $75 million for “Pre-K Counts,” which…
Fact Sheet
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Taxpayer-Funded Preschool: Count the Costs
Governor Ed Rendell’s budget proposal for the 2007-08 fiscal year includes $75 million for “Pre-K Counts”—a taxpayer-funded program which would provide grants to school districts, Head Start programs, and government-approved…
Fact Sheet
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Public School Students Benefit from Private Managers
The Philadelphia School Reform Commission soon will be voting on a budget for the school district. Facing a projected budget deficit, the Commission is looking for ways to reduce costs,…
Commentary
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