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
New Report: Demand for Tax Credit Scholarships Rises as Wait Lists Grow
Rising, unmet demand for EITC and OSTC programs necessitates expanded educational choice options like Lifeline Scholarships. Harrisburg, Pa., February 26, 2025 — Demand for school choice scholarships…
Press Release
Read More: New Report: Demand for Tax Credit Scholarships Rises as Wait Lists GrowEducation
Record Tax Credit Scholarship Waiting List Shows Growing Demand for Education Options
Summary Pennsylvania scholarship organizations awarded a record 85,570 K–12 scholarships through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) in the 2022-23 school year. The average…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Record Tax Credit Scholarship Waiting List Shows Growing Demand for Education OptionsEducation
Pennsylvania Public Schools are Failing — and More Money Won’t Help
Originally published by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Imagine bringing home a report card full of Ds and Fs. How would your parents react? Also, would this be a good time…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania Public Schools are Failing — and More Money Won’t HelpEducation
Pennsylvania Public Schools: Nation’s Report Card 2024
Summary Despite $4.1 billion in education funding increases over the last four years, Pennsylvania public schools did not rank in the top 10 for any category…
Fact Sheet
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Audit Shows Pennsylvania Cyber Charter Schools are Fiscally Responsible
Cyber charter schools need reserve funds to ensure their continued operation despite fluctuations in their unpredictable funding. CORRECTION: A previous version of this release incorrectly stated that the fund…
Press Release
Read More: Audit Shows Pennsylvania Cyber Charter Schools are Fiscally ResponsibleEducation
Three Things Missing from Shapiro’s Budget
Most commentary about Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget address focuses on what’s in his 2025–26 proposal. But what did the governor leave out? School Choice Shapiro, once again, omitted any reference…
Blog
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No Choice
Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer. In a recent Inquirer article, Donna Cooper, executive director of Children First, stated that “the overwhelming majority of parents choose public schools.”…
Media Hit
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Commonwealth Foundation’s Nathan Benefield Releases Analysis of the Governor’s 2025 Budget Proposal
Harrisburg, PA, February 4, 2025 – Massive spending increases proposed by Gov. Josh Shapiro in his recently released 2025 budget proposal “will force extreme tax hikes on working families in the coming…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation’s Nathan Benefield Releases Analysis of the Governor’s 2025 Budget ProposalEducation
Governor Shapiro’s 2025 Budget Proposal: An Extreme Spending Binge
Overview Gov. Josh Shapiro’s radical overspending exacerbates what is already a massive budget deficit. His plan imposes new taxes this year and will force extreme tax hikes on working families…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Governor Shapiro’s 2025 Budget Proposal: An Extreme Spending BingeEducation
Governor Shapiro’s Massive Budget Brings Excessive Spending, New Taxes, and Future Tax Hikes
Video statements for broadcast media are available here. Harrisburg, Pa., February 4, 2025 — Today, Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered his 2025 Pennsylvania budget address, proposing a $3.9 billion spending increase.
Press Release
Read More: Governor Shapiro’s Massive Budget Brings Excessive Spending, New Taxes, and Future Tax HikesEducation
Commonwealth Foundation Applauds President Trump’s Executive Order to Expand Educational Opportunity
Harrisburg, Pa., January 30, 2025 — President Donald Trump, on Wednesday, issued an executive order to expand educational opportunity for families. While the details of this order remain in…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Applauds President Trump’s Executive Order to Expand Educational OpportunityEducation
How Gov. Josh Shapiro Should Address the Pennsylvania Budget
On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro will deliver his annual budget address. In this speech, the governor will lay out his economic vision for Pennsylvania. Though we don’t know what’s in…
Blog
Read More: How Gov. Josh Shapiro Should Address the Pennsylvania BudgetEducation
Pennsylvania’s Students Fall Behind in Math and Reading, Despite $4.1 Billion School Funding Boost
Harrisburg, Pa., January 29, 2025 – The Nation’s Report Card, released this morning by the U.S. Department of Education, showed that 69% of Pennsylvania 8th grade students aren’t…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Students Fall Behind in Math and Reading, Despite $4.1 Billion School Funding BoostEducation
Here’s some friendly advice to the new Pennsylvania general assembly
Originally published at The Patriot-News Pennsylvania lawmakers swore their oath of office in Harrisburg, and a new legislative session is upon us. As two former…
Media Hit
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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…
Backgrounder
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S2: E11 Featuring President of National School Choice Week Andrew Campanella
What if you could revolutionize your child’s education with just one decision? As we wrap up Season 2, guest host Guy Ciarrocchi sits down with Andrew Campanella, President of National…
Podcast
Read More: S2: E11 Featuring President of National School Choice Week Andrew CampanellaEducation
How Pennsylvania House Democrats may derail Shapiro’s national ambitions
Originally published at Broad + Liberty The 2024 election may be over, but it is safe to bet that Gov. Josh Shapiro — whose national ambitions are well known…
Media Hit
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Allentown students need more than strategic plans, they need choices
Originally published at The Morning Call The future for Allentown students is so bright they better wear shades. At least, that was the overarching theme of a recent public…
Media Hit
Read More: Allentown students need more than strategic plans, they need choicesEducation
Philadelphia public schools have an antisemitism problem — where does Shapiro stand?
Originally published at The Mercury An unsettling report dropped over the holiday break. The civil rights division of the U.S. Department of Education found that Jewish…
Media Hit
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S2: E10 Featuring Marc Magee CEO and Founder of 50CAN
In this episode of the School Choice Report, guest host Rachel Langan, Senior Policy Analyst at the Commonwealth Foundation, is joined by Marc Magee, CEO and Founder of 50CAN. Together,…
Podcast
Read More: S2: E10 Featuring Marc Magee CEO and Founder of 50CANEducation
Pennsylvania is Now the Bellwether on Democrats’ Future
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania The Keystone State was expected to be the bellwether on November 5th, and it didn’t disappoint. Not only did Donald Trump carry Pennsylvania …
Media Hit
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