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
Political Hit Job on Cyber Charter Schools
Originally published by TribLive. Forget better schools. Apparently, Pennsylvania students need fewer schools, even if that means hurting the kids who need the most help. That’s effectively the message…
Media Hit
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Pennsylvania Education Myths
Summary Conversations about education in Pennsylvania are fraught with myths, including the notions that Pennsylvania public schools remain underfunded, nonpublic options and school choice programs lack accountability, private schools only…
Fact Sheet
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Don’t Punish Cyber Charters for Being Fiscally Responsible
Originally published on RealClearPennsylvania. Pennsylvania cyber charter schools are under attack for—of all things—not wastefully spending taxpayer money. The Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General recently …
Media Hit
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These Pennsylvania Scholarships Help Kids Escape Failing Schools. But They Are Not Enough.
Pennsylvania once was a national leader in school choice programs. The commonwealth’s two tax-credit scholarships—the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity…
Blog
Read More: These Pennsylvania Scholarships Help Kids Escape Failing Schools. But They Are Not Enough.Education
Senate Republicans School Shapiro Administration, Stand up for Students and Taxpayers
Harrisburg, Pa., February 27, 2025 — Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee heard testimony from Pennsylvania Department of Education Acting Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed education spending…
Press Release
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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