Education
The kids are not all right
Originally published at Broad + Liberty Our children’s test scores are down. They haven’t even reached pre-Covid levels, which wasn’t anything to brag about then. And the students are…
Read More: The kids are not all rightEducation is the first stepping-stone on the path to success, but Pennsylvania students face severe inequality among public school districts. Thousands who can’t afford private school are trapped in failing schools or situations that aren’t the right fit. The solution to this crisis is school choice. By offering families options outside their zip code-assigned district schools, students are better able to find their path to success. Charter schools, tax credit scholarships, education savings accounts (ESAs), homeschooling, and other types of education choice must become a priority in Pennsylvania.
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Education
PA Families Need Two School Choice Victories
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. The following month could determine whether tens of thousands of Pennsylvania students get ahead—or continue to fall behind. That’s the reality as both Congress and…
Media Hit
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What Happens in Philly Schools’ “Rubber Rooms”?
Originally published by the Philadelphia Citizen. What happens in Philadelphia schools stays in Philadelphia schools—or so it seems based on the District’s lack of transparency. As The…
Media Hit
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Educational Choice Myth and Facts 2025
Summary Unfortunately, conversations about education choice are fraught with myths about accountability, funding, and who qualifies for choice programs. This fact sheet addresses the most common myths. Academic Accountability MYTH:School…
Fact Sheet
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Public Schools Increased Spending to $23,000 Per Student, Ballooned Reserves While Enrollment Declined
Harrisburg, Pa., May 15, 2025 — Pennsylvania school districts increased overall revenue collected in 2023–24 to $23,000 per student, while expanding general fund reserves to $7.4 billion, according to new…
Press Release
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Pennsylvania School Funding Reaches $23,000 per Student in 2024
Pennsylvania Public School Spending is Growing Public school spending reaches historic levels year after year. Pennsylvania public school revenue per student increased to $23,061 in the 2023-24 school year, up…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania School Funding Reaches $23,000 per Student in 2024Education
Educational Choice for Children Act
Federal legislation supporting educational opportunities for K–12 students in Pennsylvania. Update: The 2025 budget reconciliation legislation, which the U.S. House of Representatives passed on May 22, 2025, includes…
Fact Sheet
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Senate Education Committee Approves Bipartisan PASS Scholarships, Offering Lifeline to Students in Need
Harrisburg, Pa., May 6, 2025—Today, the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee approved legislation to establish Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS) Scholarships. Similar to the popular Lifeline Scholarship proposal, PASS would…
Press Release
Read More: Senate Education Committee Approves Bipartisan PASS Scholarships, Offering Lifeline to Students in NeedEducation
PASS/Lifeline Scholarship Program
Overview Two proposals—Senate Bill 10, the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program (PASS), and forthcoming Lifeline Scholarship legislation in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives—are separate but similar…
Fact Sheet
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Andrew Lewis on ‘This Week in Pennsylvania’
Andrew Lewis, Commonwealth Foundation’s President & CEO, joined Dennis Owens to discuss the education and energy policies that will empower all Pennsylvanians to thrive. Lewis called on Governor Josh…
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Josh Shapiro Keeps Betraying Poor Pennsylvania Children
Originally published by The Wall Street Journal. Immanuel Christian School is in dire straits, but not for lack of students who want to go there. Demand is high for the…
Media Hit
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Gov. Shapiro’s appearance on ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ smacked of unreality
Originally published by Lancaster Online. On the March 14 episode of “Real Time With Bill Maher,” Gov. Josh Shapiro gave an unreal performance — literally. Indeed,…
Media Hit
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Pennsylvanians Shouldn’t Worry About Education Dept.
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. The U.S. Department of Education might be going away—and it’s the right move—one that returns control to the states. Closing the…
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Shadow School Choice: When Public Schools Turn Students Away
Summary The School District of Philadelphia outsources special education to private schools when the district is unable to meet the student’s special education needs. The U.S. Department of Education guarantees…
Fact Sheet
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Shapiro Is Ignoring Students Trying to Escape Failing Schools
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. According to the Nation’s Report Card, nearly 70% of Pennsylvania’s eighth-graders can’t read or do math at grade level. Results are…
Media Hit
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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 …
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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
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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…
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