Education 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.

Education

Can School Choice Solve “Lunch Shaming”?

  • August 1, 2019

On July 9th, Wyoming Valley West School District in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania took reckless steps in “lunch shaming” hundreds of students and ordering repayment of their student meal debts. …

Media

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Education

Students Lose in the “City of Champions”

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • July 29, 2019

Pittsburgh Pirates fans recently gathered at PNC Park to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1979 World Series Championship. When it comes to sports, people in the “City of Champions”…

Media

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Education

Tax Hoarders Strike Again

  • Marc LeBlond
  • July 25, 2019

Last month Governor Wolf vetoed House Bill 800, which could have opened new educational opportunities to 50,000 low- to middle-income students. The legislation sailed through both chambers and would have…

Media

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Education

Last Rites for Blaine Amendments?

  • July 22, 2019

The election of President John F. Kennedy was a milestone that went a long way in sealing the tomb on anti-Catholic sentiments. With the election of an Irishman from Massachusetts,…

Media

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Education

How to Help Harrisburg Students, Right Now

  • July 16, 2019

There’s plenty of fights and rule-breaking going on in Harrisburg School District. But I’m not talking about the kids: it’s the adults who perpetrate this conflict and corruption. Meanwhile, the…

Media

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Criminal Justice Reform

School Choice on Behalf of Pa.’s Poorest Should Be a Bipartisan Issue

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • July 14, 2019

In Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and throughout the country, Republicans and Democrats have come together to pass smart criminal justice reforms that help people achieve independence and prosperity…

Media

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Education

Getting Real About Education Spending

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • July 8, 2019

Another budget season has come and gone in Harrisburg.  As usual, education spending was one of the hottest topics. Constant demands for “more money” by teachers’ unions and their…

Media

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Education

Kids Claim Victory in Pa. Budget

  • Marc LeBlond
  • July 2, 2019

Thanks to school choice heroes like Speaker Mike Turzai and Senator Mike Regan, Pennsylvania students will benefit from a $30 million increase in tax credit scholarships. The agreed upon…

Media

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Education

Students Need Scholarships, Not Vetoes

  • Charles Mitchell
  • June 27, 2019

While the governor has repeatedly voiced support for freeing students from zip code-assigned schools that aren’t meeting their needs, he vetoed a sorely needed expansion of Pennsylvania’s scholarship…

Commentary

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Education

Common EITC and OSTC Misconceptions

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • June 26, 2019

“A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.” This saying is even more true in the internet age. Case in point: recent falsehoods…

Media

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Education

How Many Kids Should We Save?

  • Marc LeBlond
  • June 25, 2019

Last week, local mom Thalia McClenton visited the Capitol to tell her tax credit scholarship story. Thalia’s sons attend Harrisburg Catholic Elementary School thanks to scholarship funding. Thalia explained:…

Media

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Education

Five Things Lawmakers Should Know About the State Budget Deal

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 25, 2019

Less than a week before the start of the 2019-20 fiscal year, legislative leaders unveiled a proposed state budget—including both the spending and revenue outline, and several policy changes that…

Media

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Education

Pennsylvania Kids Need School Choice Heroes

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • June 21, 2019

I must confess, my superhero education is lacking. Much to the chagrin of my children, I don’t know the difference between DC and Marvel or the characters in each universe.

Media

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Education

New Report: Education Tax Credits Save School Districts Billions

  • Marc LeBlond
  • June 18, 2019

Pennsylvania’s tax credit scholarships are life-changing programs that help students succeed and taxpayers save.  According to brand new analysis by Martin F. Lueken, Ph.D. of EdChoice, tax credit scholarships…

Media

Read More: New Report: Education Tax Credits Save School Districts Billions

Education

Wolf’s Actions Speak Louder Than Words

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • June 18, 2019

Governor Wolf talks the talk. In his 2018 budget address, he called for ensuring “your zip code doesn’t determine what kind of education you can get.” In his …

Media

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Education

Magic 8 Ball, What Lies Ahead for HB 800?

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • June 13, 2019

I asked my Magic 8 Ball if Gov. Wolf would sign HB 800—legislation increasing the caps on the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. “My sources say no,” was the unfortunate…

Media

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Education

Helping Kids Through EITC and OSTC

  • Andrew Abramczyk, Nathan Benefield
  • June 12, 2019

Governor Tom Wolf wants to be sure that children from poor parts of the state can get a good education. In his 2018 budget address he called…

Media

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Education

Champions for Pa. Students

  • Marc LeBlond
  • June 12, 2019

Yesterday the Senate took bold, swift action on behalf of Pennsylvania kids by passing HB 800—which would increase the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) K-12 tax credit scholarship cap by…

Media

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Education

Fiscal Forgetfulness

  • Andrew Abramczyk
  • June 12, 2019

Next year the governor wants to spend $1.4 billion more than he requested for this year, according to his recent budget proposal. Separately he’ll need as much as $750 million…

Media

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