
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.
Related Issues
Education
Teachers Unions are Out of Touch on School Choice
A recently released poll by Education Next finds widespread—and growing—support for school choice in America. Moreover, this support crosses racial and party lines. Pennsylvania’s two types of school choice—charter…
Media
Read More: Teachers Unions are Out of Touch on School ChoiceEducation
A Quality Education for Harrisburg Kids
Gov. Wolf likes to talk about getting every child a quality education no matter their zip code. Speaker Mike Turzai just unveiled a plan that would turn that platitude into…
Media
Read More: A Quality Education for Harrisburg KidsEducation
Gov. Wolf Attacks Charters with 11 Executive Actions
Earlier this summer, Gov. Wolf vetoed an expansion of tax credit scholarships that would have empowered thousands of Pennsylvania students. Now, he’s turned his attention to charter schools. The…
Media
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School to Prison Pipeline? Here’s the Escape Valve
Anthony Samuels is “the only male in my family that doesn’t have a record.” Rather, Anthony is a college graduate and a business owner. At an age when many…
Media
Read More: School to Prison Pipeline? Here’s the Escape ValveEducation
Statement: Gov. Wolf’s Charter Accountability Plan
Today, Governor Tom Wolf will unveil his plans to alter accountability mechanisms for Pennsylvania's charter schools. However, Gov. Wolf's strategy is not as much about accountability as it is his administration's attempt…
Press Release
Read More: Statement: Gov. Wolf’s Charter Accountability PlanEducation
Is Your Team Losing Every Year? Pittsburgh Students Know the Feeling
This year has been rough for Pittsburgh sports fans. The Steelers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2013. The Penguins made it to the post-season for the 13th…
Media
Read More: Is Your Team Losing Every Year? Pittsburgh Students Know the FeelingEducation
A Better Strategy for Students in the “City of Champions”
If there’s one team that has stopped the “City of Champions” from having more Super Bowl championships, it’s the Evil Empire from up north: the New England Patriots. And if…
Media
Read More: A Better Strategy for Students in the “City of Champions”Education
Can School Choice Solve “Lunch Shaming”?
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
Read More: Can School Choice Solve “Lunch Shaming”?Education
Students Lose in the “City of Champions”
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
Read More: Students Lose in the “City of Champions”Education
Tax Hoarders Strike Again
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
Read More: Tax Hoarders Strike AgainEducation
Last Rites for Blaine Amendments?
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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Opportunity Denied Again: Despite Recent Increase, Thousands of Scholarships Still Denied
In 2017-18, the cap on Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program increased by $10 million. Yet, 49,356 scholarship applications were denied—49% of all applications. To meet demand, lawmakers need…
Memo
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How to Help Harrisburg Students, Right Now
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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School Choice on Behalf of Pa.’s Poorest Should Be a Bipartisan Issue
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
Read More: School Choice on Behalf of Pa.’s Poorest Should Be a Bipartisan IssueEducation
Getting Real About Education Spending
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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Kids Claim Victory in Pa. Budget
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
Read More: Kids Claim Victory in Pa. BudgetEducation
Students Need Scholarships, Not Vetoes
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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Common EITC and OSTC Misconceptions
“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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How Many Kids Should We Save?
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
Read More: How Many Kids Should We Save?Education
Five Things Lawmakers Should Know About the State Budget Deal
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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Which Wolf Was It? Gov. Wolf’s Hypocrisy on Education Tax Credits
Tom Wolf the private citizen and business owner benefited from and lauded private school choice and the EITC program. But Governor Tom Wolf has used his political clout to deny…
Media
Read More: Which Wolf Was It? Gov. Wolf’s Hypocrisy on Education Tax Credits