Education
Commonwealth Court ruling is a massive win for education choice advocates
Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer After a more than eight-year slog, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court affirmed what the Pennsylvania Constitution has said all…
Read More: Commonwealth Court ruling is a massive win for education choice advocatesEducation 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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PSERS Revokes Ghost Teachers? Illegal Pension Credit
In a victory for taxpayers, the Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) has revoked pension credit illegally given to Allentown “ghost teachers” who were hired to teach but instead…
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Will the Education Code Protect School Choice?
In addition to general appropriations (SB 1073) and the fiscal code (SB 1320), lawmakers are finalizing language in the education code, HB 530. This legislation promises significant reforms…
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2015 SAT Scores
The SAT, or Scholastic Aptitude Test, is an important indicator of public education quality in Pennsylvania. Currently, the commonwealth ranks 36th out of the 50 states and 3 US territories (Washington…
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The Taxpayers? False Choice
Governor Wolf and legislative leaders present Pennsylvanians with two options. The first requires taxpayers to fork over hundreds of millions in higher taxes. The second calls for steep cuts…
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Is Your School Hoarding Cash? 42% of Districts Hold Questionable Reserves
Is Your School Hoarding Cash? 42% of Pa. Districts Hold Questionable Reserves $4.3 Billion Reserve Funds Questioned As Property Taxes Rise June 16, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—The $200 million…
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School Districts Amass Record Reserve Funds
Is your local school board planning to raise property taxes despite holding millions in reserve funds? For many Pennsylvania school districts, the answer may be “yes.” Check out…
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‘Underfunded’ Pa. Schools Spend Nearly $16,000 Per Pupil
‘Underfunded’ Pa. Schools Spend Nearly $16,000 Per Pupil District Reserves Reach $4.3 Billion in 2014-15 as Attendance Declines June 14, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Contradicting the claim that Pennsylvania underfunds…
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Is $27 Billion Enough?
Is $27 billion enough money for Pennsylvania's public schools? This is the question policymakers must answer before voting to raise taxes on …
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School Spending Update, 2014-15
Pennsylvania school districts spent approximately $27.4 billion in 2014-15. This represents a $1.3 billion increase from 2013-14, despite a 12,000 student decrease in average daily membership.
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Ghost Teachers Bill Advances in State House
Ghost Teachers Bill Advances in State House Legislation Strictly Limits Union Work on School Time June 6, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today, the state House Education Committee advanced HB 2125,…
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Ghost Teaching Put to Rest?
Are ghost teachers about to be put to rest? Ghost teachers in Pennsylvania would be strictly limited under legislation approved by the state House Education Committee today. HB 2125 restricts…
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Wolf Admin. Thanks Excellent Teachers, But Won’t Protect Them
The Pennsylvania Department of Education recently released a video featuring Secretary Pedro Rivera congratulating students for completing a school year. He praises children for “show[ing] up each and every…
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An Easy Way to Give School Budgets a Boost
“I want to put more education dollars in our classrooms, not our school buses,” said Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, while releasing an analysis of 19 school districts that exceeded…
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Wolf Sacrifices Great Teachers for Union Approval
Wolf Sacrifices Great Teachers for Union Approval Governor Vetoes Protecting Excellent Teachers Act May 18, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Gov. Tom Wolf today chose to side with teachers’ union leaders over…
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Restoring Teachers’ Rights
Teacher Linda Misja is a religious objector to unionism, and as such, can donate the equivalent of her fair share fee–otherwise owed to the union–to charity. But four years ago,…
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Growing Chorus says “Last-in, First-out” Must Go
Growing Chorus Says “Last-in, First-Out” Must Go To Protect Teachers, Wolf Must Sign Seniority Reform Bill May 12, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Thousands of Pennsylvania teachers put in extra hours, study…
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Sugary Drink Tax: Not So Sweet for Philadelphia
Such a believer is Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney in universal preschool that he supports a punitive tax on low-income residents to pay for it. During his stint on City…
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Pa. Senate Votes to Protect Great Teachers
Pa. Senate Votes to Protect Great Teachers Gov. Wolf Urged to Sign Bill Ending Archaic Last-In-First-Out Policy May 9, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—In a victory for public school students and…
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Senate Protects Excellent Teachers, Sends Bill to Wolf
In a crucial victory for both students and teachers, the Protecting Excellent Teachers Act passed the Senate this afternoon with a vote of 26 to 22. HB 805, championed…
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Obama, Wolf at Odds over Charter Schools
Obama, Wolf at Odds over Charter Schools As Obama Recognizes National Charter Schools Week, Wolf Wants to Slash Charter…
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Tom Wolf vs. Barack Obama on Charters
It’s safe to assume Governor Tom Wolf and President Barack Obama agree on many policy issues. But when it comes to public charter schools, Wolf and Obama are worlds apart.
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