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

Ghosts in the Education Machine

  • James Paul
  • October 28, 2016

If Pennsylvania students miss three days of school without an excuse, the law says they must be reported. But across the commonwealth, certain teachers have been absent for years—without consequences…

Commentary

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Education

APSCUF Threatens Faculty

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 19, 2016

This morning, APSCUF, the union representing 5,000 faculty at the State System of Higher Education schools, went on strike. As we pointed out a few weeks ago, one…

Media

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Education

House Speaker Seeks Boost for Vital Scholarship Programs

  • James Paul
  • October 17, 2016

Pennsylvania’s private school scholarship programs account for less than 2 percent of the $11 billion in state funds allocated for public schools. Yet it is impossible to overstate the…

Media

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Education

How Does Pennsylvania Stack up in School Revenue?

  • James Paul
  • October 10, 2016

The National Center for Education Statistics recently released 2013-14 figures on revenues and expenditures for U.S. public schools. How does Pennsylvania stack up when it comes to funding? On a…

Media

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Education

Pennsylvania’s Economy is Struggling

  • September 27, 2016

Americans finally got a raise! That's the gist of recent headlines hailing significant economic growth in 2015, but in Pennsylvania the economy is still struggling.  From 1991 to 2015,…

Media

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Education

Flawed Arguments Drive School Funding Suit

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 22, 2016

As I pointed out earlier this week, Pennsylvania public school spending is at an all-time high. In fact, the state's per student spending is significantly above the national average. James’ analysis…

Media

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Education

Podcast: Why Charter Schools – and School Choice – Matter

  • September 21, 2016

In Pennsylvania, 130,000 kids attend public charter schools—about 5 percent of the state’s schoolchildren. For many of these kids and parents, charter schools are a lifeline to a safer, better…

Media

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Education

Facts about the State Share of School Funding

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 19, 2016

Should the Pennsylvania Supreme Court order the Legislature to give billions more dollars to school districts? That's what a recent lawsuit demands. But to make their case to the public, the lawsuit's advocates…

Media

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Education

Teacher Shortages Haunt Philly Students

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 15, 2016

Philadelphia's teacher shortage is making headlines, and city council is demanding the district solve the problem. A classroom without a permanent teacher is certainly unfair to students, yet Philadelphia teachers…

Media

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Education

Local Union Complains About Transparency

  • September 13, 2016

The school board and the local teachers union in the West Shore School District are in conflict. The two sides have been unable to agree on a contract for two…

Media

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Education

In School Funding, Pa. High Court Must Not Usurp Legislature

  • September 13, 2016

In School Funding, Pa. High Court Must Not Usurp Legislature Student Based Funding Formula, Not Court Mandate, Is Best for Pa. Students   September 13, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—As the Pennsylvania…

Press Release

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Education

Faculty Benefits Driving Up Tuition Costs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 7, 2016

APSCUF—the union representing faculty at state-owned universities—has begun a vote to authorize a strike. One of APSCUF's complaints with the proposed contract is higher health care expenses. In…

Media

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Education

Public Remains Supportive of School Choice

  • James Paul
  • August 30, 2016

That’s the upshot of the 10th annual public opinion survey from Education Next, which covers a range of topics including school choice, school spending, personnel policy, testing, and accountability.

Media

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Education

Charter Reform: Get it Right

  • James Paul
  • August 30, 2016

Over the next nine months, many students will have their lives transformed for the better. But for thousands of other children, this time of year is defined by disappointment. They are…

Commentary

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Education

Pittsburgh-Area Family Punished for Choosing Charter School

  • James Paul
  • August 29, 2016

Fauna Shaffer Butera, mother of two young boys just miles to the northwest of Pittsburgh, opted to enroll her sons in Young Scholars Charter School. She was shocked to learn of the…

Media

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