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

Pennsylvania’s Charter Law: Room to Improve

  • James Paul
  • March 18, 2015

Pennsylvania’s charter school law received its 2015 report card, and unfortunately it will not earn a place on the refrigerator. The commonwealth earned a “C” grade from the…

Media

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Education

Protecting Pennsylvania’s Excellent Teachers

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 18, 2015

Shortly after graduation, Dominique took a job at one of Philadelphia’s most challenging turnaround high schools, University City. After one very successful year the district experienced significant layoffs…

Media

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Education

Education-Industrial Complex Strikes Again

  • James Paul
  • March 16, 2015

Much has been made of recent comments from U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan regarding school funding in Pennsylvania. According to Duncan, Pennsylvania's families are “being shortchanged when…

Media

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Education

The Case for More Educational Choice in Philadelphia

  • Elizabeth Stelle, James Paul
  • March 13, 2015

Will’s family thought he was one of the chosen few: A Philadelphia student who managed to secure a seat at the high-performing Christopher Columbus Charter School. But…

Media

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Education

Spending More, or Spending More Wisely?

  • James Paul
  • March 2, 2015

When you purchase a good or service—be it a cheeseburger, a pair of shoes, or a car wash—how do you evaluate its quality? Do you consider the outputs—whether the service…

Media

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Education

A School for the City, Not a Fortress from the City

  • Elizabeth Stelle, James Paul
  • February 26, 2015

The plan was for Hudson to attend public school in Philadelphia—at least for one year. But after Andy, Hudson’s father, visited their neighborhood school, Horatio Hackett, he wanted something different…

Media

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Education

Thousands of Philly Students Left on Waiting Lists

  • James Paul
  • February 23, 2015

The long, frustrating wait continues for Philadelphia families desperate for educational opportunity. Last Wednesday, Philadelphia’s School Reform Commission (SRC) rejected 34 of 39 charter school applicants. Five…

Media

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Education

New Charter School Proposals Offer Hope for Thousands in Phila.

  • February 18, 2015

Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 New Charter School Proposals Offer Hope for Thousands in Phila. Life-changing Educational Opportunities Should not be Denied Good morning, This afternoon, Philadelphia families…

Press Release

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Education

Student Funding Reform

  • February 17, 2015

Pennsylvania ranks among the nation’s leaders in education spending per student. Although spending levels are high, the system for distributing state funding is outdated. Weighted student funding (WSF) is a…

Fact Sheet

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Education

Audio: School Choice is More than Just a Concept

  • Jonathan Reginella
  • February 9, 2015

Every child deserves access to the best educational opportunity available to them, especially if quality education is hard to find in their local public school district. School choice is already…

Media

Read More: Audio: School Choice is More than Just a Concept

Education

$35 Million Worth of New Charter Seats?

  • James Paul
  • February 5, 2015

Philadelphia School Partnership (PSP)—a nonprofit that invests in a variety of schools across the city—is offering $35 million to the School District of Philadelphia to fund over 11,000 seats…

Media

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Education

Teachers Denied the Right to Represent Themselves

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 5, 2015

Last week the Bethlehem Area School District approved a new labor contract that will force all teachers—even those who do not want the union’s services—to pay the organization hundreds of…

Media

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Education

After 50 years of Union Control, Philly Schools Still Failing

  • James Paul
  • January 29, 2015

Academic failure, school violence, and financial mismanagement have been the dubious hallmarks of the School District of Philadelphia for decades. In that time, there has been one constant actor fighting…

Commentary

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Education

The State of School Choice in Pennsylvania

  • James Paul
  • January 27, 2015

In many respects, Pennsylvania is a pioneer of school choice. With 173 charter schools—14 of which are cyber charters—and two scholarship tax credit programs, the commonwealth is the envy of…

Media

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Education

Podcast: A Local-Only Teachers Union?

  • January 27, 2015

Michigan teacher Jim Perialas has an unusual story. In 2012 his school, Roscommon Area School District, became the first in decades to decertify (or leave) the state-wide Michigan Education Association…

Media

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Education

Philly Classrooms Out $200 Million, PFT Declares Victory

  • January 22, 2015

Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Philly Classrooms Out $200 Million, PFT Declares Victory What Could $200 Million Buy Philadelphia Students? Good afternoon, In a blow to education reform…

Press Release

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Education

Five Ways Dollars Are Kept Out of Philadelphia Classrooms

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 22, 2015

The school district of Philadelphia saw a $1 billion increase in revenue over the past decade, even as enrollment declined. Yet many claim there isn’t enough funding for basic…

Media

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Education

Are Charter Schools Too Popular?

  • James Paul
  • January 16, 2015

Of the 40 applications for new charter schools in Philadelphia, surely a few should not be approved by the School Reform Commission (SRC). Each individual applicant has…

Media

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