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

Lawmakers: Mary’s Law is Worth Fighting For

  • January 8, 2015

As a teacher, a father of kids in public schools, and a taxpayer, I urge all our elected officials to join me in standing up for what’s right. Pass a…

Commentary

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Education

Super Six: Important ‘Wins’ for Taxpayers, Kids this Year

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 30, 2014

Policymakers made significant strides over the past legislative session to increase school choice, save taxpayers from waste and abuse in unemployment compensation, and protect students. While critical reforms remain, it’s…

Media

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Education

SAT Scores by State 2014

  • December 22, 2014

Every year, the College Board releases its SAT Report on College & Career Readiness, which includes SAT data for individual states. We've organized this data into one convenient…

Media

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Education

The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of Low Expectations

  • James Paul
  • December 19, 2014

Is it true that schools with high concentrations of low-income students face unique challenges? Yes. Should poverty, along with several other social problems, be understood as a factor that influences…

Media

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Education

Harmed by “Hold Harmless”

  • James Paul
  • December 15, 2014

There are few more egregious examples of political doublespeak than Pennsylvania’s “hold harmless” provision for state education funding. Hold harmless guarantees each school district receives no fewer state education dollars…

Media

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Education

Pennsylvanians Deserve True Fairness

  • December 11, 2014

Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to pursue success in our state. While Gov.-elect Wolf's intentions echo this noble sentiment, many of his proposals fall far short of his vision.

Commentary

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Education

Audio: Could Charter Conversion be in York City’s Future?

  • December 10, 2014

York City School District—financially distressed and second-to-last in the state in student achievement—may be in for some much-needed change in the coming weeks. After two years of…

Media

Read More: Audio: Could Charter Conversion be in York City’s Future?

Education

More Choice on the way to Philadelphia?

  • James Paul
  • December 9, 2014

Tens of thousands of Philadelphia students languishing on charter waiting lists have reason to hope. For the first time in seven years, the School…

Media

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Education

Teachers’ Unions: The Common Roadblock to Reform

  • James Paul
  • December 9, 2014

From Philadelphia to York to the Pittsburgh suburbs, parents and taxpayers are looking to improve public education without breaking the bank. But there’s a common roadblock standing in their way:…

Commentary

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Education

School Funding Reform & Weighted Student Funding

  • James Paul, Nathan Benefield
  • December 4, 2014

Thank you for the opportunity to offer testimony to this commission on the important topic of reforming how we distribute state funding for education. Our written testimony will focus on…

Testimony

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Education

In Education Debate, Let’s Fund Students not Districts

  • December 4, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 In Education Debate, Let’s Fund Students not Districts Current System Favors Shrinking Districts at Growing Districts' Expense December 4,…

Press Release

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Education

A Smarter Way to Fund Students

  • James Paul
  • November 20, 2014

Imagine writing a large check for a new car and finding out a year later that it fails safety tests, won’t pass inspection, and needs thousands in repairs. You’d probably…

Commentary

Read More: A Smarter Way to Fund Students

Education

A Shoddy Attack on Charters

  • James Paul
  • November 11, 2014

My letter to the editor of the Philadelphia Daily News takes issue with the paper’s recent characterization of charter schools as “fiscal monsters.”  The Daily News editorial…

Media

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Education

Is Second Worst Good Enough for York Students?

  • James Paul
  • November 10, 2014

The second lowest-performing school district in Pennsylvania is asking for more time to improve but refusing recommended reforms. Unfortunately, more time is not something students and families in York City…

Commentary

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Education

Step Forward for School Choice

  • James Paul
  • November 4, 2014

Geronda Montalvo did not want to send her daughter Zayda to the low-achieving schools in her neighborhood. Thanks to an Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) scholarship, Zayda is thriving at…

Media

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Education

Can Your Family Bear the Burden of Tax Increases?

  • October 24, 2014

Can you afford to lose the equivalent of a mortgage payment? How about four? Given a possible 188 percent increase in the state income tax rate to pay for Tom…

Commentary

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Education

Victory for Student Safety

  • James Paul
  • October 23, 2014

In an important step for safety in the classroom, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a bill that will put an end to the abhorrent practice of “passing the…

Media

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Education

Video: There’s No Magic Money Tree

  • October 23, 2014

From education to health care to public pensions, it seems like the answer to every problem—for some—is always more spending. But where does that money come from? And why doesn’t…

Media

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Education

Audio: PFT Fails Students, Teachers & the Poor

  • October 17, 2014

Matt Brouillette and other members of Commonwealth Foundation were on the ground at the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) protest yesterday, handing out fliers and letting teachers know how PFT…

Media

Read More: Audio: PFT Fails Students, Teachers & the Poor

Education

How the PFT Fails Philadelphia

  • James Paul
  • October 16, 2014

By standing in the way of tens of millions of new dollars for Philadelphia classrooms, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) has revealed its true identity—a self-interested,…

Media

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Education

How PFT Fails Philadelphia Students, Teachers & the Poor

  • October 16, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 PFT Leaders Use Students & Teachers as Pawns in a Political Game Leaders Block Millions of Dollars from the…

Press Release

Read More: How PFT Fails Philadelphia Students, Teachers & the Poor