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
Important Education Bills Advance in House
In a promising move for Pennsylvania students, the House Education Committee passed two important bills today that will keep effective teachers in the classroom and expand educational options. HB 805,…
Media
Read More: Important Education Bills Advance in HouseEducation
Wolf’s Education Agenda Discourages Choice
Gov. Tom Wolf has wasted little time staking out his vision for public education, and it doesn’t appear to have much room for school choice. In a recent…
Media
Read More: Wolf’s Education Agenda Discourages ChoiceEducation
Video: Tax Credit Scholarships Give Options to Thousands
The Educational Improvement Tax Credit program (EITC) offers businesses the chance to be more involved in their communities by offering tax credits in exhange for sholarship funding. This program allows…
Media
Read More: Video: Tax Credit Scholarships Give Options to ThousandsEducation
Trapped: One Teacher Tells His Story
Frank is a high school teacher in Lackawanna County who has been frustrated with the NEA’s support of abortion for a long time: “I just don’t want to see any…
Media
Read More: Trapped: One Teacher Tells His StoryEducation
Trapped: One Teacher’s Story
Frank is a high school teacher in Lackawanna County who has been frustrated with the NEA’s support of abortion for a long time: “I just don’t want to see any…
Media
Read More: Trapped: One Teacher’s StoryEducation
Could Schools Be Harmed by a Severance Tax?
As odd as it might sound, some rural schools could actually be harmed by Gov. Wolf’s efforts to increase education funding by imposing a severance tax on natural gas.
Media
Read More: Could Schools Be Harmed by a Severance Tax?Education
Our Undemocratic Teachers’ Unions
Is American democracy under assault? That’s a question often asked when businesses exert political influence, unelected bureaucrats misuse power, or reporters engage in slanted storytelling. It’s time to add public-school…
Commentary
Read More: Our Undemocratic Teachers’ UnionsEducation
Audio: Real Solutions for Struggling Schools
What are some solutions to fixing the environment in failing school districts? Providing families with the flexibility in choosing where their children go to school, rewarding the best—not…
Media
Read More: Audio: Real Solutions for Struggling SchoolsEducation
More Evidence: Charter Schools Thrive in Philadelphia
There’s a reason why Philadelphia families endure charter school lotteries in which less than two percent of 5,000 applicants win seats. These schools are producing terrific results…
Media
Read More: More Evidence: Charter Schools Thrive in PhiladelphiaEducation
Changing the Culture at H.R. Edmunds
The first Winter Concert was the turning point. That’s when students at The Philadelphia Charter School for Arts & Sciences—formerly known as H.R. Edmunds—began believing in themselves. “Our kids…
Media
Read More: Changing the Culture at H.R. EdmundsEducation
Pennsylvania’s Charter Law: Room to Improve
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
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Charter Law: Room to ImproveEducation
Protecting Pennsylvania’s Excellent Teachers
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
Read More: Protecting Pennsylvania’s Excellent TeachersEducation
Stunning Violence in York City Signals Need for Meaningful Reform, not More Funding
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Stunning Violence in York City Signals Need for Meaningful Reform, not More Funding 13 percent of reported sexual…
Press Release
Read More: Stunning Violence in York City Signals Need for Meaningful Reform, not More FundingEducation
Education-Industrial Complex Strikes Again
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
Read More: Education-Industrial Complex Strikes AgainEducation
The Case for More Educational Choice in Philadelphia
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
Read More: The Case for More Educational Choice in PhiladelphiaEducation
Audio: Smarter Spending, not More Spending, Key for State Budget
Education proved to be the centerpiece of Gov. Wolf’s budget address, but his facts on school funding get a failing grade. This morning, Nate Benefield, CF’s Vice President of…
Media
Read More: Audio: Smarter Spending, not More Spending, Key for State BudgetEducation
Spending More, or Spending More Wisely?
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
Read More: Spending More, or Spending More Wisely?Education
A School for the City, Not a Fortress from the City
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
Read More: A School for the City, Not a Fortress from the CityEducation
Thousands of Philly Students Left on Waiting Lists
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
Read More: Thousands of Philly Students Left on Waiting ListsEducation
New Charter School Proposals Offer Hope for Thousands in Phila.
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
Read More: New Charter School Proposals Offer Hope for Thousands in Phila.Education
Student Funding Reform
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
Read More: Student Funding Reform