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

Father Knows Best for Son

  • June 22, 2011

Yesterday, we shared the story of Joy Herbert, a heavily involved parent of son, Anthony, 17, a former ‘A' student who was forced to drop out of school due violence. …

Commentary

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Education

Philadelphia Public Schools Among Worst in Nation

  • June 22, 2011

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, which compares educational performance across all 50 states and major cities, Philadelphia public schools compare poorly, even to other large urban…

Media

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Education

The End of Last In, First Out?

  • Priya Brannick
  • June 21, 2011

Last month the state Senate passed SB 612, which allows schools to furlough teachers for economic reasons, which is currently prohibited.  The House is preparing to vote on a…

Media

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Education

School Choice Around the Country

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 21, 2011

Lawmakers in Pennsylvania are debating school choice for students in failing schools, which models school programs enacted in other states (many of which have been and are currently being…

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Education

Mom Pleads for Help

  • June 20, 2011

Gazing down the crowded and bustling city streets of Philadelphia, Joy Herbert watched as her son Anthony joined her to talk about a disturbing past and present in hopes of…

Commentary

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Education

Education Failure Costs PA Taxpayers and Businesses

  • June 20, 2011

The Wall Street Journal and Philadelphia Inquirer recently shined a light on the failure of public schools to prepare their students for college-level coursework. According to the…

Media

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Education

Send a Lifeline to Kids in Failing Schools

  • June 20, 2011

More than 106,000 children are enrolled in the 144 public schools comprising Pennsylvania’s lowest performing 5 percent on student proficiency. These schools reported more than 5,400 violent incidents…

Media

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Education

Children Can’t Wait for PSEA to “Fix” Violent, Failing Schools

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 16, 2011

The PSEA sent a memo to the House of Representatives discouraging legislators from sponsoring legislation that would throw lifelines to children in violent, failing schools.  I also sent the following…

Media

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Education

Curt Schroder Offers Universal School Voucher Bill

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 16, 2011

State Rep. Curt Schroder has also outlined two school choice bills he plans to introduce in the Pennsylvania House in the very near future. One is targeted to students in…

Media

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Education

How Taxpayers are Funding Big Labor’s Education Failures

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • June 16, 2011

More than $92 million in taxpayer dollars for public education is being funneled through school districts back to these special interest groups, including the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and…

Commentary

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Education

New Video: Lifeline – Rescuing Kids When Schools Fail

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 15, 2011

In 2009, students trapped in our worst performing public schools endured seven rapes, 163 robberies, and two official riots. Those simple—and terrifying—facts haven’t been a big enough part of the…

Media

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Education

Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying at Pitt

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 8, 2011

A reader shared the letter below from the University of Pittsburgh. It urges all parents and students to contact their state legislators and protest higher education cuts in the proposed…

Media

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Education

Pennsylvania Education Spending Update

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 6, 2011

Since our budget facts on Pennsylvania Education Spending, the PA Department of Education (PDE) has released updated data on school spending and revenue, through the 2009-10 school year.

Media

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Education

Make the Case to Voters

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 1, 2011

My letter to the editor in today’s Post-Gazette on school tax referendum. The article “Groups Fighting…

Media

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Education

Pa. Education – A State of Emergency

  • June 1, 2011

At the start of our nation, founding father John Adams was as concerned with the positive development of our offspring as he was with that of the republic.  Seeing the…

Commentary

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Education

Violence Rips Worst Pa. Schools!

  • May 31, 2011

In the 2009 school year, Pennsylvania’s bottom five percent of failing public schools had an alarming amount of violent incidents totaling more than 5,400. Not only are these 100,000 students trapped in failing schools, but…

Media

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Education

Questions for Appropriators on Higher Education

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 27, 2011

Since Gov. Corbett presented a budget which reduced state taxpayer funding for institutions including Penn State, Temple, Pitt, and the State System of Higher Education, college administrators, faculty and lobbyists…

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Education

Oh Yeah, Those Guys

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 26, 2011

My letter to the Philadelphia Daily News: Will Bunch’s recent article identifies wealthy Americans who are voluntary donating their money to push greater school choice.  Bunch fails…

Media

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Education

Is Full-Day Kindergarten All Supporters Claim it to Be?

  • May 20, 2011

Gov. Corbett’s proposed budget includes cutting Pennsylvania’s Accountability Block Grant (ABG). Among the areas Accountability Block Grants can be use for is full-day Kindergarten programs at school districts. While…

Media

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Education

Saving Our School Boards

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • May 17, 2011

Schools must be able to furlough teachers based on a broad-based assessment of student needs, not a last-in/first-out requirement that ignores teachers' classroom performance, ability to connect with students, grasp…

Commentary

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