
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.
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Education
Shapiro Must Reset His Legislative Strategy
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania The recent sexual harassment scandal rocking Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration has made many headlines. And though Shapiro must take these accusations seriously, there could be a…
Media Hit
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School Choice Report, Episode 19
From working to expand tax credit scholarships to educating everyone from elected officials to parents on the benefits of school choice, Stephen (Steve) Bloom is a leading voice on one…
Podcast
Read More: School Choice Report, Episode 19Education
Gov. Shapiro must become more productive in Pennsylvania before he can get to the White House
Originally published at The Patriot-News Gov. Josh Shapiro regularly dodges the question about his national ambitions. “I’m focused on doing this job and this job only, and…
Media Hit
Read More: Gov. Shapiro must become more productive in Pennsylvania before he can get to the White HouseEducation
Poorer children need the same choices as richer children
Originally published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette One evening, a young man needed help with his Algebra 2 homework, so he called the helpline for my school’s credit-recovery program. The…
Media Hit
Read More: Poorer children need the same choices as richer childrenEducation
Jennifer Stefano: Conservative students can’t speak freely, and that’s bad for everyone
America’s colleges and universities foster a censorship culture that intimidates and silences students, professors, and university guest speakers, and the negative consequences go far beyond limiting the benefits of free…
Press Release
Read More: Jennifer Stefano: Conservative students can’t speak freely, and that’s bad for everyoneEducation
Conservative students can’t speak freely, and that’s bad for everyone
Originally published at The Philadelphia Inquirer At Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., 162 miles from Philadelphia, alumni launched the Open Discourse Coalition in 2021. Their goal? To bring…
Media Hit
Read More: Conservative students can’t speak freely, and that’s bad for everyoneEducation
Commonwealth Foundation Vice President Stephen Bloom joined The Breakfast Show Oct. 6, 2023
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Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Vice President Stephen Bloom joined The Breakfast Show Oct. 6, 2023Education
Empower students to vote with their feet
Originally published at Broad + Liberty Increasingly over the past three years, public schools and the students who attend them have become collateral damage to a culture war that…
Media Hit
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Democrats once again vote against helping vulnerable kids
Harrisburg, Pa., October 5, 2023 — Today,Commonwealth Foundation Senior Vice President Nathan Benefield issued the following statement in response to the Pennsylvania House Democrats’ decision to advance a fiscal code bill…
Press Release
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School Choice Report, Episode 18
What drives someone to take a stand for school choice when his or her peers pose fierce opposition? What are parents who want more educational choice saying to elected officials?…
Podcast
Read More: School Choice Report, Episode 18Education
Gov. Shapiro Poised to Raid Rainy Day Fund, Unprecedented Move Violates Law and Undermines Legislature
Harrisburg, Pa., September 29, 2023 – The Commonwealth Foundation expresses strong concern that Gov. Shapiro is ignoring the law and usurping the constitutional role of the legislative branch in the state…
Press Release
Read More: Gov. Shapiro Poised to Raid Rainy Day Fund, Unprecedented Move Violates Law and Undermines LegislatureEducation
Gov. Shapiro’s New Hampshire Keynote Undermined by Legislative Failures, Incomplete Budget
Harrisburg, Pa., September 29, 2023 — Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was recently announced as the keynote speaker at the 2023 New Hampshire Democratic Party Convention. His appearance in Bedford, New Hampshire—one of…
Press Release
Read More: Gov. Shapiro’s New Hampshire Keynote Undermined by Legislative Failures, Incomplete BudgetEducation
Commonwealth Foundation Survey Finds Voters Are Clear: “It’s the Economy, Stupid”
Harrisburg, Pa., September 28, 2023—Inflation continues to be the number one problem facing Pennsylvania voters, according to a poll released today by the Commonwealth Foundation. The Common Ground in the Commonwealth…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Survey Finds Voters Are Clear: “It’s the Economy, Stupid”Education
Sen. Lindsey Williams supports school choice—But only for the wealthy
Originally published at The Philadelphia Tribune I don’t know what I did or said to inspire state Sen. Lindsey Williams to storm out of a recent Senate Education Committee…
Media Hit
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State House Democrats need to do their jobs
Originally published at LNP Lawmakers have one job: Work for the people they represent. This job requirement is as old as Pennsylvania when William Penn founded the Provincial Assembly…
Media Hit
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Analysis: Shapiro Least Productive Governor with a Divided Government
Harrisburg, Pa., September 21, 2023 — Pennsylvania state lawmakers have enacted only 15 bills during the first six months of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration, despite having a full-time legislature, according to…
Press Release
Read More: Analysis: Shapiro Least Productive Governor with a Divided GovernmentEducation
Shapiro’s Legislative Record: Last in Nation Among Divided Governments
Overview An analysis by the Commonwealth Foundation of bills enacted in the first half of 2023 reveals Pennsylvania has been the least productive among states with divided government. This analysis…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Shapiro’s Legislative Record: Last in Nation Among Divided GovernmentsEducation
School Choice Report, Episode 17
Margaret “Macke” Raymond is the Director of the Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) based at Stanford University. She has steered the group to national prominence as a rigorous…
Podcast
Read More: School Choice Report, Episode 17Education
Pennsylvanians Deserve the Truth on Education Spending
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Pennsylvania’s Basic Education Funding Commission has begun holding hearings on how to remake the state’s public schools funding formula after a state court determined that the existing…
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Pa. House Majority Leader Matt Bradford’s failed leadership
Originally published in The Mercury The Pennsylvania budget remains unfinished, while Pennsylvania House lawmakers remain on vacation (in recess) until the end of September. While it’s up to Speaker…
Media Hit
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Education Pioneer David Hardy Tells Harrisburg to Pass Lifeline Scholarships
Harrisburg, Pa., September 14, 2023 — Philadelphia education pioneer and Commonwealth Foundation Distinguished Senior Fellow David Hardy delivered powerful testimony to the state Senate Education Committee on Monday, reminding lawmakers that the…
Press Release
Read More: Education Pioneer David Hardy Tells Harrisburg to Pass Lifeline Scholarships