Education
“Progress” Masks Failures
Originally published by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Celebrating Philadelphia schools’ post-pandemic progress misses the larger story. Yes, students have made gains—and hardworking…
Media Hit
Read More: “Progress” Masks FailuresRegulation
Minimum Wage 2026
Summary The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) numbers for 2025 show less than one percent of Pennsylvania workers (42,900) earn the minimum wage or…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Minimum Wage 2026Education
Public Schools Funding Hits Nearly $24,000 Per Student While Achievement Declines
Harrisburg, Pa., May 11, 2026 — New data reveals funding for Pennsylvania’s public schools spiked to nearly $24,000 per student in the 2024–25 school year. In addition to record-high spending, school districts continue to hoard reserve funds, with an average of $4,649 held for every public-school student. …
Press Release
Read More: Public Schools Funding Hits Nearly $24,000 Per Student While Achievement DeclinesEducation
Education Landscape in Pennsylvania
Overview There are approximately two million school-age children in the commonwealth. Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) 2025–26 enrollment reports show 73.5 percent attend their assigned district…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Education Landscape in PennsylvaniaEducation
Philly Schools Don’t Need More Money…
Originally published by The Philadelphia Citizen. A majority of the Philadelphia students receiving diplomas cannot read or do math at grade level. In 2025, …
Media Hit
Read More: Philly Schools Don’t Need More Money…
New Philly Schools Report Shows Increased Spending on Staff, Declining Enrollment, and Worse Academic Outcomes
In March, with no fanfare, the School District of Philadelphia posted its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The new report shows that, despite record-level spending, district…
Blog
Read More: New Philly Schools Report Shows Increased Spending on Staff, Declining Enrollment, and Worse Academic Outcomes
Southern States Shatter the Myth of “Underfunded” Public Schools
Originally published by Broad + Liberty. Pennsylvania has a lot to learn about public education. And states like Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana offer this important lesson:…
Media Hit
Read More: Southern States Shatter the Myth of “Underfunded” Public SchoolsEducation
More Money for Public Schools Isn’t Working
On January 12, Rachel Langan, senior education policy analyst for the Commonwealth Foundation, testified before the Pennsylvania Senate Majority Policy Committee. Rachel…
Blog
Read More: More Money for Public Schools Isn’t Working
The Myth of Increased Education Spending
Testimony of Rachel LanganSenior Education Policy AnalystThe Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy AlternativesHearing on Improving Reading Outcomes in PennsylvaniaBefore the Pennsylvania Senate Majority Policy CommitteeThe Honorable David Argall, ChairJanuary…
Testimony
Read More: The Myth of Increased Education Spending