Education

Back to School Numbers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 28, 2012

With kids returning to school this week, here are some fast facts about education spending and performance in Pennsylvania. $14,865: The amount Pennsylvania school districts spent per student in…

Media

Read More: Back to School Numbers

Education

Pennsylvania K-12 Education Spending

  • February 29, 2012

Pennsylvania's K-12 education revenue increased from $13 billion in 1995-96 to $26 billion in 2009-10. Adjusted for inflation, that represents a 44% increase in revenue per student.  …

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pennsylvania K-12 Education Spending

Education

The Education Monopoly Comandeers CNN

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 16, 2012

The Reading School District was featured on CNN this weekend, but not for anything positive. Reporters documented the poor air quality caused by crumbling school buildings across the nation.

Media

Read More: The Education Monopoly Comandeers CNN

Education

A Decade Left Behind

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • January 11, 2012

My first career started a few decades ago in the classroom as a high school history teacher.  While much has changed since then – including the use of technology and…

Commentary

Read More: A Decade Left Behind

Education

Patriot News (Mostly) Endorses School Choice

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 9, 2011

This week, the Patriot News editorial board wrote an endorsement of a school voucher proposal in Pennsylvania. Here is the key pro argument: The case for vouchers is…

Media

Read More: Patriot News (Mostly) Endorses School Choice

Education

Four of Five Philadelphia Students Not Proficient in Reading or Math

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 8, 2011

Yesterday, the National Center for Education Statistics (part of the U.S. Department of Education) released district perfomance data on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).  This is part…

Media

Read More: Four of Five Philadelphia Students Not Proficient in Reading or Math

Education

Is the Education Status Quo a Success?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 15, 2011

Former Gov Ed Rendell was in town today to defend the status quo in education, claiming that more spending has produced great improvements in performance.  Is he looking at…

Media

Read More: Is the Education Status Quo a Success?

Education

Chart of the Day: Pennsylvania Spending and Performance

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 8, 2011

Following yesterday’s post highlighting Pennsylvania’s performance on the Nation’s Report Card, a fan asked us to chart performance side-by-side with public school spending. The chart below shows the increase…

Media

Read More: Chart of the Day: Pennsylvania Spending and Performance

Education

Nation’s Report Card: How Did Pennsylvania Schools Do?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 7, 2011

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education released “The Nation’s Report Card,” looking at students’ performance on the National Assessement of Educational Programs, or NAEP, in 2011.  In…

Media

Read More: Nation’s Report Card: How Did Pennsylvania Schools Do?