Education
Back to School—With Billions in the Bank
As Pennsylvania kids head back to school, many classrooms will look the same: crowded hallways, aging buildings, and parents hearing the familiar trope that schools “don’t have enough money.” But…
Blog
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Pennsylvania Students Can’t Succeed if They Aren’t Safe
Originally published by The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. According to federal and state law, the Keystone State owes parents of students attending dangerous schools the chance to transfer…
Media Hit
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Pennsylvania has a Problem with Dangerous Schools
A sweeping new analysis by the Commonwealth Foundation reveals that Pennsylvania’s approach to identifying and responding to dangerous conditions in public schools falls short and may…
Blog
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New Report: PA Violating Law, Endangering Students
Welcome to the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.Follow us on X for the latest updates—and help us reach…
Blog
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New Report Finds Pennsylvania Violating Law, Endangering Students in Dangerous Schools
Harrisburg, Pa., August 5, 2025—The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is violating state and federal law around “persistently dangerous schools,” endangering the safety of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable students, and threatening…
Press Release
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Persistently Dangerous Pennsylvania Public Schools
Calculating danger based only on arrests ignores student safety. Overview New analysis by the Commonwealth Foundation shows that Pennsylvania violates state and federal law by failing to identify persistently dangerous…
Backgrounder
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PA House Democrats Threaten Thousands of Cyber Charter Students with New Bill
Harrisburg, Pa., June 3, 2025 — This week, Pennsylvania House Democrats passed House Bill (HB) 1500, which would slash funding for cyber school students, out of the Education Committee. …
Press Release
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Educational Choice Myth and Facts 2025
Summary Unfortunately, conversations about education choice are fraught with myths about accountability, funding, and who qualifies for choice programs. This fact sheet addresses the most common myths. Academic Accountability MYTH:School…
Fact Sheet
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Public Schools Increased Spending to $23,000 Per Student, Ballooned Reserves While Enrollment Declined
Harrisburg, Pa., May 15, 2025 — Pennsylvania school districts increased overall revenue collected in 2023–24 to $23,000 per student, while expanding general fund reserves to $7.4 billion, according to new…
Press Release
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