Education

Poll: Voters Want Broader School Choice

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 14, 2011

A new poll by Pulse Opinion Research, commissioned by Unite PA and the Independence Town Hall Tea Party Association, offers interesting information on public opinion on school choice.

Media

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Government Accountability

Common Cause: Gas Political Money Can’t Match Unions

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 11, 2011

The third or fourth report by Common Cause PA on political spending (campaign contributions and lobbying) by the natural gas industry reveals nothing new. According to Common Cause, the Political…

Media

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Education

A New Teacher Evaluation System for Pennsylvania

  • November 10, 2011

After numerous meetings and conversations with constituents, teachers, school administrators and education policy experts, I have come to the conclusion that we must have a comprehensive way to identify quality…

Commentary

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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

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Education

WIFM: What’s In It for Me?

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • November 7, 2011

"What's in it for me?"  Legislators will ask that question from time to time when they don't see the direct political benefit in voting for something controversial.  Recently, as Gov.

Commentary

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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

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Regulation

The Real Housewives of the PLCB?

  • November 4, 2011

From the directors of such fine films as The Great Kiosk Catastrophe, The Inventory System of Doom, and Big Brother Border Bleed comes its latest house of horrors: …

Media

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Education

Father or State Knows Best?

  • November 3, 2011

So who knows what is best for a son or daughter – Pennsylvania government or a parent?  While many argue that parental…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Marcellus Shale Lowers Heating Bills

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 2, 2011

The Pittsburgh Tribune and Erie Times report natural gas prices are decreasing as we approach the winter months. Rates per thousand cubic feet are dropping across western Pennsylvania.

Media

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