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

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Education

Rockin’ Rally to Rescue Kids in Crime-Ridden Schools

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • November 15, 2011

I’m surprised the Capitol Dome stayed on its foundation this afternoon. Hundreds of children filled the steps and balconies in the Capitol rotunda to call on the House of…

Media

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Education

Vouchers a Proven Solution

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 15, 2011

Today’s Philadelphia Inquirer featured a letter to the editor I wrote on school choice. Here is my full submission: I was disappointed to see the Inquirer’s…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Are Gas Drillers Paying Their “Fair Share”?

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • November 14, 2011

The Scranton Times-Tribune and the Patriot-News criticize HB 1950 (the natural gas fee proposal) for not taxing gas drillers enough, yet fail to include basic information about…

Media

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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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