Education

Facts vs. Silly Rhetoric on School Choice

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 26, 2011

Tonight, I am speaking at a forum on school choice, and wanted to find some absurd, outlandish, and easily refuted claims from school choice opponents to lead with. Thanks…

Media

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Education

Rep.: Pa. Ed Needs 1st Class Not Third-World Results

  • October 25, 2011

One of the most controversial and emotional issues facing our Commonwealth involves the future of the education system. The media's attempt to reduce nearly every major complicated issue…

Commentary

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Education

Willie and Penny Can’t Read

  • October 19, 2011

We'll call them Willie, Penny, Ben and Frankie, four public school students from Philadelphia, Reading, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, respectively.  If they don't drop out of school and become clients of…

Commentary

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Education

Analysis Finds Failing Public Schools Racked by Violence

  • October 18, 2011

The Commonwealth Foundation released today an alarming new analysis of school violence that uncovered more than 4,500 criminal acts occurred at the 141 public schools scoring worst in the…

Press Release

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Education

Pennsylvania’s Failing, Violent Schools

  • October 18, 2011

Nearly 82,000 children are enrolled in the 141 public schools with available data on violence in Pennsylvania's lowest-performing 5 percent on student proficiency. These schools reported more than 4,500 violent…

Fact Sheet

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Education

How Does Your Public School Stack up Against the World?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 11, 2011

The George W. Bush Institute has a new “Global Report Card” looking at test scores for each school district in the United States against students around the world…

Media

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Education

Charter School Funding in Pennsylvania

  • October 10, 2011

Many school districts and other advocates complain about the charter school funding mechanism, arguing that it "drains funding" from school districts.  This charge must be considered in the context of…

Fact Sheet

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Taxes & Economy

Evaluating Gov Corbett’s Marcellus Shale Impact Fee

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 3, 2011

Gov. Tom Corbett unveiled his Marcellus Shale impact fee proposal in Pittsburgh today. Corbett’s proposal represents a significant improvement from some of the leading tax and fee proposals. Framework…

Media

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Regulation

Public-Private Parking Prevents Tax Hikes

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 20, 2011

Facing immense fiscal and political pressures, many local governments are looking for ways to fund services without raising taxes. But officials need not curb their enthusiasm for fiscal responsibility if…

Commentary

Read More: Public-Private Parking Prevents Tax Hikes