Education
Governor Shapiro’s Reckless 2026–27 Budget Proposal
Overview Gov. Josh Shapiro’s unaffordable budget worsens Pennsylvania’s structural deficit. The governor proposes nearly $53.26 billion in general fund spending, a 6.3 percent increase over the 2025–26 enacted budget. He…
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More Money for Public Schools Isn’t Working
On January 12, Rachel Langan, senior education policy analyst for the Commonwealth Foundation, testified before the Pennsylvania Senate Majority Policy Committee. Rachel…
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Pennsylvania Courts Never Ordered More Funding for Public Schools
One of the best-kept secrets in Pennsylvania is the outcome of the 2023 Commonwealth Court ruling on public education funding. Myths and disinformation abound. But few are as pernicious as…
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Shadow School Choice: How Public Education Spending Fails Special Needs Students
Overview Despite year-after-year increases to special education funding, too often, students with special needs are left behind. The U.S. Department of Education guarantees a free appropriate…
Fact Sheet
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Pennsylvania Student Test Scores Are In—and They Don’t Look Great
The 2025 results of Pennsylvania’s annual standardized tests are out, with mediocre results. The Pennsylvania System of Student Assessment (PSSA) tests students in grades 3 through…
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School Districts Claim to be “Underfunded” During Budget Impasse, Despite Massive Reserve Funds
Winston Churchill famously said, “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” Pennsylvania school districts have adopted this approach, using the current state budget impasse as a pretext to raise…
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Myths and Facts: Public Cyber Charter Schools
Summary Myths and misinformation obscure the facts about Pennsylvania’s public cyber charter school students. Proposed cuts to cyber students will force the closure of up to nine of Pennsylvania’s 14…
Fact Sheet
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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…
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Voters Are Concerned About Shapiro’s Spending
Welcome to Common Sense Weekly! This is the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.Have you seen our recent social media videos?…
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