State Budget
Balancing the 2026 State Budget
Controlling and Prioritizing Spending Can Help Balance the Budget Summary Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2026–27 budget proposal spends $3.2 billion more than last year and drains the Rainy-Day Fund, increasing the…
Fact Sheet
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25 Years of Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)
Harrisburg, Pa., May 14, 2026 — Pennsylvania’s Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) turns 25 this year. Since its creation in 2001, the highly successful program has awarded more than 1 million scholarships in all 67 counties, according to a new…
Press Release
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Public Schools Funding Hits Nearly $24,000 Per Student While Achievement Declines
Harrisburg, Pa., May 11, 2026 — New data reveals funding for Pennsylvania’s public schools spiked to nearly $24,000 per student in the 2024–25 school year. In addition to record-high spending, school districts continue to hoard reserve funds, with an average of $4,649 held for every public-school student. …
Press Release
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Education Landscape in Pennsylvania
Overview There are approximately two million school-age children in the commonwealth. Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) 2025–26 enrollment reports show 73.5 percent attend their assigned district…
Fact Sheet
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School Choice Supporters Urge Shapiro to Act as Demand for Scholarships Surges
The Commonwealth Foundation joined other school choice advocates to testify before a state legislative committee, urging lawmakers to advance school choice in Pennsylvania. The event, hosted…
Blog
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Pennsylvania Students Will Thrive With Educational Choice
Testimony of Stephen Bloom, Vice PresidentCommonwealth FoundationPennsylvania House Republican Policy CommitteeHearing on Educational Choice in the CommonwealthJanuary 23, 2026 Chairman Rowe and members of the committee: Thank you for…
Testimony
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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…
Blog
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The Myth of Increased Education Spending
Testimony of Rachel LanganSenior Education Policy AnalystThe Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy AlternativesHearing on Improving Reading Outcomes in PennsylvaniaBefore the Pennsylvania Senate Majority Policy CommitteeThe Honorable David Argall, ChairJanuary…
Testimony
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Public School Districts Leave Special-Needs Students, Families with Few Options
Harrisburg, Pa., December 16, 2025 — Traditional public schools leave students with disabilities on months- or years-long wait lists for compliance with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), according to a new report from the Commonwealth Foundation. If a public school district fails to meet the…
Press Release
Read More: Public School Districts Leave Special-Needs Students, Families with Few Options