Education
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
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Low-Achieving and Violent Public Schools in Pennsylvania
Overview Students attending low-achieving public schools experience violence at nearly twice the rate of students attending higher-achieving schools and are more likely to experience violence involving a weapon.
Fact Sheet
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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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Rethinking School District Reserve Funds as Students Return to Class
Pennsylvania must focus on funding students. Overview After years of property tax hikes and significant increases in state funding, Pennsylvania school districts ended the 2023–24 school year with more than…
Backgrounder
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Pennsylvania has a Problem with Dangerous Schools
A sweeping new analysis by the Commonwealth Foundation reveals that Pennsylvania’s approach to identifying and responding to dangerous conditions in public schools falls short and may…
Blog
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New Report Finds Pennsylvania Violating Law, Endangering Students in Dangerous Schools
Harrisburg, Pa., August 5, 2025—The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is violating state and federal law around “persistently dangerous schools,” endangering the safety of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable students, and threatening…
Press Release
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PA House Democrats Threaten Thousands of Cyber Charter Students with New Bill
Harrisburg, Pa., June 3, 2025 — This week, Pennsylvania House Democrats passed House Bill (HB) 1500, which would slash funding for cyber school students, out of the Education Committee. …
Press Release
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