Education

After 50 years of Union Control, Philly Schools Still Failing

  • James Paul
  • January 29, 2015

Academic failure, school violence, and financial mismanagement have been the dubious hallmarks of the School District of Philadelphia for decades. In that time, there has been one constant actor fighting…

Commentary

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Education

Five Ways Dollars Are Kept Out of Philadelphia Classrooms

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 22, 2015

The school district of Philadelphia saw a $1 billion increase in revenue over the past decade, even as enrollment declined. Yet many claim there isn’t enough funding for basic…

Media

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Education

More Choice on the way to Philadelphia?

  • James Paul
  • December 9, 2014

Tens of thousands of Philadelphia students languishing on charter waiting lists have reason to hope. For the first time in seven years, the School…

Media

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Education

A Smarter Way to Fund Students

  • James Paul
  • November 20, 2014

Imagine writing a large check for a new car and finding out a year later that it fails safety tests, won’t pass inspection, and needs thousands in repairs. You’d probably…

Commentary

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The PFT Fails Philly’s Students and Teachers

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • October 28, 2014

PFT claims to stand up for the teachers and children of Philadelphia, but the facts show otherwise. It's time to prioritize the needs of students over the union's self-interest. …

Commentary

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Education

PFT/AFT: Politics Before Health Care

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • October 7, 2014

The recent decision by the Philadelphia School Reform Commission (SRC) to cancel the school district’s contract with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT)—and require teachers to pay up to 13…

Media

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Education

Lawmakers Vote Today – Educate Students at a Fraction of the Cost

  • October 6, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Scholarship Programs Already Saved School Districts Nearly a Billion Dollars EITC and OSTC Save Money While Improving Education Outcomes…

Press Release

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Education

More on Philadelphia School Trends

  • James Paul
  • August 15, 2014

Philadelphia-based Research for Action (RFA) took issue with CF’s Policy Points on spending, enrollment, and staffing trends in the School District of Philadelphia. The…

Media

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Education

Funding Advance Band-Aid Won’t Stop Philly Schools’ Bleeding

  • August 6, 2014

Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Short Term Funding Solution Ignores Structural Problems Philadelphia Schools Need Fundamental Reform to End Education Crisis With 80 percent of students failing to make…

Press Release

Read More: Funding Advance Band-Aid Won’t Stop Philly Schools’ Bleeding