Education

Education Spending & Academic Achievement

  • James Paul
  • May 19, 2015

Increased education spending has not led to improved academic performance. This is reflected in SAT scores and NAEP results, as well numerous studies at the state, national, and international level.

Fact Sheet

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Education

Spending More, or Spending More Wisely?

  • James Paul
  • March 2, 2015

When you purchase a good or service—be it a cheeseburger, a pair of shoes, or a car wash—how do you evaluate its quality? Do you consider the outputs—whether the service…

Media

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Education

Student Funding Reform

  • February 17, 2015

Pennsylvania ranks among the nation’s leaders in education spending per student. Although spending levels are high, the system for distributing state funding is outdated. Weighted student funding (WSF) is a…

Fact Sheet

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Regulation

Five Steps Toward a Balanced Budget

  • February 5, 2015

The consequences of overspending have plagued Pennsylvania for years. This year is no different. Lawmakers are tasked with eliminating a projected budget deficit of nearly $1.7 billion, according to forecasts…

Memo

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Education

Harmed by “Hold Harmless”

  • James Paul
  • December 15, 2014

There are few more egregious examples of political doublespeak than Pennsylvania’s “hold harmless” provision for state education funding. Hold harmless guarantees each school district receives no fewer state education dollars…

Media

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Education

School Funding Reform & Weighted Student Funding

  • James Paul, Nathan Benefield
  • December 4, 2014

Thank you for the opportunity to offer testimony to this commission on the important topic of reforming how we distribute state funding for education. Our written testimony will focus on…

Testimony

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Education

In Education Debate, Let’s Fund Students not Districts

  • December 4, 2014

For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 In Education Debate, Let’s Fund Students not Districts Current System Favors Shrinking Districts at Growing Districts' Expense December 4,…

Press Release

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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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Education

5 Fixes for Property Tax Fires

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 25, 2012

Yesterday, I testified before the House Select Committee on Property Tax Reform, presenting on the best tax policy to finance government operations, and on…

Media

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