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Recent Research
DECEMBER 9, 2009 | Testimony by NATHAN BENEFIELD
Costing-Out the Price of Education
In the last two years, Gov. Rendell has used the "costing-out" study to justify proposed increases in state education subsidies. Yet while costing-out or "adequacy" studies have been conducted in over 35 states to quantify the amount of education funding needed, in no case did spending increases result in dramatic improvement of adequacy standar
AUGUST 5, 2009 | Commentary by KARA LUZIK
Low Standards De-Value Diplomas
The U.S. dollar isn’t the only piece of paper plagued by inflation. While the Federal Reserve drives down the value of the greenback, low academic standards in Pennsylvania are decreasing the value of a high school diploma.
JULY 20, 2009 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD, MATTHEW BROUILLETTE
The Faulty Premise of the Budget Impasse
Governor Rendell wants the taxpayers to spend more on public schools. So do Republicans in the General Assembly—nearly 12 percent more. Yet education funding remains a major obstacle in the budget impasse. The governor decries his opponents' proposed level of spending as a “cut” because—though
Recent Blog Posts
DECEMBER 14, 2009
Revamp Charter School Laws To Increase School Choice
Pennsylvania came in 11th among 40 states in the annual ranking of state charter school laws by the Center for Education Reform. While the Commonwealth has been better in addressing deficiencies in their charter laws, there are still areas that need attention.
For instance, school boards are inconsistent in their approval and oversight, making multiple authorizers a needed reform. Senator Piccola's legislation to allow universities to approve the creation of a charter school is a step in the right direction. Presently, though, charters under Pennsylvania law cannot be started unless give permission from often-hostile school boards.
Also, charters suffer from inequitable funding. CF has documented the fact that the state does not treat public school and charter school students equitably. The amount, charter schools receive per-pupil is about 80% of regular public schools. The Rendell administration has also proposed reducing cyber charter school funding to lowest the spending by a cyber school making AYP, a clear double standard.
Although Pennsylvania has made progress in school choice, there are many areas which still need reform, especially if the state wants to win the "Race to the Top."
posted by ABHILASH SAMUEL | 10:13 AM | 0 comment
NOVEMBER 23, 2009
Teacher Merit Pay May Come to Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh City Schools may soon finalize their second huge grant. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is granting the system $40 million over 6 and half years to improve the cities public schools. In 1988 the district received an unprecedented $12.5 million from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The results of that experiment were largely a failure with no lasting improvements. So what's different this time?
Unlike the Casey grant - which focused on after school programs and other ancillary projects - the Empowering Effective Teachers Plan contains a merit based pay provision- a reform that ensures schools are committed to high-quality teachers. We've consistently advocated for teacher merit pay, but the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers and other teacher unions have historically opposed any type of performance pay and a host of other education reforms that could weaken their influence over politicians.
Teachers would be judged on how well students progress, student test scores and observations of a teacher's work. The reforms could have lasting effects on students achievement- weeding out the poorly performing teachers- however there is always the danger of a faux merit pay system where all teachers receive a bonus discounting the incentive system merit pay strives to implement.
The question is, if teachers do approve the conditions for the grant will the union water down the provisions, and if they do will the Gates Foundation continue their funding?
posted by ELIZABETH BRYAN | 01:00 PM | 0 comment
NOVEMBER 18, 2009
CF Facts Irk Governor Rendell
Normally I don't respond to allegations of untrue research, but I feel compelled to do so because it is the Governor of Pennsylvania.
I am not sure what the Governor is celebrating when only 49.2 percent of students in urban Philadelphia actually graduate based on 2006 data.
Governor Rendell also attributes the improvement of students who moved out of the lowest achievement rating to the additional $2,000 spent per student in 2003. We have shown, however, that the PSSA (the state standardized tests) standards are inferior to the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) standards. For instance, the PSSA found that 75% of 8th graders were proficient in reading, and 68% in math. But on the NAEP, only 36% and 38% reached proficiency, respectively.
Despite the gargantuan levels of K-12 spending, the average combined verbal and math SAT scores of Pennsylvania has dropped from 1000 in 1986 to 995 in 2008. Furthermore, there is no link between per-pupil spending and academic performance.
The Governor also fails to acknowledge the success of charter and cyber charter schools (as well as expanded private school choice). Not only do charter schools tend to serve minorities and lower income families, they also perform better when student demographics are factored in - all at a lower cost.
If the Governor really intends to improve performance he should allow students to choose the form of education that they desire most. Also, his favoritism to certain industries has denied children the opportunity of partaking in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program.
posted by ABHILASH SAMUEL | 03:12 PM | 0 comment
