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AUGUST 10, 2010 | Commentary by JOSHUA HOERNER
A School Choice Governor?
Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett recently made headlines by announcing his support for full-fledged school choice in Pennsylvania. Democrat Dan Onorato has also expressed support for school choice, particularly the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC). A school choice governor will be a welcome change from the past eig
JUNE 29, 2010 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Pennsylvania Education Spending
Pennsylvania's education spending increased from $4 billion in 1980 to over $25 billion in 2009-a 133% increase in per-pupil spending, after adjusting for inflation. School construction and debt spending has doubled in just 10 years. Prevailing wage laws increase the cost of construction by 20% o
JUNE 23, 2010 | Policy Report by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
A Taxpayer's Budget 2010: Responsible Spending for Pennsylvania
A Taxpayer's Budget 2010: Responsible Spending for Pennsylvania identifies opportunities to cut over $4 billion in wasteful state spending in Gov. Rendell's proposed FY 2010-11 budget. The report also offers a series of recommendations for resolving the current revenue shortfall and reducing the size and burden of government on
Recent Blog Posts
AUGUST 12, 2010
Onorato Endorses School Choice Proposal
On Tuesday, we released a commentary noting that both candidates for governor in Pennsylvania - Tom Corbett (R) and Dan Onorato (D) - were advocates of school choice.
Yesterday, Onorato upped the ante, joining with Sen. Anthony Williams, whom he vanquished in the Democrat primary, to announce his support of scholarships for low-income students in failing districts. We previously highlighted school choice legislation introduced by Sen. Williams in June of this year.
It is quite a change of scenery to see two candidates who are battling over who supports school choice more.
posted by NATHAN BENEFIELD | 10:01 AM | 0 comment
JULY 23, 2010
Cyber School Rewarded for Its Effectiveness
Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has renewed the charter for the state's first cyber charter school to offer all grades K-12. CEO Dr. Nick Trombetta acknowledged this accomplishment:
Charter renewal is great news for the thousands of Pennsylvania families who depend on our school, and a much appreciated validation of the hard work, expertise and dedication of the hundreds of PA Cyber teachers and other employees. Unlike school districts, we charter schools must demonstrate our effectiveness every five years or we cease to operate.
PA Cyber certainly has been effective. The school met all AYP targets for graduation, participation and academic performance under the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment this past school year.
The fact that PDE recognizes the effectiveness of these schools is a good sign for cyber schools around the state. Despite the benefits of cyber schools (American Idol finalist Aaron Kelly is a prime example of the flexibility of charter schools), Pennsylvania legislators, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, and even the National Education Association have attacked the existence of cyber schools.
These cyber schools must be doing something right, or these attacks might have persuaded PDE to refrain from renewing any of their charters. Now if only we could get the Department of Education to apply these same renewal requirements to public school districts. . .
posted by JOSHUA HOERNER | 02:09 PM | 0 comment
JULY 20, 2010
New School Choice Legislation Introduced in PA Senate
Sen. Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia) introduced Senate Bill 1405, the Opportunity Scholarship Act, last month with three Republican co-sponsors. This legislation represent a huge opportunity to increase parental choice in education in Pennsylvania while saving taxpayers money.
SB 1405 would provide school choice scholarships to low-income students in districts with a failing school. Similar to EITC, this program is a cost-saver, because nonpublic schools educate students at significantly lower cost to taxpayers.
The program would allow public schools to keep half the local funding for students who transfer with scholarships. Savings generated would support the Educational Innovation Fund, created with passage of SB 1405. The fund would finance grants to chronically falling schools and scholarship for students already attending private schools.
The idea borrows CF's Property Tax Relief Scholarship Act, and our work on the savings and benefits of school choice.
The Opportunity Scholarship Act passage would be a win for Pennsylvania. Currently, it awaits vote in the Senate Education Committee.
posted by KATRINA CURRIE | 00:00 PM | 0 comment
