DECEMBER 13, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Charter School Reform

Pennsylvania charter school enrollment grew from 982 students in 1997 to 91,000 in 2010, as more parents exercised choice in their children's education. On average, charter schools receive and spend only about 83 percent of what school districts spend for each student. Allowing alternative charter school authorizers would increase opportunities

OCTOBER 10, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Charter School Funding in Pennsylvania

Many school districts and other advocates complain about the charter school funding mechanism, arguing that it "drains funding" from school districts.  This charge must be considered in the context of charter school funding.

OCTOBER 10, 2011 | Policy Report by PRIYA ABRAHAM, NATHAN BENEFIELD

The Learning Revolution

How Cyber Schools and Blended Learning Transform Students' Lives

Online learning serves a significant and growing number of students, and represents a significant shift in how we educate Pennsylvania's children.  In light of the growth of cyber and hybrid schools and the debate over their accountability, this Report seeks to help Pennsylvania residents understand more about cyber charter schools, who

OCTOBER 5, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Charter Schools Give Children a Choice and a Chance

The Commonwealth Foundation provided important perspective today on Pennsylvania's charter and cyber schools in response to Auditor General Jack Wagner's recommendations, including a moratorium on expanding public schools of choice.

MAY 15, 2009 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Get the Quarter Back

There is an old joke, with many variations that goes something like this: a foreigner came to visit a friend in America, and they went to watch a Pittsburgh Steelers football game.  After the game, his friend asked him how he liked American football, and the foreigner answered said, “Well… it was very exciting, but why was ever

MARCH 16, 2009 | Testimony by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Pennsylvania's Charter School Law

Testimony of Nathan A. Benefield to the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee, March 12, 2009

JULY 1, 2008 | Commentary by JESSICA RUNK

Cyber School Funding Formula: The Wrong Mixture

State Rep. Karen Beyer, along with the Rendell administration, lobbyists for the teachers unions, and the school boards association, has been doggedly seeking to reduce funding for Pennsylvania’s public cyber schools. So persistent is Beyer that after her bill stalled in session, she attached it as an amendment to a bill (HB 2479) that she

APRIL 29, 2008 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

The Who, What, Why, How of PAs Cyber Schools

New report addresses myths and facts about online learning HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation released A Primer on Pennsylvania’s Cyber Schools, a policy brief which answers the many of the questions about Pennsylvania&

APRIL 28, 2008 | Policy Brief by NATHAN BENEFIELD

A Primer on Pennsylvania Cyber Schools

Executive Summary An increasing number of parents are choosing Pennsylvania’s cyber charter schools for their children every year. Between 2001 and 2006, enrollment grew from 1,848 to almost 16,000 students. Although cyber schools receive less funding than traditional public schools, they perform well academically despite fr

APRIL 15, 2008 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Cyber Schools: Frequently Asked Questions

Hearings are being held across the state on legislation for limits on spending by public cyber schools The proposed legislation is a response to criticism that cyber schools are not accountable, do not serve students well, and are a drain on school districts, and receive more money than they “need”.