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The Center for Educational Excellence strives to implement reforms that create greater incentives for schools to respect parents and students as customers; encourage continuous quality improvement, parental involvement, and respect for teachers as professionals; and use taxpayers’ resources more efficiently.
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Research Items
JANUARY 11, 2012 | Commentary by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE
A Decade Left Behind
My first career started a few decades ago in the classroom as a high school history teacher. While much has changed since then – including the use of technology and smaller class sizes – the one constant is the need for "reform" to improve our education system.
DECEMBER 22, 2011 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD
Why Gov. Corbett Didn't Get His Christmas Wish List
For Christmas this year, Gov. Tom Corbett hoped the legislature would gift wrap three things he could tie a bow on: An education reform package that included school vouchers, state liquor store privatization and legislation addressing gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.
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 for new and innovative charter schools.
DECEMBER 13, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
The Cost of Pennsylvania's Education Failures
Lawmakers are considering providing school choice to low-income children trapped in violent and failing schools. While some lawmakers are concerned about the cost of school vouchers, the cost of educational failure for all taxpayers through welfare, corrections, and lost jobs is many times greater.
DECEMBER 5, 2011 | Commentary by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE
What Will You See in 17 Minutes?
Seventeen minutes is a small sliver of time for most people. In those few moments, most people could take a shower, prepare a meal, or watch half a sitcom. But for 82,000 kids in Pennsylvania, 17 minutes is no ordinary or laughing matter, it is pain that can last a lifetime.
DECEMBER 1, 2011 | Commentary by SEN. JEFFREY PICCOLA
Pennsylvania's School Choice Movement Must Address the 'Bottom 5%'
Pennsylvania has a simple choice to make. We can embrace change and welcome educational reform or we can choose to satisfy ourselves with the tired old policies of the past that, by any reasonable standard of measure, have failed our children.
NOVEMBER 10, 2011 | Commentary by REP. RYAN AUMENT
A New Teacher Evaluation System for Pennsylvania
After numerous meetings and conversations with constituents, teachers, school administrators and education policy experts, I have come to the conclusion that we must have a comprehensive way to identify quality teachers, so that we can retain them, encourage them and ensure students have access to them. We must also be able to assist those teachers who are struggling. The students facing the greatest hurdles to their education must have access to the highest performing teachers. Today,
NOVEMBER 7, 2011 | Commentary by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE
WIFM: What's In It for Me?
"What's in it for me?" Legislators will ask that question from time to time when they don't see the direct political benefit in voting for something controversial. Recently, as Gov. Corbett and the General Assembly consider a package of education reform bills, legislators - particularly those in suburban and rural districts - are asking "What's in it for me?" more often.
NOVEMBER 2, 2011 | Policy Brief by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Fall 2011 Legislative Priorities
Fall 2011 Legislative Priorities.
OCTOBER 31, 2011 | Feature by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Parents to Pa. House: We Need School Choice!
Listen to the lives and pleas of three parents with children trapped in failure factories, who tell House members why school choice is their only way out, their only hope.