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.

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, we simply do not have a meaningful method for identifying those teachers.

OCTOBER 18, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania's Failing, Violent Schools

Nearly 82,000 children are enrolled in the 141 public schools with available data on violence in Pennsylvania's lowest-performing 5 percent on student proficiency. These schools reported more than 4,500 violent incidents in the 2009-10 school year alone.

AUGUST 17, 2011 | Policy Brief by ANDREW LEFEVRE

A Decade of Success: Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit

The EITC creates partnerships between parents, businesses, and scholarship organizations. These partnerships allow funding to follow students, giving children and their families choices of schools that best fit their needs. The success of the EITC program is demonstrated not just in the millions it has saved taxpayers and relief to high-growth school districts, but parental satisfaction with education outcomes. Demand for EITC scholarships far outweighs what is available from participating Scholarship Organizations across the commonwealth. For example, the Children's Scholarship Fund Philadelphia had 95,000 applications for 7,700 scholarships awarded over the last decade.  The EITC provides choices parents demand and offers better outcomes for children.

JUNE 22, 2011 | Feature by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Father Knows Best for Son

Yesterday, we shared the story of Joy Herbert, a heavily involved parent of son, Anthony, 17, a former ‘A' student who was forced to drop out of school due violence.  But a few miles away in North Philadelphia, Lorenzo White and his son Lukious, 13, are faced with the same reality that finds thousands of Philadelphians trapped in schools where fewer than 20 percent of fourth and eighth-grade public school students are proficient in reading or math on the NAEP.

FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | Policy Brief by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

School Choice: Questions & Answers

The Pennsylvania School Board Association is circulating "Questions about vouchers your legislator should be asking." Others have legitimate questions and concerns.  This Policy Brief answers them all.

FEBRUARY 16, 2011 | Policy Brief by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

15 School Choice Myths

Expelled by 46 Facts

In an attempt to thwart efforts to give children better educational opportunities, the public school establishment is trying to divert the attention of policymakers through a series of oft-repeated myths and half-truths. What follows are the top 15 school choice myths, expelled by 46 facts.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Commonwealth Foundation Launches Online Portal Tracking Education Spending and Achievement in Pennsylvania

openPAgov.org: Subpar student achievement widespread, even as teacher salaries, property taxes steadily rise

How much does education cost the average Pennsylvania taxpayer? What percentage of students passes basic achievement tests? How much is per pupil spending in a given district? What are the annual salaries of teachers and administrators in my school district? Has student achievement test performance increased or decreased in the last decade? 

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% or more; repealing this mandate would save $400 million.

JUNE 21, 2010 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD

The True Beneficiaries of Education Subsidies

Gov. Rendell's budget once again demands significant increases in public school spending.  Ostensibly, these increases are "for the children," but a close examination of education spending and policy proposals reveals Gov. Rendell's priority - appeasing education's special interests.