Education
Federal Scholarship Tax Credit
Tens of thousands of kids wait-listed for Pennsylvania’s tax credit scholarship programs could receive scholarships under the new federal program. First-Ever Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program Last July, Congress passed…
Read More: Federal Scholarship Tax CreditPennsylvania’s future is in the hands of the next generation. Parents and students—not activist agendas—should drive the Commonwealth’s education policy. While policymakers have been entrusted with ensuring the next generation receives a quality education, parents should be empowered to choose the quality education that meets their unique child’s needs. Charter schools and tax credit scholarships are integral pieces of school choice, but more reforms are needed to make educational choice a reality for all Pennsylvania students.
Education
Millions of Public-School Students are Eligible for New Federal Scholarship
A new scholarship opportunity will soon be available to millions of students nationwide. About 53 million K–12 students—both public- and private-school students—qualify for the new Federal…
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Pennsylvania’s Adequacy Funding Formula Deserves Scrutiny
Originally published by The Bulletin. State Democratic lawmakers, including state Senate Majority Leader Jay Costa, are celebrating the newly passed state budget. “This budget builds on the incredible momentum…
Media Hit
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Fewer Students, Bigger Budgets: The Public Education Paradox
American public schools are shrinking yet spending more than ever. Reason Magazine recently laid out a stark trend. Since 2019, nationwide public school enrollment has dropped…
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Could This Be the Biggest School Choice Victory Yet? [PODCAST]
The new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit could dramatically expand educational opportunity across America—but only if governors choose to opt in. Andrew Lewis sits down with Tommy Schultz, CEO of…
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Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Myths and Facts
Summary Beginning in 2027, the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC) will provide tax credit scholarships to K–12 students living in states that opt in to the…
Fact Sheet
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Civics Education for America’s 250th Birthday
Summary The 250th anniversary of America’s founding provides an opportunity for parents, teachers, and students to focus on the core values and principles that shaped our nation. Civics education is…
Fact Sheet
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Commonwealth Foundation Releases Analysis on 2026-27 Budget Deal
Harrisburg, Pa., July 13, 2026 — Pennsylvania’s 2026–27 state budget deal is an “improvement over Gov. Josh Shapiro’s reckless proposal, but it still spends too much and leaves taxpayers facing an even larger long-term…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Releases Analysis on 2026-27 Budget DealEducation
Tax Credit Scholarship Myths and Facts
Summary Pennsylvania’s tax credit scholarship programs, the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC), provide more than 100,000 scholarships annually to low- and middle-income K–12…
Fact Sheet
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Pa. Lawmakers Pass 2026-27 State Budget, Blocking Shapiro’s Tax Hikes and Preserving Emergency Savings
While the deal blocks Gov. Shapiro’s worst budget priorities, spending remains a top concern. Harrisburg, Pa., July 12, 2026 — Moments ago, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a state budget deal, twelve days past the deadline. The deal totals $52.2 billion, more than a billion dollars less than Gov. Josh Shapiro’s record spending proposal,…
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Lawmakers Pass 2026-27 State Budget, Blocking Shapiro’s Tax Hikes and Preserving Emergency SavingsEducation
What You Need to Know About Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 State Budget Deal
Summary Pennsylvania’s 2026–27 state budget deal is an improvement over Gov. Josh Shapiro’s reckless proposal, but it still spends too much and leaves taxpayers facing an even larger long-term structural…
Backgrounder
Read More: What You Need to Know About Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 State Budget DealEducation
Why Are Kids Falling Behind in PA?
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. By most measures, Pennsylvania has invested more in public education than ever. However, despite increased spending, academic achievement has flattened, leaving many…
Media Hit
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Deficit Watch: July 2026
Background Pennsylvania continues to face serious fiscal challenges. The enacted 2025–26 General Fund budget created a $4.6 billion structural deficit. Gov. Josh…
Deficit Watch
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Inside Pennsylvania’s Budget Battle [PODCAST]
What really happens behind closed doors during Pennsylvania’s budget negotiations? Andrew Lewis sits down with former Pennsylvania Senate Secretary-Parliamentarian Megan Martin (now the Commonwealth Foundation’s chief operating officer and…
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The Choice That Changed My Life [PODCAST]
A single educational opportunity can change the course of a life. Andrew Lewis sits down with two Pennsylvanians whose lives were transformed by the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)…
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Read More: The Choice That Changed My Life [PODCAST]Education
How Shapiro Turned on School Choice
Originally published by The Washington Times. With the Fourth of July right around the corner, Pennsylvanians should be celebrating, but instead, many low- and middle-class…
Media Hit
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Democratic Lawmakers on the Wrong Side of Educational Choice
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Democratic lawmakers—specifically, Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania House Democrats—are feeling the heat after waging a losing battle on an issue that is…
Media Hit
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4 Signs that Shapiro, House Democrats are Out of Touch with Pennsylvanians
A new poll commissioned by the Commonwealth Foundation surveyed 833 registered Pennsylvania voters from June 18–21, 2026. The results paint a vivid picture of state lawmakers—specifically,…
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Commonwealth Foundation Applauds Senate Republicans for Advancing Tax Relief and Expanding Educational Opportunity
Harrisburg, Pa., June 25, 2026 — Today, the Pennsylvania Senate, in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 44 to 6, advanced House Bill 1667, legislation that delivers meaningful tax relief to families and businesses while also expanding access to educational scholarships for thousands of students across the commonwealth. The Senate’s legislative…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Applauds Senate Republicans for Advancing Tax Relief and Expanding Educational OpportunityEducation
NEW ANALYSIS: Public School Enrollment Declines as State Spending Climbs
CORRECTION: A previous version of this release incorrectly stated enrollment data. The correct figure is as follows: “Today, there are 80,708 fewer K–12 students in Pennsylvania’s district schools than in…
Press Release
Read More: NEW ANALYSIS: Public School Enrollment Declines as State Spending ClimbsEducation
2026 State of Education Spending in Pennsylvania
Overview Demographic trends, most notably declining enrollments, have led to empty school buildings that are costly to operate, forcing considerations on…
Backgrounder
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U.S. Treasury Removed Shapiro’s Last Excuse on School Choice
The U.S. Department of the Treasury released long-awaited details on the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit —and it’s exactly the kind of clarity Gov. Josh Shapiro…
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