Education
It’s the year of school choice, as is every year to follow
Originally published at LNP Those involved in the educational freedom movement often proclaim, “This is our year.” Yet, we can’t agree on which year that is. Forbes and the…
Read More: It’s the year of school choice, as is every year to followPennsylvania’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 school choice a reality for all Pennsylvania students.
Criminal Justice Reform
CF’s 2020 Vision
The Commonwealth Foundation’s mission sounds pretty simple: transform free-market ideas into public policies so all Pennsylvanians can flourish. Accomplishing that mission—with a divided government, powerful special interests, and a diverse…
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Pension Pacman Must Be Stopped
Next fiscal year Pennsylvania school districts will pay $4.9 billion into PSERS, the state teachers’ pension fund.1 Less than one quarter of that amount will fund new benefits earned by…
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Myles Goes to Washington
“School choice opens up doors that would otherwise be slammed shut. As a young African American male in a low-income neighborhood it’s more likely I would be a dropout…
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Parents Protest Politicians’ Education Hypocrisy
Sen. Elizabeth Warren is the latest in a long line of politicians to take advantage of school choice for their own kids—Sen. Warren sent her son to private schools…
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We’re thankful!
And the winner of “Biggest Home State Win” is … the Commonwealth Foundation! You can imagine the excitement of CF staff when we recently found out we’d won a prestigious…
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My Unanswered Question for Governor Wolf
Governor Wolf continues to use divisive rhetoric that places all the blame for Pennsylvania’s education woes on public charter schools. During his recent press conference at the Pennsylvania Association of…
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Harrisburg Children One Step Closer to the Quality Education They Deserve
Financial mismanagement. Student violence. State receivership. FBI investigation. These are the headlines Harrisburg families have been confronting for years—even decades. That's why the House Education Committee advanced legislation, HB 1800, sponsored…
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Tuition Scholarships for Harrisburg
With HB 1800, Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) wants to give parents the ability to escape Harrisburg schools without a permission slip from local officials.
Fact Sheet
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Gov. Wolf Makes History by Signing PA GI Bill
On Veterans Day, we remember how much military service members sacrifice for the rest of us. Last week, Gov. Wolf gathered with military members and lawmakers to thank them…
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3 Charter School Facts Gov. Wolf Hopes You Won’t Notice
Pennsylvania charter schools are “wildly ineffective.” They produce “abysmal results.” They “aren’t moving the needle” on test results. If you believe the detractors, charter schools are worse than pointless.
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Conscientious Objectors to Choice
Once again, the most vulnerable in our Commonwealth are in a battle without fully realizing it. That was clear to me during my testimony before the Pennsylvania Senate’s Education…
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Betsy DeVos Touts Education Freedom Scholarships During Harrisburg Visit
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ visit to Harrisburg Catholic Elementary School in September was a great opportunity to highlight school choice in Pennsylvania and beyond. But most national media outlets that…
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Former PSEA Director Says Union Flip-Flopped on Charters
“When I was at PSEA we embraced charter schools.” Those are surprising words from former PSEA Executive Director Carolyn Dumaresq. And they carry even more weight, given she was…
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Union Donations to Gov. Wolf Drown Out School Choice
Charter schools remain in the crosshairs of the teachers’ unions and their government allies. That much is made evident in the proposals, resolutions and other public statements the National Education…
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Charter Schools Senate Hearing: Giving Parents Options Should Not Be Optional
Do charter schools work? That was the focus of a Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee hearing today. The 3-hour meeting featured five different panels discussing various aspects of charter schools…
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Fact Sheet: HB 1897 Eliminating Cyber Charter Schools
Today 34,000 Pennsylvania kids choose cyber charter schools. HB 1897 would eliminate all Pa. cyber charter schools by fall 2021. It also issues a top-down mandate that each school district…
Fact Sheet
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Charter School 101
Nearly 140,000 Pennsylvania students attend charter schools. Despite their popularity, misconceptions about charter schools abound. Here are answers to some common questions about this public alternative to district schools.
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Protecting Mackenzie’s School
Brad and Emily Moore live in Erie County. They chose to send their oldest daughter to Commonwealth Cyber Charter Academy (CCA). But now her education and the education…
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How to Fix the Teacher Shortage in Pa.
This year Gov. Wolf proposed raising the minimum salary of teachers to attract and mintain the best talent. There's a better way to attract the best…
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Duty, honor, country: Educational freedom for families who serve
Ask any military family with kids and they’ll tell you that one of the most stressful parts of getting orders to a new duty station is figuring out where their…
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Charter Reform Done Right
Whether it’s a walk down the hall to a colleague’s office, or a flight across the ocean to see an old friend, visits show you care. Governor Tom Wolf visits many…
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