Education
Gov. Shapiro Reaffirms Support for School Choice, Lifeline Scholarships
HARRISBURG, Pa., June 23, 2023 – Today, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro proclaimed his support for school choice in an interview on Fox News. Appearing on America’s Newsroom with Dana…
Read More: Gov. Shapiro Reaffirms Support for School Choice, Lifeline ScholarshipsPennsylvania’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.
Education
Cyber School Students Deserve Adequate Funding
Thank you, Chairman Roebuck and members of this committee for inviting us to speak today. My name is Nathan Benefield, I am the Director of Policy Research with the…
Commentary
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Public Cyber Schools Save Taxpayers Money: Rendell/Zahorchak proposal would increase taxes, reduce public school choice
HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation issued a response to Pennsylvania Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak’s proposal to reduce funding to the Commonwealth’s public cyber charter schools.
Press Release
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The Public Schools Edifice Complex
How much money should a school receive for a student it no longer has to educate? And, is taxpayer money being wisely spent on classroom instruction or school construction? Those…
Commentary
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The Dollars and Sense of School Choice
Introduction Every year, most Pennsylvania homeowners receive larger property tax bills due to increases in public school spending. In the nine school years from 1997 to 2006, school property taxes…
Fact Sheet
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Celebrating Freedom and School Choice: Honoring Dr. Milton Friedman
HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation and the REACH Foundation will honor Nobel Laureate economist Dr. Milton Friedman as part of the national Friedman Legacy for Freedom campaign on July…
Press Release
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Edifice Complex: Where Has All the Money Gone?
From the 1986-87 to 2005-06 school years, taxpayer spending on Pennsylvania’s government-run K-12 schools increased from $6.6 billion to almost $22 billion—a 72% increase after adjusting for inflation. Between…
Report
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The Truth About Cyber Schools
An increasing number of parents are choosing Pennsylvania’s public cyber charter schools for their children every year—enrollment grew from 1,848 to almost 16,000 students between 2001 and 2006. Cyber…
Commentary
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The Public School Edifice Complex: New report assesses spending on buildings vs. instruction
HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation released a policy report, Edifice Complex: Where Has All the Money Gone?, which examines the spending in public education in Pennsylvania and the…
Press Release
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Taxpayer-Funded, Universal Preschool in Pennsylvania: Benefits Questioned
The push toward taxpayer-funded preschool for every child in Pennsylvania continues with Governor Rendell’s budget proposal for the 2007-08 fiscal year. The Governor wants $75 million for “Pre-K Counts,” which…
Fact Sheet
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Count the Costs of Pre-K Counts
Academic and financial costs of taxpayer-funded preschool questioned, alternatives proposed at news conference HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation joined with a coalition of organizations to call on lawmakers…
Press Release
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Taxpayer-Funded Preschool: Count the Costs
Governor Ed Rendell’s budget proposal for the 2007-08 fiscal year includes $75 million for “Pre-K Counts”—a taxpayer-funded program which would provide grants to school districts, Head Start programs, and government-approved…
Fact Sheet
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Public School Students Benefit from Private Managers
The Philadelphia School Reform Commission soon will be voting on a budget for the school district. Facing a projected budget deficit, the Commission is looking for ways to reduce costs,…
Commentary
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Diet Tip of the Week, Issue 3
One of the most notorious abuses of taxpayers' money is the exercise of Walking-Around-Money (WAMs). These funds are set aside for use at each legislator's discretion to dish out to…
Commentary
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School Choice Saves Money
New report identifies $144 M in savings from Educational Improvement Tax Credit HARRISBURG, PA — Giving parents and children school choices saves taxpayers’ money. This is the finding of a…
Press Release
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Change the Incentives in Education
Thank you Chairman Armstrong and members of the Appropriations Committee for the opportunity to discuss the impact of Governor Rendell’s education proposals. You have already heard and are going to…
Commentary
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Free-Market Approaches to Fiscal Policy
Good morning. My name is Nathan Benefield; I am the Director of Policy Research for the Commonwealth Foundation, a research and policy institute in Harrisburg. I want to thank the…
Testimony
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Spending Restraint Needed
Good afternoon. My name is Nathan Benefield, I am the Director of Policy Research for the Commonwealth Foundation. I would like to thank Chairman Armstrong and the members of the…
Testimony
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Management 101 for Our Public Schools
Terry Moe in today’s Wall Street Journal on incentive pay for teachers.
Media
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How NOT to reduce the cost of college
Senator Joe Conti unveiled a proposal to expand the state sales tax and dedicate the revenue to Penn State University. Why? Penn State’s tuition is too high. This proposal…
Media
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The Education Revolution America Needs
From the Washington Post’s Think Tank Town.
Media
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The Laptop Revolution Has No Clothes
Education Week editorial on the lack of evidence for “a laptop on every desk” mythology (registration required).
Media
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