Education is the first stepping-stone on the path to success, but Pennsylvania students face severe inequality among public school districts. Thousands who can’t afford private school are trapped in failing schools or situations that aren’t the right fit. The solution to this crisis is school choice. By offering families options outside their zip code-assigned district schools, students are better able to find their path to success. Charter schools, tax credit scholarships, education savings accounts (ESAs), homeschooling, and other types of education choice must become a priority in Pennsylvania.

Education

3 Charter School Facts Gov. Wolf Hopes You Won’t Notice

  • November 1, 2019

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.

Media

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Education

Conscientious Objectors to Choice

  • Lenny McAllister
  • November 1, 2019

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…

Media

Read More: Conscientious Objectors to Choice

Education

Betsy DeVos Touts Education Freedom Scholarships During Harrisburg Visit

  • Kevin Mooney
  • October 31, 2019

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…

Media

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Education

Former PSEA Director Says Union Flip-Flopped on Charters

  • Marc LeBlond
  • October 29, 2019

“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…

Media

Read More: Former PSEA Director Says Union Flip-Flopped on Charters

Education

Union Donations to Gov. Wolf Drown Out School Choice

  • Kevin Mooney
  • October 23, 2019

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…

Media

Read More: Union Donations to Gov. Wolf Drown Out School Choice

Education

Fact Sheet: HB 1897 Eliminating Cyber Charter Schools

  • Marc LeBlond
  • October 16, 2019

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

Read More: Fact Sheet: HB 1897 Eliminating Cyber Charter Schools

Education

Charter School 101

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • October 15, 2019

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.

Media

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Education

Protecting Mackenzie’s School

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 11, 2019

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…

Media

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Education

How to Fix the Teacher Shortage in Pa.

  • October 10, 2019

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…

Media

Read More: How to Fix the Teacher Shortage in Pa.

Education

Charter Reform Done Right

  • Marc LeBlond
  • September 20, 2019

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…

Media

Read More: Charter Reform Done Right

Education

A Fair, Accountable, and Transparent Education

  • Colleen Hroncich, Marc LeBlond
  • September 16, 2019

What are the facts on fairness, accountability, and transparency in the Commonwealth’s education system?…

Fact Sheet

Read More: A Fair, Accountable, and Transparent Education

Education

District Admits Breaking Charter Funding Law

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • September 11, 2019

You don’t often see a public official admit willfully and repeatedly breaking the law. Yet that’s what Pottsville Superintendent Jeffrey Zwiebel brazenly did in the Philadelphia Inquirer last week…

Media

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Education

Teachers Unions are Out of Touch on School Choice

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • August 29, 2019

A recently released poll by Education Next finds widespread—and growing—support for school choice in America. Moreover, this support crosses racial and party lines. Pennsylvania’s two types of school choice—charter…

Media

Read More: Teachers Unions are Out of Touch on School Choice

Education

A Quality Education for Harrisburg Kids

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • August 27, 2019

Gov. Wolf likes to talk about getting every child a quality education no matter their zip code. Speaker Mike Turzai just unveiled a plan that would turn that platitude into…

Media

Read More: A Quality Education for Harrisburg Kids

Education

Gov. Wolf Attacks Charters with 11 Executive Actions

  • Marc LeBlond
  • August 22, 2019

Earlier this summer, Gov. Wolf vetoed an expansion of tax credit scholarships that would have empowered thousands of Pennsylvania students. Now, he’s turned his attention to charter schools. The…

Media

Read More: Gov. Wolf Attacks Charters with 11 Executive Actions

Criminal Justice Reform

School to Prison Pipeline? Here’s the Escape Valve

  • Marc LeBlond
  • August 21, 2019

Anthony Samuels is “the only male in my family that doesn’t have a record.” Rather, Anthony is a college graduate and a business owner. At an age when many…

Media

Read More: School to Prison Pipeline? Here’s the Escape Valve

Education

Statement: Gov. Wolf’s Charter Accountability Plan

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 13, 2019

Today, Governor Tom Wolf will unveil his plans to alter accountability mechanisms for Pennsylvania's charter schools. However, Gov. Wolf's strategy is not as much about accountability as it is his administration's attempt…

Press Release

Read More: Statement: Gov. Wolf’s Charter Accountability Plan