Education
Commonwealth Court ruling is a massive win for education choice advocates
Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer After a more than eight-year slog, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court affirmed what the Pennsylvania Constitution has said all…
Read More: Commonwealth Court ruling is a massive win for education choice advocatesEducation 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.
Related Issues
Education
ESAs: Step by Step
Pennsylvania taxpayers are very generous in their support for education. We rank ninth in the nation for per-pupil funding at almost $18,000 per pupil —$3,900 more than the national average.
Media
Read More: ESAs: Step by StepEducation
Cyber Report Strikes Out
Although my grandfather, Danny Murtaugh, managed the Pittsburgh Pirates, I don’t pretend to be a baseball expert. But you don’t grow up in a baseball family without knowing you…
Media
Read More: Cyber Report Strikes OutEducation
Five Reasons Families Demand Opportunity Scholarships
Last week Senator Mike Regan introduced legislation to expand Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs. The reason is simple. Tax credit scholarships…
Media
Read More: Five Reasons Families Demand Opportunity ScholarshipsEducation
Penn Hills: A (Tragic) Love Story
I’m a Penn Hills guy. I’ve lived in some of the most unique and dynamic places in the nation, yet I’ve never been around as many talented, genuine, and engaging…
Media
Read More: Penn Hills: A (Tragic) Love StoryEducation
A Better Tool for Student Opportunity
As the 2019 legislative session begins, lawmakers need to look beyond talking points and get to the root of problems with education. As Pennsylvania illustrates, more money does not guarantee…
Memo
Read More: A Better Tool for Student OpportunityEducation
Struggle for Education Choice in Montana Could Benefit Pa. Students
Montana’s early settlers braved a tough wilderness in search of better lives for their families. Today, Montana families like the Espinozas, Andersons and Schaefers are engaged in another struggle, the…
Media
Read More: Struggle for Education Choice in Montana Could Benefit Pa. StudentsEducation
How to Make Schools Safer
On January 17, students drew blood at John Harris High School in Harrisburg. Over 30 students fought in the cafeteria during lunch. By the fight’s end kids needed medical…
Media
Read More: How to Make Schools SaferEducation
Keep Moving Forward: Philly Students Celebrate Choice
Last week the nation celebrated school choice, with thousands of student-centered events taking place across the United States. On Wednesday, hundreds of yellow-scarved, sign-bearing students from the Philly area…
Media
Read More: Keep Moving Forward: Philly Students Celebrate ChoiceEducation
Kids Deserve Fair Funding and Choice
On Jan 23, 2019, Rep. Chris Rabb hosted a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on 100 percent Fair School Funding. Rep. Rabb graciously invited CF to participate. Below are Marc…
Media
Read More: Kids Deserve Fair Funding and ChoiceEducation
School Choice: Stuck in the Middle (Class)
“I fear we’ve become a school for the haves and the have-nots,” one private school leader in Florida worried. What’s happened to those in between? The wealthy can afford to…
Media
Read More: School Choice: Stuck in the Middle (Class)Education
Michael Scott Wasn’t the Only Bad Manager in Scranton
It’s been five years since the television show The Office ended, and Scranton is making headlines again. No, not because Michael Scott had an insensitive diversity training, nor because Ryan…
Media
Read More: Michael Scott Wasn’t the Only Bad Manager in ScrantonCriminal Justice Reform
Today’s Opportunities in the Spirit of King
It’s been a shame that we’ve collectively spent so much time this month talking about the wrong King (Rep. Steve King) and views that harken back to our worst…
Media
Read More: Today’s Opportunities in the Spirit of KingEducation
Opportunity, Prosperity, and National School Choice Week
Speaking at his inaugural address on Tuesday, Gov. Wolf emphasized the importance of making sure “our children's opportunities are not restricted by his or her ZIP code.” We couldn’t…
Media
Read More: Opportunity, Prosperity, and National School Choice WeekEducation
High Parental Satisfaction With Florida Scholarship Program
Maloni Lewis lives with two disabled parents and three older brothers, who are in and out of jail. Her mom, Renee, wanted a better life for her daughter, so…
Media
Read More: High Parental Satisfaction With Florida Scholarship ProgramEducation
Finding a Seat: Philly Kids Need More School Choice
Starting with magnet schools in the 1970s, the Philadelphia School District has had some form of public school choice for decades. The opening of the first charter schools in 1997…
Media
Read More: Finding a Seat: Philly Kids Need More School ChoiceEducation
School Choice Increases School Safety
As children enjoy their holiday break, a safe second semester is at the top of many parents’ wish list. Parents want their kids to get the most out of their…
Media
Read More: School Choice Increases School SafetyEducation
Gesu School: Education Choice in Action – Part III
Christmas is a time of giving. For many businesses and individuals across the state, Pennsylvania’s tax credit scholarship opportunities allow them to give so students like Alphonso and Makayla can have…
Media
Read More: Gesu School: Education Choice in Action – Part IIIEducation
Guest Post: A rural charter school embraces its “rural-ness” and finds happiness, too
Note: This commentary was originally published by National School Choice Week. When people think of charter schools, they often think of schools that serve students in densely-populated cities or…
Media
Read More: Guest Post: A rural charter school embraces its “rural-ness” and finds happiness, tooEducation
Gesu School: Education Choice in Action – Part II
He's a former pharmaceutical executive and she's concluding Ph.D. studies in reading literacy and assessment. Bryan Carter and Annette Pickett could choose more lucrative careers. Yet they've devoted their lives…
Media
Read More: Gesu School: Education Choice in Action – Part IIEducation
Gesu School: Education Choice in Action – Part I
Drive down Schuylkill Expressway, exit 342 past the Philadelphia Zoo, across the Girard Bridge—eventually you’ll arrive in North Philly, home of Gesu School. The surrounding neighborhood has all the…
Media
Read More: Gesu School: Education Choice in Action – Part IEducation
Education Spending 2017-18: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
In early 2017, Rep. Dave Reed acknowledged the importance of education spending to everything the General Assembly tackles: We have an amazing opportunity. … We get to…
Media
Read More: Education Spending 2017-18: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly