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

Empower students to vote with their feet

  • Rachel Langan
  • October 6, 2023

Originally published at Broad + Liberty Increasingly over the past three years, public schools and the students who attend them have become collateral damage to a culture war that…

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Education

Democrats once again vote against helping vulnerable kids

  • October 5, 2023

Harrisburg, Pa., October 5, 2023 — Today,Commonwealth Foundation Senior Vice President Nathan Benefield issued the following statement in response to the Pennsylvania House Democrats’ decision to advance a fiscal code bill…

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Education

School Choice Report, Episode 18

  • David P. Hardy
  • October 3, 2023

What drives someone to take a stand for school choice when his or her peers pose fierce opposition? What are parents who want more educational choice saying to elected officials?…

Podcast

Read More: School Choice Report, Episode 18

Education

State House Democrats need to do their jobs

  • Stephen Bloom
  • September 22, 2023

Originally published at LNP Lawmakers have one job: Work for the people they represent. This job requirement is as old as Pennsylvania when William Penn founded the Provincial Assembly…

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Education

Analysis: Shapiro Least Productive Governor with a Divided Government

  • September 21, 2023

Harrisburg, Pa., September 21, 2023 — Pennsylvania state lawmakers have enacted only 15 bills during the first six months of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration, despite having a full-time legislature, according to…

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Education

School Choice Report, Episode 17

  • David P. Hardy
  • September 18, 2023

Margaret “Macke” Raymond is the Director of the Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) based at Stanford University. She has steered the group to national prominence as a rigorous…

Podcast

Read More: School Choice Report, Episode 17

Education

Pennsylvanians Deserve the Truth on Education Spending

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 18, 2023

Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Pennsylvania’s Basic Education Funding Commission has begun holding hearings on how to remake the state’s public schools funding formula after a state court determined that the existing…

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Education

Pa. House Majority Leader Matt Bradford’s failed leadership

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 15, 2023

Originally published in The Mercury The Pennsylvania budget remains unfinished, while Pennsylvania House lawmakers remain on vacation (in recess) until the end of September. While it’s up to Speaker…

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Education

Education Pioneer David Hardy Tells Harrisburg to Pass Lifeline Scholarships

  • September 14, 2023

Harrisburg, Pa., September 14, 2023 — Philadelphia education pioneer and Commonwealth Foundation Distinguished Senior Fellow David Hardy delivered powerful testimony to the state Senate Education Committee on Monday, reminding lawmakers that the…

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Education

School Choice Report, Episode 16

  • David P. Hardy
  • September 12, 2023

Ryan Boyer is the business manager of Laborers’ District Council and head of the Philadelphia Building & Construction Trades Council. It’s been written that he’s a no-nonsense operator in the…

Podcast

Read More: School Choice Report, Episode 16

Opportunity

Jennifer Stefano: All that’s lost when teens don’t work

  • September 11, 2023

Philadelphia Inquirer columnist and Commonwealth Foundation Executive Vice President Jennifer Stefano, in her recent column, laments the decline of teenage employment and the life lessons that teenagers miss when they don’t…

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Opportunity

All that’s lost when teens don’t work

  • Jennifer Stefano
  • September 11, 2023

Originally published at The Philadelphia Inquirer At a back-to-school night this year, I chatted with a group of moms who had kids in high school. Their teens’ summers were…

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