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

Josh Shapiro plays to the middle while pleasing the left

  • Charles Mitchell
  • June 13, 2024

Originally published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Perhaps you’ve heard: Our governor is a moderate president-in-the-making. Josh Shapiro is leaning into this image as the state legislature negotiates next year’s budget,…

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Education

Pa. schools don’t need more money, students need alternatives

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 8, 2024

Originally published at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette School districts know how to add, but not Pennsylvania students. Statewide scores show declining student outcomes despite historic public education spending. Pennsylvania school…

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Education

Democrats Want to Cut Funding for PA Special Needs Students

  • Rachel Langan
  • June 7, 2024

Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal Pennsylvania Democrats are trying to cut funding for special needs students in Pennsylvania public schools. Now, brace yourself—the more you learn, the worse…

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Education

Season 2, Episode 4 Featuring Professor Robert Strauss

  • David P. Hardy
  • June 3, 2024

In this episode Professor Robert Strauss joins host David Hardy to discuss teacher retention and its significant challenges in Pennsylvania, with Professor Strauss highlighting the history of teacher preparation programs…

Podcast

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Education

Lawmakers can ease financial worries of Pennsylvanians

  • Stephen Bloom
  • June 2, 2024

Originally published at LNP The struggle is real. When asked about their families’ financial situation, only 17% of Pennsylvanians see themselves as better off now than two years ago,…

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Education

Pennsylvania’s Senate has answered Gov. Shapiro’s challenge

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 21, 2024

Originally published at The Patriot-News Following his budget address in February, Gov. Josh Shapiro challenged critics, saying, “If you don’t like my plan, show me yours.” Last week,…

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Education

Pa. School Funding Reached $22,000 per student in 2023 

  • May 21, 2024

Harrisburg, Pa., May 21, 2024 — Pennsylvania per-student spending increased to $21,985 in the 2022–23 school year, according to recently released data from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This represents a…

Press Release

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Education

Pa. School Funding Reaches $22,000 per Student in 2023

  • May 20, 2024

Pennsylvania Public School Spending Is Growing Over the last decade, state spending on Pennsylvania public schools reached all-time highs year after year. Pennsylvania per-pupil public school funding increased to $21,985…

Fact Sheet

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Education

Wall Street Journal Editorial: A School Choice Revival in Pennsylvania

  • May 16, 2024

Pennsylvania students trapped in the state’s worst-performing schools have another opportunity for scholarships following Gov. Josh Shapiro’s reversal of his previous stance and veto of bipartisan budget legislation last year.

Press Release

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Education

Parents and children versus politicians and teachers unions

  • Guy Ciarrocchi
  • May 9, 2024

Originally published at Broad + Liberty Who is more important: children or the teachers union? Like college students cramming for finals, Harrisburg politicians are supposed to pass a budget…

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Education

Commonwealth “Grow PA” Breakdown

  • Stephen Bloom
  • May 7, 2024

Vice President of the Commonwealth Foundation Steve Bloom joins The Dawn Stensland Show to discuss the Grow PA plan for higher education.

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Education

Voters Aren’t Buying What Shapiro Is Selling

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 28, 2024

Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania As inflation persists, Pennsylvania voters are rejecting increased government spending, according to new polling data released by the Commonwealth Foundation. Inflation and the rising cost of…

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Education

Don’t ignore the destructive ideas coming out of Harrisburg

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 26, 2024

Originally published at Broad + Liberty It’s a presidential election year, with voters riveted on national politics and issues. Inflation — caused by federal deficit spending — and immigration consistently…

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Education

Charles Mitchell | On Offense in Pennsylvania

  • Charles Mitchell
  • April 25, 2024

Charles Mitchell is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Commonwealth Foundation. Charles grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs in a family of railroaders, teachers, and small…

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Education

Senate Higher Education Proposal is a Step in the Right Direction

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 25, 2024

Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal A lot of bad plans on how to make higher education affordable exist. There is Gov. Josh Shapiro’s vague “blueprint,” which lacks…

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Education

Nate Benefield on The Dawn Stensland Show: Common Ground Poll Breakdown

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 18, 2024

The juxtaposition between the lack of support for Shapiro’s budget proposal (29%) and the massive support for his unfulfilled campaign promises—like Lifeline Scholarships (77%), lowering the business tax rate (81%),…

Media Hit

Read More: Nate Benefield on The Dawn Stensland Show: Common Ground Poll Breakdown