Education
The kids are not all right
Originally published at Broad + Liberty Our children’s test scores are down. They haven’t even reached pre-Covid levels, which wasn’t anything to brag about then. And the students are…
Read More: The kids are not all rightEducation 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.
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Education
Letter to the Editor – Educational Options
Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer The fight over educational choice is frustratingly politicized. Both sides duke it out in the public square, while students remain trapped in crumbling…
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Cutting cyber funding hurts Pennsylvania students
Originally published in The Mercury Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to cut funding to cyber charter schools. Other lawmakers, such as state Sen. Lindsey Williams, are seeking a moratorium on…
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Lawmakers’ ‘Grow PA’ Proposal Offers Serious Solutions for Higher Education
Harrisburg, Pa., April 11, 2024 — Yesterday, Pennsylvania Sens. Scott Martin, Ryan Aument, David Argall, and Tracy Pennycuick and Reps. Jesse Topper and Rob Mercuri introduced “Grow PA,” a higher…
Press Release
Read More: Lawmakers’ ‘Grow PA’ Proposal Offers Serious Solutions for Higher EducationEducation
Commonwealth Foundation Survey Finds Inflation-Weary Voters Oppose Higher State Spending and Taxes
Harrisburg, Pa., April 9, 2024 — Inflation tops the list of Pennsylvania voter concerns in a new survey released today by the Commonwealth Foundation. The poll found taxpayers are weary of state…
Press Release
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Governor’s campaign slogans won’t fix Pa.
Originally published at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Though elected in 2022, Gov. Josh Shapiro remains stuck in campaign mode, offering one empty platitude after another while avoiding the hard work…
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Season 2, Episode 2 Featuring Keisha Jordan, President and CEO at Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia
An advocate turned school choice advocate, Keisha Jordan is a woman on a mission. In this episode of School Choice Report, host David Hardy and Ms. Jordan discuss charter school…
Podcast
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Commonwealth Foundation Launches Billboards Spotlighting Need for Lifeline Scholarships
Harrisburg, Pa., April 1, 2024 — The Commonwealth Foundation today launched several digital billboards across Philadelphia promoting the Lifeline Scholarship Program that would allow students to escape Pennsylvania’s lowest-performing schools. Kicking…
Press Release
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It’s the year of school choice, as is every year to follow
Originally published at LNP Those involved in the educational freedom movement often proclaim, “This is our year.” Yet, we can’t agree on which year that is. Forbes and the…
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How I became an advocate for school choice
Originally published at Broad + Liberty School choice opponents typically have never needed or wanted an alternative to public schools. I should know: I was one of them. As…
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Higher Education in Pennsylvania
Summary Pennsylvania owns and operates 10 universities under the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE); subsidizes four state-related universities (which function as public-private partnerships); 15 community…
Fact Sheet
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Lies, damn lies, and two weeks to flatten the curve
Originally published at Broad + Liberty March 13: the fourth anniversary of Pennsylvania’s “two weeks to flatten the curve.” Governor Tom Wolf issued his first executive order, closing all…
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Season 2 Premier featuring Professor Robert Strauss
Get ready to dive into the electrifying SEASON 2 premiere of School Choice Report! Join your host, the dynamic David Hardy, as he engages in a riveting conversation with none…
Podcast
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Gov. Shapiro’s budget shoves Pennsylvania in the wrong direction
Originally published at The Patriot-News Pennsylvania’s population is shrinking as working-age families move away to other states. State policymakers’ most important challenge is how to make our commonwealth…
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If Josh Shapiro wants to compete with Ohio, he needs to imitate Ohio
Originally published at The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Gov. Josh Shapiro is right: Pennsylvania is losing to Ohio. In the last two years, Pennsylvania witnessed a net loss of 2,425 residents and…
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Commonwealth Foundation’s Nathan Benefield Releases Analysis of the Governor’s 2024 Budget Proposal
Harrisburg, Pa., February 8, 2024 — The spending increases proposed by Gov. Josh Shapiro in his recently released 2024 budget proposal “would explode the budget deficit and invite massive tax hikes on…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation’s Nathan Benefield Releases Analysis of the Governor’s 2024 Budget ProposalEducation
Key Takeaways from Governor’s 2024 Budget Proposal
Key Points Gov. Josh Shapiro’s startling spending increases and myriad of new initiatives would explode the budget deficit and invite massive tax hikes on working families in the coming years.
Backgrounder
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Gov. Shapiro’s Proposed Budget Demonstrates Startling Fiscal Irresponsibility
Harrisburg, Pa., February 6, 2024 — Today, Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered his 2024 Pennsylvania budget address in the Capitol rotunda. His speech, lasting approximately an hour and a half, included proposals…
Press Release
Read More: Gov. Shapiro’s Proposed Budget Demonstrates Startling Fiscal IrresponsibilityEducation
Before fixing college, Gov. Shapiro should fix Pennsylvania’s failing K–12 system
Originally published at The Patriot-News Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro finally revealed his 2024 New Year’s resolution: overhaul college in the commonwealth. However, here’s the big question: Can he…
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Stefano: Do-nothing Dems in the Pa. House hold bipartisan reforms hostage
Pennsylvania is losing people and industries to other states as a result of the state’s “crippling economic policies,” writes Philadelphia Inquirer columnist and Commonwealth Foundation Executive Vice President Jennifer Stefano in her Monday Inquirer …
Press Release
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Do-nothing Dems in the Pa. House hold bipartisan reforms hostage
Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer In the last two years, tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians have fled the state. This trend is not new. For 12…
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How Gov. Shapiro Can Help ‘Every Child of God’
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania “I believe every child of God deserves a shot here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said last year, “and one of the…
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