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.
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Education
To These People, Gov. Corbett’s “C” Word Is an Epithet
Well. It sounds like the media and the educational establishment interpreted Gov. Tom Corbett’s inaugural address the same way I did. Since his inauguration, there has been a bunch…
Media
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The Right Thing
I am infamous in the Commonwealth Foundation office and in my family for being old fashioned. There is a litany of reasons: I wear ties a lot. I even own…
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What the PHEAA is Going On?
The Patriot News reports that former Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) boss Michael Hershock got $200,000 in a settlement over his 2009 firing. To recap, he was fired…
Media
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80 Ideas for a Prosperous Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania must undergo a rapid transformation to reverse the poor policy decisions that have eroded economic freedoms and brought the state to its present condition. To provide a roadmap for…
Report
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How Corbett can Balance the Budget without Raising Taxes
Even before Gov.-elect Tom Corbett raises his right hand high Tuesday swearing to tackle the problems left from the previous administration's tax-borrow-and-spend agenda, doubters are lining up to take potshots…
Commentary
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Success Makes School Choice Take Top Priority
Senators Jeffrey Piccola and Anthony Williams announced The Opportunity Scholarship Act, which expands school choice in Pennsylvania by creating a voucher program for low-income students and increases the state’s…
Media
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More Bad News for Minority Students in Philadelphia Public Schools
How are African-American males faring in Philadelphia public schools? According to a report recently released by the Council of Great City Schools, not very well. The report, “A Call…
Media
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Report: School Choice Could Save PA Tax Dollars
The Foundation for Educational Choice has a new analysis out, suggesting that the federal “Race to the Top” (RTTP) funding from the stimulus bill should be used to…
Media
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School Choice Push Extends Nationwide
Pennsylvania Governor-elect Tom Corbett has indicated strong support support for school choice, but he won’t be alone in the fight. Joining him in this push is Governor-elect…
Media
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PA School Districts Creating Online Options in Response to Cyber Schools
As reported in the Valley News Dispatch, Pennsylvania school districts continue to add online options in response to students leaving for public cyber schools. Two things to…
Media
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Choosing Schools
Recently, Bruno Manno in Education Week explains that approximately 29 million students are enrolled in the school of their choice (free registration required). This means that over 50…
Media
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What to Do About Teacher Strikes
Pennsylvania once again led the nation in teacher strikes. Although only 13 states permit them, Pennsylvania tops the chart again as more students are deprived of up to 180…
Media
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PSEA Up to Their Old Tricks
I’ve dealt with teachers’ unions for a lot of years in a lot of states in my on-going efforts to bring greater educational options to students and parents, and one…
Media
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Why Do PA College Grads Have so Much Debt?
Pennsylvania college grads are accumulating staggering levels of debt—higher than the national average. Sunday’s Tribune-Review reports the all-too-common story of young college grads tens of thousands of dollars in…
Media
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‘Delivering on the Mandate’ forum brings together policy leaders, concerned citizens
A passionate panel of experts on school choice and smart state spending gathered today for the Commonwealth Foundation’s “Delivering on the Mandate” Policy & Principles Luncheon. According to school choice…
Media
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Poll Shows Pennsylvanians Favor School Choice
Harrisburg, PA—Pennsylvania voters elected a Governor last Tuesday who is committed to school choice, sending a message that our children’s right to an excellent education is one they are…
Press Release
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Bethel Park Teachers Strike
The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reported that Bethel Park teachers were on strike for the sixth time in thirty years. Interrupting classes in order to negotiate taxpayer-funded salaries and benefits…
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Pennsylvania Voters Hit the Brakes on Runaway Government
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Press Release
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What’s Missing in Higher Education
While inputs like SAT scores, class rank, and GPA are plentiful, there are very few measures of college outputs, and the ones that are reported are very concerning. An analysis…
Media
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Gov. Rendell Vetoes Education Bill
Last week, Gov. Rendell vetoed an education bill that combined several smaller pieces of legislation. Rendell did not like a provision that would declare charter school buildings owned by…
Media
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Further Evidence on School Choice
During last week’s hearing on school choice in Pennsylvania, some lawmakers questioned the evidence of the benefits of school choice programs,…
Media
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