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

The PSEA: A Worm in the Apple

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • January 7, 2009

Every taxpayer in the Commonwealth should be aware of the influence and agenda of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA).  Despite its name, the organization’s top priority is not educating…

Commentary

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Education

Film: A Stone’s Throw

  • January 6, 2009

Our sister think tank, the Mississippi Center for Public Policy, recently released “A Stone’s Throw.” The film documents the frustrations of parents in Mississippi–a state notorious for its low…

Media

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Education

Human Capital Contracts: The Future of Higher Ed Funding?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 5, 2009

National Center for Policy Analysis summarize the idea of “human capital contracts” to finance student’s higher education costs. Essentially these contracts constitute agreeing to pay a set percentage of…

Media

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Education

Scholarships for Student Conference on Liberty

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 29, 2008

Students For Liberty (a non-profit organization dedicated to liberty) will host their 2009 International Students For Liberty Conference from February 20-22nd at George Washington University, Washington, D.C. The…

Media

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Education

Why Pennsylvania leads the nation in teacher walkouts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 22, 2008

The Wall Street Journal features an article on teacher strikes in Pennsylvania, noting that the Keystone State leads the nation in school employees strikes. The piece cites a…

Media

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Education

School Choice Benefits Students and Taxpayers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 17, 2008

Bob Maranto is featured in the Inquirer today writing on why Philadelphia needs charter schools: The academic data provided by No Child Left Behind…

Media

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Education

Failing Science

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 10, 2008

The Patriot News has a story on the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s news release that almost two-thirds of Pennsylvania’s 11th grade students are not proficient in science.  The…

Media

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Education

Higher Costs of Higher Education

  • December 4, 2008

New report diagnoses skyrocketing PA college tuition, prescribes remedy for lower costs HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation today released Higher Costs of Higher Education: Reforming how Pennsylvania Taxpayers Finance…

Press Release

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Education

“F” for Affordability

  • December 3, 2008

Today, the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education released its National Report Card on Higher Education. The report surveyed…

Media

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Education

High Tech Higher Ed

  • December 2, 2008

The Washington Monthly ran an article by Kevin Carey of Education Sector last week on the effects of technology on higher education. Carey illustrates how one professor established…

Media

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Education

What’s Wrong With Pennsylvania Higher Education

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 2, 2008

In the midst of rising tuition, dwindling tax revenue, and a recession, the presidents of 13 state-owned colleges are collectively receiving $147,427 in raises, which would equal tuition for 27…

Commentary

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Education

We’re Number One! In Teacher Strikes…still

  • November 21, 2008

The Allegheny Institute, one of our sister think tanks, posted a brief about teacher strikes. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania maintains its reputation of being the “teacher strike capital” of the world.

Media

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Education

Hope for me, but not for thee

  • November 18, 2008

Cross posted on Capital Domes. It seems Washington, D.C., is atwitter over President-elect Barack Obama’s first major decision. No, it’s not which cabinet post Hillary will get.

Media

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Education

Charter schools produce graduates, cost less

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 15, 2008

Jay P. Greene’s blog points to a couple of recent studies on charter schools. The first one (link to full study here) shows that charter schools in Florida…

Media

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Education

Pennsylvania State Education Association: Compelling Teachers, Marginalizing Students, Lobbying Politicians & Increasing Taxes

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • November 12, 2008

Originally founded as the Pennsylvania State Teachers Association in 1852, the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) has transformed itself from a professional development organization for educators into one of the…

Fact Sheet

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Education

Harrisburg’s Most Powerful Special Interest

  • November 12, 2008

New policy brief addresses the impact of unions on public education HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation today released Pennsylvania State Education Association: Compelling Teachers, Marginalizing Students, Lobbying Politicians &…

Press Release

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Education

National Campaign for School Choice Launched

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 11, 2008

Our friends at the Alliance for School Choice have launched a new campaign – Let Parents Choose – aimed at recruiting 10,000 activists and supporters of school choice.

Media

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Education

School Choice Improves Student Learning

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 10, 2008

While evidence on school choice programs in the US indicates both benefits for student recipients and competitive benefits for public schools (not to mention greater parental satisfaction…

Media

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