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

Will “State-Related” Universities Get Stimulus Funding, No Stimulus Funding, or No Funding at All?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 14, 2009

On June 26th the Governor submitted his application for federal stabilization funds, including the following phrase:”The Commonwealth’s “state-related universities” are excluded from all calculations for purposes of the State Fiscal…

Media

Read More: Will “State-Related” Universities Get Stimulus Funding, No Stimulus Funding, or No Funding at All?

Education

Rendell Administration Continues to Lie on Education Funding

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 13, 2009

Pennsylvania Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak continues the administration’s scare tactics and ininaccurate propaganda claiming that the $27.3 billion PA House budget would force schools to increase property…

Media

Read More: Rendell Administration Continues to Lie on Education Funding

Education

“Tax You More Bus Tour” Hits Speed Bump

  • July 11, 2009

The “Tax You More Bus Tour” is still puttering along in the taxpayer-funded luxury bus – or at least it was scheduled to. The Department of Education twice attempted…

Media

Read More: “Tax You More Bus Tour” Hits Speed Bump

Education

Could Pension Crisis Shut Down High School Sports?

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • July 6, 2009

Patriot-News sports reporter Rod Frisco took a look at how the looming pension crisis might impact public school athletics. Derry Township School District Superintendent Linda Brewer noted that “every…

Media

Read More: Could Pension Crisis Shut Down High School Sports?

Education

More Dollars is Not Producing More Scholars

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 30, 2009

A new report from the Math Science Partnership of Greater Philadelphia on Pennsylvania school performance (specifically the 11th grade PSSAs) across school districts finds that: Demographic factors (residents with…

Media

Read More: More Dollars is Not Producing More Scholars

Education

The “Mis-education” of Ed Rendell

  • June 23, 2009

Gov. Rendell wants to increase taxes to continue the double-the-rate-of-inflation spending that has defined his tenure.  In order to sell his state budget plan to an increasingly skeptical public, he…

Commentary

Read More: The “Mis-education” of Ed Rendell

Education

How Colleges are Cutting Costs

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 23, 2009

Two recent articles in the New York Times prove universities can cut costs without decreasing the quality of education. Susquehanna University saved almost $3,000 as students…

Media

Read More: How Colleges are Cutting Costs

Education

Salaries for Pennsylvania Teachers and School Employees Online

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 15, 2009

Stop Teacher Strikes has posted the 2007-08 salary information (collected by Asbury Park Press) for 195,000 Pennsylvania teachers and school employees, searchable by  name, district, or position…

Media

Read More: Salaries for Pennsylvania Teachers and School Employees Online

Education

“Is public education socialism?”

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 13, 2009

In defense of a single-payer health care system, possible U.S. Senate candidate and state Rep. Bill Kortz (D-Dravosburg) asked, “Is public education socialism? No. This is the same thing.”…

Media

Read More: “Is public education socialism?”

Education

Fact Check: The Costing-Out Study

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 12, 2009

Today the Governor wraps up his “Tax You More Tour” with Matt Brouillette following stride for stride. Meanwhile, we’re debunking another spending myth: The Costing-Out Study…

Media

Read More: Fact Check: The Costing-Out Study

Education

Public Schools’ Edifice Complex

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 11, 2009

John Micek and I (@NathanBenefield) had a little discussion via Twitter over the cost of public school buildings. John wonders what is wrong with having nice school…

Media

Read More: Public Schools’ Edifice Complex

Education

Fact Check: School Choice Saves

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 11, 2009

As the “Tax You More” lobbying tour continues its journey Matt Brouillette continues to offer the real facts on state education spending. Today’s education fact focusing on how…

Media

Read More: Fact Check: School Choice Saves

Education

In What World is an 11.7% Increase Called a Decrease?

  • June 10, 2009

Harrisburg, PA — Commonwealth Foundation president and CEO Matthew Brouillette continues to follow Gov. Ed Rendell’s taxpayer-funded bus campaign into the northeastern part of the state today.  Today’s “Tax You…

Press Release

Read More: In What World is an 11.7% Increase Called a Decrease?

Education

Fact Check: Pennsylvania State and Local Education Spending

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 10, 2009

Today the Pennsylvania Department of Education is on day 3 of their “Tax You More” bus tour. While the administration continues their taxpayer funded lobbying effort, Commonwealth Foundation President…

Media

Read More: Fact Check: Pennsylvania State and Local Education Spending

Education

Bob Casey Still Needs to Read the Stimulus Bill

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 9, 2009

Sen. Bob Casey – in remarks designed to counter the facts laid out by the Commonwealth Foundation, namely that Pennsylvania school districts will get a dramatic increase in…

Media

Read More: Bob Casey Still Needs to Read the Stimulus Bill

Education

Bonus Fact Check: Government Preschool

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 8, 2009

One point that has been raised during the Rendell administration’s taxpayer funding lobbying campaign for higher taxes was the benefits of the Pre-K Counts programs. On this, we…

Media

Read More: Bonus Fact Check: Government Preschool

Education

Brouillette to Counter Rendell’s “Tax You More” Bus Tour

  • June 8, 2009

Harrisburg, PA — Gov. Rendell’s week-long, state-wide bus tour to scare and mislead Pennsylvanians into thinking they pay too little in taxes and don’t spend enough on public education will…

Press Release

Read More: Brouillette to Counter Rendell’s “Tax You More” Bus Tour

Education

Fact Check: K-12 Education Support Increase Under SB 850

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 8, 2009

While the Rendell administration is burning your tax dollars funding a bus tour across Pennsylvania to ask for more education spending (and the higher taxes needed to pay for…

Media

Read More: Fact Check: K-12 Education Support Increase Under SB 850

Education

Budget Facts 2009: Spending Increases by Department

  • June 7, 2009

Pennsylvania faces a $3 billion tax revenue shortfall in the state’s General Fund Budget.  Competing proposals from Gov. Ed Rendell and the Republican-led Senate differ on raising taxes and reducing/reprioritizing…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Budget Facts 2009: Spending Increases by Department