CF’s work in education focuses on promoting opportunity and improving children’s lives though incentive-based reforms. Instead of repeating the failed attempts to reform education through new rules or additional funding, such reforms use competition to improve education. Incentive-based reforms include providing choice within the public school system through charter schools and cyber schools, providing families with private school options through vouchers or tax credit-funded scholarships, and measuring and rewarding success in education for both schools and teachers. Only when parents are able to choose the best school for their child, have an abundance of educational choices and ample information, and schools are forced to compete for students will we provide the best education to Pennsylvania’s youth.
A Fair, Accountable, and Transparent Education
What are the facts on fairness, accountability, and transparency in the Commonwealth’s education system?
New Education Polling Results!
Learn what likely voters throughout Pennsylvania think about schooling preferences, educational choice, school funding, and more in the Pennsylvania K-12 & School Choice Survey.
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State Budget Solution #3: Student-Focused Education Funding
As lawmakers and Gov. Wolf seek to restructure state government this budget season, they should commit to refocusing education spending to provide the greatest opportunity to Pennsylvania students.
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A Christmas Wish List for Pennsylvania
“No more lives torn apart, and wars would never start, and time would heal all hearts.” You might recognize those words from the ubiquitous-around-the-holidays song, “Grown-Up Christmas List.” Grown up? Sure. Likely to happen? Not on this planet. Here is a Christmas wish list that can come true and would make Pennsylvania a place where everyone can thrive.
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Embracing Innovation in State Government
Conventional governing is hampering Pennsylvania’s progress. Growing state budgets combined with one-time revenue transfers and targeted tax hikes are delaying the structural reforms essential to improving the quality of life for people who live and work in Pennsylvania.
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Ghosts in the Education Machine
If Pennsylvania students miss three days of school without an excuse, the law says they must be reported. But across the commonwealth, certain teachers have been absent for years—without consequences
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Are These 8 Pa. School Districts Piling Up Tax Dollars Like Lower Merion?
A Montgomery County judge recently ruled that Lower Merion School District misled taxpayers by stashing huge cash reserves while repeatedly hiking taxes on township residents. Could 8 other Pennsylvania school districts be doing the same thing?
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Answering Questions about Education Savings Accounts
What are Education Savings Accounts -- and how can they help children in Pennsylvania?
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In School Funding, Pa. High Court Must Not Usurp Legislature
As the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court hears a challenge to the state’s school funding formula today, at issue is the power of the judiciary as well as the truth about Pennsylvania’s education funding.
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Charter Reform: Get it Right
Over the next nine months, many students will have their lives transformed for the better. But for thousands of other children, this time of year is defined by disappointment. They are trapped in schools that don’t meet their needs—effectively held hostage by a system that limits choice and opportunity.
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Trapped: 5 Ways Union Contracts Trample Teachers’ Rights
As students across Pennsylvania head back to school, government unions that are supposed to speak for teachers are instead trampling their rights in order to advance the union leaders’ agenda. A review of labor contracts in Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts shows five ways these collective bargaining agreements trap teachers—and cost taxpayers:
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