Nathan Benefield, Chief Policy Officer of the Commonwealth Foundation, argues in The Philadelphia Citizen that Philadelphia’s schools don’t need more money — they need school choice. He cites a Chalkbeat investigation showing students bypassing Keystone exams via low-rigor alternatives (e.g., a two-hour ladder-safety video) to mask the fact that only ~25% of 11th graders are math-proficient and ~33% reading-proficient. Per the District’s CAFR, non-charter per-pupil spending hit $32,122 (roughly $9,000 above the state average and nearly double 2016 levels), enrollment dropped 12% over the decade, yet staffing grew 21% — with administrative roles up 56% versus just 4% growth in teachers.
Benefield urges Gov. Josh Shapiro to opt Pennsylvania into FSTC, citing Education Reform Now (ERN)’s estimate it could deliver up to $500 million in additional scholarship funding for PA students starting January 1, 2027. He also calls on state lawmakers to lift caps on EITC/OSTC, noting roughly 69,000 applicants were denied or waitlisted last year against ~101,000 awarded scholarships, and points to Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia data showing recipients outperform public-school peers.
Read the full story here: The Philadelphia Citizen
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