Pennsylvania
U.S.
Rank
Score:
75%
Grade:
C
Rank:
#23
One of the earliest states to adopt and grow charters has seen state-imposed obstacles year after year, compromising their ability to grow and prosper. Envious school boards and politicians influenced by special interests however can’t stop the demand of teachers and parents who flock to the Keystone State’s almost 200 schools annually, with more on waiting lists.
Law passed: 1997
Most recently amended: 2017
Number of charter schools: 179
Number of charter students: 163,625
Cap on the number of schools allowed:? No
Virtual charters allowed? Yes
AUTHORIZERS: Local school boards only for brick-and-mortar charter schools; two or more local school boards for regional charter schools; the state Board of Education only for virtual charters schools. Appeals for denied applications go to the State Charter School Appeals Board (CAB). If approved by the state CAB, the chair must sign the written charter if the local school board still refuses to grant the charter.
GROWTH: There are no caps on charter schools in the law, but several districts have imposed their own caps on the number of schools and/or number of students they will authorize. Larger districts like Philadelphia must contend with hostile bureaucracies that limit charter seats and funding.
OPERATIONS: Charter schools have a blanket waiver from most state and district regulations. However, many districts strictly regulate the charters they authorize.
EQUITY: Charters receive no less than the budgeted total expenditure for each student enrolled minus certain categories of funding. Because districts make these calculations, Charter Schools often end up with inequitable funds. Districts also receive impact aid from students who go to charters in the first year. The state can intervene if districts are not making scheduled payments to charter schools. A lawsuit resulted in Philadelphia having to make up underfunding charters but the impact has not stuck. Gov. Tom Wolf, an opponent, is seeking to lower the special ed reimbursement dollars and reduce payment to virtual schools to a flat $9,500 per student. Charters receive approximately 27% less than other, comparable public schools.
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#7
Since 2018, there has been more than 20% increase in participation in the Educational Improvement and Opportunity Scholarship tax credit programs, with over 60,000 students.
Law enacted: 2001 and 2012
Number of programs: 2
Statewide Participation: 60,000
Types of programs: Tax Credit Scholarship
Tax-Credit Scholarship
Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program
The Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program was launched in 2001 to help low and middle-income families receive private school and pre-kindergarten scholarships. In 2021 the program funding was increased by $40 million, for a total of $175 million. This expansion will provide an estimated 13,000 students with scholarship opportunities regardless of their ZIP code. Individual Scholarship amounts could increase as well under the new legislation. Under this program, corporations can receive tax credits equaling 75% for contributing one year, or 90% for contributing two consecutive years. The income limit is households that earn less than $90,000 plus $15,842 per child, and this program has no enrollment cap.
Tax-Credit Scholarship
Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program
This tax credit scholarship program began in 2012, and gives corporations tax credits for donating to Opportunity Scholarship Organizations. Students that live in low-achieving school zones and meet income requirements can apply for a scholarship to attend private schools. The income limit is families that earn less than $90,000 plus $15,842 per child. The program has a budget cap of $55 million, and no enrollment cap.
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#30
Student performance data is counted in “50 percent of a teacher’s overall evaluation rating”; districts have the freedom to set teacher pay scales but does not require teacher effectiveness to be a factor in compensation.
TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT: 70%
General Teacher Preparation 65%
Elementary Teacher Preparation 62%
Secondary Teacher Preparation 90%
Special Education Teacher Preparation 58%
Alternate Routes 75%
STAFFING AND SUPPORT: 72%
Hiring 70%
Retaining Effective Teachers 73%
TEACHER EVALUATION: 79%
Teacher and Principal Evaluation
TEACHER COMPENSATION: 65%
Score:
75%
Grade:
C
Rank:
#23
One of the earliest states to adopt and grow charters has seen state-imposed obstacles year after year, compromising their ability to grow and prosper. Envious school boards and politicians influenced by special interests however can’t stop the demand of teachers and parents who flock to the Keystone State’s almost 200 schools annually, with more on waiting lists.
Law passed: 1997
Most recently amended: 2017
Number of charter schools: 179
Number of charter students: 163,625
Cap on the number of schools allowed:? No
Virtual charters allowed? Yes
AUTHORIZERS: Local school boards only for brick-and-mortar charter schools; two or more local school boards for regional charter schools; the state Board of Education only for virtual charters schools. Appeals for denied applications go to the State Charter School Appeals Board (CAB). If approved by the state CAB, the chair must sign the written charter if the local school board still refuses to grant the charter.
GROWTH: There are no caps on charter schools in the law, but several districts have imposed their own caps on the number of schools and/or number of students they will authorize. Larger districts like Philadelphia must contend with hostile bureaucracies that limit charter seats and funding.
OPERATIONS: Charter schools have a blanket waiver from most state and district regulations. However, many districts strictly regulate the charters they authorize.
EQUITY: Charters receive no less than the budgeted total expenditure for each student enrolled minus certain categories of funding. Because districts make these calculations, Charter Schools often end up with inequitable funds. Districts also receive impact aid from students who go to charters in the first year. The state can intervene if districts are not making scheduled payments to charter schools. A lawsuit resulted in Philadelphia having to make up underfunding charters but the impact has not stuck. Gov. Tom Wolf, an opponent, is seeking to lower the special ed reimbursement dollars and reduce payment to virtual schools to a flat $9,500 per student. Charters receive approximately 27% less than other, comparable public schools.
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#7
Since 2018, there has been more than 20% increase in participation in the Educational Improvement and Opportunity Scholarship tax credit programs, with over 60,000 students.
Law enacted: 2001 and 2012
Number of programs: 2
Statewide Participation: 60,000
Types of programs: Tax Credit Scholarship
Tax-Credit Scholarship
Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program
The Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program was launched in 2001 to help low and middle-income families receive private school and pre-kindergarten scholarships. In 2021 the program funding was increased by $40 million, for a total of $175 million. This expansion will provide an estimated 13,000 students with scholarship opportunities regardless of their ZIP code. Individual Scholarship amounts could increase as well under the new legislation. Under this program, corporations can receive tax credits equaling 75% for contributing one year, or 90% for contributing two consecutive years. The income limit is households that earn less than $90,000 plus $15,842 per child, and this program has no enrollment cap.
Tax-Credit Scholarship
Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program
This tax credit scholarship program began in 2012, and gives corporations tax credits for donating to Opportunity Scholarship Organizations. Students that live in low-achieving school zones and meet income requirements can apply for a scholarship to attend private schools. The income limit is families that earn less than $90,000 plus $15,842 per child. The program has a budget cap of $55 million, and no enrollment cap.
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#30
Student performance data is counted in “50 percent of a teacher’s overall evaluation rating”; districts have the freedom to set teacher pay scales but does not require teacher effectiveness to be a factor in compensation.
TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT: 70%
General Teacher Preparation 65%
Elementary Teacher Preparation 62%
Secondary Teacher Preparation 90%
Special Education Teacher Preparation 58%
Alternate Routes 75%
STAFFING AND SUPPORT: 72%
Hiring 70%
Retaining Effective Teachers 73%
TEACHER EVALUATION: 79%
Teacher and Principal Evaluation
TEACHER COMPENSATION: 65%
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#40
In March 2020, Pennsylvania offered the Digital K-12 Course Platform to schools that wanted to establish online course offerings, “This voluntary resource is available to schools and districts without a current system in place, or, for schools and districts looking to supplement their current systems.”
To prepare students for entering the 21st century workforce, the PAsmart initiative was launched by Gov. Tom Wolf with the “goal to improve the number of Pennsylvanians with a certificate or degree to 60 percent by 2025.” As a result of this initiative, in January 2020, $5.7 million of PAsmart Target Grants were awarded to 163 school districts and charter schools across the state to increase computer science curriculum.
Pennsylvania has seven school districts that are members of the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, giving over 20,000 students in the state digital learning opportunities. The League of Innovative Schools is a network of school leaders in 114 districts in 34 states that aim to enhance and scale digital learning opportunities for students across the nation.
Bandwidth: “99.6% of students in Pennsylvania can access the Internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student, and many students are connected at higher speeds. But there is still work to be done. 6,447 students still need more bandwidth for digital learning.”
Pennsylvania has yet to meaningfully promote policies that customize learning for all students, but there are a few grassroots efforts in promoting personalized learning in districts. Districts in southwestern Pennsylvania have a personalized learning network and are implementing new instructional approaches.
Schools were initially closed March 13 for the 2019-20 school year and remained closed for the rest of the school year. Governor Wolf banned any online learning even in charter schools early on. While that was later retracted, it had an effect on continuity of education for many potential new online students. Although Pennsylvania eventually allowed remote learning for students, it was not until mid-April, and many were not doing any instruction until then. Philadelphia schools did no instruction for nearly two months.
The state also did not take steps to ensure all had access to devices and the internet though it did develop a website with information and resources for students, parents, teachers, and administrators.
Reopening guidelines for the 2020-21 school year were criticized by superintendents and others as too vague, and clarification was requested. More details were provided, including a tiered approach to reopening, and districts must submit plans to the state for approval. Philadelphia schools will not reopen for in-person instruction until at least November 17. Districts are permitted to offer in-person, online, or a combination of the two.
Fast Facts
4th Grade Math Proficiency:
8th Grade Math Proficiency:
12th Grade Math Proficiency:
4th Grade Reading Proficiency:
8th Grade Reading Proficiency:
12th Grade Reading Proficiency:
Graduation Rate:
Average SAT Score:
Average ACT Score:
Public School Enrollment:
Percent Enrolled in Charter Schools:
Average Student Funding:
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#40
In March 2020, Pennsylvania offered the Digital K-12 Course Platform to schools that wanted to establish online course offerings, “This voluntary resource is available to schools and districts without a current system in place, or, for schools and districts looking to supplement their current systems.”
To prepare students for entering the 21st century workforce, the PAsmart initiative was launched by Gov. Tom Wolf with the “goal to improve the number of Pennsylvanians with a certificate or degree to 60 percent by 2025.” As a result of this initiative, in January 2020, $5.7 million of PAsmart Target Grants were awarded to 163 school districts and charter schools across the state to increase computer science curriculum.
Pennsylvania has seven school districts that are members of the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, giving over 20,000 students in the state digital learning opportunities. The League of Innovative Schools is a network of school leaders in 114 districts in 34 states that aim to enhance and scale digital learning opportunities for students across the nation.
Bandwidth: “99.6% of students in Pennsylvania can access the Internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student, and many students are connected at higher speeds. But there is still work to be done. 6,447 students still need more bandwidth for digital learning.”
Pennsylvania has yet to meaningfully promote policies that customize learning for all students, but there are a few grassroots efforts in promoting personalized learning in districts. Districts in southwestern Pennsylvania have a personalized learning network and are implementing new instructional approaches.
Schools were initially closed March 13 for the 2019-20 school year and remained closed for the rest of the school year. Governor Wolf banned any online learning even in charter schools early on. While that was later retracted, it had an effect on continuity of education for many potential new online students. Although Pennsylvania eventually allowed remote learning for students, it was not until mid-April, and many were not doing any instruction until then. Philadelphia schools did no instruction for nearly two months.
The state also did not take steps to ensure all had access to devices and the internet though it did develop a website with information and resources for students, parents, teachers, and administrators.
Reopening guidelines for the 2020-21 school year were criticized by superintendents and others as too vague, and clarification was requested. More details were provided, including a tiered approach to reopening, and districts must submit plans to the state for approval. Philadelphia schools will not reopen for in-person instruction until at least November 17. Districts are permitted to offer in-person, online, or a combination of the two.
4th Grade Math Proficiency:
8th Grade Math Proficiency:
12th Grade Math Proficiency:
4th Grade Reading Proficiency:
8th Grade Reading Proficiency:
12th Grade Reading Proficiency:
Graduation Rate:
Average SAT Score:
Average ACT Score:
Public School Enrollment:
Percent Enrolled in Charter Schools:
Average Student Funding:
Josh Shapiro (D)
First term begins in 2023 (two-term limit)
In a surprising turn for a union backed Democrat in the Keystone state, Governor-elect Josh Shapiro “favors adding choices for parents and educational opportunity for students and funding lifeline scholarships like those approved in other states and introduced in Pennsylvania, moving Pennsylvania forward. He says “This is not an either-or, I think this is a both-and. I think we can invest in public education and empower parents to put their kids in the best opportunity for them to succeed, and I don’t think we have to harm public schools in the process.” Lifeline scholarships would give parents who live in districts in the bottom 15% of state performance metrics the ability to choose an alternative academic setting that meets their child’s individual learning needs. The money would follow the student at the parent’s discretion.
Control of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives appears to be undetermined but with the potential for a split straight down the middle with equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans, run by a speaker who is now Independent, and reportedly pro-education choice. It will be interesting to see how both chambers work with Governor Josh Shapiro on his campaign promise to support the Lifeline Scholarship program.
“The Pennsylvania Constitution contains a Compelled Support Clause and a Blaine Amendment,” which “restricts the use of funds ‘raised for the public schools’. Case law follows the federal Establishment Clause” (Institute for Justice) precedent permitting a looser interpretation of Blaine. However, a challenge could be made to the state’s restrictions on funding.
Pennsylvania has a relatively new dashboard, futurereadypa.org, which can be accessed from the main state DOE website. The user can access school performance, district performance, and school fast facts and educational options are also easily accessible under Schools on the main page, by clicking “Types of Schools.” However, the grading of the schools doesn’t reflect wide variations in student body or other factors so parents may be misled by what appears to be comparable data but is not.
The state allows parents to vote in school board elections during the general election cycle, making it easier for their voices to be heard.
Josh Shapiro (D)
First term begins in 2023 (two-term limit)
In a surprising turn for a union backed Democrat in the Keystone state, Governor-elect Josh Shapiro “favors adding choices for parents and educational opportunity for students and funding lifeline scholarships like those approved in other states and introduced in Pennsylvania, moving Pennsylvania forward. He says “This is not an either-or, I think this is a both-and. I think we can invest in public education and empower parents to put their kids in the best opportunity for them to succeed, and I don’t think we have to harm public schools in the process.” Lifeline scholarships would give parents who live in districts in the bottom 15% of state performance metrics the ability to choose an alternative academic setting that meets their child’s individual learning needs. The money would follow the student at the parent’s discretion.
Control of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives appears to be undetermined but with the potential for a split straight down the middle with equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans, run by a speaker who is now Independent, and reportedly pro-education choice. It will be interesting to see how both chambers work with Governor Josh Shapiro on his campaign promise to support the Lifeline Scholarship program.
“The Pennsylvania Constitution contains a Compelled Support Clause and a Blaine Amendment,” which “restricts the use of funds ‘raised for the public schools’. Case law follows the federal Establishment Clause” (Institute for Justice) precedent permitting a looser interpretation of Blaine. However, a challenge could be made to the state’s restrictions on funding.
Pennsylvania has a relatively new dashboard, futurereadypa.org, which can be accessed from the main state DOE website. The user can access school performance, district performance, and school fast facts and educational options are also easily accessible under Schools on the main page, by clicking “Types of Schools.” However, the grading of the schools doesn’t reflect wide variations in student body or other factors so parents may be misled by what appears to be comparable data but is not.
The state allows parents to vote in school board elections during the general election cycle, making it easier for their voices to be heard.