Bipartisan Support Grows for School Choice in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

A recent poll has shown significant bipartisan support for expanding school choice options in Pennsylvania, with around two-thirds of voters in favor of state-funded educational scholarships for private school tuition. The results suggest that this support transcends traditional political boundaries, demonstrating wide appeal across various demographics.

The poll indicates an overwhelming preference for school choice among respondents, with support levels reaching 84% for Republicans, 79% for independents, and 56% for Democrats, including voters who backed Vice President Kamala Harris. When broken down by race, 82% of Black voters, 80% of Hispanic voters, and 70% of white voters expressed support for the concept of school choice.

Younger voters, particularly those under 44 years old, also showed significant backing, with support at 75%. Furthermore, the enthusiasm for school choice is prevalent across all regions of Pennsylvania, especially in urban areas such as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, and Harrisburg.

Demand for School Choice Programs

Despite the overwhelming backing for school choice, existing programs are experiencing high demand, with nearly half of applicants being denied assistance due to funding constraints. In 2023, 164,000 students applied for tuition help through current scholarship initiatives, but only 85,000 received support. Notably, around 75% of applicants for the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit were turned away.

Political and Educational Context

Recent criticism surrounding school choice centers on the use of taxpayer money to fund private education, particularly following a court ruling aimed at equalizing funding across Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts. Opponents argue that relying on public funds for private school tuition is unjust.

Governor Josh Shapiro has presented a budget proposal that does not allocate additional resources for school choice tax credits or the proposed “lifeline scholarships,” which aim to help families in low-performing districts with education grants up to $15,000. Legislative caps and complexities related to funding existing school choice programs have also garnered criticism.

Education Quality in Pennsylvania

The need for expanded school choice is underscored by concerning educational statistics in Pennsylvania. Approximately 72% of eighth-grade students in public schools are not proficient in math, while 48% fail to meet proficiency standards in language arts. The statistics are even worse in the lowest-performing 15% of schools, where only 7% of high school and 10% of elementary students exhibit proficiency in math.

New Initiatives for School Choice

In response to these pressing issues, the PASS (Pennsylvania Award for Student Success) scholarship program has been introduced to provide financial support for students in low-performing schools. Scholarships through this initiative will range from $2,500 to $15,000, specifically targeting students from families earning below 250% of the federal poverty line. Support for additional programs like PASS is strong, with 71% of state residents in favor of such initiatives to assist lower-income students.

Legislative Considerations

The proposed legislation for the PASS program is currently under review by the Senate Education Committee. Governor Shapiro emphasizes the importance of fully funding public education while simultaneously advocating for scholarship options that expand opportunities for both parents and students.

The findings from this recent poll, coupled with the existing need for educational reform in Pennsylvania, point to a growing consensus on the need for expanded school choice options that address the diverse needs of families across the state.