News Summary
Governor Josh Shapiro has announced a $5 million state grant for the Al-Aqsa Islamic Society to support its K-12 private religious school, expanding student enrollment aims. Despite historical opposition to taxpayer funding for private education, this initiative has gained unexpected bipartisan support. Critics and advocacy groups are watching closely as public sentiment shifts towards school choice amid discussions in the Pennsylvania State budget.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Governor Josh Shapiro has awarded a $5 million state grant to the Al-Aqsa Islamic Society, a move designed to bolster its K-12 private religious school. The funding is targeted at expanding student enrollment from 300 to 3,000, ultimately establishing an “academic center of excellence” within the institution.
Traditionally, the allocation of taxpayer dollars for private or religious education has faced stern opposition, particularly from Democrats and educational unions. However, this grant has unexpectedly garnered bipartisan support, with several Democratic lawmakers who previously opposed school choice initiatives expressing their approval. Notably, State Senator Nikil Saval, who campaigned on the platform of restricting taxpayer funding for private educational institutions, has shown pride in supporting this initiative. Similarly, State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, also a proponent of the teachers’ union, highlighted his role in securing the funding and praised the grant.
The Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), responsible for representing teachers across the state, did not oppose this grant despite its previous staunch opposition to public funding for private schools. In the past, the PSEA opposed legislation that aimed to implement a school choice program, insisting that public funds should prioritize public school support. Interestingly, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers has also refrained from voicing any objections to the Al-Aqsa funding, a notable shift from their usual stance.
While several advocacy groups, including the ACLU and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, have consistently challenged funding for religious institutions, they have remained silent regarding the Al-Aqsa grant. Nevertheless, some critics from more conservative factions have raised concerns regarding the school’s past, particularly an incident where an antisemitic speaker was hosted. This has led to ongoing debates about the appropriateness of taxpayer-funded grants to such institutions.
The backdrop of this grant coincides with a broader push for school choice legislation in Pennsylvania. A significant component of this initiative is the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS) Scholarship Program, which aims to provide scholarships to students enrolled in poorly performing schools. This program has garnered bipartisan support, with endorsements from Senators Judy Ward (R-Hollidaysburg) and Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia).
Public sentiment appears to be shifting in favor of school choice, with recent polls indicating that 71% of respondents, covering a variety of demographics, support the idea. This reflects growing concerns about the performance of the state’s public school system, which reported that 18 schools had achieved zero proficiency standards in critical subjects such as math and reading.
As discussions surrounding Pennsylvania’s state budget continue, Governor Shapiro has signaled that it is incumbent upon the State House and Senate to deliver school choice legislation to his desk for approval. With significant proposed funding failing to address public school needs amid this broader push for alternatives, the debate surrounding education funding in Pennsylvania remains a focal point of political discourse.
The developments surrounding the Al-Aqsa Islamic Society grant and the potential for expanded school choice initiatives highlight the increasingly complex terrain of educational funding in Pennsylvania, where the interests of various stakeholders are in constant negotiation and reevaluation.
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HERE Resources
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Governor Shapiro Awards $5 Million Grant to Al-Aqsa Islamic School
Additional Resources
- America First Policy Institute
- PennLive Opinion
- Free Press Pennsylvania
- The Center Square
- Wikipedia: School Choice
