Welcome to the latest edition of Voices of Reason where we’ll recap exclusive news and data featured in our most recent podcast.
This segment dives into public education funding and charter schools, PA House Republican Leader Jesse Topper, and Founder of the Education Reform Alliance, Dawn Chavous share insights you don’t want to miss.
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PA House Republican Leader Jesse Topper called for structural changes in government and education funding, including "the merging and consolidating of school districts" to ensure equitable funding and opportunities for all students. [Watch]
Founder of the Education Reform Alliance Dawn Chavous urged decision-makers to focus on parents' real-life concerns when reforming education, emphasizing that parents prioritize their children's safety and opportunities over political ideology. [Watch]
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Public Policy
- Governor Shapiro increased K-12 public education funding by $1.11 billion in the 2024-25 budget. [dced.pa.gov]
- An additional $55 million was allocated to EITC and OSTC voucher programs with no new reporting requirements. [EducationVotersofPA]
Voter Interests
- PA Dept. of Education rescinded its CR-SE Framework Guidelines, which contained nine controversial competencies required for teacher professional development. [Broad + Liberty]
- Pennsylvania is one of 25 states allowing biological males to compete against girls in school sports. [KeystoneToday]
- Nearly 70,000 charter students are enrolled statewide—comparable to the combined student population of three Pittsburgh school districts. [L2Data]
Federal
- Trump’s “Agenda47” calls for eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, which provides $1.6 billion annually to programs under PA Dept. of Education. [WHYY]
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Report Finds Partisan ID Doesn't Affect Voter Attitudes on School Funding
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The Voices of Reason podcast has covered the most important issues in Pennsylvania politics – from education funding to trust in elections. Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt, PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity, and House Appropriations Chairman Jordan Harris are just a few of many influential guests who have joined us for exclusive interviews and roundtable discussions.
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