Steve Bloom

What does enrollment look like for Pennsylvania K-12 schools? Our Sr. Education Policy Analyst Rachel Langan gives a rundown in the video below!

What are we keeping an eye on this legislative session? Our Vice President @StephenLBloom gives a few insights. Watch below!

@JanMurphy Congratulations, Jan, and godspeed on your next endeavors!

Today is my last day of wearing a reporter while fortunate enough to be sitting for 24 years in a catbird seat watching Pa. state government through its triumphs and pitfalls. It’s been interesting, even comical at times. Thanks for the memories!

“I shouldn’t be limited to my neighborhood school or limited to a certain type of school because I live in a certain area code.” Is Gov. Shapiro listening? wsj.com/articles/josh-… via @WSJopinion

"The Democrats want the governor’s request for a $1.1 billion funding increase for public schools but Pittman said there’s an expectation from his caucus that funding for school vouchers comes along with it after failing to get their priority last year." pennlive.com/politics/2024/…

"As Pennsylvania legislators fight over a potential school voucher system, The Inquirer sat down with parents who used an existing state program to help them pay for private school." inquirer.com/politics/penns…

The Great School Choice Debate thephiladelphiacitizen.org/the-great-scho… via @thephilacitizen

It was great to sit down with my colleague @SenatorJWard to discuss our ongoing efforts to further empower parents. Every single child in PA deserves access to a quality education. Check out our video about the bi-partisan PASS initiative here ⬇️🎥📺 shorturl.at/8cQB6

Governor Shapiro: “This is now a matter that needs to be negotiated between the House Democratic leadership and the Senate Republican leadership, who lead each of the houses in the legislature.” inquirer.com/politics/penns…

Governor Shapiro: “I support scholarships for low-income individuals in struggling school districts, provided we fully fund public education. My view on that has not changed.” inquirer.com/politics/penns…

For the 2024-25 budget, lawmakers must abide by a simple principle: Do no harm. Everyday Pennsylvanians are struggling, and lawmakers, at the very least, must not impose further burdens on their financially strained constituents. lancasteronline.com/opinion/column… via @lancasteronline

Hardy: “But what about those left behind?” Sadly, this question is more of an admission, suggesting that some public schools are sinking ships. If so, let’s use everything at our disposal to give a “lifeline” to as many of our underserved kids as possible. inquirer.com/opinion/commen…

Despite record funding for PA education, student achievement lags. Notably, half of the state’s fourth and eighth graders cannot read proficiently at grade level, while state testing reveals 34 schools with zero percent proficiency in math. commonwealthfoundation.org/research/pa-sc…

Pennsylvania spending per student ranks seventh highest in the nation, approximately $4,100 more per student than the national average. commonwealthfoundation.org/research/pa-sc…

NEW DONATION ALERT! This is an original 1906 handbook to the Pennsylvania Capitol. Included are pictures and floorplans from the (then) new building!

"Is 2024 the year for private school vouchers? The issue that stalled budget negotiations for months last year, school vouchers, still isn’t resolved." #LifelineScholarships spotlightpa.org/news/2024/05/p… via @SpotlightPA

Making sure children get out of failing schools with a chance to succeed after graduation remains a priority. The governor continues to say he supports scholarships, and he gets a second chance to show us whether he actually does support it or not. wsj.com/articles/penns…

"A bill to create school vouchers for Pennsylvania students is getting another chance at life" wsj.com/articles/penns… via @WSJopinion

"Committee Democrats and Republicans alike acknowledged that the bill being put forward essentially amounted to the start of a battle over what to include in this year’s budget." penncapital-star.com/briefs/senate-…

With today’s 8-3 bipartisan advancement of SB795 by the Senate Education Committee, PA students trapped in failing schools are one step closer to life-saving Lifeline Scholarships!