Pennsylvania

A high number of digital learning options prevail alongside charter schools that serve a significant number of students throughout the state. The state affords parents many good information sources and allows them to vote for their elected school boards in traditionally-timed elections. The state’s teacher quality measures are weak, however, and more and better options across all schooling structures are needed and much in demand.

The Educational Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit for students in low performing districts and the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Scholarship (EITC) for low-income families both allow for students attending public school to have the opportunity to attend private school. The EITC is currently capped at $75 million in total possible tax credits, which results in over 42,000 students receiving scholarships, next year that cap will jump up to $100 million potentially helping even more students in need. The state permits parents some choices among traditional public schools but it restricts such choice to within other districts. Districts are not required to participate, limiting parents\' options.

SOURCE: The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice

Pennsylvania lawmakers have been engaged for more than two years in an effort to improve and expand the state’s charter law to allow for independent and multiple authorizers, since many school districts oppose charters and withhold needed resources as a condition of their oversight.

SOURCE: The Essential Guide to Charter School Law 2013 National Ranking and Scorecard

Pennsylvania has a growing number of online learning opportunities available for students. But barriers do exist to ensure greater access and improved student eligibility.

SOURCE: Digital Learning Now!

Pennsylvania’s annual teacher evaluations use student growth measures, which account for a portion of 30 percent of the overall evaluation. The Keystone state recently chose to make revisions to evaluation criteria bumping up student achievement to 50% of the total evaluation. Professional development is not aligned with evaluation findings. Neither tenure decisions nor licensure advancement and renewal are based on teacher effectiveness. Eligibility for dismissal is a consequence of multiple unsatisfactory evaluations. Seniority, not performance, is considered during layoffs.

Pennsylvania has minimum salary requirements, but school districts are given additional authority to negotiate how teachers are paid, and teachers can receive additional compensation for working in shortage subject areas.

SOURCE: National Council on Teacher Quality

Pennsylvania’s department of education website is parent-friendly and school report cards are accessible. It is next to impossible, however, to find information on charter or cyber school options. Generally, elections for the 501 local school boards in Pennsylvania are held in November of odd-numbered years. Philadelphia’s School Reform Commission is governed by an appointed panel. Harrisburg and Chester Upland are governed by state appointed boards of control, although their local boards still operate with limited authority.