Pennsylvania’s EITC
Spending the weekend in Pennsylvania got me thinking about their Educational Improvement Tax Credit- EITC- program, that has become a model for school choice and has given tens of thousands of PA families access to educational options they wouldn’t have had in the past.
The EITC program was approved by an overwhelming bipartisan majority of the PA legislature in 2001, making the state the first to approve a tax credit for education aimed at corporations.
The PA REACH Foundation (Road to Educational Achievement through Choice) is a great resource for lawmakers, parents, or anyone interested in learning more about the program, how it is set up and how it benefits students and families.
HB 996, the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC), provides companies with a 75% tax credit for donations to a non-profit scholarship or educational improvement organization. The tax credit increases to 90% if the company commits to making the same donations for two consecutive years.
The program has proven so successful over the past 8 years, that it has continued to gain bi-partisan support as lawmakers have continued to expand the size of the program, helping more families to access educational options that best meet their needs.
$44,666,667 million is appropriated annually for scholarship organizations, $22,333,333 million for innovative educational improvement programs in public schools and $8,000,000 for a separate pre-kindergarten scholarship program.During 2007-08, 44,000 children across Pennsylvania benefited from EITC scholarships and countless numbers of children in public schools benefited from innovative programs that would have likely have gone unfunded.
Hello, my name is Sekou and I’m a sixth grader at the Nativity School. It is much different from public school and I enjoy going to there for many reasons. One reason is because there are smaller class sizes so you can hear more. Also, there are no girls to distract you or get you in trouble since there are all boys who can play rough. Another difference is that the classes are hard, and you have to study more and if you don’t do your homework, you get detention. Additionally, some of the teachers are nice, especially Mr. H, who talks about football for boys who like sports. I also like homeroom because we talk about sports and can talk to our friends.
Senate Finance Committee Fails to Act
Once again, the Senate Finance Committee sat on their hands when the opportunity to give Virginia’s students more educational options has come before them.
Senator Mark Obenshain introduced SB1221, a school choice bill similar to Delegate Saxman’s HB1965 and similar to Pennsylvania’s very successful EITC program.
The bill was heard this morning in Senate Finance, where sadly the bill died for lack of a motion. In other words, after hearing the bill, no motion was made to take action on the measure (to pass the bill, to defeat the bill, etc.).
We thank Senator Obenshain for his leadership in introducing this measure in the Senate. We are disappointed that once again the Senate has stalled these efforts to give families more educational options, but we will continue to work to pass the measures still alive in the House of Delegates.
ASC Recognizes Dem Supporters of School Choice
The Alliance for School Choice recognized Democratic supporters of school choice, including Newark, NJ Mayor Corey Booker and DC Mayor Adrian Fenty.
The Alliance for School Choice today hailed Democratic supporters of school choice, hundreds of whom stood together at events this week in Denver to decry a failed style of politics that has confined children to underperforming schools and prevented parents from exercising meaningful options.
The ASC has noted an increase in bipartisan support for school choice reforsm all across the country as leaders recognize that this isn’t about politics but about doing what is right for our children.
Notably, 40 percent of Democratic lawmakers backed a sweeping increase in Florida’s Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship (CTC) Program this year and the two primary sponsors of an opportunity scholarship program for New Orleans children were Democrat. Most recently, Democrats in New Jersey and Maryland have boldly introduced school choice legislation and vowed to carry it to passage.
Earlier this year, the Alliance for School Choice gave two of its inaugural leadership awards to Democrats. The State Executive of the Year Award was presented to Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and the State Legislator of the Year Award was presented to Pennsylvania State Representative Dwight Evans of Philadelphia.
“There is nothing I can’t do.”
Pennsylvania’s school choice program serves as a model throughout the country, and it is estimated that approximately 355,000 students in PA are taking advantage of educational choice options.
Once again, these options are not simply limited to public or private schools. One option available to students is Cyber-Charter Schools. Katie Sprague is one of the many students benefiting from this option. In her own words:
“I have been attending PA Cyber for 3 years. Before that, I attended a Christian school for 3 and a half years and was homeschooled for 3 and a half years after that. I am in the 9th grade. Sometimes I have a hard time concentrating and PA Cyber has given me amazing academic and personal support. With their help, I am doing great; I am succeeding. PA Cyber has opened doors for me that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Home-based, virtual classes are amazing. I talk directly with my teachers and classmates. I am forming friendships and go to school-based clubs and field trips. I get to concentrate and take the time necessary to learn without distraction. I can have fun with my classmates in and out of school. When I’m not in school, I love to work with animals- right now I am helping train a service dog puppy. It’s fun and it is great helping people. PA Cyber has given me an open door to accomplish everything I dream about. There is nothing I can’t do. Thanks, PA Cyber.” – Katie Sprague
