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Pandemic providing options for Penn. families

Pandemic providing options for Penn. families


Pandemic providing options for Penn. families

Because parents in Pennsylvania discovered better alternatives to public education during the pandemic, legislation has been introduced to create education savings accounts to help low-income families.

If the Excellent Education for All Act is passed, The Daily Signal reports private schooling options would be made more affordable for parents.

"I don't know that it will happen," comments Diane Gramley, president of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania. "I know that Representative Andrew Lewis (R-Dauphin) wants the whole ball of wax all at once. I know that Senator Scott Martin (R-13) is taking a more cautious approach because he knows where Governor [Tom] Wolf (D) stands on school choice, and it's not in favor of school choice."

Gramley, Diane (AFA of Pennsylvania) Gramley

Another major obstacle is the teachers union, which is opposed to such bills.

"They are the ones who helped fund not only Governor Wolf's campaign for reelection this last time, but also other Democrats have received funding from the teachers union," Gramley explains. "So I don't know how much Democratic support there'll be the legislature to get the bill passed." 

Based on data from the 2018-2019 school year, the annual funding would be approximately $6,500 per student.