HARRISBURG – To ensure that all Pennsylvania students have access to a high-quality education, Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) introduced the Educational Freedom for Families Act.
“With this legislation, we will give families the power of choice, encourage schools to innovate and improve, and most importantly, assure that every child can succeed in an education system that serves their needs, not a bureaucratic agenda,” Mastriano said.
Despite Pennsylvania taxpayers paying $21,985 per student annually, only 27% of eighth-grade students are proficient in math. Just 55% are proficient in reading. The Philadelphia School District spends more than $25,000 per student per year, yet it has some of the lowest literacy and graduation rates in the state.
“The current system is failing our children, yet bureaucrats and special interest groups fight to keep them trapped in failing schools. This is unacceptable. More funding has not solved these problems, and it never will until parents are given real choices,” Mastriano said.
The Educational Freedom for Families Act is a comprehensive, student-first solution that empowers parents, encourages school improvement and guarantees that every child has access to the best possible education.
It would establish Education Savings Accounts to give parents access to state education dollars for private school tuition, tutoring, homeschooling resources or specialized education programs. The bill would expand school vouchers to enable children trapped in failing public schools to transfer to better performing institutions using state-funded scholarships.
It would also increase charter school options; strengthen cyber school options; expand Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs; and offer financial resources and legal protections to homeschooling families. The bill would introduce loan forgiveness and performance-based bonuses for teachers who demonstrate measurable improvements in student outcomes.
“For too long, Pennsylvania families have been denied the right to choose the best education for their children. They’ve been forced to accept failing schools, rising taxes and a system that protects bureaucracy instead of students,” Mastriano said. “With the Educational Freedom for Families Act, we can finally give every student a chance to succeed – regardless of income, background or neighborhood.”
CONTACT: Don Beishl, 717-787-6701