Pennsylvanians Shouldn't Worry About Education Dept.

The U.S. Department of Education might be going away – and it’s the right move – one that returns control to the states. Closing the department provides a massive opportunity for Gov. Josh Shapiro and his fellow lawmakers to fix our education system.

On average, federal funding provides about 6% of Pennsylvania’s K–12 funding nationwide. This funding comes with strings attached in the form of regulations and mandates – most of which public schools would prefer to do without. Created in 1979, the U.S. Department of Education hasn’t significantly improved student performance during its decades-long existence. Growth in spending, on the other hand, is off the charts.

Those fretting about the Education Department often play fast and loose with how much the agency “helps” poorer communities. Kalena Thomave, a writer for Capital & Main, showcased Johnstown as one such community. Thomave wrongfully claims the district receives “a third” of its budget from the federal government. Truthfully, 96% of the district’s budget comes from state and local funding, according to its most recently proposed budget.

State and local governments will remain the lifeblood of K–12 funding. Title I funding – the $18 billion federal program that targets “economically disadvantaged schools” – hardly dents overall spending on public schools. For the Greater Johnstown School District, Title I accounts for only 4% of the district’s funding.

Besides, Pennsylvania public schools don’t have a money problem. The commonwealth spends $21,985 per student – well above the national average of $18,232.

Even troubled districts like Greater Johnston School District seem well-positioned for life after the U.S. Department of Education. The school district already spends $23,446 per student – 6% more than the state average. Moreover, Johnstown voters approved a 4.26% tax increase for the school district. The district also holds more than $9.5 million in reserve funds – about 13% of its total expenditures.

Unfortunately, this record-level investment hasn’t improved academic performance. In Johnstown, Only 16% of elementary students are proficient in English, and only 8% can perform math at grade level. Pennsylvania classifies four of the five Johnstown schools as low-achieving, and some schools have been in the bottom 15% of school performance for five consecutive years.

Rather than throwing more money at this age-old problem, lawmakers must examine other options, especially those that provide educational opportunities for underprivileged kids. For example, Lifeline Scholarships – a program that almost became law until Shapiro vetoed it – would provide $5,000 to $10,000 for eligible students attending Pennsylvania’s worst-performing schools. Students and families could use that money to afford tuition and other education-related expenses at higher-achieving private schools.

Lawmakers can rest easy. Pennsylvanians overwhelmingly back this program. Polling shows that 84% of Pennsylvanian voters support Lifeline Scholarships. And if granted the opportunity, most families would jump at the chance to send their kids to another school besides their assigned district school. If money weren’t a concern, only 19% of Pennsylvanians would enroll their kids in district schools.

Though the U.S. Department of Education is on the ropes, federal funding isn’t down for the count. And with more dollars flowing toward the states (not D.C. bureaucrats), Pennsylvania may have some budgetary elbow room for its statewide K–12 funding. Why not pounce on this opportunity and shake up the abysmal status quo we’ve grown accustomed to in our public schools? Let’s empower students and families with the tools, resources, and freedom they need to attain a high-quality education.

Andrew Lewis is the President and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, Pennsylvania’s free-market think tank.