Letters to the Editor | July 14, 2025

It was disheartening to read the recent op-ed railing against Pennsylvania’s “failing schools.” The facts, rather than Commonwealth Foundation talking points, present a different picture.

Last year, the Philadelphia School District significantly outperformed the Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA) in terms of academic growth in almost all grades and academic areas tested. By comparison, CCA students achieved only 4.7% proficiency in math and 11% proficiency in English language arts — some of the lowest scores in the state.

This may be because, unlike CCA, the school district provides its 117,000 students with consistent live access to a caring adult. The school district also does not have a CEO who received more than $700,000 by serving as a director on the board of one of the school’s banks. Nor did the school district spend millions trying to entice families with the promise of free gift cards or buy and renovate 21 buildings as part of its “business ecosystem.”

As the largest public school system in the state, the Philadelphia School District is making progress, particularly when compared with the state’s second-largest school system, the Commonwealth Charter Academy.

Tracy Smith, Macungie

When think tank executives like Andrew J. Lewis of the Commonwealth Foundation speak about “educational choice,” they fundamentally misunderstand — or perhaps intentionally obscure — what public school educators, families, and students in Philadelphia actually need: sustained investment, democratic accountability, and a commitment to the common good.

Instead of dismantling public education, our focus must be on strengthening it for every child.

In a recent op-ed, Lewis argues that the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) is working against students’ interests by opposing so-called choice initiatives like Lifeline Scholarships and expanded charter funding. But this framing is not only misleading, it’s dangerous. It masks the deep harm these privatization schemes do to our public school system, harming students in both visible and insidious ways.

Privatization efforts, whether through vouchers, charter expansions, or cyber charters, divert public funds away from neighborhood schools without the same accountability or oversight. When students leave district schools for privately run charters or use public money to attend private institutions, the funding goes with them, but the fixed costs of public schools (building maintenance, staff salaries, student support services) don’t go away. In cities like Philadelphia, this creates a budgetary death spiral: less money for public schools, fewer resources for students who remain, and deepening inequities.

And let’s not forget why we are where we are: The very funding system that governs our schools has been ruled unconstitutional by Pennsylvania’s own courts. For decades, schools in low-income, majority-Black and brown communities like Philadelphia have been starved of resources. Instead of correcting that injustice, the Commonwealth Foundation and its allies want to throw lifeboats to a few while the ship sinks for the rest.

Teachers’ unions are not the problem. We are the ones sounding the alarm about school conditions. We are demanding what every child in Philadelphia deserves: safe, well-staffed, fully resourced public schools. We know our schools aren’t perfect. But we believe they can and must be strengthened, not sold off piece by piece to private actors.

Public education is the foundation of our democracy. It is the only system that promises to educate every child, not just the ones who meet private school admissions criteria or “win” a charter lottery. The PFT’s fight is not against choice; it is a resolute fight for justice, demanding the sustained investment and equitable resources that all Philadelphia students deserve in their public schools.

Kristen Peeples, member, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

Once again, a huge misdeed by Donald Trump is buried inside the paper.

When the president and his men decide to punish the children of Pennsylvania by withholding $230 million in funding for the state’s schools, it belongs on the front page, or at least in the A section. We cannot accept this as casual news. The harm is too great. The Trump administration made this decision because “many grant programs have been misused to subsidize a radical left-wing agenda.” They’re punishing children based on someone’s opinion. No proof or discussion. Just deny or delay the money.

Larry Stroup, Warwick Township

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s thanks to her staff and District Council 33 leadership ring hollow. The thanks would have been if negotiations had begun in May and a deal had been done before miles and miles of trash were dumped on our streets.

Zachary Margolies, Philadelphia

In Philadelphia, there were four separate shootings on July Fourth, injuring 11 persons. Add in the number of incidents across the commonwealth, and the epidemic is obvious.

Despite this fact, I believe we can create safe, life-giving communities. Guns are the No. 1 killer of youth in the United States. The need for gun laws and funding is clear. Data show the positive impact of community violence intervention programs, with a 38% reduction in firearm homicides across the state in just two years. One positive aspect in Pennsylvania is the support of Gov. Josh Shapiro and some legislators. However, the current chaos in the federal government is not helping the epidemic by weakening gun safety laws and placing more responsibilities on the state.

Our communities need sufficient funding to overcome this epidemic. Lives depend on it.

As a member of CeaseFire PA, I ask each reader to call their state legislators and urge them to support the $100 million budget request for community violence intervention programs for 2025-2026.

Together, we can achieve our vision for the common good of our neighborhoods and the safety of all Pennsylvanians.

Sister Betty McVeigh, Philadelphia

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed into law a bill allowing deer hunting on Sundays. State Sen. Daniel Laughlin of Erie County praised the bill. Laughlin equated hunting with other sports. In my opinion, it’s not a sport if your opponent doesn’t know they’re playing.

John H. Ross, Kennett Square

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