Summary
Pennsylvania has two private school choice programs (tax-credit scholarships). The state does have a charter school law. Pennsylvania enables public virtual schooling. Limited open enrollment exists, only for interdistrict public school choice.
Laws and Regulations Governing Private Schools
Both tax credit and voucher programs are school choice options for Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Constitution contains a Compelled Support Clause and a Blaine Amendment.
The latter restricts the use of funds “raised for the public schools” but can be avoided entirely by funding vouchers from other government revenue. State case law demonstrates a strong adherence to federal Establishment Clause precedent and includes a distinction between “appropriations” and “payments for services rendered,” which should ensure voucher legislation’s compliance with the Blaine Amendment.
Enacted 2012 • Launched 2012
Pennsylvania provides tax credits for corporate contributions to Scholarship Organizations (SOs),
nonprofits that provide private school scholarships. A company may claim a tax credit worth 75 percent
of its contribution (90 percent if it commits to...
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Enacted 2001 • Launched 2001
Pennsylvania provides tax credits for corporate contributions to Scholarship Organizations (SOs),
nonprofits that provide private school scholarships, or Educational Improvement Organizations,
nonprofits that support innovative programs in public...
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