Regional Affairs Council — Nov. 2012

Public Money, Private Schools (Photo of Agnes Irwin School by Pat Loeb)

.A Pennsylvania law that allows businesses to get tax deductions for donations to private “scholastic organizations” has fervent backers, and equally fervent critics.

What’s the truth behind Pennsylvania’s “Educational Improvement Tax Credit”?

KYW’s Pat Loeb presents this four-part KYW Regional Affairs Council special report…

Part 1: The EITC — What Is It?

The Educational Improvement Tax Credit is promoted as a way to provide a better education for poor children, but public education advocates say it actually takes away tax money that could be used to improve schools.

2012/11/08

Susan Gobreski, of Education Voters of Pennsylvania. Her organization says the EITC undermines public education. Credit: Pat Loeb)

Part 2: Who’s Hurt by the EITC?

Expanding the program at a time when the state has slashed public school funding is infuriating public education advocates.

2012/11/08

(Construction is underway on a new building on the campus of the Agnes Irwin School, in Rosemont, Pa. Credit: Pat Loeb)

Part 3: Who Benefits From It?

“BLOCS provides scholarships from your business taxes to students who not only want to attend a Catholic school but are most in need,” says one advertisement.

2012/11/08

(Pa. state senator Anthony Williams visits the Patterson Elementary School in Southwest Philadelphia. Credit: Pat Loeb)

Part 4: Ongoing Controversies

State senator Tony Williams defends the program as similar to the GI Bill, but some of his Harrisburg colleagues see it as improperly favoring closed groups.

2012/11/08

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