“What we do today will champion education choice rights for our children’s futures.”
ALL children, regardless of economic status or zip code, should have full access
to a wealth of quality education options to suit them.
Come and join us in working to improve the educational opportunities of ALL 1.7 million children in PA!
Our Mission
PaFEC seeks to join, support, and mobilize families and students in the pursuit of education freedom. We believe that parents are their child’s best advocate and are uniquely positioned to choose the educational path that suits their child’s particular needs. We provide stories of lived experiences of Pennsylvania families and students, and seek to collaborate with other stakeholders to protect and expand education choice opportunities in Pennsylvania. By working together and putting our children first, we can achieve positive, lasting change for the generations of today and tomorrow.
2024 School Fair
Join us for PaFEC’s 2024 School Fair on Saturday, January 27th from noon to 3 PM!
Last year’s fair was a HUGE success and we are even more excited for this next one!
Register now to secure your spot- admission is free! We hope to see you there!
Parents need options in education to help their children succeed | Opinion
By: Sharon Sedlar | November 15, 2023
“It is time to put power and increased resources into parents’ hands to serve each unique student’s needs most appropriately, particularly given the challenges today’s students face. Whether continually growing achievement gaps, increased student distress, or the lasting effects of the pandemic, students need immediate options.”
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Ways and Means Hearing on
Educational Freedom and Opportunity
View PaFEC’s responses to questions from U.S. Representative Mike Kelly, Chairman Jason Smith, U.S. Representative Kevin Hern, and U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington! Sharon Sedlar speaks about her story, the importance of school choice, and how 529 accounts can help students.
PaFEC: Out and About
PA House of Appropriations Education Tour
Testimony by Sharon Sedlar
Video Hearing
“Charter schools are critical in the Pennsylvania education landscape, and it’s a resource and refuge for over 160,000 students attending the 180 charter schools. Children need to feel wanted, safe, fulfilled, educated, and free of danger. PA used to be a leading state in education opportunity and choice, and I think we can get back there again…”
“It shouldn’t be relegated to what you get is based on your zip code or your socioeconomic status. We need to make it fair for all children, so we need to move forward, we need to take action, we need to find solutions for these children, and part of that is choice, charters…collaboration and cooperation.”
Written Testimony
PaFEC’s Most Recent Articles
(and ones where we’re mentioned)
Parents need options in education to help their children succeed | Opinion
PennLive
“It is time to put power and increased resources into parents’ hands to serve each unique student’s needs most appropriately, particularly given the challenges today’s students face. Whether continually growing achievement gaps, increased student distress, or the lasting effects of the pandemic, students need immediate options.”
Parents Who Don’t Take “No” For an Answer
By: Sharon Sedlar
“Keemah believes that parents need and deserve to be better educated about their options, and points to education choice policies and associated funding as a part of the solution. Parents are rising up and demanding better for their children – parents like Keemah who will not take “no” for an answer and refuse to allow their children to be political pawns. All should take notice.”
State appeals board to soon decide on cyber charter for Lehigh Valley charter school
Lehigh Valley News
“Lysek said a cyber charter school could help them reduce their existing charter school waiting list, which he said stands at about 1,600 families. Money follows the student, so any student in the Lehigh Valley or across the state who would leave public school to enroll in Executive’s cyber charter would bring that money with them. Some advocate groups like PA Families for Education Choice say that students need more options to find the best education style, while some organizations, such as the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, say the way cyber charter schools are funded is flawed and takes resources away from public schools.”
PA General Assembly Information
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Events Worth Noting
2024 PaFEC School Fair
January 27, 2024
Hosanna House
Join us for PaFEC’s 2024 School Fair on Saturday, January 27th from noon to 3 PM! Last year’s fair was a HUGE success and we are even more excited for this next one! Register now to secure your spot- admission is free! We hope to see you there!
2024 National Hybrid Schools Conference
April 19-20, 2024
Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel
“We are thrilled to announce that the National Hybrid Schools Conference 2024 will return to the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel this spring! This past April, over 250 participants came together for an unforgettable conference experience that included unmatched opportunities for networking, connecting, and learning through educational sessions with discussions and presentations from industry leaders and experts.
“This year, we are gearing up to provide even more valuable insights, connections, and knowledge-sharing opportunities. Whether you’re looking to expand your network, deepen your expertise, or present your own insights, the National Hybrid Schools Conference is the place to be.”
What We’re Reading This Week
Together We Can Make a Difference
in Pennsylvania Education
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Our newsletter makes it easy to stay abreast of what’s happening in Pennsylvania. Learn about upcoming events (two NSCW fairs coming in January 2024!), get legislative updates, check out our newest articles and research, and more!
Parent Meetups
Based on demand, PaFEC has initiated a series of parent meetings to talk about current education options, and how advance them further for the benefit of ALL children and families in Pennsylvania.