Parent rights ARE under attack in PA

Sharon Sedlar | April 9, 2026

“The child is not the mere creature of the state; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.”

-Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925)

According to the PA Literacy Coalition, “the percentage of Pennsylvania fourth graders scoring proficient or above has declined from 40% in 2013 to just 33% in 2024—a 7% decrease—compared to a national decrease of 4%. Performance gaps for historically marginalized students remain stark: Black students scored 31 points lower than their White peers, Hispanic students scored 30 points lower, and economically disadvantaged students scored 25 points lower than their more affluent peers. These gaps have remained largely unchanged for the past two decades.”

According to a 2024 Study by Professor Robert Strauss from Carnegie Mellon University, 70.5 Philadelphia schools and 83.8 percent of Pittsburgh schools are considered persistently dangerous – and those figures only include actual arrests, not all incidents.

These are only two examples of how the education SYSTEM in PA is failing our children; yet what is the perceived solution by many in Harrisburg? Throwing more money at the district system, all the while working to dismantle both (alternate) public and private education options for students who depend on them – and for those who may need them in the future; thwarting the moral and legal authority of parents in the upbringing and education of their children.

We constantly hear about legislation targeting cyber charter education, disguised as “reform”. The end goal? To demolish the option and leave families with no other recourse than district cyber programming.

Last year’s legislation actually inserts a district magistrate into the process in cases of habitually truant students. Think about it – you have a child refusing school for some reason (let’s say bullying). You have tried everything – collaborating with the school, begging and pleading with your child, but the fear is too strong. You try to enroll them in a safe option, one that does not require them to set foot in a building that terrifies them. But you can’t because the school has determined your child to be habitually truant. So you await a court date for a judge to allow your child to enroll.

And there’s the Governor’s suggestion that caps be placed on the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program that provides scholarships to low and middle-income students to attend a private school – many of which are in low-achieving school zones (as determined by the PA Department of Education) or economically disadvantaged areas (as determined by the Department of Community and Economic Development). These caps would “make more tax credits available for the Education Improvement Organizations” – which includes libraries, civic centers, museums, etc. But why place a cap on education scholarships (for which 70,0000+ are turned away every year to due already established limitations) while increasing support for public benefit programs? Why can’t there be support for both?

And you have situations where home educators are receiving letters from school districts demanding copies of parent diplomas, medical records, and the like; items not required by law. Districts have even sent school police and child protective services to the doorsteps of these families.

Homeschool co-ops on private property are being threatened via visits from child services, zoning officials, and the like, sometimes being forced to shut down.

I remember clearly when Governor Shapiro expressed support for school choice, for “every child of God.” He said that we could have “both/and” – quality district schools and options for those who need them. Is that what we’re seeing?

Nope.

What we are seeing are fear tactics, misinformation campaigns, and system-centered strategy to silence parents and chip away at options and parent agency, forcing children under a single, solitary system of district education.

It doesn’t seem to matter that charter schools are public schools or that EITC is funded by private donations.

It doesn’t seem to matter that children are being shattered by the system and need to go elsewhere.

It doesn’t seem to matter that parents – who raise these children, take care of them when they’re sick, stay up with them at night, calm their fears and support their dreams – are watching their children suffer every day.

Well, it matters to us. And we are going to fight to protect and advance what is in the best interests of every single special, unique, and deeply loved Pennsylvania child. And that includes district education alongside other options. Both/and.

Please reach out to us and lend a hand for all families and students across Pennsylvania.