Our Mission in Action
Sharon Sedlar | August 10, 2026
Our focus is families and students
The phrase “school choice” is simply defined: families need to understand the education options available to them and make informed decisions for their children. That does not mean one type of school is right for every child. It means every child is different, and families often need help figuring out what will work best.
PaFEC serves families across Pennsylvania, regardless of income, circumstances, school type, or ZIP code. Some families come to us because they are confused by the system. Some are worried about safety, learning needs, bullying, transportation, cost, or whether their child is being seen and supported. Others want to stay in their current school but need help getting over a hurdle or misunderstanding. We have sat in many district special education meetings with families who believed their child was best served there and simply needed support navigating the process.
PaFEC helps families sort through their concerns, understand what is available, ask the right questions, and take the next steps that make sense for their child.
And when we see something “missing” (for example, in a rural area where choices are extremely limited, or in an urban area where there is a concentrated need for special education options, or a hundred other possible scenarios), we help to build it.
Our work is non-partisan
We work with parents, educators, community members, and legislators from different backgrounds because education decisions should stay focused on children, not politics. When in Harrisburg, we don’t hesitate to acknowledge the hard work and dedication legislators put forth in the interest of our commonwealth. Legislators are human beings – aunts, uncles, dads, moms, grandparents, and community members – who care and want to do good. We may not agree on everything all of the time, but we do align at times on certain topics. In those instances, we create good – together.
What happens when we don’t agree? We try to educate those who don’t understand. We bring family experiences to light. But we keep talking and keep working.
Plainly, our work focuses on:
- Student learning, safety, and well-being
- Making sure family voices are part of education conversations
- Helping families understand education options, regardless of income, zip code, or situations
- Reducing confusion and unnecessary barriers for families
- Sharing new ideas and examples that may help students
- Encouraging respectful conversations among families, educators, and policymakers
- Explaining education policy in a way families can understand
- Learning from what is working and being honest about what needs to improve
School choice is inclusive – meaning ALL options
It means families can look at all of the options available to them and choose the path that fits their child. For some, that may be their neighborhood public school (or maybe one in a different neighborhood – that’s called “open enrollment”). For others, it may be a public charter school, private school, home education setting, or another learning environment. The point is not to favor one option over another. The point is to keep the focus where it belongs: on the student and the family making the decision.
Most students attend public district schools – others need or choose something different. Behind every option is a child with real needs and a family trying to make the best decision they can.
That is why PaFEC’s work is family and student-centered. We help families understand their choices, ask good questions, and find support when they need it. School choice is not about division. It is about making sure every family has access to information, every student is seen, and every child has the chance to learn in a setting that works for them.