Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) joined local officials and parents’ groups to discuss how the new federal tax credit scholarship program could empower more Pennsylvania parents to choose the best education options for their children
Pittsburgh, PA – Today, Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA), alongside parents’ groups, students and education reform organizations, spoke in Pittsburgh at the event,“Empowering Parents.”
The event was hosted by Invest in Education Foundation, an organization that educates the public and policymakers about the educational opportunity that the new federal Tax Credit Scholarship program will provide for Pennsylvania families. This new federal tax credit scholarship, that was signed into law on July 4, 2025, would generate exponentially more charitable donations to scholarship granting organizations that would expand educational opportunity for tens of thousands of children in public and private schools across the Commonwealth.
The federal law provides governors with the discretion whether to allow their respective state’s children to benefit from the new scholarships that would result from the tax credit donation incentive. Governors must “opt in” to the federal Tax Credit Scholarship programs not later than January 1, 2027, when it takes effect, in order for students in that state to benefit from the incentive.
The federal Tax Credit Scholarship program, based on the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) that was co-sponsored by Sen. McCormick and other Pennsylvania lawmakers, will help K-12 students access a school or education service of their parents’ choice. Scholarships are funded with private donations, not federal money, and donors receive a 100 percent federal tax credit of up to $1,700 annually. Students could use scholarships for tuition, tutoring to address learning loss, special needs services, or education technology, among other uses.
In Pennsylvania, the state’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs allow individuals and businesses to donate to scholarship organizations and receive state tax credits in return. These programs currently provide hundreds of millions of dollars annually in scholarships to students, but demand consistently exceeds available funding. The new program would complement these existing programs by providing additional funding and expanding access to educational options for all families, particularly through providing funding for tax credits to ease financial burdens on parents.
Here is what school choice champions said at the event:
“While wealthy families can send their children to any schools they want, too many Pennsylvania children remain locked out of opportunities because of where they live or how much their parents earn,” said Senator McCormick (R-PA). “This federal tax credit program represents a powerful step forward in expanding educational access for all children. By giving families more options, we are leveling the playing field for students across America. It’s about freedom, fairness, and ensuring our kids have every opportunity to achieve their full potential.”
“Too many children in our commonwealth are confined to underperforming schools simply because of where they live,” said State Senator Judy Ward (PA-30). “This new federal tax scholarship program would build upon the existing programs and give parents the real leverage to help their child thrive. That’s the kind of educational freedom we should fight for — not for some, but for all Pennsylvanian students.”
Megan Martin, Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel of the Commonwealth Foundation, said: “For decades, the Commonwealth Foundation has proudly fought for educational choice. Pennsylvania’s pioneering tax credit scholarship programs have served as a model to deliver educational options to low- and middle-income families. The new federal tax credit scholarship program is another step forward in expanding options for more children to access an excellent education. As demand for educational options continues to rise, we must build on the success of these programs to ensure every child has access to the educational paths that allow them to thrive.”
Sharon Sedlar, Founder of PA Families for Education Choice, said: “Every single one of my kids has different talents and different skills. As parents, we shouldn’t feel trapped. We shouldn’t feel unable to meet our children’s needs for them to thrive. The new federal tax credit program allows parents across the country to have the resources to provide their child with the education that best fits them. Our children deserve every opportunity and freedom in our United States.”
Dr. D. Merle Skinner, Executive Director of the PA Council on American Private Education, said: “Private and parochial schools have long been engines of innovation and customization for Pennsylvania families. By expanding scholarship access, we open doors for more families to choose an educational environment aligned to their child’s needs and values.”
Anthony J. de Nicola, Chairman of the Board at Invest in Education Foundation, said: “The new federal tax credit scholarship program will make a substantial impact on education access for students across the Commonwealth and throughout the country. Every child deserves the chance to learn in an environment where they can thrive. By Governors opting in, this will expand access to scholarships, ensuring that a family’s zip code or income doesn’t determine their child’s opportunity to succeed.”
To learn more, please visit investineducation.org.
For more information on the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), please click here.
About Invest in Education Foundation
Invest in Education Foundation is a non-partisan research and policy 501(c)(3) organization that educates the public and policymakers about school choice as a means to expand educational freedom and opportunity for K-12 parents and students. IIEF is subject to laws and regulations that prohibit it from participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. IIEF expressly disavows any partisan opinions or activities that are not made in accordance with these provisions: such opinions and activities are not authorized and may not be attributed to the IIEF.
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