Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro faces mounting criticism for abandoning his school choice promises, leaving struggling students stranded in underperforming schools as he reportedly sets his sights on higher political office.
Key Insights
- Governor Shapiro has backed away from his campaign promise to implement Lifeline Scholarships that would provide $5,000 to $10,000 for low-income students in failing schools to attend private institutions.
- Twenty-eight education advocacy organizations have opposed Shapiro’s potential vice-presidential candidacy specifically due to his past support for school choice policies.
- Despite calling school choice “unfinished business” for 2024, Shapiro has instead proposed an additional $526 million for public schools, aligning with teachers’ union priorities.
- Critics argue Shapiro is placing political ambitions ahead of educational opportunities for disadvantaged students.
A Promise Abandoned
Governor Josh Shapiro campaigned on implementing Lifeline Scholarships, a program designed to provide $5,000 to $10,000 for children from low-income families trapped in failing public schools to attend private alternatives. The program gained Republican support in the Pennsylvania Senate but has stalled in the Democrat-controlled House. Despite initially championing this cause as a rare Democrat supporting school choice vouchers, Shapiro has notably reduced his public advocacy for the measure.
The governor’s apparent retreat from school choice has particularly angered parents in struggling school districts who were counting on his promise to give their children educational alternatives. Instead of aggressively pushing the scholarship program forward, Shapiro proposed a substantial increase of $526 million in February for the state’s public school system, a move seen by critics as catering to teachers’ unions rather than addressing the needs of students in chronically failing schools.
Union Influence and Political Calculations
The controversy around Shapiro’s position on school choice intensified when twenty-eight self-described public education advocacy organizations sent a letter to Vice President Kamala Harris explicitly opposing Shapiro as a potential running mate. These groups specifically cited his previous support for school choice as disqualifying, claiming his positions undermined public education and promoted privatization through voucher systems.
“Josh Shapiro campaigning on commonsense school choice policies and then getting elected and immediately bending the knee to the leftwing teachers union is incredibly on brand for today’s Democrat party. Even the supposed ‘moderates’ are controlled by the extreme left.” – Andrew Surabian
The organizations went so far as to compare Shapiro’s education policies to the conservative Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, writing: “It is our fervent hope that your running mate will reflect your strong history of supporting educators and students, and commitment to building the middle class which will require strong public schools across our nation. For this reason, we respectfully ask you not to select Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.”
Higher Ambitions Amid Educational Controversy
Shapiro’s shifting priorities have sparked speculation about his political future. The governor recently discussed a potential 2028 presidential run during an appearance on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher. This revelation, combined with his apparent retreat from school choice advocacy, has led critics to suggest Shapiro is prioritizing his political advancement over the educational needs of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable students.
“Josh Shapiro’s 2028 campaign is off to a rough start.” – Steve Guest
Last year, Shapiro initially supported a state Senate bill providing $100 million in tuition assistance for private and religious schools, creating a budget standoff with fellow Democrats. He eventually signed the budget without the school choice funding, though he claimed to remain open to future proposals. This compromise, however, left many supporters of educational alternatives feeling betrayed as children in underperforming schools continue to lack access to better educational opportunities.
Impact on Pennsylvania Families
For families in struggling school districts across Pennsylvania, Shapiro’s retreat from school choice represents more than a broken campaign promise. It means thousands of children remain trapped in underperforming schools without the financial means to access better educational alternatives. The proposed Lifeline Scholarships were specifically designed to help low-income families access private education that might better serve their children’s needs, a path that now appears increasingly blocked.
Shapiro’s governorship has included notable achievements, such as his leadership during the repair of a collapsed Interstate 95 bridge in Philadelphia. However, his handling of education policy has become a defining controversy of his administration, with implications that could extend well beyond Pennsylvania if he pursues higher office as many political observers expect.
Sources:
- PA’s Democrat Governor Josh Shapiro Ripped for ‘Betraying’ Children over School Choice While Eyeing Presidency
- Anti-school-choice groups oppose Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro for VP: ‘Has supported policies mirroring Project 2025’
