Philadelphia: $40M spent sending severely disabled students to private schools

Oct 23, 2026, Education and Workforce: Hearing Recap: “More Choices, Brighter Futures: Expanding Education Freedom” | Committee on Education & the Workforce

Every child deserves a high-quality education that meets his or her needs, regardless of ZIP code or family income. With the new federal Education Freedom Tax Credit taking effect in 2027, states have an opportunity to expand educational freedom.

Today, the Education and Workforce Committee held a field hearing in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to examine how giving parents more options can help students succeed. . . .

Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN) asked Mr. Nathan Benefield, Chief Policy Officer at the Commonwealth Foundation, how school choice benefits children with special needs.

“A higher percentage of students in school choice programs are special needs versus traditional public schools. That is because parents of students with special needs

need to find a customized [education] opportunity…

The school district of Philadelphia spent nearly $40 million sending students to private schools that they could not serve because they had severe special needs, so they would pay private schools to take those students,” said Mr. Benefield.Bottom Line: Committee Republicans are committed to school choice, which gives parents more say, students more opportunities, and schools more reason to improve.