Many Democrats appear to be at odds with the progressive direction of their party, particularly on two big issues: school choice and boys in girl’s sports. As a result, grassroots organizations are taking matters in their own hands.
Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) formed in 2007 with a goal “to support and elect Democrats who deliver bold reforms that put students and families first.” The group is focused on empowering families “with real choices and resources.”
In November, DFER conducted a poll of Pennsylvanians and found that 78 percent support Governor Shapiro opting into the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC) set to take effect in 2027.
FSTC will allow taxpayers to receive a federal tax credit for donating to nonprofit scholarship organizations that fund K–12 education expenses like private school tuition. States must opt in for families to participate, and the program will greatly expand school choice options.
Jorge Elorza, DFER CEO is optimistic that Shapiro will opt Pennsylvania into the program.
“This is a moment for political courage and bold vision,” said Elorza.”Governor Shapiro has already demonstrated time and again that he will do what it takes to deliver for Pennsylvania families. FSTC is already law, so he doesn’t have to wait for the legislature. Opting in is the pragmatic thing to do, and it will show students and families across the Keystone State that they come first.”
Several state Republican legislators, led by House Education Committee Chair Bryan Cutler, wrote to Shapiro earlier this month urging him to opt into the program immediately.
“Today, members of the House Education Committee send this letter to Gov. Shapiro asking that he take advantage of this historic opportunity for Pennsylvania residents and students,” said Cutler. “By opting in, we will provide benefits to both our taxpayers and our children, increasing funding for education in our Commonwealth by allowing residents to give money directly to our schools with a tax benefit.”
In the midst of National School Choice week, I reached out to the Governor’s office for a comment regarding the FSTC program, and his spokesperson, Alex Peterson, responded.
“The Shapiro Administration is awaiting federal guidance to address key questions about how this program would work, including which students will be eligible, how this federal initiative will interact with existing programs, and more,” said Peterson. “We look forward to reviewing that guidance.”
While the statement is reasonable and implies some level of optimism, it is not definitive about whether Pennsylvania will opt into the program. Eight stateshave indicated their intent to participate in the program, and three states — Virginia, Mississippi, and Georgia — have already submitted the federal paperwork to formally opt in.
The question remains whether Shapiro will break with the progressive side of his party and sign onto the program. While he claims to support the concept of school choice options, his actions have not been in lockstep.
In 2023, Shapiro publicly endorsed the Lifeline Scholarship program on Fox News.
“Let me just say, in general, I believe every child of God deserves a shot here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and one of the best ways we can guarantee their success is making sure every child has a quality education,” he said. “I’ve been very clear that I’m open to that concept that you described a moment ago, but I’ve also made it crystal clear that I won’t take a dollar out of our public schools in order to achieve that.”
However, shortly after that appearance, the Governor vetoed the Lifeline Scholarship program during the final budget passage.
Shapiro’s message seems to mirror DFER’s vision to create “a future where every child in America—no matter their zip code, income, or identity—has access to an abundance of educational opportunities that prepare them to flourish and to contribute to a thriving democracy.”
But his actions on school choice are not consistent with his words.
On the topic of boys in girl’s sports and spaces, Shapiro is noncommittal.
Similar to DFER, Democrats for an Informed Approach to Gender, is a grassroots organization of Democrats and liberals who do not agree with the current direction of their party. Their mission supports the protection of female-only spaces, sports, honors, and opportunities.
“We are Democrats and politically homeless former Democrats working to end ideology-driven medicine and sex-denialism, guiding our fellow liberals back to reality and reason.”
Governor Shapiro’s public stance on this issue is anything but clear and decisive.
Six years ago, he posted on X, “trans women are women, pass it on.”
In 2023, under Shapiro’s Governorship, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission changed the definition of sex to include gender identity and gender expression. This change, which did not require a congressional vote, forced schools to allow biological boys in girl’s bathrooms, locker rooms, and sports.
Most recently, Shapiro’s stance on the issue is vague.
Last year, the state Senate passed the Save Women’s Sports Act, and now the bill is permanently stalled as progressive Democrats refuse to refer it to a committee vote. Shapiro has an easy out here as long as the bill is not voted on, it will never make it to his desk for signature or veto — perhaps this is by design.
In a recent Atlantic interview, reporter Tim Alberta pressed the issue, asking “what are Shapiro’s values when it comes to, say, transgender kids playing sports?”
“He shrugged off the question, saying his answer had always been consistent,” wrote Alberta. “Pennsylvania has a governing body that oversees debates related to scholastic sports, Shapiro said, and the experts of that body, not politicians, are the ones qualified to make these calls. But when I pressed — asking if his personal view was different from his political view — Shapiro said that it was.”
“Look, I think it’s a tough deal being born into the wrong body,” said Shapiro in the interview. “And I don’t think these kids deserve to be persecuted and bullied by the president of the United States. I also don’t think they deserve an unfair advantage on the playing field.”
Shapiro again tried to side step the issue without committing to a particular stance, but he did acknowledge that biological boys should not have an unfair advantage, although he did not define what that might be.
As the Governor campaigns for re-election, and possibly a presidential candidacy, he would be wise to listen to the majority of his constituents on these two important issues.
Democrats for Education Reform and Democrats for an Informed Approach to Gender are saying out loud the words that progressive Democrats don’t want to hear, but their positions represent the preponderance in their party.
The fact that most Democrats support school choice options and keeping boys out of girl’s sports and spaces should inform Shapiro’s position and subsequent actions — if not for moral reasons, then at least for election reasons.
These are winning issues, and if Shapiro fails to take a strong position, perhaps his gubernatorial Republican opponent, Stacy Garrity, will gain voters from both parties with a commonsense, non-apologetic stance that the majority of Pennsylvanians agree upon.
Beth Ann Rosica resides in West Chester, has a Ph.D. in Education, and has dedicated her career to advocating on behalf of at-risk children and families. She covers education issues for Broad + Liberty. Contact her at barosica@broadandliberty.com.
