Two stories from the Washington Post today provide a perfect contrast to how states and Congress approach education reform. First, Jay Matthews reports from New Orleans: The storm that swamped this city three years ago also effectively swept away a public school system with a dismal record and faint prospects …
For years, many liberals have claimed that the problem in American public education is that No Child Left Behind has been “under-funded.” Of course, federal spending on K-12 education programs is on pace to grow by 36 percent during the Bush presidency. But hey, who cares about actual budget numbers …
The Center for Education Reform held a panel yesterday to discuss the status of charter school laws across the country. Leading experts from across the country offered insights about how to pass a strong charter school law that encourages innovation and greater parental choice in public education. Former Maryland Gov. …
The recent firing of 24 principals in Washington, D.C., illustrates perfectly a point that school choice proponents have made time and time again. One of the principals dismissed was the principal at the school attended by the children of D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee. Before the firing, Rhee had promised …
With more than 100 House Republicans voting for a farm bill that betrays every conservative principle about governing, it is no wonder conservatives are disillusioned about Republican prospects this November. However, while liberals are already scoring victories for protectionism, judicial activism, and union power, there has been one bright spot …
Earlier today Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue signed legislation (HB 1133) to create a $50 million school choice tax credit program. The legislation will allow individuals and businesses to take a dollar-for-dollar credit on state taxes for contributions to non-profit groups that fund tuition scholarships. In all, Georgia taxpayers can claim …
Last month we blogged on the remarkable progress Georgia had recently made in advancing equal opportunity in school choice. But now it appears that Gov. Sonny Perdue (R) is becoming a barrier to successful reform. Redstate‘s Erick Erickson reports: Georgia House Bill 881 is legislation in Georgia to help improve …
This week is “National Charter Schools Week,” an opportunity to educate communities about the opportunities the charter school movement provides and celebrate the success of charter schools nation wide. Heritage scholar Dan Lips writes on charter schools in his paper School Choice: Policy Developments and National Participation Estimates in 2007–2008: …
In an otherwise admirable editorial highlighting a new report that shows New York City paid 235 teachers $81 million over two years to do nothing, the New York Times includes this paragraph: Under the new free-market system, teachers who lose their jobs because of budget cuts, program curtailments or school …
