Education

Since the 1970s, American students have averaged the same flabby test scores, while federal and state spending and regulations have increased madly in an attempt to boost them. Average per-pupil spending has risen about 300% during that time period. Public school enrollment has increased about 10% since 1970, while public school employment has doubled.

Everyone knows we must try something better and different, and fast. The Heartland Institute's Education Issue Suite not only aggregates decades of the latest school reform news and research, but reaches behind the scenes to bring you experts analyzing which of these expanding options actually do expand the options for students and their families. No other think tank or publication instigates and investigates education reform this way. Browse by daily for the best and latest in student-centered education policy.

In Milwaukee, Nation’s Oldest School Choice Program Sees Major Growth

Rachel Sheffield

– Education

– February 22, 2012

Enrollment in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, still the largest voucher program in the...
Lawmakers Push Third-Grade Retention Policies

Sally Nelson

– Education

– February 21, 2012

Republican and Democratic lawmakers in multiple states have introduced legislation that would...
In Finland, Students Win When Teachers Compete

Sandra Stotsky

– Education

– February 18, 2012

Review of Finnish Lessons: What Can the World Learn from Educational Change in Finland by...
Two Voucher Expansions Pass Georgia Senate Committee

Rachel Sheffield

– Education

– February 17, 2012

The Georgia Senate’s Education Committee approved two bills that would broaden Georgia’s Special...
‘Tim Tebow Law’ Heads Toward Passage in Virginia

Cheryl K. Chumley

– Education

– February 16, 2012

A bill allowing homeschool students to try out for public school athletic teams sailed through...

Press Releases: Education

Heartland Institute Comments on Arizona SB 1204 Parent Trigger Bill

Joy Pullmann, Bruno Behrend

– Education

– February 16, 2012

On February 15, Arizona’s Senate Committee on Government Reform voted 5–2 in favor of Senate Bill...
Jindal Embraces Version of The Heartland Institute’s Parent Trigger

Bruno Behrend, Ben Boychuk, John Nothdurft, Joy Pullmann

– Education

– January 31, 2012

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal this month endorsed the Parent Trigger as part of his sweeping...
Heartland Institute Reacts to Voucher Bill Failure in Pennsylvania House

Joy Pullmann, Bruno Behrend,

– Education

– December 15, 2011

An effort in Pennsylvania to pass a school voucher bill, supported by Gov. Tom Corbett, failed in...
Heartland Institute Reacts to Wisconsin Teacher Unions’ Votes to Disband

Joy Pullmann, Bruno Behrend

– Education

– December 14, 2011

Two teacher unions in Racine County, given the first chance to vote to recertify under new state...
Heartland Institute Reacts to Head Start Executive Order

Joy Pullmann

– Education

– November 9, 2011

President Barack Obama Tuesday directed the Department of Health and Human Services to implement...

more press releases

Featured Works

The ‘Parent Trigger’ in California: Some Lessons from the Experience So Far

The Parent Trigger: A Model for Transforming Education

Ten Principles of Higher Education Reform

Transformational Innovation in K-12 Education: Achieving More, Spending Less in Schools, Districts, and States

Ideas

Digital Learning

The use of broadband and computer-assisted learning programs can revolutionize K-12 schooling by boosting student achievement, reducing the need for small class sizes, and making more distance learning possible. Students, parents, and taxpayers all benefit when regulatory barriers to digital learning are repealed.
School Vouchers

Giving public funds to consumers in the form of vouchers is not a radical idea. Existing voucher programs include food stamps, low-income housing vouchers, the GI Bill and Pell Grants for college students. There can be little doubt that the schools parents would choose under a school choice program would be different from those currently funded with tax dollars.
The Parent Trigger

This might just be the most powerful education reform policy since Milton Friedman advocated the school voucher. Begun in California, the Parent Trigger allows a majority of parents to petition to have their local school reorganized or transformed into a charter, or even to receive vouchers to choose private schools. Built on the framework of choice and democracy, the Parent Trigger crosses ideological lines and empowers parents.

Bruno Behrend

Director, Center for Transforming Education
Joy Pullmann

Managing Editor, School Reform News
Herbert J. Walberg

Senior Fellow, Education

School Reform News

School Reform News is The Heartland Institute's monthly print publication sent both to paying subscribers and each and every elected official. Click on the image below to browse the publication's archives.