School Reform News
The Heartland Institute's monthly outreach publication for the national movement for greater competition and choice in K-12 schooling.
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School Reform News
May 2008
California Court to Reconsider Homeschooling
California's Second Appellate District Court of Appeals touched off a firestorm when it issued an opinion that parents have no right to homeschool their ... (read more)
California's Second Appellate District Court of Appeals touched off a firestorm when it issued an opinion that parents have no right to homeschool their ... (read more)
California Decision Has Roots in Age-Old Bias against Homeschooling
Though California's constitution guarantees citizens freedom, independence, and privacy, the state regularly invades those rights--albeit with the consent ... (read more)
Though California's constitution guarantees citizens freedom, independence, and privacy, the state regularly invades those rights--albeit with the consent ... (read more)
California Dropout Study Sparks Controversy
A study of California's high school dropout rate has sparked a debate about the merits of nontraditional schools. According to the study, 41 percent ... (read more)
A study of California's high school dropout rate has sparked a debate about the merits of nontraditional schools. According to the study, 41 percent ... (read more)
College Awareness Ad Campaign Takes its Message Directly to Kids
According to a report released in March by the Consortium on Chicago School Research, only half the students in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system ... (read more)
According to a report released in March by the Consortium on Chicago School Research, only half the students in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system ... (read more)
Diverse Group Demands Choice for Kentucky
A diverse coalition of parents, preachers, politicians, and legislative pioneers combined fervor with facts at a school choice rally at the center of Kentucky's ... (read more)
A diverse coalition of parents, preachers, politicians, and legislative pioneers combined fervor with facts at a school choice rally at the center of Kentucky's ... (read more)
Federal Education Budget Becomes Focus of Debate
Budget resolutions passed by the U.S. Senate and House include significant boosts for education spending in FY 2009. Both budget resolutions were passed ... (read more)
Budget resolutions passed by the U.S. Senate and House include significant boosts for education spending in FY 2009. Both budget resolutions were passed ... (read more)
Florida Committee Chairman Seeks to Expand Voucher Program
A Florida lawmaker says unmet student needs and a tight budget call for expansion of an established school choice program targeted at families in poverty. State ... (read more)
A Florida lawmaker says unmet student needs and a tight budget call for expansion of an established school choice program targeted at families in poverty. State ... (read more)
Florida Improves Test Results in Key Areas, Student Subgroups
A leading education researcher says a closer look at national test scores makes the case for other states to follow the reform programs implemented in Florida ... (read more)
A leading education researcher says a closer look at national test scores makes the case for other states to follow the reform programs implemented in Florida ... (read more)
Georgia Legislators Propose New School Choice Programs
If legislators and parent activists succeed in passing two key pieces of legislation, Georgia--which for decades offered few options for parents to determine ... (read more)
If legislators and parent activists succeed in passing two key pieces of legislation, Georgia--which for decades offered few options for parents to determine ... (read more)
Iowa Redefines 'Minority' in Wake of U.S. Supreme Court Decision
The Iowa Department of Education has redefined the term "minority" in response to a ruling issued by the U.S. Supreme Court last summer that schools seeking ... (read more)
The Iowa Department of Education has redefined the term "minority" in response to a ruling issued by the U.S. Supreme Court last summer that schools seeking ... (read more)
Louisiana Black Caucus Does Students a Disfavor
The Ides of March brought good tidings to newly minted Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R), who saw his economic development tax cuts approved by bipartisan ... (read more)
The Ides of March brought good tidings to newly minted Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R), who saw his economic development tax cuts approved by bipartisan ... (read more)
Maryland Is Close to Creating a Statewide Tax Credit Program
After nearly a decade of highly publicized financial and academic problems in the Baltimore City school system--plus academic achievement concerns in schools ... (read more)
After nearly a decade of highly publicized financial and academic problems in the Baltimore City school system--plus academic achievement concerns in schools ... (read more)
Maryland May Target Dropouts by Increasing Compulsory Attendance Age
School dropout rates have been an intractable problem for decades. Until recently the actual rate has been universally understated, concealing a problem ... (read more)
School dropout rates have been an intractable problem for decades. Until recently the actual rate has been universally understated, concealing a problem ... (read more)
May 2008 School Reform News (PDF)
The May 2008 issue of School Reform News addresses from several angles a February California court decision that parents have no right to homeschool their ... (read more)
The May 2008 issue of School Reform News addresses from several angles a February California court decision that parents have no right to homeschool their ... (read more)
More Trouble for Establishment Would Be Even Better
Troublemaker: A Personal History of School Reform Since Sputnik By Chester E. Finn, Jr. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2008 376 pages, hardcover, ... (read more)
Troublemaker: A Personal History of School Reform Since Sputnik By Chester E. Finn, Jr. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2008 376 pages, hardcover, ... (read more)
Pennsylvania Events Showcase School Choice Students, Parents
In anticipation of the seventh anniversary of the state's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, Pennsylvania legislators this spring took part ... (read more)
In anticipation of the seventh anniversary of the state's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, Pennsylvania legislators this spring took part ... (read more)
Report Grades Nation's School Choice Programs
A February study by the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice offers a valuable evaluation of school choice programs in 21 states. The report, "Grading ... (read more)
A February study by the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice offers a valuable evaluation of school choice programs in 21 states. The report, "Grading ... (read more)
School Funding Problems Provide Ripe Political Opportunity in Ill.
Exemplifying a reform opportunity that applies across the nation, Illinois legislators will be presented this year with yet another chance to reconfigure ... (read more)
Exemplifying a reform opportunity that applies across the nation, Illinois legislators will be presented this year with yet another chance to reconfigure ... (read more)
Wyoming Charter School Proposal Falls One Vote Short in Legislature
A bill to allow greater freedom to establish charter schools in Wyoming fell one vote short of approval by the state House Budget Committee on February ... (read more)
A bill to allow greater freedom to establish charter schools in Wyoming fell one vote short of approval by the state House Budget Committee on February ... (read more)
