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 2003
05/2003 The Friedman Report: A Bostonian Takes on the Blaine Amendment
When asked how he became interested in the school choice movement, Cornelius “Con” Chapman talks about the Fall of 1957, when federal troops could be ... (read more)
When asked how he became interested in the school choice movement, Cornelius “Con” Chapman talks about the Fall of 1957, when federal troops could be ... (read more)
05/2003 The Friedman Report: School Choice Roundup
Arizona * California * Colorado * Connecticut * District of Columbia * Florida Louisiana * Missouri * New Hampshire * Ohio * Utah * Wisconsin ARIZONA Senate ... (read more)
Arizona * California * Colorado * Connecticut * District of Columbia * Florida Louisiana * Missouri * New Hampshire * Ohio * Utah * Wisconsin ARIZONA Senate ... (read more)
Accountability Requirements of Existing School Choice Programs
Independence Institute researcher Marya DeGrow has compiled an informative list of the accountability requirements of current voucher and tax credit programs, ... (read more)
Independence Institute researcher Marya DeGrow has compiled an informative list of the accountability requirements of current voucher and tax credit programs, ... (read more)
Camden, NJ Takeover Upheld
On March 18, at the Mercer County Courthouse in Trenton, New Jersey, Superior Court Judge Andrew J. Smithson upheld the constitutionality of a state takeover ... (read more)
On March 18, at the Mercer County Courthouse in Trenton, New Jersey, Superior Court Judge Andrew J. Smithson upheld the constitutionality of a state takeover ... (read more)
Choice Creates New Schools for Low-Income Families
Vouchers raise false hopes and expectations among low-income families, say voucher critics, who claim private schools don’t have the capacity to take ... (read more)
Vouchers raise false hopes and expectations among low-income families, say voucher critics, who claim private schools don’t have the capacity to take ... (read more)
Colorado Approves Vouchers!
To the cheers of hundreds of children from local private schools, Republican Governor Bill Owens on April 16 signed a bill that made Colorado the first ... (read more)
To the cheers of hundreds of children from local private schools, Republican Governor Bill Owens on April 16 signed a bill that made Colorado the first ... (read more)
Corporate Tax Credits Work in Pennsylvania
A report on Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program shows the two-year-old initiative is producing benefits not only for parents ... (read more)
A report on Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program shows the two-year-old initiative is producing benefits not only for parents ... (read more)
DC Parents Call for Vouchers
Two recently introduced Congressional school choice proposals that target Washington, DC students are heating up the voucher debate in the nation’s capital ... (read more)
Two recently introduced Congressional school choice proposals that target Washington, DC students are heating up the voucher debate in the nation’s capital ... (read more)
Florida Voters May Regret Class Size Vote
As Florida’s governor and legislature grapple with the staggering fiscal implications of implementing a voter mandate to reduce K-12 class sizes, multiple ... (read more)
As Florida’s governor and legislature grapple with the staggering fiscal implications of implementing a voter mandate to reduce K-12 class sizes, multiple ... (read more)
Just the Facts: Parents and Student Achievement
According to a study by Brian D. Ray, president of the National Home Education Research Institute, students taught by parents who have ... (read more)
According to a study by Brian D. Ray, president of the National Home Education Research Institute, students taught by parents who have ... (read more)
Lessons from History, Advice for Today: an exclusive interview with Charles L. Glenn Jr.
“What then is the American, this new man?... He is an American, who, leaving behind him all his ancient prejudices and manners, receives new ones from the ... (read more)
“What then is the American, this new man?... He is an American, who, leaving behind him all his ancient prejudices and manners, receives new ones from the ... (read more)
May 2003 School Reform News (pdf)
“Horace Mann’s concerns were not with providing schooling but with making schooling an effective instrument for social reform,” notes education historian ... (read more)
“Horace Mann’s concerns were not with providing schooling but with making schooling an effective instrument for social reform,” notes education historian ... (read more)
Milwaukee Voucher Program Continues to Expand
A recent study from the Public Policy Forum reports the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) continues to grow, with 2002-2003 enrollment increasing ... (read more)
A recent study from the Public Policy Forum reports the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) continues to grow, with 2002-2003 enrollment increasing ... (read more)
Parental Involvement: How Public School Advocates View It
It is widely accepted as beneficial for parents to be involved with their child’s schooling from the very earliest stages. But what exactly does parental ... (read more)
It is widely accepted as beneficial for parents to be involved with their child’s schooling from the very earliest stages. But what exactly does parental ... (read more)
Previous DC Voucher Proposals
1995 In 1995, the U.S. House passed an amendment to the FY96 Appropriations bill for the District of Columbia that would provide low-income DC students ... (read more)
1995 In 1995, the U.S. House passed an amendment to the FY96 Appropriations bill for the District of Columbia that would provide low-income DC students ... (read more)
School Choice Would Encourage Parental Involvement
Although education-related organizations like the National PTA, the American Federation of Teachers, and the National Education Association all promote ... (read more)
Although education-related organizations like the National PTA, the American Federation of Teachers, and the National Education Association all promote ... (read more)
Should Voucher Students Take State Tests?
Many states considering vouchers are also debating whether private schools that accept vouchers should be required to administer state tests. One of ... (read more)
Many states considering vouchers are also debating whether private schools that accept vouchers should be required to administer state tests. One of ... (read more)
Six Bills Would Expand Choice in Vermont
Suit Aims to Open Choice to Religious Schools Although the U.S. Supreme Court's June 2002 ruling in the Zelman case upheld the inclusion of religious ... (read more)
Suit Aims to Open Choice to Religious Schools Although the U.S. Supreme Court's June 2002 ruling in the Zelman case upheld the inclusion of religious ... (read more)
Special Ed Reauthorization Prompts Reforms
Congress’ review of federal special education laws--its largest scheduled piece of education business this year--has launched numerous reform plans as ... (read more)
Congress’ review of federal special education laws--its largest scheduled piece of education business this year--has launched numerous reform plans as ... (read more)
Taking Stock of the School Choice Movement
Last year the school choice movement made progress in the courts, in statehouses, and in research, setting the foundation for an ambitious legislative ... (read more)
Last year the school choice movement made progress in the courts, in statehouses, and in research, setting the foundation for an ambitious legislative ... (read more)
Too Much Homework?
Homework is an accepted part of children’s coursework, starting as early as first grade. But how much is too much? The National PTA suggests children ... (read more)
Homework is an accepted part of children’s coursework, starting as early as first grade. But how much is too much? The National PTA suggests children ... (read more)
Two Hairy Stories
A public school policy that a judge regards as “stupid” nevertheless provides two lessons for private schools who wish to maintain their independence: ... (read more)
A public school policy that a judge regards as “stupid” nevertheless provides two lessons for private schools who wish to maintain their independence: ... (read more)
Vouchers Improve Employability in Michigan
Michigan doesn’t have publicly funded vouchers to help children get a better K-12 education--which in turn would make them more employable--but since 1996 ... (read more)
Michigan doesn’t have publicly funded vouchers to help children get a better K-12 education--which in turn would make them more employable--but since 1996 ... (read more)
With Vouchers, Would Religious Schools Predominate?
If parents were provided with tax-funded vouchers, or scholarships, so they could freely choose to send their child to a public school, a secular private ... (read more)
If parents were provided with tax-funded vouchers, or scholarships, so they could freely choose to send their child to a public school, a secular private ... (read more)
