Author Archives: Christian Braunlich

About Christian Braunlich

Chris Braunlich is Co-President and CEO of the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy, Virginia’s non-partisan public policy foundation. He was appointed by Governor Bob McDonnell to the Virginia State Board of Education, where his colleagues elected him president of the Board.

It Doesn’t End With Electing ‘The Right Candidate’

Posted on October 24, 2024 by Christian Braunlich

It’s all too easy to conflate the roles of political parties with those of public policy “think tanks.”  Both gravitate around policy ideas falling along conservative or progressive lines, and their supporters tend to divide along those same lines, as … Continue reading →

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Education Funding Reform Needs to Build Accountability to Help Those Who Need It

Posted on October 16, 2024 by Christian Braunlich

When the Virginia State Board of Education approved a new state accountability system, it predictably drew attacks from the usual sources. The new system places greater emphasis on student mastery of subject information (50-65%) over student growth (20-25%).  But while growth is critical and should be recognized, … Continue reading →

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Will Virginia’s Vote for President Disappear?

Posted on September 23, 2024 by Christian Braunlich

As anyone with an email address or cell phone knows, Republicans and Democrats have ramped up their November battle. The near-term focus has meant Democrats concentrating on Getting Out the Vote and Republicans placing a new emphasis on Election Integrity. What conservatives are … Continue reading →

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At Last, Hollywood Does Reagan Right

Posted on August 15, 2024 by Christian Braunlich

It has been 30 years since Ronald Reagan walked off the American political stage; two decades since he was laid to rest in the lengthening shadows of Simi Valley’s “golden hour.” But with the coming August 30 release of the big budget … Continue reading →

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Time to Give Charter Schools a Chance in Virginia

Posted on July 26, 2024 by Christian Braunlich

The Youngkin Administration is trying to jumpstart the creation of independent public charter schools in Virginia, in order to provide students additional high-quality options for their education. This effort is long overdue.  But the road to quality choices in Virginia … Continue reading →

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