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.

Bringing New Ideas to Education

One of the challenges in public education – in any bureaucracy, public or private — is the tendency to establish an “echo chamber” of ideas. In public schools, this reinforces the loudest voices and makes it hard for creative educators … Continue reading

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Standards Decline: Can They Be Brought Back?

“… score standards were adopted that made it easier for students to pass; and changes in accreditation regulations let schoolsoff the hook for their failures.” The words of Governor Glenn Youngkin at Thursday’s unveiling of a new report analyzing the decline of … Continue reading

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Time for Public to Speak

“I urge you again to contact your Senators and Congressmen …. Tell them you believe this is an unequaled opportunity to help return America to prosperity and make government again the servant of the people.” — Ronald Reagan July 27, … Continue reading

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Overwhelming Support Shown for Virginia’s Sole Education Choice Program: Highest Backing Among Black Voters

As National School Choice Week 2022 concludes, the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy today released results of a polling question demonstrating the overwhelming popularity of Virginia’s sole education choice program. Support is particularly strong in the state’s Black community. … Continue reading

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A Bold Reform for Education Funding

(Author’s Note: Eight years ago, we suggested incoming Governor Terry McAuliffe pursue a bold education funding reform that would modernize and supercharge Virginia’s education infrastructure.  He chose not to.  We offer it again, verbatim, to Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin … because … Continue reading

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