Category Archives: Education

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

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

Posted in Education, Government Reform | Comments Off on Education Funding Reform Needs to Build Accountability to Help Those Who Need It

Time to Give Charter Schools a Chance in Virginia

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

Posted in Education | Comments Off on Time to Give Charter Schools a Chance in Virginia

Don’t Politicize Cell Phone-Free Education

Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order for developing policies restricting or eliminating cell phones in schools – a concept garnering widespread support among parents, with 61 percent favoring requiring students to leave their phones in secured locations during the day – … Continue reading

Posted in Education | Comments Off on Don’t Politicize Cell Phone-Free Education

Bait and Switch: Reform Reverts to Mo’ Money

Some years back, I ran into a friend, a Virginia Education Association unit chair, outside the General Assembly building, there to lobby on behalf of a state-wide teacher salary increase. The real problem, I noted, was that across-the-board salary increases … Continue reading

Posted in Education | Comments Off on Bait and Switch: Reform Reverts to Mo’ Money

Other States Have Updated How Schools Are Funded: Why Can’t Virginia?

In an August 1 commentary published in The Richmond Times-Dispatch, Thomas Jefferson Institute Senior Advisor and former President Chris Braunlich looks at the recent education funding report issued by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission. He examines more closely … Continue reading

Posted in Education | Comments Off on Other States Have Updated How Schools Are Funded: Why Can’t Virginia?