school choice

Michigan’s gubernatorial candidates share priorities on literacy and college/career readiness but diverge on approaches like school choice versus equitable funding. Candidates include Jocelyn Benson, Chris Swanson, John James, Perry Johnson, and former Attorney General Mike Cox, who withdrew after Trump endorsed James.

Ohio public schools face a bus driver shortage while debating transportation system changes. A state workgroup recommended a 'comprehensive system change' but highlighted disagreements on implementation. Private and religious schools advocate for expanded transportation access, though some workgroup members opposed the proposed recommendations.

Karoline Leavitt proposes a theory explaining why her generation is gravitating toward communism. She suggests school choice could address the rise of the radical left.

The article highlights a divide in Democratic Party support for school choice based on income and race, with higher-income and more educated Democrats opposing it while Black, Hispanic, and lower-income Democrats are more supportive. Charter schools, the most common form of publicly funded school choice, disproportionately serve marginalized communities, reflecting demand for alternatives to underperforming schools in urban areas. Critics of school choice, often affluent families who already access private or district-specific options, are accused of holding 'luxury beliefs' that ignore the constraints faced by lower-income families.

Alan Wilson and Pamela Evette, GOP candidates for South Carolina Governor, clashed in a debate where they accused each other of lying and discussed positions on ending the state's income tax, legalizing medical marijuana, and expanding school choice.

Jeb Bush and Ryan Delk discussed the evolution of educational choice in Florida, highlighting its expansion from 80 students in a voucher program to over 50% of parents choosing schools. The conversation covered policies like Education Savings Accounts and the rise of microschools like Primer, emphasizing parental empowerment and educational entrepreneurship.

The article argues that while school choice is often promoted as a solution to educational inequality, the quality of education is more influenced by teacher effectiveness than by school selection. It highlights that lower-income parents have limited options compared to higher-income families, and research shows significant variation in teacher effectiveness within schools, which impacts student learning more than school-level choices.

Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, is campaigning against the state’s education savings account (ESA) program, which provides public vouchers for private school expenses. His opposition to the 2023 policy frames it as a drain on public schools, positioning him as a fiscal hawk amid a divided Democratic approach to school choice.

Gov. Bill Lee faced criticism for a past photo in a Confederate uniform and later apologized, calling his actions insensitive. Despite his apology, the article highlights his policies, including banning critical race theory in schools and diluting Black voting power in Memphis, as inconsistent with racial sensitivity.