School Choice
Commentary
Read about California's latest test scores
California’s Latest School Test Scores Are Nothing to Celebrate
Imagine a headline that read, “Not Everyone Died in Massive Train Wreck, Say Railroad Officials.” If that spin sounds ridiculous, take a look at the California Department of Education’s recent press release on state test scores. The department’s headline reads: “2022-23 Statewide Assessment Results and Chronic Absenteeism Rates Show Student
Blog
School choice works
The BASIC Fund: Proof That School Choice Works, Even in California
Across the country, lawmakers in red and red-leaning states have enacted expansive school-choice laws. Arkansas, Iowa, Utah, Florida, Arizona, West Virginia, and North Carolina have adopted universal school-choice programs that allow parents to use government-funded education savings accounts to help fund their education expenses, including private-school tuition. It is often
Classroom Ideology
Listen to interview on PRI's school board survey
Listen to Lance Izumi on the Lars Larson Show: Is there a need for improvement among school boards?
TheLarsLarsonShow · Lance Izumi Is there a need for improvement among school boards?
Charter Schools
Read about PRI's new national education survey
New Poll Shows Voters See Room for Improvement in School Boards
The just-released national survey, conducted for the Pacific Research Institute by Echelon Insights, found that 49% of respondents said that their local public school boards were fair/poor/very poor. Just 36% thought their boards were excellent or good. Those who rated their school board’s performance as poor or very poor were
Blog
Read about an innovative new California school
New School Year, New Hope for At-Risk Students
I report on a lot of bad news about education in California, which is why it was so invigorating to attend the inaugural opening day of Cristo Rey Orange County, an innovative Catholic school that combines rigorous academics with a unique work-study program that has proved successful for countless students
Blog
Read about latest attacks on charter schools
Los Angeles and Oakland Get “F” Grades for Charter Funding Gaps
The University of Arkansas study compared funding for regular public schools and charter schools in 18 cities across the country using 2019-2020 budget data. Historically, regular public schools have been funded more generously than charter schools, which are autonomous publicly funded schools independent of school districts, but that gap is
Blog
Charter schools provide good learning options for all kids
Classical Academy Charter School Keeps Excelling and Innovating
One of the most rewarding aspects of my job has been the opportunity to meet innovative education leaders whose learning models are making a big difference in the lives of students. Amongst these educators, Cameron Curry, who helped to start Classical Academies and now serves as CEO, is right at
Blog
Charters Shortchanged Despite State Funding Increases
L.A. Charter Schools Receive Less Funding Than Regular Public Schools
While Governor Gavin Newsom has touted how he has increased state education funding during his tenure, charter schools have seen less funding compared to regular public schools, with the gap widening in places like Los Angeles. A new study by the University of Arkansas analyzes the funding disparity between charter
Blog
Can Taxpayers Afford New Union Giveaways?
The LAUSD Strike and the State Budget Deficit: Train Wreck Ahead
While coverage of the recent strike by Los Angeles teachers and school staff members has focused on the immediate wage demands of the unions and the impact on students and their families, the bigger and looming issue is how California’s growing state budget deficit could impact any collective bargaining agreement.
Commentary
Public schools failed during COVID, so give families more choice
Perhaps in no other area did the COVID-19 pandemic have a greater impact than on education. While government spending burgeoned, student achievement plummeted, children’s mental health suffered and schools became more dangerous, which is an outcome that demands a better solution such as giving parents greater educational choice. During the
Read about California's latest test scores
California’s Latest School Test Scores Are Nothing to Celebrate
Imagine a headline that read, “Not Everyone Died in Massive Train Wreck, Say Railroad Officials.” If that spin sounds ridiculous, take a look at the California Department of Education’s recent press release on state test scores. The department’s headline reads: “2022-23 Statewide Assessment Results and Chronic Absenteeism Rates Show Student
School choice works
The BASIC Fund: Proof That School Choice Works, Even in California
Across the country, lawmakers in red and red-leaning states have enacted expansive school-choice laws. Arkansas, Iowa, Utah, Florida, Arizona, West Virginia, and North Carolina have adopted universal school-choice programs that allow parents to use government-funded education savings accounts to help fund their education expenses, including private-school tuition. It is often
Listen to interview on PRI's school board survey
Listen to Lance Izumi on the Lars Larson Show: Is there a need for improvement among school boards?
TheLarsLarsonShow · Lance Izumi Is there a need for improvement among school boards?
Read about PRI's new national education survey
New Poll Shows Voters See Room for Improvement in School Boards
The just-released national survey, conducted for the Pacific Research Institute by Echelon Insights, found that 49% of respondents said that their local public school boards were fair/poor/very poor. Just 36% thought their boards were excellent or good. Those who rated their school board’s performance as poor or very poor were
Read about an innovative new California school
New School Year, New Hope for At-Risk Students
I report on a lot of bad news about education in California, which is why it was so invigorating to attend the inaugural opening day of Cristo Rey Orange County, an innovative Catholic school that combines rigorous academics with a unique work-study program that has proved successful for countless students
Read about latest attacks on charter schools
Los Angeles and Oakland Get “F” Grades for Charter Funding Gaps
The University of Arkansas study compared funding for regular public schools and charter schools in 18 cities across the country using 2019-2020 budget data. Historically, regular public schools have been funded more generously than charter schools, which are autonomous publicly funded schools independent of school districts, but that gap is
Charter schools provide good learning options for all kids
Classical Academy Charter School Keeps Excelling and Innovating
One of the most rewarding aspects of my job has been the opportunity to meet innovative education leaders whose learning models are making a big difference in the lives of students. Amongst these educators, Cameron Curry, who helped to start Classical Academies and now serves as CEO, is right at
Charters Shortchanged Despite State Funding Increases
L.A. Charter Schools Receive Less Funding Than Regular Public Schools
While Governor Gavin Newsom has touted how he has increased state education funding during his tenure, charter schools have seen less funding compared to regular public schools, with the gap widening in places like Los Angeles. A new study by the University of Arkansas analyzes the funding disparity between charter
Can Taxpayers Afford New Union Giveaways?
The LAUSD Strike and the State Budget Deficit: Train Wreck Ahead
While coverage of the recent strike by Los Angeles teachers and school staff members has focused on the immediate wage demands of the unions and the impact on students and their families, the bigger and looming issue is how California’s growing state budget deficit could impact any collective bargaining agreement.
Public schools failed during COVID, so give families more choice
Perhaps in no other area did the COVID-19 pandemic have a greater impact than on education. While government spending burgeoned, student achievement plummeted, children’s mental health suffered and schools became more dangerous, which is an outcome that demands a better solution such as giving parents greater educational choice. During the
