The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice RSS Feed http://www.edchoice.org/Research/Reports/Schooling-in-America-Survey--What-Do-Mothers-Say-About-K-12-Education-.aspx A new survey from the Friedman Foundation provides the most extensive look ever at the reactions among mothers of school-age children on hot-topic schooling matters. Questions cover vouchers, charter schools, parent trigger, and the federal government’s role in education, among others. Also included are results from the general population in the U.S.]]> 5/8/2013 http://www.edchoice.org/TXpoll This new survey from the Friedman Foundation and Texas Public Policy Foundation compiles voters’ reactions to a number of education issues, including vouchers, tax-credit scholarships, charter schools, and the parent trigger. As the Texas legislature continues to review school choice, does support for such policies even exist?]]> 4/23/2013 http://www.edchoice.org/WinWin Research on school choice far exceeds the research on any other education reform. What do the studies say? This new Friedman Foundation report looks at school choice’s impact on students, public schools, taxpayers, diversity, and civic values. See for yourself school choice’s track record and what’s needed for an even brighter future.]]> 4/17/2013 http://www.edchoice.org/Foundation-Services/Publications/The-Legislative-Lowdown-on-School-Choice-in-2013.aspx This edition of “The School Choice Advocate” covers the momentum of school choice in state legislatures across the country. Also in the spotlight is John Carson, president of Douglas County, Colorado’s school board, who reveals why he and his colleagues created the nation’s only district-led voucher program.]]> 3/27/2013 http://edchoice.org/StaffSurge2 From 1992-2009, states’ public schools were on a hiring binge, adding administrators and non-teaching personnel at a faster rate than their growth in students. In 2009, 21 states actually had more administrative and non-teaching staff than they had teachers. Find out where your state stands in Part II of this Friedman Foundation study.]]> 2/28/2013 http://EdChoice.org/ScafidiFiscal2012 As states consider private school choice programs in 2013, many policymakers have questions on how such initiatives would impact public schools' bottom lines. This study from the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice shows how states can craft private school choice programs to help students while keeping public schools' finances in order.]]> 2/29/2012 http://www.edchoice.org/Newsroom/News/Indiana-Supreme-Court-Rules-School-Vouchers-Constitutional.aspx After a nearly two-year-long review, the Indiana Supreme Court announced its decision on the nation’s largest school voucher program. Find out whether the 9,324 Indiana families currently using the Choice Scholarship Program get to keep their freedom to choose in education!]]> 3/26/2013 http://www.edchoice.org/Research/Reports/North-Dakota-K-12-and-School-Choice-Survey.aspx The “North Dakota K-12 & School Choice Survey” found 77 percent of voters rated the state’s public school system “good” or “excellent” and just 20 percent saw it as “fair” or “poor.” Why then should North Dakotans favor school choice? But they do, and their reasons and preferred choices may surprise you.]]> 3/20/2013 http://www.edchoice.org/Newsroom/News/Alabama-Governor-Signs-Private-School-Choice-Legislation.aspx Parents of children in failing public schools will have access to tax-credit scholarships and personal tax credits for private education expenses. The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice estimates 11,000 scholarships could be available while the personal tax credit will be refundable, a benefit for low-income families and a first nationwide.]]> 3/14/2013 http://www.edchoice.org/Newsroom/News/Private-School-Choice-Passes-Idaho-House--a-First-in-State-History.aspx A tax-credit scholarship proposal cleared Idaho’s House of Representatives by a vote of 35 to 33. If adopted, Idaho would be the first state to bring private school choice to America’s northwest region. Find out who qualifies, the potential financial savings, and how many students this proposal could serve.]]> 3/20/2013 http://www.edchoice.org/Newsroom/News/School-Choice-Offers-Incentives-to-Improve-Public-Education.aspx Robert Enlow, president and CEO of the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, and J. Scott Moody, CEO of the Maine Heritage Policy Center, offer their take on what Maine should do -- and what Maine voters want -- as Gov. Paul LePage advocates for expanding school choice to more families. "Mainers are no strangers to school choice. They were its pioneers 140 years ago."]]> 3/14/2013 http://edchoice.org/MEpoll Maine has the country’s second oldest voucher program, started in 1873, which allows children without district public schools to receive tuition support to go to neighboring public or private schools. As Gov. LePage pushes for more school choice, a new Friedman Foundation survey shows more than half of Maine voters favor policies that increase student access to private schools.]]> 3/6/2013 http://EdChoice.org/ABCs “The ABCs of School Choice” is the most comprehensive guide to every private school choice program currently operating in 21 states and Washington, D.C. The 2013 edition features stories of those who benefit from school choice along with “Friedman Feedback” on ways states can expand each program to fund all children, a vision first established by the late Milton Friedman.]]> 1/23/2013 http://EdChoice.org/Foundation-Services/Publications/Bloated-with-Bureaucracy.aspx This issue of "The School Choice Advocate" examines the bloated bureaucracy schools experience as staffing far outpaces student growth. Other articles: a round-up of school choice litigation, a Two-Minute Talk with Friedman Fellow Benjamin Scafidi, Ph.D., a "Parent’s Perspective" from an Arizona family using the state's new education savings accounts program, and more.]]> 1/1/2013 http://www.edchoice.org/Newsroom/News/Enlow---Louisiana-Voucher-Students-Don-t-Need-to-be-Kicked-Off-School-Choice-Lifeboat.aspx In an op-ed published on the Huffington Post, Friedman Foundation president Robert Enlow explores the purpose and strength of Louisiana's statewide school voucher program -- and how the state's teachers' unions, who are suing to abolish the program, are being selfish by not putting the students first.]]> 12/3/2012 http://s.chool.ch/Si4Q7F The Wall Street Journal has come out with some harsh words for Louisiana's teachers' unions, accusing them of pursuing their own interests "over providing kids with a decent education." The paper's editorial board examines what's really at stake in a lawsuit the unions have filed to overturn the Pelican State's voucher law.]]> 11/28/2012 http://www.edchoice.org/Newsroom/News/Indianapolis-Star---Indiana-s-Voucher-Program-Makes-Huge-Gains.aspx Amid the backdrop of a state supreme court hearing arguments to decide the program's fate, numbers from the Indiana Department of Education show the Hoosier State's voucher program is growing at a record pace. The Indianapolis Star's Scott Elliott takes a closer look...]]> 11/20/2012 http://s.chool.ch/RFtO0m An education task force, assembled by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, provided recommendation for a statewide school voucher program. The bold plan has already garnered support from many corners, including one of the state's largest newspapers. In an editorial, the Commercial Appeal urged readers to dismiss personal stakes and "think about the kids first."]]> 11/15/2012