PUBLICATIONS BY Dan Lips
Research
Commentary
Media Appearances
2009 Research
September 15, 2009
Student Lending and College Affordability: Alternative Approaches to Reform
By Dan Lips
(WebMemo #2615)
The House of Representatives will soon consider H.R. 3221, the "Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009," legislation that will terminate the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program, expand the Federal Direct Loan program, and increase spending on other post-secondary education programs. If enacted, the legislation will mark a dramatic shift in the federal government's approach to student lending and result in a consolidation of federal power over education financing.
September 10, 2009
School Safety in Washington, D.C.: New Data for the 2007-2008 School Year
By David Muhlhausen, Ph.D., Don Soifer, and Dan Lips
(WebMemo #2609)
This WebMemo is a summary of a CDA Report by The Heritage Foundation and Lexington Institute that presents an analysis of 911 calls originating from schools in D.C. for the 2007-2008 school year, the most recent full school year for which data were available.
August 28, 2009
School Safety in Washington, D.C.: New Data for the 2007-2008 School Year
By David Muhlhausen, Ph.D., Don Soifer, and Dan Lips
(Center for Data Analysis Report #09-06)
Many District of Columbia students attend schools where they are too often exposed to crime and violence. Policymakers in the District should recognize that school safety is an important problem and should redouble efforts to reduce crime and violence, and D.C. families should be given the power to choose the best schools for their children so that more children can attend school in a safe learning environment.
July 13, 2009
Reforming and Improving Federal Preschool and Child Care Programs Without Increasing the Deficit
By Dan Lips
(Backgrounder #2297)
In FY 2009, the federal government will spend more than $25 billion on 69 programs for early childhood education and childcare. After more than four decades, it is still unclear whether Head Start is delivering lasting benefits to participating children. Instead of creating a new federal preschool program, Congress and the Obama Administration should evaluate federal early childhood programs, eliminate ineffective programs, and consolidate duplicative programs.
May 13, 2009
D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program: Improving Student Safety
By Shanea J. Watkins, Ph.D., and Dan Lips
(WebMemo #2437)
Members of Congress and the D.C. City Council should recognize the persistent problem of school violence and crime in public schools in the nation’s capital and empower all District families with greater power to choose a safe school environment for their children.
April 15, 2009
A New Approach to Improving Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education
By Dan Lips and Jena Baker McNeill
(Backgrounder #2259)
American leaders have emphasized the need to improve performance in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. Instead of focusing on federal solutions and increasing federal spending policymakers and the private sector should refocus attention on systemic education reforms at the state, local, and school levels to dramatically increase the number of students who succeed in STEM fields at school and in the workforce.
April 10, 2009
D.C. Opportunity Scholarships Boost Reading Scores, Family Satisfaction
By Dan Lips
(WebMemo #2391)
Now that an evaluation of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program is complete, questions about this program's effectiveness are resolved.
March 26, 2009
Obama Administration Proposes New Federal Education Spending Increases
By Dan Lips
(WebMemo #2363)
After less than three months, the Obama Administration has approved an unprecedented increase in federal spending for the Department of Education. But if history is any guide, these spending increases will have little if any positive effect on the quality of American education.
January 26, 2009
Ten Reasons Why the "Economic Stimulus" Should Not Include Education Spending
By Dan Lips
(Backgrounder #2233)
The draft American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 calls for an unprecedented increase in federal education funding, which will not improve economic growth. Instead of a massive federal spending increase, Congress should embrace fiscally responsible solutions to help states meet fiscal challenges and improve educational services. Congress should grant state policymakers the flexibility to prioritize how federal dollars are allocated.
January 09, 2009
Key Questions for Arne Duncan, Nominee for Secretary for U.S. Department of Education
By Dan Lips
(WebMemo #2200)
Senators should ask these questions of Education Secretary-designate Arne Duncan as they consider his confirmation.
January 07, 2009
How 'No Child Left Behind' Threatens Florida's Successful Education Reforms
By Matthew Ladner, Ph.D., and Dan Lips
(Backgrounder #2226)
Like previous federal education initiatives, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), which increased federal authority over schools, has failed to deliver meaningful improvement in America's public education. NCLB's requirement for universal proficiency has created a perverse incentive for states to lower standards in order to avoid federal sanctions. Florida's experience over the past decade shows that state-level education reforms can deliver meaningful improvement.
January 07, 2009
Executive Summary: How "No Child Left Behind" Threatens Florida's Successful Education Reforms
By Matthew Ladner, Ph.D., and Dan Lips
(Executive Summary #2226)
Like previous federal education initiatives, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), which increased federal authority over schools, has failed to deliver meaningful improvement in America's public education. NCLB's requirement for universal proficiency has created a perverse incentive for states to lower standards in order to avoid federal sanctions. Florida's experience over the past decade shows that state-level education reforms can deliver meaningful improvement.
2008 Research
December 12, 2008
Federal Education Bailout Is Not the Answer
By Dan Lips
(WebMemo #2171)
Earlier this week, leaders of the Miami-Dade school system and Broward County school board in Florida called on the federal government to provide a “bailout” for the ailing school districts. But what states, local governments, and schools need is not more federal funds but freedom from federal regulations that burden school districts with added costs and red tape.
December 09, 2008
Transforming and Improving American Education
By Dan Lips and Jennifer A. Marshall
(Special Report #32)
President-elect Obama, your comments during the campaign show that you recognize the urgent need to transform and improve American education for the 21st century.
September 08, 2008
Does Spending More on Education Improve Academic Achievement?
By Dan Lips, Shanea J. Watkins, Ph.D., and John Fleming
(Backgrounder #2179)
Since 1985, real federal spending on K–12 education has increased by 138 percent. Long-term NAEP reading scale scores and high school graduation rates show that the performance of American students has not improved dramatically in recent decades even though education spending has soared. Policymakers should implement education reforms designed to improve resource allocation and boost student performance.
May 14, 2008
Improving Education in the Nation's Capital: Expanding School Choice
By Dan Lips and Evan Feinberg
(Backgrounder #2137)
Over the past decade, the District of Columbia has made strides in offering families greater choice about which schools their children attend, thanks to a strong charter school law and the federally funded D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. District leaders and Members of Congress should implement policies to give all District families the opportunity to choose good schools for their children.
April 21, 2008
A Nation Still at Risk: The Case for Federalism and School Choice
By Dan Lips
(Backgrounder #2125)
Twenty-five years after the seminal report A Nation at Risk, American education remains in a state of crisis. Millions of students continue to pass through the public schools without mastering basic skills and knowledge. Policymakers and the public must recognize both this persistent failure and the attendant need for systemic reform in American education.
April 03, 2008
Homeschooling: A Growing Option in American Education
By Dan Lips and Evan Feinberg
(Backgrounder #2122)
A growing number of American families are choosing to homeschool their children. While research evidence is limited, evaluations of student outcomes suggest that homeschooling is successful for participating students. Federal and state policymakers should therefore protect all families’ right to educate their children at home and implement policies to enable more families to homeschool their children in the future.
January 31, 2008
School Choice: Policy Developments and National Participation Estimates in 2007-2008
By Dan Lips
(Backgrounder #2102)
School choice improves parents' satisfaction with their children's schools, and public schools that face competition have shown improved performance, yet opponents continue to oppose reforms that give parents the opportunity to choose their children's schools. State and federal policymakers should reform existing education policies to give all families the opportunity to choose the best schools for their children.
January 31, 2008
Executive Summary: School Choice: Policy Developments and National Participation Estimates in 2007-2008
By Dan Lips
(Executive Summary #2102)
Executive Summary: School choice improves parents' satisfaction with their children's schools, and public schools that face competition have shown improved performance, yet opponents continue to oppose reforms that give parents the opportunity to choose their children's schools. State and federal policymakers should reform existing education policies to give all families the opportunity to choose the best schools for their children.
2007 Research
November 05, 2007
Improving Educational Opportunities for Foster Children
By Dan Lips
(Heritage Lecture #1050)
Research evidence and surveys of former foster children find many common problems in the classroom, such as persistent low expectations and instability caused by frequent school transfers. Offering foster children new school choice options would provide greater stability and help more students receive a quality education that prepares them to attain independence in adulthood.
June 19, 2007
Reforming No Child Left Behind by Allowing States to Opt Out: An A-PLUS for Federalism
By Dan Lips
(Backgrounder #2044)
By restoring greater state control of education, the A-PLUS Act would allow states to end inefficient and ineffective federal programs, reallocate funds toward state-directed initiatives to improve student learning, and reduce spending on administrative costs and bureaucracy. State policymakers, with greater input from parents and other stakeholders, could take responsibility for strengthening public education in local communities.
June 05, 2007
Foster Care Children Need Better Educational Opportunities
By Dan Lips
(Backgrounder #2039)
Because the estimated 518,000 children in foster care are among the most at-risk children in American society, and because the quality of their primary and secondary education is a major factor in determining whether or not they succeed in life, policymakers should work to improve learning opportunities for foster children by expanding their education options.
March 23, 2007
The Administrative Burden of No Child Left Behind
By Dan Lips and Evan Feinberg
(WebMemo #1406)
Congress must address the massive administrative and bureaucratic costs that the federal government imposes on state and local education authorities.
February 16, 2007
Utah's Revolutionary New School Voucher Program
By Dan Lips and Evan Feinberg
(WebMemo #1362)
Utah has created the most comprehensive school choice program in the nation.
2006 Research
December 06, 2006
The Charter State Option: Charting a Course Toward Federalism in Education
By Dan Lips, Evan Feinberg, and Jennifer A. Marshall
(Backgrounder #1987)
Congress should embrace a charter state option, allowing states to choose between the status quo and an alternative contractual arrangement with the federal government. Under a charter contract, elected state officials would have broad authority to consolidate and refocus their federal funds on state initiatives in exchange for monitoring and reporting academic progress.
September 18, 2006
School Choice: 2006 Progress Report
By Dan Lips and Evan Feinberg
(Backgrounder #1970)
School choice programs have been shown to increase parental satisfaction, improve academic achievement of participating children, and improve public school performance through competition. Already in 2006, eight states have enacted new initiatives or expanded existing private school choice programs. State and federal policymakers should implement student-centered reforms to give all parents the ability to direct their children’s education.
May 30, 2006
America's Opportunity Scholarships for Kids: School Choice for Students in Underperforming Public Schools
By Dan Lips
(Backgrounder #1939)
The Bush Administration's America's Opportunity Scholarships for Kids initiative would provide real school choice to American parents. In addition to helping children trapped in failing schools, it would provide a model for how federal, state, and local policymakers can provide better educational opportunities for America's disadvantaged students through student-centered reforms.
2005 Research
October 27, 2005
The Senate HELP Committee Proposal for Post-Hurricane Education Relief
By Dan Lips
(WebMemo #897)
The bill fails to efficiently provide immediate and equitable education relief to all affected families.
October 25, 2005
The Boehner-Jindal Family Education Reimbursement Act
By Dan Lips
(WebMemo #893)
An efficient, flexible way to channel education dollars where they're needed.
September 26, 2005
Providing Relief to Students Displaced by Katrina
By Dan Lips
(WebMemo #863)
Federal policymakers are now considering proposals to provide emergency relief to assist the estimated 372,000 K-12 students whom Hurricane Katrina displaced.
September 16, 2005
How to Turn the President's Gulf Coast Pledge into Reality
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D., James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., Alison Acosta Fraser, Dan Lips, Robert M. Moffit, Ph.D., and Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #848)
Private investment, direct assistance to individuals, and sound economics are the basis of recovery.
September 15, 2005
Meeting Emergency Education Needs After Katrina: Education Smart Cards for Displaced K-12 Students
By Dan Lips
(WebMemo #842)
A simple plan to provide parents with choice and flexibility, while saving money.
2009 Commentary
September 09, 2009
A school wake-up call
By Dan Lips
A new school year is under way, but we already can grade the condition of American education. Let's just say no "honor student" bumper stickers will be necessary.
April 23, 2009
Taking School Choice for Granted: Political leaders send their kids to good schools, yet deny that option to the poor.
By Lindsey Burke and Dan Lips
President Obama, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and most members of Congress have never known the sense of desperation that LaTasha Bennett feels.
February 26, 2009
Putting Parents Last in Education: Special interests are the reason Congress is taking a $14 million scholarship program away from poor children
By Dan Lips and Robert C. Enlow
Any doubts about congressional leaders’ priorities on education were erased Monday with the release of the new $450 billion omnibus bill. It includes a provision to eliminate the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship program, which is currently helping low-income children attend private schools in the nation’s capital.
2008 Commentary
December 22, 2008
A reform-minded education secretary?
By Dan Lips
Would Chicago Public School CEO Arne Duncan make a good secretary of education? There are reasons to wonder if President-elect Barack Obama's nominee is the right candidate for the job. But there are other signs that he may indeed make the grade.
October 17, 2008
A Model of Successful Education Reform
By Matthew Ladner and Dan Lips
For years, education reformers have struggled to find strategies to improve opportunities for disadvantaged children and eliminate the achievement gap between minority students and their peers. On Capitol Hill, decades of new programs and increased government spending on education have failed to achieve significant improvement.
September 11, 2008
7-Year Itch: GOP and No Child Left Behind.
By Dan Lips
was always an awkward marriage. But it appears that after seven years together, the Republican party is preparing to leave behind No Child Left Behind.
At the GOP’s convention in St. Paul, there was little mention of the administration’s signature initiative. The new party platform doesn’t reference NCLB and instead includes a new section — “reviewing the federal role in elementary and secondary education” — signaling that Republicans intend to return to conservative principles. The platform calls for giving federal education funds to the states as simple block grants, so long as states conduct testing and make the results public.
May 01, 2008
Still 'A Nation at Risk'
By Dan Lips
Twenty-five years ago, the National Commission on Excellence in Education released the landmark "A Nation at Risk" report. It documented widespread failure in American schools. "If an unfriendly foreign power had attempted to impose on America the mediocre education performance that exists today," the commission warned, "we might well have viewed it as an act of war."
February 01, 2008
School Choice for Foster Children
By Dan Lips
As a foster mother to 23 children, Rep. Michelle Bachmann appreciates the many challenges faced by foster children — and those who care for them. One big hurdle is education: Whether or not a child receives a quality education can determine if he or she gains the skills necessary to become independent after leaving state care and entering adulthood.
2007 Commentary
September 15, 2007
A Failed Reform: Let's look closer to home.
By Dan Lips
Ten years ago, Arizona lawmakers enacted an innovative program to give taxpayers control over how a portion of their tax dollars are used to support education. More than 70,000 Arizona taxpayers are now taking advantage of this opportunity to support parental choice in education. And other states are taking notice.
June 13, 2007
School choice is expanding
By Dan Lips
Ten years ago, Arizona lawmakers enacted an innovative program to give taxpayers control over how a portion of their tax dollars are used to support education. More than 70,000 Arizona taxpayers are now taking advantage of this opportunity to support parental choice in education. And other states are taking notice.
April 23, 2007
Saving 'No Child Left Behind' From Itself
By Dan Lips
Conservative lawmakers on Capitol Hill have introduced a bill that would let states opt out of many of the mandates imposed by the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
April 07, 2007
The Administrative Burden of No Child Left Behind
By Dan Lips and Evan Feinberg
Congress may soon consider the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Lawmakers should address, among other problems, the massive administrative and bureaucratic costs the federal government imposes on state and local authorities.
February 23, 2007
Dan Lips: Utah points to surge of school choice reforms in the states
By Dan Lips
Last spring, Nobel Laureate Milton Friedman reflected on the state of education reform. Ever the optimist, he expressed confidence that America was close to embracing his vision of widespread parental choice in education.
January 09, 2007
Bush left too many good education ideas behind
By Dan Lips
Five years ago, President Bush signed into law No Child Left Behind. As a new Congress prepares to debate the law’s future, the White House is working to build support for renewing it without any serious reforms. Last week, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings remarked that she was looking only at proposals to “perfect or tweak” it.
2006 Commentary
August 26, 2006
Baltimore students deserve school vouchers
By Dan Lips
The city’s high-school graduation rate has slipped below 40 percent -- worse than every city in America except Detroit.
July 13, 2006
Help foster children on education
By Dan Lips
Finally, the need to improve foster care in America has begun to get the attention it deserves. ABC recently ran a prime-time special, "A Call to Action: Saving Our Children," in which Diane Sawyer documented many of the challenges that face foster children.
July 08, 2006
Second chance for school choice
By Dan Lips
A quarter-century ago, Washington D.C. voters considered a ballot initiative to bring widespread school choice to the District.
June 22, 2006
Waiting for a quality education
By Dan Lips
Think back to the year 2000. President Clinton was in the White House. The dot-com bubble was still inflating. The Twin Towers were standing, and Saddam Hussein ruled Iraq. It's amazing how much has changed over the last six years.
March 13, 2006
Vouchers Offer Hope to Failing U.S. Students
By Dan Lips
A new study confirms that things aren't as bad as we thought in American public education. They're worse.
March 01, 2006
Unschooled Hillary
By Dan Lips
The Clintons have a history of opposing school-choice initiatives, but Sen. Hillary Clinton's recent attack on school vouchers ratcheted up already overheated rhetoric and at least temporarily halted her makeover as a moderate.
February 10, 2006
School Choice Gaining Ground Across Country
By Dan Lips
Supporters of school choice in Arizona must feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football.
2005 Commentary
December 09, 2005
Give Md. Foster Kids a Needed Boost
By Dan Lips
Teenager Makenzie Snyder of Bowie set an example for how we should treat foster children. At age 8, she founded Children to Children, a charity with the mission of giving foster children a backpack to carry their belongings and a stuffed animal to love.
December 06, 2005
N.J. Democrats Embrace School Choice
By Dan Lips
For years, the Democratic Party has resisted education reforms that give parents greater freedom to choose their children's schools. But a group of New Jersey Democrats is now breaking ranks with its party in a move that could have implications across the nation.
November 03, 2005
Leaving Hurricane Victims Behind
By Dan Lips
Two months have passed since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, and still Congress has failed to provide promised emergency education relief to help hundreds of thousands of displaced students enroll in school this year. And a recent vote in one congressional committee just dimmed the prospects of relief coming soon still further.
November 02, 2005
Assignment: Create Charter Schools in Mississippi
By Dan Lips
The U.S. Department of Education recently awarded $21 million to Louisiana to create 10 new charter schools and expand existing charter schools to serve students displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Mississippi could have attracted similar help, except that, so far, it has failed to pass a strong charter-school law.
September 23, 2005
Displaced students need aid, not phony excuses
By Dan Lips
Helping these children get back to school in top-notch classrooms is an important step toward recovery. Delaying this process out of loyalty to ideology and special-interest groups is simply indefensible.
September 22, 2005
John Walton's Real Legacy
By Dan Lips
America's largest teachers union recently joined the "Wake Up Wal-Mart" campaign, organized by labor unions to urge shoppers to boycott the retailer.
September 21, 2005
How Do You Spell Recovery?
By Dan Lips
With billions of dollars pouring into the Gulf Coast, you might expect that the $488 million in federal dollars designed to help displaced families pay for private-school tuition would elicit no more than a perfunctory nod.
November 20, 2009
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