September 22, 2008
Academic Success Begins at Home: How Children Can Succeed in School
By Christine C. Kim
(Backgrounder #2185)
Social science research demonstrates a strong link between the intact family structure, parental involvement, and educational outcomes, from school readiness to college completion. The intact ...
September 8, 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 ...
July 22, 2008
The Higher-Education Bill: The Unnoticed Budget Buster
By Brian M. Riedl
(Backgrounder #2164)
The College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2008 represents one of the largest authorized discretionary spending hikes in American history. Lawmakers should strongly question its ...
June 20, 2008
Safer Kids, Better Test Scores: The D.C. Voucher Program Works
By Shanea J. Watkins, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1965)
In January 2004, Congress passed the District of Columbia School Choice Incentive Act of 2003, the first federally funded school voucher program in the United ...
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 ...
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 ...
April 3, 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 ...
March 28, 2008
Courageous Women in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Beyond: A Record of Success in Democratic Transition
By Andrea G. Bottner
(Heritage Lecture #1071)
Throughout the world, even in places ravaged by conflict—such as Iraq, Afghanistan, as well as countries in the Middle East and the Africa—women are increasingly ...
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 ...
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 ...
November 5, 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 ...
September 4, 2007
How Members of Congress Practice Private School Choice
By Evan Feinberg
(Backgrounder #2066)
According to a 2007 survey conducted by The Heritage Foundation, 37 percent of U.S. Representatives and 45 percent of U.S. Senators sent their children to ...
July 10, 2007
Higher Education for Taxpayers
By JD Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1547)
The reauthorization of the federal higher education programs should be used as an opportunity to reprioritize and, where possible, reduce federal spending—not as an excuse ...
June 28, 2007
A Closer Look at Title I: Making Education for the Disadvantaged More Student-Centered
By Susan L. Aud, Ph.D.
(Special Report #15)
Congress should (1) reform Title I of No Child Left Behind to return to the original student-centered goal of compensatory education; (2) streamline the funding ...
June 27, 2007
Reauthorization of No Child Left Behind: Federal Management or Citizen Ownership of K–12 Education?
By Eugene Hickok, Ph.D., and Matthew Ladner, Ph.D
(Backgrounder #2047)
Testing requirements in No Child Left Behind are causing a "race to the bottom" that threatens to eliminate academic transparency about student performance, denying parents, ...
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 ...
June 5, 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 ...
May 14, 2007
A State Perspective on the Past and Future of No Child Left Behind
By The Honorable Tom Horne
(Heritage Lecture #1023)
No Child Left Behind represents a prescriptive, complex, one-size-fits-all federal policy that undermines the principles of standards, assessments, and accountability by trying to implement them ...
April 26, 2007
Why Won't Politically Correct Professors Teach English and American Literature?
By Elizabeth Kantor, Ph.D.
(Heritage Lecture #1013)
The great authors of Western literature explored the “permanent things” that conservatives are supposed to be defending. Politically correct professors, however, teach students to look ...
April 25, 2007
Educational Freedom in the Wake of No Child Left Behind
By Bob Schaffer and Peter Hoekstra
(Heritage Lecture #1016)
No Child Left Behind was the largest federal intrusion into K–12 education since creation of the Department of Education, and federally driven testing requirements cannot ...
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 20, 2007
A Better Answer for Education: Reviving State and Local Policymaking Authority
By the Honorable John Cornyn and the Honorable Jim DeMint
(Heritage Lecture #994)
The A-PLUS Act of 2007 would restore federalism to public education by allowing states flexibility in spending their federal education dollars while still requiring an ...
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.
January 16, 2007
Halving Student Loan Interest Rates Is Unaffordable and Ineffective
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1308)
Reducing interest rates on student loans does not increase college access for prospective students, but merely subsidizes loan repayments after college.
January 12, 2007
The Real Costs of Federal Aid to Higher Education
By Richard Vedder, Ph.D.
(Heritage Lecture #984)
New federal spending on student aid is unlikely to improve college access. The increase in access in higher education in America largely came before massive ...
December 6, 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 ...
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 ...
September 1, 2006
Are Public or Private Schools Doing Better? How the NCES Study Is Being Misinterpreted
By Shanea Watkins
(Backgrounder #1968)
A recent study published by the National Center for Education Statistics is being used in an effort to discredit private school voucher programs, but its ...
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 ...
April 18, 2006
School Choice and Supplemental Services:
Administration Slow to Hold School Districts
Accountable Under NCLB
By David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1041)
The Alliance for School Choice and Coalition on Urban Renewal and Education recently filed complaints against the school districts of Los Angeles and Compton, California, ...
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.
October 5, 2005
How Immigration Reform Could Help Alleviate the Teacher Shortage
By Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #1884)
Each academic year, public school districts must try to recruit teachers in hard-to-fill specialties like math and science. Congress can help by expanding the H-1B ...
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 22, 2005
Congress Should Protect Faith-Based Organizations When Reauthorizing Head Start
By Grace Smith and Jonathan Butcher
(WebMemo #856)
The right of faith-based groups to take religious beliefs into account when hiring is fundamental to religious liberty.
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.
August 3, 2005
Federalism and Fiscal Responsibility: A Lesson in Civics Education
By Matthew Spalding, Ph.D., and David J. Bobb
(Backgrounder #1874)
Congress should heed the President's request to end federal funding for the ...
July 18, 2005
What to Make of the New NAEP Scores?
By Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D., and Jonathan Butcher
(WebMemo #797)
Applause is in order, but not a standing ovation.
April 25, 2005
Choices in Education: 2005 Progress Report
By Krista Kafer
(Backgrounder #1848)
Parental choice is spreading: 11 states and the District of Columbia have publicly funded voucher or tax credit programs, 40 states and D.C. have charter ...
April 19, 2005
How School Choice Programs Can Save Money
By Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #727)
School choice is fiscally prudent.
April 6, 2005
A Promising Start for the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program
By Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #710)
The first evaluation is in: DC's opportunity scholarship program is off to a great start.
March 9, 2005
Small Steps Toward Smarter Education Spending
By Krista Kafer and Jonathan Butcher
(WebMemo #679)
The President's budget cuts in education are deserved.
January 26, 2005
Leading American Education into the 21st Century
By The Honorable Rod Paige
(Heritage Lecture #863)
The education revolution is a revolution for higher standards and higher expectations. Once you empower people with choice, the system as a whole improves. Not ...
December 17, 2004
Why the NCES Study Is Not the Only--Or Best--Word on Charter School Evaluation
By Jennifer A. Marshall and Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #624)
Why to be wary of the NCES study on charters.
December 14, 2004
New Research Brings Good News About Charter Schools
By Jennifer A. Marshall and Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #622)
A new study on charters shows their successes.
September 8, 2004
Girl Power: Why Girls Don't Need the Women's Educational Equity Act
By Krista Kafer
(WebMemo #563)
Girls don't need an Educational Equity Act to succeed.
September 3, 2004
What Parents Should Know for Back to School
By Grace Smith
(WebMemo #561)
Two years after No Child Left Behind parents have access to more information about the quality of public schools than ever before.
July 6, 2004
No Child Left Behind: Where Do We Go From Here?
By Krista Kafer
(Backgrounder #1775)
Two years after its enactment, implementation of the No Child Left Behind law proceeds by trial and error. Congress missed the opportunity to enact significant ...
May 4, 2004
A Head Start for Poor Children?
By Krista Kafer
(Backgrounder #1755)
Since 1965, taxpayers have spent more than $66 billion on Head Start to provide comprehensive health, social, educational, and mental health services to 21 million ...
April 26, 2004
Refocusing Higher Education Aid on Those Who Need It
By Krista Kafer
(Backgrounder #1753)
During the current Higher Education Act (HEA) reauthorization, Congress should restore the HEA's original intent by awarding taxpayer subsidies and grants to those students who ...
April 15, 2004
Frequently Asked Questions about Education in America
By Krista Kafer
(WebMemo #478)
Answers to basic questions educational funding, achievement, and choice in America.
April 15, 2004
Is Money an Impediment to a College Education? Recent Findings from the Congressional Budget Office
By Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D.
(Executive Memorandum #922)
Congress should resist the urge simply to expand subsidies when reauthorizing the Higher Education Act. Current federal and state financial aid programs allow most low-income ...
March 26, 2004
Expanding Opportunity for Low-Income High School Students: Pell Grants vs. Advanced Placement Classes
By Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #1742)
Advanced Placement classes and Pell grant-funded college classes are two ways that bright, low-income high school students can earn college degree credits. But AP classes ...
March 19, 2004
School Choice in 2003: An Old Concept Gains New Life
By Krista Kafer
(Legal Memorandum #9)
No one school can serve all students equally well. Ultimately, school choice is about enabling all parents to enroll their children in the public, public ...
February 18, 2004
Four Essential Principles for Education Success
By Thomas A. Hinton
(Heritage Lecture #822)
In education, it is essential to remember that the goal is success, not process. In addition, reform and education innovation must be addressed in the ...
February 10, 2004
Reforming the Pell Grant Program Can Save Taxpayers Hundreds of Millions of Dollars
By Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #422)
Streamlining the way information is collected in the Pell grant program could save anywhere between $300 million and $600 million per year.
February 2, 2004
A Time for Choice
By The Honorable Rod Paige
(Heritage Lecture #820)
The new D.C. Choice Incentive Program launches a five-year, federally funded program to provide close to 2,000 low-income students in the District of Columbia with ...
January 26, 2004
Congress Establishes First Federal Voucher Program for D.C. Students
By Jonathan Butcher and Krista Kafer
(WebMemo #404)
Congress passed the first federal voucher program for students in the District of Columbia as part of the 2004 appropriations omnibus.
December 17, 2003
Data Sharing Can Reduce Fraud in the Pell Grant Program
By Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #1714)
Next year's Higher Education Act reauthorization and other recently introduced legislation provide Congress and the Bush Administration with an excellent opportunity to cut waste and ...
November 18, 2003
Don't Over Regulate D.C. Vouchers
By Krista Kafer
(WebMemo #371)
Congress has the opportunity to give low-income parents in the District of Columbia scholarships of up to $7,500 to enroll their children in a private ...
October 29, 2003
What Congress Can Do to Get a Better Head Start
By Krista Kafer
(Backgrounder #1701)
Since its inception, Head Start has enrolled over 21 million children at a cost of over $66 billion, but there is little evidence of long-term ...
September 3, 2003
How Members of Congress Practice School Choice
By Krista Kafer and Jonathan Butcher
(Backgrounder #1684)
Members of Congress will soon have the opportunity to grant low-income District of Columbia families the chance to choose where their children attend school. If ...
July 22, 2003
D.C. Scholarship Proposal Would Give Students Access to Quality Schools
By Krista Kafer
(Backgrounder #1671)
Some of the poorest performing public schools in America can be found in the nation's capital. Despite per-pupil expenditures of more than $11,000, 94 percent ...
July 17, 2003
The Promise of No Child Left Behind
By Krista Kafer
(Testimony )
It has been about 18 months since the passage of the No Child Left Behind bill, and much has happened.
July 10, 2003
D.C. Scholarship Program Offers Needed Reforms
By Krista Kafer
(WebMemo #316)
The D.C. Parental Choice Incentive Act would enable low-income parents in the District of Columbia to enroll their children in private schools through a scholarship ...
July 10, 2003
Progress on School Choice in the States
By Krista Kafer
(Backgrounder #1639)
In 2003, Congress will consider new choice legislation as well as the reauthorization of several key federal education programs, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education ...
May 1, 2003
Draft Background Information Framework for the National Assessment of Educational Progress
By Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
Discuss of the future research potential for the NAEP, followed by some thoughts on how to improve the NAEP background questionnaire.
April 29, 2003
Parental Choice in Education for Special Needs Students
By Krista Kafer
(WebMemo #234)
During floor consideration of H.R. 1350, the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Congress should heed the Administration's recommendation to provide disabled ...
March 26, 2003
Progress on School Choice in the States
By Krista Kafer
(Executive Summary #1639)
bg1639: Executive Summary, Progress on School Choice in the States
March 14, 2003
Putting the Teaching of American History and Civics Back into Our Classrooms
By The Honorable Lamar Alexander
(Heritage Lecture #784)
Senator Alexander has introduced a proposal that would put the teaching of American history and civics back in our schools so our children can grow ...
November 5, 2002
Special Education 101
By Krista Kafer
(WebMemo #169)
Comprehensive primer on the history and future of special education programs.
September 10, 2002
Making Good on Promises to Increase Funding for Special Education
By Krista Kafer
(Backgrounder #1585)
Members of Congress often give lip service to their desire to increase funding for special education, yet in legislative decisions, Congress continues to siphon off ...
August 9, 2002
Education Statistics
By Krista Kafer
(WebMemo #134)
A compilation of national education statistics.
July 17, 2002
Education 101
By Krista Kafer
(WebMemo #127)
Basic national education statistics.
July 17, 2002
District Students Need Better Schools Not More Schooling
By Krista Kafer
(Testimony )
Research shows that high standards, effective teaching and curricula, an effective testing regimen, usable data, effective remediation, strong administrative leadership, and increased parental choices improve ...
June 27, 2002
Supreme Court Issues Landmark Ruling In Favor of School Choice
By The Heritage Foundation
(WebMemo #122)
In a long-anticipated ruling, the Supreme Court today upheld the Cleveland school choice program against a federal constitutional challenge and made it extremely unlikely that ...
June 19, 2002
Implementation Watch: Students' Rights Under the No Child Left Behind Act
By Krista Kafer
(WebMemo #113)
States and school districts must implement the school choice provisions in the No Child Left Behind Act at the beginning of the new school year. ...
May 22, 2002
Another Look at How Members of Congress Exercise School Choice
By Jennifer Garrett
(Backgrounder #1553)
Many opponents of school choice send their own children to private schools. They would be hard-pressed to explain why the same educational option should not ...
April 12, 2002
What the Harvard/Mathematica Study Says About Vouchers and Low-Income African-American Students
By Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D., and Krista Kafer
(Center for Data Analysis Report #02-03)
Research reveals that voucher-style approaches offer the greater satisfaction among parents who use those vouchers to send their children to a school of choice.
March 13, 2002
Federal Law Requires Changing Maryland's Academic Assessment Program
By Krista Kafer
(Testimony )
Federal Law Requires Changing Maryland's Academic Assessment Program
February 6, 2002
Maryland Needs a Strong Public Charter School Law
By Krista Kafer
(Testimony )
The Maryland Senate can take the first steps to rebuilding Maryland's schools by enacting a strong public charter school law.
December 13, 2001
A Small but Costly Step Toward Reform: The Conference Education Bill
By Krista Kafer
(WebMemo #66)
Although the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization contains the major themes of the Bush No Child Left Behind plan, it is only a modest ...
November 30, 2001
Comments on the Harkin Amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
By Krista Kafer and Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #61)
With Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mitch Daniels predicting deficits until at least fiscal year 2005, the Harkin amendment would cost taxpayers an ...
October 11, 2001
Wasting Education Dollars: The Women's Educational Equity Act
By Krista Kafer
(Backgrounder #1490)
As Congress continues its work on reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in conference committee, improving the academic performance of economically disadvantaged children ...
October 2, 2001
Target Education Dollars to Children with the Greatest Need
By Krista Kafer
(Backgrounder #1481)
The need to target resources to critical education priorities could not be more clear. Consolidation will ensure that pressing issues such as the achievement gap ...
July 3, 2001
Still Leaving Children Behind: The House and Senate Education Bills
By Krista Kafer
(Executive Summary #1454)
BG1454ES: Still Leaving Children Behind: The House and Senate Education Bills
July 3, 2001
Still Leaving Children Behind: The House and Senate Education Bills
By Krista Kafer
(Backgrounder #1454)
Over the years, the increasing burden on taxpayers has not resulted in improved academic achievement. Future increases should not be made until Congress can show ...
June 11, 2001
Why More Money Will Not Solve America's Education Crisis
By Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D., and Krista Kafer
(Backgrounder #1448)
Rather than bolster funding for programs that have failed to increase student achievement, House and Senate conferees on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary ...
May 16, 2001
Progress on School Choice in the States
By Jennifer Garrett
(Backgrounder #1438)
Real education reform means giving parents, teachers, and children more options and empowering parents to make the decisions involving their children's education.
May 16, 2001
Progress on School Choice in the States
By Jennifer Garrett
(Executive Summary #1438ES)
BG1438es: Progress on School Choice in the States
May 8, 2001
Why Education Reform Without "Straight A's" Is Not Real Reform
By Krista Kafer
(Backgrounder #1436)
A Straight A's provision in the ESEA authorizing legislation would enable the states to apply federal money where it will be the most effective.
April 23, 2001
B+ for H.R. 1's Education Reforms
By Krista Kafer
(Backgrounder #1434)
If the House, however, succumbs to pressure and substantially weakens the bill to maintain the status quo, more children will pass through public schools without ...
April 23, 2001
A Failing Grade for S. 1, the Senate Education Committee Bill
By Krista Kafer
(Backgrounder #1433)
The Senate can and should do a better job of improving educational opportunities for America's children than is embodied in the legislative vehicle approved by ...
April 13, 2001
Why Congress Should Foster Research on School Choice
By Thomas Dawson
(Executive Memorandum #738)
The House provision to fund school-choice pilot programs presents Congress with a constructive way to increase the amount of information available on the effects of ...
April 9, 2001
The Truth About School Choice
By The Heritage Foundation
(WebMemo #9)
Congress is now debating whether to include expanded parental choice in education reform. Social-science researchers have found that expanded parental choice has positive benefits.
April 4, 2001
The New Definition of Standards in American Education
By Virginia Miller
(Backgrounder #1427)
America's schools should not be required by their utilization of government funding to narrow their focus to emphasize practical skills at the expense of academic ...
April 4, 2001
The New Definition of Standards in American Education
By Virginia Miller
(Backgrounder #1427ES)
The success of the current effort in Washington to improve the quality of education and graduate adults who are better prepared for the many opportunities ...
March 21, 2001
President Bush Nominates Eugene Hickok as Undersecretary of Education
By The Heritage Foundation
(WebMemo #7)
President Bush has nominated Eugene W. Hickok, a former Bradley Fellow at The Heritage Foundation, as Undersecretary of Education.
March 15, 2001
A Guide to the NAEP Academic Achievement Test
By Krista Kafer
(Backgrounder #1419)
Under President Bush's education plan, No Child Left Behind, federal funding would be linked to whether states actually succeed in this endeavor, as measured by ...
September 14, 2000
The Effects of Advanced Teacher Training in Education on Student Achievement
By Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D.
(Center for Data Analysis Report #00-09)
Advanced degrees in education do not improve teaching quality relative to English, Math, Science degrees.
August 16, 2000
Classroom Modernization Bill Promotes Unwarranted Federal Intrusion
By Dr. Ronald D. Utt
(Executive Memorandum #692)
Graham-Shaw bill provides a better approach
June 14, 2000
Do Computers in the Classroom Boost Academic Achievement?
By Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D.
(Center for Data Analysis Report #00-08)
Students who use computers at least once a week in the classroom perform no better on the NAEP than those who use them less than ...
June 13, 2000
How Members of Congress Practice School Choice
By Nina Shokrail Rees and Jennifer Garrett
(Backgrounder #1377)
40% of Congressmen, 49% of Senators, send children to private school
June 12, 2000
Who Can Benefit from A+ Accounts?
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr., and Nina Shokraii Rees
(Executive Memorandum #680)
Education accounts will help families who need it most
June 9, 2000
Do Small Classes Influence Academic Achievement? What the National Assessment of Educational Progress Shows
By Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D.
(Center for Data Analysis Report #00-07)
Smaller classes do not seem to improve NAEP scores
May 26, 2000
The Peer Effect on Academic Achievement Among Public Elementary School Students
By Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D.
(Center for Data Analysis Report #00-06)
Peers' views on academic success among the most important factors in NAEP scores, especially among younger students
April 28, 2000
How the Senate Can Improve ESEA
By Nina Shokraii Rees and Jennifer Garrett
(Executive Summary #1364)
How the Senate Can Improve ESEA
April 28, 2000
How the Senate Can Improve ESEA
By Nina Shokraii Rees and Jennifer Garrett
(Backgrounder #1364)
States should be given more flexibility, Programs should focus on key goals
April 7, 2000
School Vouchers: A Report from the Western Front
By The Honorable Gary E. Johnson
(Heritage Lecture #660)
New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson discusses school vouchers
March 30, 2000
School Choice 2000 Annual Report
By Nina Shokraii Rees
(Backgrounder #1354)
School Choice 2000 Annual Report
March 22, 2000
Who Benefits From Expanded Educational Savings Accounts: New Estimates by Congressional District
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr.
(Center for Data Analysis Report #00-04)
Who Benefits From Expanded Educational Savings Accounts: New Estimates by Congressional District
March 6, 2000
How the Senate Can Reform Title I to Empower Parents and Help Children Achieve
By Nina Shokraii Rees
(Executive Memorandum #659)
How the Senate Can Reform Title I to Empower Parents and Help Children Achieve
February 29, 2000
The NGA's Phony Education Reform Plan
By Nina Shokraii Rees
(Executive Memorandum #655)
The NGA's Phony Education Reform Plan
February 11, 2000
Congress, Not the President, Has the Better Plan to Facilitate Public School Construction
By Dr. Ronald D. Utt
(Executive Memorandum #650)
Congress, Not the President, Has the Better Plan to Facilitate Public School Construction
November 8, 1999
The Pros and Cons of the House "Straight A's" Act
By Nina Shokraii Rees
(Executive Memorandum #635)
The House recently passed the Academic Achievement for All Act (or "Straight A's") introduced by William Goodling (R-PA).
October 7, 1999
25 Reasons ESEA Would Benefit From Reforms in the Straight A's Act
By Nina Shokraii Rees
(Backgrounder #1331)
As Members of Congress debate the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), they should consider evidence of its effectiveness.
October 7, 1999
Comparing Math Scores of Black Students in D.C.'s Public and Catholic Schools
By Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D.
(Center for Data Analysis Report #99-08)
Numerous studies show that minority children in public schools are not making substantial gains in achievement levels on standardized tests.
September 24, 1999
How Congress Can Assure Title I Dollars Benefit Poor Students
By Nina Shokraii Rees
(Executive Memorandum #626)
One of the many programs created during President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty is Title I, the cornerstone of the ESEA of 1965.
September 22, 1999
Time to End the Troubled School-to-Work Program
By D. Mark Wilson
(Backgrounder #1324)
Congress and the President will have to prioritize spending carefully. One priority should be to end funding for discretionary programs that are redundant, ineffective, or ...
July 20, 1999
How to Boost Academic Achievement
By Nina Shokraii Rees
(Testimony )
First, the problem: Our nation's schools are not performing well.
July 19, 1999
Only a "C" Grade for the Teacher Empowerment Act
By Nina Shokraii Rees and Jacqueline Curnutte
(Backgrounder #1310)
TEA would consolidate three current federal programs and create a new Title II under the ESEA to upgrade the federal investment in teachers.
June 28, 1999
Accountability + Freedom = Straight A's
By Nina ShokraiiI Rees
(Executive Memorandum #609)
The Straight A's approach is a radical departure from current federal micromanagement, and it has the potential to achieve dramatic results.
May 28, 1999
Accountability 101: Why the President's Education Proposals Won't Make the Grade
By Nina Shokraii Rees and Jacqueline Curnutte
(Executive Summary #1286)
BG1286ES: Accountability 101: Why the President's Education Proposals Won't Make the Grade
May 28, 1999
Accountability 101: Why the President's Education Proposals Won't Make the Grade
By Nina Shokraii Rees and Jacqueline Curnutte
(Backgrounder #1286)
Clinton acknowledged a key flaw in the federal government's K-12 education policy--the lack of academic accountability.
April 13, 1999
Close Look at Title I, the Federal Program to Aid Poor Children
By Nina Shokraii Rees
(Backgrounder #1271)
One of the many programs created during President Lyndon Johnson's "War on Poverty" is Title I, the cornerstone of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. ...
March 5, 1999
Why a "Super" Ed-Flex Program Is Needed to Boost Academic Achievement
By Nina Shokraii Rees and Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #1261)
Congress this week will consider a bipartisan measure to expand the current Education Flexibility Partnership Demonstration Act of 1994.
February 24, 1999
The Folly of an Education Spending Race
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #1258)
Federal spending on education is fast becoming a reverse political "third rail."
February 23, 1999
How Public-Private Partnerships Can Facilitate Public School Construction
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #1257)
One of the school construction bills introduced in the 105th Congress, however, offers an innovative approach to public school renovation and construction.
February 23, 1999
How Public-Private Partnerships Can Facilitate Public School Construction
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(Executive Summary #1257es)
How Public-Private Partnerships Can Facilitate Public School Construction
February 10, 1999
Time to Supersize the Federal Ed-Flex Program
By Nina Shokraii Rees
(Executive Memorandum #571)
President Bill Clinton promised to send Congress a plan that holds all "states and school districts accountable for progress and rewards them for results."
January 27, 1999
School Choice 1999: What's Happening in the States
By Nina Shokraii Rees and Sarah E. Youssef
(Backgrounder #1246)
School choice had another banner year in 1998.
December 4, 1998
Time to Overhaul the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
By Nina Shokraii Rees
(Executive Memorandum #560)
Time to Overhaul the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
September 25, 1998
Who Would Benefit From Prepaid College Tuition Plans?
By Rea S. Hederman
(Center for Data Analysis Report #98-07)
Who Would Benefit From Prepaid College Tuition Plans?
July 22, 1998
How Congress Can Help Limited English-Proficient Students to Learn English
By Nina H. Shokraii and Sarah E. Youssef
(Backgrounder #1206)
How Congress Can Help Limited English-Proficient Students to Learn English
July 22, 1998
How Congress Can Help Limited English-Proficient Students to Learn English
By Nina H. Shokraii and Sarah E. Youssef
(Executive Summary #1206)
BG1206es: How Congress Can Help Limited English-Proficient Students to Learn English
July 15, 1998
After 33 Years and $30 Billion, Time to Find Out if Head Start Produces Results
By Nina H. Shokraii and Patrick F. Fagan
(Backgrounder #1202)
After 33 Years and $30 Billion, Time to Find Out if Head Start Produces Results
July 15, 1998
After 33 Years and $30 Billion, Time to Find Out if Head Start Produces Results
By Nina H. Shokraii and Patrick F. Fagan
(Executive Summary #1202)
BG1202ES: After 33 Years and $30 Billion, Time to Find Out if Head Start Produces Results
July 2, 1998
Why Congress Should Overhaul The Federal Regional Education Laboratories
By Nina H. Shokraii
(Backgrounder #1200)
Why Congress Should Overhaul The Federal Regional Education Laboratories
July 2, 1998
Why Congress Should Overhaul The Federal Regional Education Laboratories
By Nina H. Shokraii
(Executive Summary #1120)
BG1220es: Why Congress Should Overhaul The Federal Regional Education Laboratories
July 2, 1998
Why Congress Should Overhaul The Federal Regional Education Laboratories
By Nina H. Shokraii
(Executive Summary #1200)
BG1200es: Why Congress Should Overhaul The Federal Regional Education Laboratories
June 16, 1998
Education Dollars are Spent Best in the Classroom, Not on Bureaucracy
By Nina H. Shokraii
(Executive Summary #1193)
Education Dollars are Spent Best in the Classroom, Not on Bureaucracy
June 2, 1998
Education Notebook 