Education

Washington legislators introduce new ed choice scholarships

5 days ago2 min read

Washington legislators introduce new ed choice scholarships

The exciting proposal would specifically fund ESA’s for low income students, special needs families and students who are trapped in failing

Policy wish list for Idaho's 2025 Legislative Session

Jason Mercier

Dec 17, 20242 min read

GOVERNANCE

Policy wish list for Idaho's 2025 Legislative Session

Santa isn't the only one with a list this time of year. While we aren't in the business of making a naughty list, there are several...

He brought ed choice to Arizona... now he's coming to Idaho

Chris Cargill

Dec 12, 20241 min read

NEWSROOM

He brought ed choice to Arizona... now he's coming to Idaho

Mountain States Policy Center - the region's leading free market think tank - announced today that former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey will s

The incredible savings private and home schooling families are offering taxpayers

Chris Cargill

Nov 11, 20244 min read

EDUCATION

The incredible savings private and home schooling families are offering taxpayers

A public accounting of the private and home school savings has, to our knowledge, never been released. That is, until the publication of a n

What the election results mean for education choice

Chris Cargill

Nov 6, 20242 min read

EDUCATION

What the election results mean for education choice

The table is set for policymakers at the state and federal level to expand education options for families.

Chris Cargill

Oct 15, 20243 min read

EDUCATION

Idaho Launch award data: Oh, the irony

There are two programs: one covers the cost of schooling at religious institutions, the other covers the cost of schooling at religious inst

Lowering expectations sends the wrong message to children

Chris Cargill

Oct 9, 20242 min read

EDUCATION

Lowering expectations sends the wrong message to children

Unfortunately, news came recently that the state of Idaho is lowering long-term academic goals in an attempt to help narrow achievement gaps

New taxes, spending, recess time, and school board spouses

Chris Cargill

Sep 12, 20242 min read

EDUCATION

New taxes, spending, recess time, and school board spouses

When the Idaho School Boards Association (ISBA) meets in Boise in November to pass a legislative platform, they may want to reconsider their

What Idaho's education choice plan should - and should not - include

Chris Cargill

Sep 6, 20242 min read

EDUCATION

What Idaho's education choice plan should - and should not - include

Ahead of the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers in Idaho are reportedly considering various plans to expand education choice options in the

How are education choice programs working across the country? Three states provide their comments

Sam Cardwell

Sep 3, 20245 min read

EDUCATION

How are education choice programs working across the country? Three states provide their comments

Across the country, states are increasing education choice offerings such as Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) or tax credits to provide...

Does higher spending equal better education outcomes?

Sam Cardwell

Aug 26, 20242 min read

EDUCATION

Does higher spending equal better education outcomes?

K-12 public school spending is at an all-time high, and America spends more per student than any other developed nation. In 2022, the...

Part II: Idaho school districts - data, resources and transparency

Chris Cargill

Aug 5, 20242 min read

EDUCATION

Part II: Idaho school districts - data, resources and transparency

The release of all public data is paramount, but for working families and concerned citizens, certain data points are most important and sho

MSPC joins legal brief defending Montana’s new charter school law

Jason Mercier

Aug 2, 20243 min read

EDUCATION

MSPC joins legal brief defending Montana’s new charter school law

Mountain State Policy Center (MSPC) joined a coalition amicus brief today in the case of Felchle v. Montana. The case concerns a law...

The legal cases that prove education choice is constitutional

Chris Cargill

Jul 19, 20245 min read

EDUCATION

The legal cases that prove education choice is constitutional

Fearing expensive legal battles, policymakers who may be on the fence often err on the side of caution and vote against measures to expand c

BLM ruling threatens Wyoming’s K-12 funding model

Sam Cardwell

Jul 18, 20244 min read

EDUCATION

BLM ruling threatens Wyoming’s K-12 funding model

On May 16th, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a final environmental impact statement on the Powder River Basin, stating that it...

Chris Cargill

Jul 16, 20241 min read

EDUCATION

Where has the education money gone?

One of the most popular charts available today tells a story: huge increases in administrative staffing, small increases in teachers and stu

Now Available: The Mountain States Policy Manual

Jason Mercier

Jul 15, 20243 min read

GOVERNANCE

Now Available: The Mountain States Policy Manual

The Mountain States Policy Manual is a 200-page guide filled with facts, figures, research and more than 80 recommendations – it is an...

Ring the bell for school principal authority

Chris Cargill

Jul 12, 20242 min read

EDUCATION

Ring the bell for school principal authority

Research shows that one of the most effective tools for improving school outcomes is to put the principal in charge of the school. What...

Big win for families: Montana judge rejects attempt to stop implementation of ESA’s

Chris Cargill

Jul 11, 20242 min read

EDUCATION

Big win for families: Montana judge rejects attempt to stop implementation of ESA’s

An attempt by a coalition of teachers unions and public school activists to block implementation of Education Savings Accounts in Montana ha

Congress could expand education choice options too

Chris Cargill

Jun 24, 20243 min read

EDUCATION

Congress could expand education choice options too

Thirty-three states now have some type of school choice law on the books to empower families with limited to middle-class incomes to access

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