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WHAT WE COVER


WHAT WE COVER
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JOIN JUDGE JEANINE IN COEUR D'ALENE APRIL 11TH!

Chris Cargill
Jan 63 min read
A monumental day for education choice in Idaho
While Idaho has a robust charter school system, it has been more reluctant in year's past to further expand choice options for families. Bas


Chris Cargill
Dec 30, 20242 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


Jason Mercier
Dec 17, 20242 min read
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...

Chris Cargill
Dec 12, 20241 min read
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


Chris Cargill
Nov 11, 20244 min read
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


Chris Cargill
Nov 6, 20242 min read
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
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


Chris Cargill
Oct 9, 20242 min read
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


Chris Cargill
Sep 12, 20242 min read
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


Chris Cargill
Sep 6, 20242 min read
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


Sam Cardwell
Sep 3, 20245 min read
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...


Sam Cardwell
Aug 26, 20242 min read
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...


Chris Cargill
Aug 5, 20242 min read
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


Jason Mercier
Aug 2, 20243 min read
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. Â The case concerns a law...


Chris Cargill
Jul 19, 20245 min read
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


Sam Cardwell
Jul 18, 20244 min read
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
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


Jason Mercier
Jul 15, 20243 min read
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...


Chris Cargill
Jul 12, 20242 min read
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...


Chris Cargill
Jul 11, 20242 min read
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
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