American Center for
Transforming Education

The mission of Discovery Institute’s American Center for Transforming Education is to work with state government policymakers, parents, educators, business leaders, and other education stakeholders to transform our nation’s education system. We advocate for policies that empower parents, promote innovation, and equip students with the skills, knowledge, and character necessary to thrive as citizens in their communities and as contributors to our increasingly competitive economy. ⋮ Read More.

Blog

Trump Administration Taps Treasury to Fix Student Loan Failures

_{Keri D. Ingraham
April 7, 2026
5
Education Policy}

For decades, the Department of Education has operated the federal student loan system on autopilot, continually expanding its size, complexity, and cost. The result is a $1.7 trillion portfolio — nearly twice the size of all university endowments combined and larger than JPMorgan Chase’s loan portfolio, the nation’s largest bank — yet it operates without the financial expertise, transparency, or accountability a system of this scale requires. The Department of Education reports that fewer than 40 percent of borrowers are in repayment, and nearly a quarter of borrowers are in default. While not designed to function as a bank, the Department of Education has been managing what is effectively the fifth-largest financial institution in the United States. A course …

Schools Should Educate Children, Not Train Activists

_{Keri D. Ingraham
April 6, 2026
5
Indoctrination}

America’s public education system has drifted dangerously far from its core mission. Schools exist to educate children — to teach them how to read, write, think critically, and understand the world around them. But across the country, many classrooms are increasingly focused on something else entirely. They are bent on turning students into political activists. Schoolchildren participating in anti-ICE drills and protests are the latest example of political propaganda forced on kids during the school day. In New York, footage shows a preschool encouraging children to talk about how they feel about ICE and President Trump — obviously based on the so-called education they have received from their teacher. In Boston, a teacher posted a video online showing her elementary …

Keri D. Ingraham Talks Parents Taking Control of Education on The Rod and Greg Show

_{American Center for Transforming Education
April 2, 2026
1
School Choice}

On April 2, Keri D. Ingraham appeared on The Rod & Greg Show to discuss her Daily Wire article about parents taking control of their children’s education. Dr. Ingraham explains how the Covid-19 pandemic sparked the “great parent awakening” and a mass exodus from public schools, how competition improves learning outcomes for all students, and the importance of advancing education freedom in every state. Segment runs from 24:29-35:08 Listen on Apple Podcasts Here …

Parents Are Gaining More Control in Education and the Results Are Hard to Ignore

_{Keri D. Ingraham
April 2, 2026
6
School Choice}

Across the country, policymakers have long assumed that boosting K-12 funding is the surest path to better student outcomes. Yet decades of rising spending have proven otherwise. The missing ingredient is not money — it’s meaningful choice. Florida provides one of the clearest examples. In 2001, the state launched a modest tax-credit scholarship program to help low-income students access alternative educational options. Roughly 15,000 students participated in the program’s first year. Today, Florida’s school choice ecosystem serves over 500,000 students across multiple programs, giving families options tailored to their children’s needs. Critics long warned that policies empowering parents with educational options for their children harm public schools and …

One-Year Anniversary of a Historic Executive Order

_{Keri D. Ingraham
March 31, 2026
3
Education Policy}

It’s been one year since President Trump signed the historic executive order, “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities.” At the signing ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 20, 2025, the President directed U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the States while continuing to ensure the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.” The stated purpose and policy of the executive order reads: “Our Nation’s bright future relies on empowered families, engaged communities, and excellent educational opportunities for every …

Attending the White House St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

_{Keri D. Ingraham
March 25, 2026
3
School Choice}

It was an honor to attend the White House St. Patrick’s Day celebration as a guest of President Trump on March 17. The event brought together leaders from across the United States and Ireland. Among the guests were Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his wife, Mary O’Shea, Cabinet members, Agency Administrators, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, policymakers, media voices, and cultural leaders shaping the future of both nations. Being invited by the President was especially meaningful as the reflection on the life of Saint Patrick holds deep meaning. The White House has reminded Americans that “More than 1,600 years ago, Saint Patrick ventured through the emerald fields and ancient valleys of Ireland to introduce the …

Video

Keri D. Ingraham Discusses Shrinking the Department of Education on The Tony Kinnett Cast

_{American Center for Transforming Education
March 23, 2026
Education}

Keri D. Ingraham appeared on The Tony Kinnett Cast to discuss how the Trump administration has shrunk the Department of Education, returning authority to states and to parents. Dr. Ingraham explained how removing red tape, funding programs such as charter schools, and creating interagency partnerships have reduced federal bureaucracy and improved education opportunities for children nationwide. …

COSM Session: Educating the Tech Workforce

_{American Center for Transforming Education
February 19, 2026
Education}

COSM, a technology summit held in Scottsdale, included an important main stage session with Discovery Institute Senior Fellow and Director of the American Center for Transforming Education Keri D. Ingraham, former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, and Founder of Love Your School and school choice advocate Jenny Clark. …

Keri D. Ingraham Talks Education Innovation on the Futures Edge Show

_{American Center for Transforming Education
November 25, 2025
Education}

On Monday, November 24, Keri D. Ingraham appeared live with Jim Iuorio and Bobby Iaccino on their Futures Edge Show. Together, they first discussed last week’s major announcement that the Department of Education would be delegating various responsibilities to other federal departments. They then delved into the reforms required to incentivize teachers to excel in their field, the strengths of industry-specific high schools and microschools, how Indiana is reforming education, the role of AI in education, and more. …

Audio

Keri D. Ingraham Talks Parents Taking Control of Education on The Rod and Greg Show

_{American Center for Transforming Education
April 2, 2026
1
School Choice}

Keri D. Ingraham Talks Anniversary of Executive Order Dismantling Dept. of Ed. on The Silk or Joe Show

_{American Center for Transforming Education
March 20, 2026
1
Education Policy}

Keri D. Ingraham appeared on The Silk or Joe Show to discuss the progress of shrinking the U.S. Department of Education since President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order on March 20, 2025, Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities. She talks about the importance of returning power to local communities and parents in K-12 education, the fear-mongering of the teachers unions, and how free market solutions will improve education outcomes nationwide. Listen Here (Starts at 45:18) …

Keri D. Ingraham Discusses the New Federal Tax Credit Scholarship on The Carrie Abbott Show

_{American Center for Transforming Education
February 11, 2026
1
School Choice}

On February 3, Keri D. Ingraham appeared on The Carrie Abbott Show to discuss the exciting new federal tax credit scholarship that will provide education freedom to millions of students across America. Last year, President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill into law, which included the federal tax credit scholarship. “What that is,” Dr. Ingraham explained, “it’s a first in our nation’s history federal school choice program, and governors just need to opt in to that program so students in their state can benefit.” Thus far, 27 governors have opted their states into the program. Dr. Ingraham explains how this dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit scholarship works. Click HERE to Listen to Keri D. Ingraham on the Carrie Abbott Show …

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Events

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