New schools and new school models should be created to offer families alternatives to traditional public education. School choice funding provides new market demand for innovative approaches such as microschools, low-cost private schools, homeschool networks, and hybrid models.
Also, more education avenues that prepare students for high-demand, high-growth careers should be created. These industry-specific preparation schools engage students and provide an on-ramp to post-high school success. This is especially timely as the return on investment in higher education is plummeting, and fewer employers require a college degree. Instead, they seek candidates with specialized knowledge and skills.
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Keri D. Ingraham June 11, 2026 5 School Choice For decades, the Appalachian region of America has been the subject of political promises, federal programs, philanthropic funding, and endless so-called solutions. Despite trillions of dollars in government spending and generations of outside intervention, the majority of Appalachian communities continue to struggle with poverty, addiction, outmigration, economic stagnation, and weak educational outcomes. Appalachia has long been given “the wrong kind of attention,” according to Garrett Ballengee, president and CEO of the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy. Under Ballengee’s leadership, the Center for Appalachian Renewal is committed to creating a brighter future for people, not another generation of paternalistic programs or distant experts managing … American Center for Transforming Education June 5, 2026 1 Innovation On May 28, Keri D. Ingraham appeared on The Andy Caldwell Show with guest host Dave Cross. Ingraham explains how the Department of Education is reducing its federal footprint. Ingraham dispels the fearmongering tactics of teachers unions and government officials and highlights how the major reforms happening in the Department of Education are incentivizing states to modernize their education systems. Listen to Part 1 Here In part two, Ingraham explores how the push for phonics-based literacy instruction in states like Mississippi is producing better academic outcomes and forging the way for other states to do the same. School choice is empowering parents to ensure their child gets an academically rigorous education. Listen to Part 2 Here … American Center for Transforming Education November 25, 2025 1 Innovation 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. We are LIVE on the Futures Edge Show. https://t.co/IfAFb00q6x— Bob Iaccino (@Bob_Iaccino) November 24, 2025 … American Center for Transforming Education November 20, 2025 3 Innovation In Scottsdale, Arizona, on November 18, Discovery Institute Senior Fellow and American Center for Transforming Education Director Keri D. Ingraham addressed the audience in a packed ballroom at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort during day one of Discovery Institute’s COSM Technology Summit, spanning three days. She referenced the countless significant accomplishments across various policy areas, including education reform, that the Honorable Doug Ducey achieved during his eight years as Governor of Arizona. Most notably, on July 7, 2022, Governor Ducey signed universal school choice into law by expanding the Empowerment Scholarship Account program to all of Arizona’s more than 1.1 million students. At the time, Governor Ducey explained: Arizona kids will no longer be … American Center for Transforming Education October 3, 2024 3 School Choice Last week, Discovery Institute welcomed guests from across the Pacific Northwest to Mercer Island for a special event hosted by the American Center for Transforming Education. The event focused on the historic education freedom that has taken place over the past four years. It was an informative evening marked by a joyous celebration with a packed room of attendees. American Center for Transforming Education April 9, 2024 3 School Choice There are pockets of amazing innovation happening around our country in K-12 education, but they are far too rare. One example of an innovative high school is West Michigan Aviation Academy in Grand Rapids. The school is in its 14th year, but few people know about it nationally. It should be a national headline because it is a model that deserves replication. Keri D. Ingraham April 4, 2024 5 Charter Schools The average American annual salary is under $60,000, whereas the average annual salary of pilots is over $188,000 — $128,000 higher. Yet there is a pilot shortage. These positions do not require a college degree but instead specialized training, and the training need not wait until students complete high school. Keri D. Ingraham April 3, 2024 5 Charter Schools In 2010, the doors opened to a new type of tuition-free public charter high school in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Located adjacent to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, West Michigan Aviation Academy has been turning out more than just future pilots for the past 13 school years. Keri D. Ingraham April 1, 2024 5 Charter Schools The perceived value of higher education has been plummeting for years, yet tuition prices continue to rise at levels outpacing the increased career earning power in several fields. Combine the financial cost and the misalignment of college courses with the labor markets, and it’s no surprise that traditional higher education is on the decline. American Center for Transforming Education January 12, 2024 3 Hybrid Learning Chris and Christine Stigall from the Herzog Foundation interview Dr. Keri D. Ingraham on the Making the Leap Podcast. The conversation discusses a school model that intentionally engages parents in their children’s education. An important conversation about the future of education in America American Center for Transforming Education March 31, 2023 1 Education Policy Recently Discovery Institute Fellow and American Center for Transforming Education Director Dr. Keri Ingraham joined The Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts on his show to discuss educational freedom, education entrepreneurship, innovation, and much more. Keri D. Ingraham March 16, 2023 4 School Choice With families wanting other options than the traditional public school and with the passage of school choice bills, the K-12 education market is experiencing a much-needed shake up. Parents are now seeing themselves as consumers of K-12 education for their children.
