industry-specific high schools

This week, Discovery Institute’s American Center for Transforming Education hosted a special event on Mercer Island, Washington. The evening began with remarks by Discovery Institute President Steve Buri. Then, longtime Discovery Institute Board member Bryan Mistele interviewed Senior Fellow and American Center for Transforming Education Director Keri D. Ingraham. Mistele, a gifted communicator, kicked off the questions by asking Ingraham to share how she became interested in education, her professional journey, and what brought her to Discovery Institute five years ago. Next, the work of the American Center for Transforming Education was discussed. Exciting updates were provided regarding the advancement of education freedom, education entrepreneurship, education innovation, parental rights, and public education reform. The inspiring event left attendees energized and Read More ›

College is not providing the on-ramp that most students in our country need to a high-growth, high-demand career field. Many students graduate from college saddled with debt and with a degree that is misaligned with the job market. Continuing the status quo can no longer be acceptable. Therefore, it’s essential that we not only ask but also answer the following question. How are we giving kids an education that will prepare them so that when they exit high school without going on to college, they are ready to be contributors to society through something they are excited about, and they can use a passion to do something meaningful with their life? It’s past due time to reinvent high school. It Read More ›

There is a growing demand for alternatives to a traditional education as the return on investment in college is plummeting. Combine ever-increasing tuition prices with the reality that only 62% of students who enter a four-year college graduate within six years, and only 40% secure a career in the field of their degree, and this should not be surprising. Fewer parents want to send their children to a four-year college. According to a 2025 report published in The Wall Street Journal, “Nearly half of parents say they would prefer not to send their children to a four-year college after high school, even if there were no obstacles, financial or otherwise.” Furthermore, a growing number of students are not interested in Read More ›

Keri D. Ingraham joined The Daily Signal’s Tony Kinnett Cast to discuss the advantages of industry-specific high schools. She noted the rising number of parents who are rethinking the traditional college path, pointing out that many degrees fail to prepare students for the jobs they ultimately pursue — and that a growing number of employers are dropping bachelor’s degree requirements altogether. Dr. Ingraham also spotlighted the West Michigan Aviation Academy as a standout example of how high schools can successfully equip students with practical, career-ready skills.

Keri D. Ingraham appeared on That Kevin Show to discuss modernizing education. Ingraham addressed the necessity for reinventing high school for current workforce realities, how one-size-fits-all education is a disservice to our students, and the great example of West Michigan Aviation Academy.

Keri D. Ingraham joined Grant Callen on The Empower Podcast to discuss the benefits of industry-specific high schools, based on her recent policy brief at the American Enterprise Institute. Dr. Ingraham makes the case for aligning education with workforce needs by offering high school students hands-on training and industry-recognized credentials. She discusses the real-world success story of West Michigan Aviation Academy, how this innovative model fits into the broader education freedom movement, and how Mississippi could lead the way.

As the price tag of a college degree soars, the perceived value by parents, students, and employers alike is decreasing. A 2024 essay in The Wall Street Journal found, “Nearly half of parents say they would prefer not to send their children to a four-year college after high school, even if there were no obstacles, financial or otherwise.” Additionally, the report noted that two-thirds of high school students believe “they will be just fine without a college degree.” Furthermore, the findings of a November 2023 survey revealed that an astonishing 55 percent of US companies eliminated bachelor’s degree requirements for employment eligibility. Instead, employers are valuing skills and experience over education. Employers face growing challenges filling specialized jobs due to the misalignment between college Read More ›