K-12

Teachers are incentivized in education to stay in the profession longer through the step-and-lane salary schedule, which gives a raise each year for experience, regardless of professional performance. This creates a system in which individuals are not accountable for proving they are providing student learning. Teacher pay is not linked to student test scores or student growth; rather, it is based on time in the profession. High-achieving individuals enter the profession and find that their hard work and professional results are not rewarded. They often leave the system to pursue a career opportunity in which their job performance is recognized with financial compensation. It’s time the system was flipped so that high performance by educators is incentivized and rewarded. The status Read More ›

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.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education announced six interagency agreements (IAAs) with four federal agencies to take another major step forward toward fulfilling the promise of dismantling the 45-year failure of the astronomically expensive and ineffective department. The agreements are with the Department of Labor, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of State. According to a press release from the Department of Education, “by partnering with agencies that are best positioned to deliver results for students and taxpayers, these IAAs will streamline federal education activities on legally required programs, reduce administrative burdens, and refocus programs and activities to better serve students and grantees.” The six agreements are as follows. First Read More ›

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 locked in underperforming schools. We are unlocking Read More ›

On Oct. 17, Indiana submitted a waiver application to the U.S. Department of Education seeking flexibility and a reduction of red tape from Washington. Under the leadership of Gov. Mike Braun and Secretary of Education Katie Jenner, Indiana is innovating K-12 education from all angles, and the rest of the nation should take note. Upon taking office in January, Braun expanded eligibility for the Choice Scholarship Program to all families in the Hoosier State, creating a free market K-12 education landscape. Demand for education options has surged, and providers have responded. In Indiana, private school choices have expanded significantly over the past four years, with enrollment up 22 percent. Indiana also offers robust public school choice, including inter-district and intra-district Read More ›

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 ›

On October 1, Keri D. Ingraham spoke to the graduate students in the classical education program at Hillsdale College in Michigan. Ingraham was asked to share about her work as a Senior Fellow at Discovery Institute and as Director of the Institute’s American Center for Transforming Education. Following the introductory time, she delivered formal remarks for 40 minutes in a speech titled “Education Freedom Is Essential.” Here is an excerpt from Ingraham’s speech: As a nation, we can no longer justify restricting children to these failing government-run schools for their education. Nor can the ever-increasing astronomical spending on the public education system continue to support the status quo. Change is urgently needed. And that change will require competition. As Andy Read More ›

Keri D. Ingraham appeared on the Jason Rantz Show this week to discuss the anti-American indoctrination occurring in K-12 education. Ingraham addresses the September 10 assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, the role that public education plays in advancing radical ideologies, as well as the massive response from young Americans wanting to start or join a Turning Point USA chapter to make a positive difference on their campuses.

COSM 2025 will take place in Scottsdale, Arizona, from November 19–21, bringing together leaders to explore the technologies shaping our future. Opening the conference, Keri D. Ingraham, Director of Discovery Institute’s American Center for Transforming Education, will join former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and school choice advocate Jenny Clark to discuss “Educating the Tech Workforce: Has Arizona Provided a Roadmap?” Ducey was a trailblazer in advancing education freedom during his time as governor, fearlessly advancing schooling options. Clark, founder of the non-profit Love Your School, helps families navigate educational opportunities to find the best fit for their children. Together, the panel will examine how Arizona’s innovations in education may provide a model for preparing the next generation of tech leaders. Read More ›

America is in a global artificial intelligence (AI) race. The stakes are historically high with economic and national security implications. As President Trump declared in July, “Whether we like it or not, we are suddenly engaged in a fast-paced competition to build and refine this groundbreaking technology that will determine so much about the future of civilization.” The President, First Lady, and the Trump Administration are taking decisive steps to ensure America is prepared and positioned to win one of the most consequential competitions among nations in modern history, determining future global dominance. On Thursday, First Lady Melania Trump hosted a meeting of the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education. Michael Kratsios, Director of the Office of Science Read More ›

After visiting the White House to attend the White House Task Force Meeting on Artificial Intelligence Education, Keri D. Ingraham appeared on NTD News to discuss artificial intelligence in education with host Jack Bradley. Ingraham argues that literacy and critical thinking are essential for teaching students to utilize artificial intelligence properly. Ingraham also discusses the strengths of industry-specific high schools and the Trump administration’s plans to defund schools that allow males in female sports.

First Lady Melania Trump invited Discovery Institute Senior Fellow and American Center for Transforming Education Director Keri D. Ingraham to attend the White House Task Force Meeting on Artificial Intelligence Education. The meeting was held in the East Room of the White House on September 4. The Artificial Intelligence Education Task Force is comprised of select Cabinet members, heads of U.S. departments and agencies, and policy assistants and advisors to the President. These leaders are tasked with implementing the actions outlined in the “Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth” executive order, signed into law by President Trump on April 23. The executive order states: “It is the policy of the United States to promote AI literacy and proficiency among Read More ›