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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 ›

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 ›

California’s Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD), like many districts across the state, offers a confidential arrangement known as an Identity Support Plan for transgender and gender-nonconforming students. Under this policy, staff are required to affirm a student’s stated gender identity in all aspects of school life — including names, pronouns, use of facilities, and records privacy. The plan explicitly allows students to exclude their parents from being notified or involved if the student chooses. Although the policy’s stated goal is to promote equity and safety for LGBTQ+ students — a goal many support — it also means parents may remain completely unaware of major developments in their children’s identities and experiences at school. The critical issue, according to SAUSD Read More ›

It’s been an incredible year thus far of education freedom victories. Six More States Have Signed Universal School Choice into Law This Year Massive legislative wins for education freedom have occurred at the state level this year, with Tennessee, Idaho, Wyoming, Texas, Indiana, and New Hampshire passing universal school choice into law. That brings the total to 17 states granting all families statewide education freedom. First Federal School Choice Program in History Becomes Law on Independence Day As part of the One Big Beautiful Bill, the first federal school choice program in the history of our nation became law on July 4. The tax credit scholarship program, set to begin in 2027, will provide millions of children with educational scholarships! 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 ›

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 ›