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How are education choice programs working across the country? Three states provide their comments
Across the country, states are increasing education choice offerings such as Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) or tax credits to provide...

Sam Cardwell
Sep 3, 20245 min read


Does higher spending equal better education outcomes?
K-12 public school spending is at an all-time high, and America spends more per student than any other developed nation. In 2022, the...

Sam Cardwell
Aug 26, 20242 min read


Part II: Idaho school districts - data, resources and transparency
The release of all public data is paramount, but for working families and concerned citizens, certain data points are most important and sho

Chris Cargill
Aug 5, 20242 min read


MSPC joins legal brief defending Montana’s new charter school law
Mountain State Policy Center (MSPC) joined a coalition amicus brief today in the case of Felchle v. Montana. The case concerns a law...

Jason Mercier
Aug 2, 20243 min read


The legal cases that prove education choice is constitutional
Fearing expensive legal battles, policymakers who may be on the fence often err on the side of caution and vote against measures to expand c

Chris Cargill
Jul 19, 20245 min read


BLM ruling threatens Wyoming’s K-12 funding model
On May 16th, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a final environmental impact statement on the Powder River Basin, stating that it...

Sam Cardwell
Jul 18, 20244 min read


Where has the education money gone?
One of the most popular charts available today tells a story: huge increases in administrative staffing, small increases in teachers and stu

Chris Cargill
Jul 16, 20241 min read


Now Available: The Mountain States Policy Manual
The Mountain States Policy Manual is a 200-page guide filled with facts, figures, research and more than 80 recommendations – it is an...

Jason Mercier
Jul 15, 20243 min read


Ring the bell for school principal authority
Research shows that one of the most effective tools for improving school outcomes is to put the principal in charge of the school. What...

Chris Cargill
Jul 12, 20242 min read


Big win for families: Montana judge rejects attempt to stop implementation of ESA’s
An attempt by a coalition of teachers unions and public school activists to block implementation of Education Savings Accounts in Montana ha

Chris Cargill
Jul 11, 20242 min read


Congress could expand education choice options too
Thirty-three states now have some type of school choice law on the books to empower families with limited to middle-class incomes to access

Chris Cargill
Jun 24, 20243 min read


The 60-second argument for ed choice, delivered by the former U.S. Secretary of State
It only took a minute for former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to make perhaps the best argument for education choice.

Chris Cargill
Jun 19, 20244 min read


School districts, budget cuts, and expectations of funding
Declining school enrollment and budget constraints require policymakers to fundamentally rethink their approach to education - and that can

Chris Cargill
Jun 19, 20242 min read


Idaho's 10 largest school districts: What the data shows
This publication highlights Idaho’s 10 largest school districts, the staffing of each, the average salaries of administrators, principals an

Chris Cargill
Jun 4, 20242 min read


Data shows private schools improve civic education, political tolerance
A well-rounded education is about more than just test scores. Schooling has a critical role to play in nurturing an informed, tolerant and d

Chris Cargill
May 17, 20242 min read


You can't claim to support education choice while limiting options
On the one hand, policymakers, activists, school leaders and even those running for office say they are in favor of education choice. On the

Chris Cargill
May 10, 20242 min read


The "Blaine Amendments" are bigoted relics
States cannot fall back on their Blaine Amendments to justify prohibitions on public funding of schools solely due to their religion.

Chris Cargill
May 6, 20243 min read


States should increase the availability of public charter schools
Studies continue to show that public charter schools are making a positive difference in students' lives.

Jason Mercier
Apr 29, 20243 min read


MSPC presents the Elevation Award to the legislative champions of education reform
A crowd of nearly 600 packed the Coeur d'Alene Resort Friday night for MSPC's 2024 Spring Dinner, hearing from keynote speaker Kayleigh...

MSPC Newsroom
Apr 13, 20242 min read


Idaho's 2024 Legislative Session: Policy success and reforms still needed
There were several exciting reforms advanced, a few disappointing roadblocks hit, and a couple of head-scratching moments.

Jason Mercier
Apr 3, 20246 min read
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