Education News
Reports on education reform, school choice, and classroom policies. The Daily Signal provides conservative commentary and opinion alongside education news.
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- News
Review of School-Based Sex Ed Finds Increases in Sexual Activity
A global research review of school-based comprehensive sex education programs found very little effectiveness from these programs and instead found increased sexual activity. The review, conducted by the Institute for Research & Evaluation and published in the Institute of Law and Medicine in January, examined 60 studies of 40 school-based comprehensive sex education programs in…Mary Margaret Olohan -
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Parents Ask Court to Stop Schools From Helping Children Make Gender Transitions
A group of Wisconsin parents is asking a state court to halt a public school district’s policy that they say instructs teachers to assist and encourage children in adopting transgender identities without notifying—and possibly while deceiving—parents. The lawsuit is being brought by 14 parents, representing eight families, who allege the Madison Metropolitan School District’s policy…Fred Lucas -
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Opponents Go After ‘Draconian’ Bill Requiring Parental Notification Before Teaching LGBTQ Content in Schools
Opponents criticized an Iowa bill that would require schools to notify parents before teaching LGBTQ content to children. Lawmakers introduced the Republican-sponsored House File 2201 in January, a bill that would require schools to annually notify parents about any kind of material that discusses gender or sexual orientation. This would then give parents the opportunity to inspect such material…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- Opinion
Political Bias and Anti-Americanism on College Campuses
A recent Pew Research Center survey finds that only half of American adults think colleges and universities are having a positive effect on our nation. The leftward political bias, held by faculty members affiliated with the Democratic Party, at most institutions of higher education explains a lot of that disappointment. Professors Mitchell Langbert and Sean…Walter E. Williams -
- Opinion
Free to Succeed: A Brief History of School Choice
Perhaps it’s the title, but at first glance, Milton Friedman’s 1955 essay, “The Role of Government in Education,” seems unassuming. To many Americans, the role of government in education is self-evident and impregnable. So, given public schools are run by the government, an essay on the government’s role in education seems like it would be…Jack Rosenwinkel -
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Study Reveals the Absurd Conformity of Higher Education
A recently released study confirms the suspicion that American higher education has become absurdly and ruthlessly monolithic in terms of political ideology. The study found that the ratio of college professor donations to Democrats as opposed to Republicans was 95:1. Besides federal agency employees, few other industries outside working for the Democratic National Committee or…Jarrett Stepman -
- Opinion
School Choice Lets Parents Pick Safer Schools
Parents look for many things in a school: strong academics, engaging extracurricular activities, and quality teachers who offer one-on-one help to their kids. But increasingly, parents are adding safety to their list: They want a school where their children will feel safe. Safety is a growing concern for parents. A 2017 Gallup survey found that…Jude Schwalbach -
- Opinion
5 Key Exchanges From the Supreme Court in Religious School Case
The Supreme Court heard oral argument Wednesday in an important case involving a Montana tax credit scholarship program that provided scholarships for underprivileged kids to use at private schools. Initially, families could use scholarship funds at qualified religious schools, but the Montana Department of Revenue later implemented an administrative rule excluding religious schools, citing a provision in the…Elizabeth Slattery -
- Opinion
It’s Time for the Supreme Court to End Anti-Religious Prejudice in This School Choice Case
Anti-Catholic prejudice, which spread like gangrene in the 19th and 20th centuries, often manifested itself in so-called Blaine Amendments, which enabled government discrimination against religious families, students, and schools. This month, the Supreme Court will have the opportunity to overturn one such law. In Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, the court will examine Montana’s…Emilie Kao -
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What You Need to Know About Religious School Case at the Supreme Court
Should families be able to use school choice tax credits on religious schools? That’s the question that’s at the heart of Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, which the Supreme Court is hearing Wednesday. Heritage Foundation legal scholar and host of the podcast “SCOTUS 101” Elizabeth Slattery breaks down the case for us. Read a…Daniel Davis -
- Opinion
We Hear You: Sex Ed, Student Loans, and Government Spending
Editor's note: Here's some of what's on the minds of The Daily Signal's audience, straight out of the ol' inbox. Please don't neglect to write us at [email protected].—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: As one of the principal organizers of the defeat of Washington state’s “comprehensive sexual health education bill” in 2018, I am writing to…Ken McIntyre -
- Opinion
Supreme Court to Hear ‘Bridgegate’ and School Choice Cases
The Supreme Court returned Monday for oral arguments after a lengthy holiday break. During the court’s January sitting, the justices will hear arguments in eight cases, including ones dealing with school choice and the “Bridgegate” scandal. The justices already have heard arguments in cases involving the Second Amendment, Obamacare, and whether federal law covers claims…Elizabeth Slattery -
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Parents Challenge ‘Radical’ LGBT Curriculum in New Jersey Schools
TRENTON, N.J.—Parents are plenty angry about a New Jersey law that requires LGBT material to be incorporated into public school classroom instruction. The parents say they are concerned the new law will “teach lifestyles and life choices that stand 100% against our family values.” They object to their tax dollars being used for what they…Kevin Mooney -
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Teachers Go to Court to Fight Union Over Choice of Charities
Teachers who object to paying union fees on religious grounds are too political, some union leaders in Pennsylvania argue in a new twist on long-standing complaints about organized labor’s involvement in elective politics. But at least two of those teachers, who just had their day in court to put state labor laws under scrutiny, see…Kevin Mooney -
- Opinion
We Hear You: In Defense of Charter Schools and Parents’ Rights
Editor's note: One of The Daily Signal's new year's resolutions is to inspire you to write us about our coverage and what's on your minds. So drop a line to [email protected].—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: Daniel Davis’s podcast interview with charter schools advocate Charles Mitchell (“In Pennsylvania, a War on Charter Schools”) also reflects, although…Ken McIntyre -
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Planned Parenthood Targets Los Angeles High Schoolers
Planned Parenthood announced Wednesday a plan to open 50 health centers at Los Angeles high schools. The nation’s largest abortion provider plans to spend millions to build “Wellbeing Centers” that target high schoolers in Los Angeles County and aims to “create a safe space in each school where students can receive the education and health…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- Opinion
Traditional Values Shouldn’t Exempt Schools From State Voucher Programs
Officials in the state of Maryland have banned a school from their voucher program due to its faith-based views on gay marriage and transgenderism. The Baltimore Sun reported that Bethel Christian Academy responded to the ban with a lawsuit contending officials violated its religious freedom. The case will now be heard in federal court According…Nicole Russell -
- Opinion
Fraud in Higher Education
This year’s education scandal saw parents shelling out megabucks to gain college admittance for their children. Federal prosecutors have charged more than 50 people with participating in a scheme to get their children into colleges by cheating on entrance exams or bribing athletic coaches. They paid William Singer, a college-prep professional, more than $25 million…Walter E. Williams -
- Opinion
In a Time of Distraction, an Education Focused on Timeless Ideas
What does it mean to truly be educated? Great Hearts Academies, a series of charter schools in Texas and Arizona, is focused on a classical curriculum. “We are trying to provide a form of education where our students’ loves are tapped into. They begin to learn to love what is true. They are drawn to…Katrina Trinko -
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‘My Privacy Is Being Invaded’: High School Girl Reacts to New Transgender Bathroom Policy
Video footage shows a high school girl choked up when her high school ruled that trans students have unrestricted access to bathrooms and locker rooms. A high school student identified by the Daily Herald as Julia Burca chokes up as she discusses how her school district ruled Thursday that transgender students will have unrestricted access…Mary Margaret Olohan