The hottest School choice Substack posts right now

Public schools have moved to a lowest-common-denominator model that removed gifted programs and ability-based pacing, which warehouses students and crushes the curiosity of high-achievers.
Structural choices—de-leveling, social promotion, centralized funding, rising behavior issues, weaker teacher pipelines, and shifting student demographics—create incentives that block real, high-quality instruction.
The remedy is to restore ability tracking, discipline, ESL support, and true gifted options or adopt market solutions like vouchers, and fast-growing AI-based individualized learning will make alternatives irresistible if schools don’t adapt.

If a child is being seriously bullied, the right move is to remove them from that environment or find a different school, not to tell them to toughen up; staying often makes things worse.
Phones in class are a major attention sink, and strict bans with real enforcement tend to reduce disruptions and raise engagement and test scores after an initial adjustment period.
Don’t automatically defer to education 'experts' — parents can use homeschooling, microschools, tutors, or AI effectively and should evaluate options rather than assume traditional schools are always best.

Some schools in Illinois have no children reading on grade level, sparking a call for school choice.
School choice is seen as a winning issue for Republicans because it empowers parents and benefits children.
Republican opposition to school choice is being questioned, as data suggests its positive impact.

School choice arguments often promote a free-market approach to education, but they may not be suitable for all communities.
Rural towns might not have the necessary market conditions for school competition or choice to be effective.
Public school funding issues, particularly in rural areas, are a significant concern and can be exacerbated by privatization schemes.

The topic of school funding can lead to hateful and extreme rhetoric, especially from those pushing for privatization of public schools.
There is a concerted effort by certain groups to defund public schools and redirect funds to private, often unaccountable institutions.
Extreme rhetoric against public school advocates is often driven by profit-seeking individuals and politicians, rather than genuine concern for children's education.

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The author's personal experience attending both public and private schools influenced their support for school choice.
School choice advocates argue that accountability is better in a market-driven system compared to traditional school boards.
The author highlights the discrepancy in decision-making between closing public schools and private schools based on individual parent choices.

Criticism of Jean Evans for pushing for school choice in rural Missouri despite concerns about poisoned water in public schools
Questioning the motives of those advocating for privatization of public schools and the impact on rural communities
Highlighting the lack of real school choice options and the challenges faced by rural families in accessing alternative education

The episode focuses on education policy and what shapes schooling decisions.
Josh Cowen appears as the guest to share expertise and perspectives on education policy.
It’s presented in the American Conversations format, a conversational interview style that digs into policy issues.