Category: K12

2022, College Access, K12, Politics, Research/Policy, Student Success

College Access, Equity, and the Tower of Babel

by Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scientist NOTE: I wrote this before learning of the brutal elementary school shooting in Texas this week. Much of what I write here, about left and right, also applies to our inability to do anything about gun safety and control in the US. The tragedies will continue, unfortunately. I recently read Jonathan Haidt’s piece in The Atlantic, … Continue reading College Access, Equity, and the Tower of Babel

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2020, K12, Research/Policy

School Takes a Vacation — But Can Learning Increase?

While COVID-19 has resulted in an unprecedented experience around the world for modern society, it is not the first time in recent history that it has had a massive impact on public education in the United States. In the mid-seventies, the city of Columbus, Ohio shut down the school system for over a month due to a lack of natural gas combined with record low … Continue reading School Takes a Vacation — But Can Learning Increase?

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2019, College Access, Financial Aid, K12, Politics, Research/Policy, Student Success

What I Want for Christmas

Santa, I don’t have a big list this year. I think I’ll keep it pretty simple, if you don’t mind? That way, when you come to my house, you don’t need to spend too much time. Enjoy the almond milk and the sugar-free cookies. You could use a little help with that waistline. In fact, I am completely okay with you phoning this one in, … Continue reading What I Want for Christmas

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2016, Fundraising, K12, Research/Policy, Student Success

The Insatiable Desire for Fundraising in Education

by Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & CEO, Educational Policy Institute If you have kids, at some point you’ve either heard of, supported, or even participated in your local Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or Organization (PTA). These arms-length non-for-profit organizations provide funds and other support to local schools. The new movie, Bad Moms, showcases PTOs in a tremendously poor light (led in a very funny … Continue reading The Insatiable Desire for Fundraising in Education

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2016, Financial Aid, K12, Politics, Research/Policy

Searching for a Beacon of Light

By Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute I have been in this business for a long time. I always said I would never be like “them.” Them, of course, were the stewards of the business. The old timers. Those with letters. Those with titles. It was not that I did not want those titles. I did. Come on. I still do, … Continue reading Searching for a Beacon of Light

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