Category: K12

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

Educational Policy InstituteLeave a comment
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

Educational Policy InstituteLeave a comment
2016, College Affordability, K12, Research/Policy

A New Higher Education? Free Tuition? Again? Really?

By Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute I read an interesting piece in iPolitics.ca by Ilona Dougherty about the issues of free tuition and the future of higher education—both issues I spend a fair amount of attention on. In the article, she mentions that the Canadian Federation of Students (CSF), a non-profit organization that, well, makes Bernie Sanders look like Ted … Continue reading A New Higher Education? Free Tuition? Again? Really?

Educational Policy Institute1 Comment
2015, K12, Research/Policy, Student Success

Early College: A Good Public Policy Option?

By Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute PBS NewsHour ran a story the other night titled “Does early college for high school students pave a path to graduation?” The piece featured Pharr-San Juan-Alamo School district in Pharr, Texas, a suburb of McAllen, and only a few hops and a jump from the Rio Grande River and the US-Mexican border. The high … Continue reading Early College: A Good Public Policy Option?

Educational Policy Institute1 Comment
2014, K12

Kicking the Common Core in the Teeth? Get a Life.

by Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & CEO, Educational Policy Institute It seems I can’t turn any way these days without seeing someone who has a grudge against the Common Core Standards. And while I can certainly point to political leanings on these issues, the truth is that the right and the left don’t like the Standards. I don’t get it. Without digressing too much, … Continue reading Kicking the Common Core in the Teeth? Get a Life.

Educational Policy InstituteLeave a comment