Innovate, Educate, Elevate

Pioneer empowers Americans to live freely and thrive
Education Healthcare Opportunity Citizenship
Education Healthcare Opportunity Citizenship

Agenda for Leadership 2026 is available!

A policy blueprint for a more competitive Massachusetts. Available now on Amazon!

Latest Publications

See All
American Citizenship
March 16, 2026

MA Residents Believe State Officials, and Legislators in Particular, Falling Short on Government Transparency

State Legislature’s Favorability Rating at 28 Percent   BOSTON – A new poll commissioned by Pioneer Institute finds that state government, and the Legislature in particular, are falling far short when it comes to government transparency, and that satisfaction with the Legislature is in free fall.  Only twenty-eight percent of respondents in the poll of Massachusetts residents have a…
Education
March 10, 2026

Fewer Students, Greater Demand: How Regionalization Can Strengthen Massachusetts Schools

Massachusetts faces a growing challenge: K-12 public school enrollment is declining, while the state’s workforce continues to expand. How can smaller school districts maintain robust educational programs and meet the talent needs of the Massachusetts economy? Our new study, Fewer Students, Greater Demand:…
Opportunity
March 9, 2026

Accessory Dwelling Units Accounted for At Least 10 Percent of New Homes Permitted in Massachusetts in 2025

This month’s edition of The House Call discusses results from a state survey of municipalities on accessory dwelling unit permitting activity. It also describes the debate over whether building codes should be reformed to allow some apartment buildings to contain only one staircase.
American Citizenship
March 2, 2026

Mass. Officials Talk a Big Game About Democracy. Do They Practice What They Preach? 

Elected officials in Massachusetts sure have a lot to say about “democracy” these days.   For those paying attention to goings on around here in recent years, hearing politicians trumpeting their state as a citadel defending democracy and the rule of law, you might be…
Education
February 17, 2026

A Roadmap for States to Build High-Quality Online Education

BOSTON – State policy is pivotal to the development and availability of online and virtual learning options, and Pioneer Institute’s new Virtual Schools Toolkit provides tactical guidance for developing such policies in the current educational landscape.   “Virtual learning began by serving students…

Latest Podcasts

FL State’s James Shuls & Cato’s Neal McCluskey on History of U.S. School Choice

March 11, 2026

Roxana Robinson on Georgia O’Keeffe, Mother of American Modernist Painting

March 4, 2026

Pulitzer Winner Gordon Wood on Benjamin Franklin & American Revolution 250

February 26, 2026
Want to get the latest updates from Pioneer Institute?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Name(Required)
Email(Required)

Impact

When We Succeed

Pioneer succeeds when its research, communications, litigation, and coalition-building lead to tangible improvements in Americans’ lives—access to world-class learning options for students; affordable and innovative care for patients; and plentiful jobs, a rich civic life, and individual liberty for all.

We focus on state policy as a proving ground—testing, refining, and demonstrating reforms that work, in order to raise the bar for opportunity across the United States.

Support Pioneer

Philanthropic support fuels our ability to deliver bold ideas, rigorous research, and real-world impact—advancing solutions that shape policy and strengthen communities.

Donate Get Involved

Explore Our Work

Opportunity
February 16, 2026

Statement of Jim Stergios, Executive Director of Pioneer Institute on Governor Healey’s Opposition to Lowering State Income Tax

Opportunity
February 12, 2026

Domestic Outmigration is Hollowing Out Massachusetts’ Workforce and Economy 

Opportunity
February 9, 2026

Nine More Massachusetts Towns Subject of State Litigation over MBTA Communities Act Noncompliance

Education
February 5, 2026

Study Urges New K–12 Accountability Framework Following End of MCAS Graduation Requirement

Opportunity
February 2, 2026

A Steady-State Budget in a Moment of Crisis 

Education
January 29, 2026

Poll Finds Massachusetts Residents Overwhelmingly Support Expanding Vocational Schools

Opportunity
January 28, 2026

10 Reasons to Discount ITEP’s Analysis of the Proposed Income Tax Cut

Opportunity
January 28, 2026

New Census Data Show Massachusetts Would Be Losing Population Without Immigration 

Fact of the day

Full-Time State Employees: 2024

How big is your state government? Florida ranks last in the U.S. for full-time state government employees per 100K population — just 706 in 2024. Massachusetts had nearly double that with 1,401 per 100K. Explore the numbers: https://loom.ly/TDrajc0 #facts #stategovernmentemployees
View More Data

Policy Priorities

Education Healthcare Opportunity American Citizenship

PioneerEducation supports excellent school options for all children, world-class liberal arts-based academic standards, and accountability for results in public education.

PioneerHealthcare champions market-based reforms to rein in the cost and improve the quality of care for patients.

PioneerOpportunity seeks a business climate in which entrepreneurs and employees benefit from a thriving economy.

American Citizenship:  To increase public engagement in the nation’s civic life, Pioneer champions K-12 history and civics education, and provides transparent government data for citizens to hold their state governments accountable.