Entries by Editorial Staff

Edward Achorn on Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War, & Slavery

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This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts Charlie Chieppo and Ret. MN Justice Barry Anderson interview Edward Achorn, a noted writer, historian, and author of “Every Drop of Blood: The Momentous Second Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln” and “The Lincoln Miracle: Inside the Republican Convention That Changed History”. Achorn shares insights into Lincoln’s improbable political rise and the critical events leading to his 1860 Republican presidential nomination, including his strategic maneuvering following his defeat in the 1858 Illinois Senate race.

Vitamin Parents Part 1: Twin Moms Converting a Decent Traditional School Experience Into a “Wow” Homeschool One

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The upcoming episodes of “Homeschooling Journeys” feature twin sisters, Mariana and Andreina, originally from Venezuela and now living in Florida. Each is a mom of two kids. Curious Mike describes them as “Vitamin Homeschoolers”—they see homeschooling as a way to enhance their children’s education rather than addressing any major issues with traditional schooling. They discuss the challenges of balancing time and responsibilities but emphasize the benefits of stronger family bonds and the enriching experiences they’ve been able to provide through Educational Savings Accounts (ESA). Non-homeschoolers often worry about the socialization of homeschooled kids, but Mariana and Andreina have their children socializing a lot—playing in rock bands, competing at a high level in soccer, and attending in-person, unusual academic classes, like Surf Skate Science and competitive extracurriculars.

PRI’s Lance Izumi on The Great Classroom Collapse

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Lance Izumi delves into his latest book, “The Great Classroom Collapse: Teachers, Students, and Parents Expose the Collapse of Learning in America’s Schools”. He discusses why, despite decades of education reforms and vast spending, many American students remain underprepared in critical subjects like reading and math.

From Stress to Success: How Daniella Transformed Her Son’s Learning with ESA Funds

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This week on Homeschooling Journeys Curious Mike talks with Daniella Moreci-Pack, an Arizona mom utilizing her state’s Education Savings Account (ESA) to homeschool her son with ADHD. Daniella shares how she spends ESA funds on special needs therapies, curriculum products, and in-person enrichment activities like karate and dance classes. She explores key themes, including the flexibility of homeschooling, the initial anxiety of leaving traditional schooling, and the common shift from structured schedules to more child-led learning. Daniella also discusses navigating ESA red tape, as new rules add bureaucratic hurdles. Tune in to hear highlights of Daniella’s approach and resilience in overcoming these challenges to give her child a personalized education.

AFC’s Denisha Allen on School Choice & Black Minds Matter

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Denisha shares her journey and the motivations behind founding Black Minds Matter, a national movement dedicated to celebrating Black excellence and promoting high-quality educational options for Black students. She delves into the politics of urban school reform, highlighting the challenges posed by race and class-based achievement gaps and the political influence of teachers’ unions.

From Garden to Table: How Alicia Garcia Reshapes Home Ec with ESAs

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In the debut episode of Homeschooling Journeys, we meet Alicia Garcia, the founder of Project Flourish Community. Alicia offers an innovative Home Ec experience where students participate in hands-on learning, from picking ingredients in her backyard to cooking healthy meals. As both a provider and user of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), Alicia shares her unique perspective on homeschooling. The episode delves into the challenges of setting up ESA payments and the benefits of specialized learning. Alicia also touches on a heartwarming story of how she used ESA funds to help her introverted son join a local stage musical.

Poll: State Voters Overwhelmingly Support Ending Public Records Exemption, Auditing the Legislature

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Views on legislative pay change when voters learn of 2023 analysis that found MA had nation’s “least efficient state legislature” BOSTON – Eighty percent of registered voters support eliminating the exemption to the state public records law claimed by the Massachusetts Legislature, governor and Supreme Judicial Court and making the records public, according to a new poll commissioned by Pioneer Institute and conducted by Emerson College Polling.  Only 6 percent support keeping the records private. “Massachusetts is the only state in which the governor’s office, the legislature and the judiciary all claim this exemption,” said Pioneer Institute Director of Transparency Mary Connaughton. “Clearly, that doesn’t sit well with voters.” Registered voters also support ending the state legislature’s exemption from audits the […]

American Bar Association Elects President of the Pioneer Law Center as Vice Chair of Judicial Division

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The Hon. Frank J. Bailey (ret.) will Advance to Chair in 2026 (Boston, Mass.)- The Pioneer Public Interest Law Center today announced that its president, Hon. Frank J. Bailey (ret.) has been elected as the next Vice Chair of the Judicial Division of the American Bar Association  (ABA). Judge Bailey will advance to chair-elect and then chair in 2026. “The American Bar Association is proud to welcome retired U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Frank J. Bailey as our Judicial Division’s next Vice Chair, ” said ABA President Bill Bay. “Judge Bailey’s extensive experience and dedication to the rule of law makes him a strong leader for the division. His commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the judiciary today will be vital […]

Pioneer Institute: 340B Hospitals Does Not Necessarily Translate to Charity Care

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Review of Becker’s List of Health Systems with Strong Finances finds  more transparency needed in hospitals that receive federal aid to improve access to care. (Boston, Mass) – Pioneer Institute of Public Policy Research today released a paper that found that higher levels of transparency in hospital operations is needed in hospitals that receive federal aid to improve access to care.  The Institute selected names for the hospitals from the Becker’s List of Health Systems with Strong Finances, and compared it to data of the hospitals falling under 340B classifications in Pioneer’s 340B Data Tool.  Of the 53 hospitals originally listed in Becker’s, 29 are classified as 340B hospitals/health systems. Of those 29, 18 health systems underperformed the national average […]

Houston Supt. Mike Miles & Urban School Reform

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Mr. Miles reflects on his lifelong dedication to public service, starting as a soldier, then a diplomat, and later as an educational leader. He shares insights into his family background and formative experiences that shaped his commitment to serving the public.

Dr. David Heidler on Andrew Jackson & American Democracy

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Dr. David Heidler discusses the transformative period of Jacksonian Democracy, from 1829 to 1837. He explores the political changes, sectionalism, and reforms that characterized the era, alongside the controversial figure of Andrew Jackson, whose volatile nature and strategic political management propelled his rise and image.

MIT’s Nobel Winner Joshua Angrist on the Economics of Education & Charter Public Schools

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Prof. Angrist explores the controversies and his motivations behind studying K-12 education, emphasizing what policymakers often overlook about education and labor markets. He discusses his groundbreaking research on charter schools, highlighting how his findings have influenced policymakers. Angrist also talks about his Nobel-winning work on the analysis of causal relationships in economics and the innovative research currently underway at Blueprint, his lab at MIT.

Pioneer Institute Statement on the Project Labor Agreement Provision in the Massachusetts Economic Development Bill

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Governor Healey should veto a provision in the recently passed economic development bill that would ease restrictions on public entities seeking to use project labor agreements on public works or building projects.  PLAs require that all trade labor on a project come from unions, essentially locking out the nearly 82 percent of Massachusetts construction workers who choose not to affiliate with a union. Such a provision reduces competition and, in turn, raises costs.  A 2021 RAND report on the effects of PLAs on affordable housing production in Los Angeles found a 14.5 percent increase in construction costs for projects subject to PLAs.  RAND also found that without PLAs approximately 800 additional units of housing (an increase of 11 percent) could […]

Pulitzer Winner Kai Bird on Robert Oppenheimer & the Atomic Bomb

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Mr. Bird focuses on the life and legacy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, “father of the atomic bomb.” He discusses Oppenheimer’s impact on history, his early life and education, and his academic achievements in quantum physics. Bird covers Oppenheimer’s political views, relationships, as well as his leadership in the Manhattan Project and his role in the Trinity test.

Georgetown’s Dr. Marguerite Roza on Federal ESSER Funds & the Fiscal Cliff

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Dr. Roza explores the complexities of education finance and its impact on American K-12 education. She outlines the three phases of school funding over the past 40 years and their effect on equity and student achievement. She highlights that only about half of the K-12 education dollars reach student instruction, with significant funds absorbed by the ever-expanding education bureaucracy.