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This week's edition of Mapping Mass Migration features an analysis of newly released data from the Census Bureau, its March supplement of the Current Population Survey. Our analysis covers how migration trends have played out nationally since 1948, including the demographics of movers, the extent of their migration (within a county, across counties, to another state, etc.), and the most common reasons movers cite for changing their primary residence. The newsletter concludes with a brief discussion of what might account for a decline in overall migration rates nationally and where Massachusetts fits in.

As Pioneer Institute observes Sunshine Week,?we are disappointed by the legislature’s attempts to deny what the vast majority of voters want: an audit of the legislature by our State Auditor. Trying to avoid an audit further exacerbates the loss of public trust. After all, what are we left to think? Do they have something to hide? That is not the government our founders intended; nor is it what 72 percent of Massachusetts voters wanted. This year, during Sunshine Week, we are entirely focused on the top three actions to bring sunlight to the state legislature. They are: 

Global competitors seizing opportunities to attract top talent

Book finds that marginalized students suffer most from turn away from academics 

The March edition of The House Call covers recent zoning changes in Cambridge that allow 4 to 6-story buildings on every residential lot. It also summarizes reform recommendations from a state commission tasked with advising the Healey administration on how to ramp up housing production.

Microschools launch and close more easily than traditional schools—is that a feature or a bug? This week on Microschooling Journeys, Brian Hyosaka shares the story of Embark Micro Middle School in Denver, a tuition-free, philanthropy-backed microschool closing after six successful years. Rather than charge tuition or become a charter, they chose to "go out on top." Embark’s legacy includes inspiring hundreds of educators. Folks, this is where we leave our limited podcast series.  Microschooling Journeys has come to an end, if you listened,  thank you, please give me a shout, I’d love your feedback.  This is Curious Mike signing off!

Policies often force developers to raise market-rate prices to compensate for losses on affordable units

Connecticut, Louisiana and Tennessee missed the mark; Colorado and Pennsylvania saw improvements Boston, Mass – A new report reveals that while state legislatures were active in introducing telehealth bills in 2024, meaningful policy reforms remained elusive. The findings highlight how many states...

This week on Microschool Journeys, Curious Mike sat down with Matt Kramer, founder and CEO of Wildflower Schools, a national network of teacher-led Montessori microschools. How does he take a teacher who dreams “Maybe I should have my own little school”- and make that a reality? And how does he take a noble vision - socio-economic diversity, loosely a third from each wealth class - and make the budget work, using ESAs, vouchers, charters, and other subsidies? Tune in for this fascinating conversation!

Highlights Bureaucratic licensing process and appeals as areas to fix