William Donovan

Catholic schools in Massachusetts must focus on the characteristics that make them academically successful and distinguish them from traditional public schools, but must also seek new models and governance structures that will help them achieve financial sustainability, according to a new book published by Pioneer Institute. The book, "A Vision of Hope: Catholic Schooling in Massachusetts," will be the topic of a webinar co-sponsored by Pioneer and the Catholic Schools Foundation to be held on Wednesday, January 27 at 2:00 pm. 

Philanthropic, other organizations should consider providing financial assistance to allow programs to expand into lower-income communities BOSTON – At a time of declining state and national math proficiency, after-school math programs offer a viable option for quickly increasing the number of mathematically competent...

Despite federal laws to the contrary, state education agency claims providing services at private schools would violate amendments to state constitution BOSTON – Over the past dozen years, thousands of private and religious school students in Massachusetts have been denied hundreds of...

Practice is growing rapidly; practitioners are becoming more diverse BOSTON – States should do more to acknowledge the viability of homeschooling as an educational option, and provide direction and information for parents seeking non-traditional schooling, according to a new study published by...

Massachusetts should be cautious in updating its highly regarded history standards BOSTON – As Massachusetts sets about the task of reviewing its K-12 history and social science standards, a new study published by Pioneer Institute describes the processes that have produced exceptional...

Study Recommends That States Require Passage of U.S. History Assessment as High School Graduation Requirement Content knowledge, not pedagogy, should be focus of teacher hiring and professional development BOSTON – States should mandate passage of a U.S. history assessment with a strong...

Vocational-Technical Schools and Businesses Strengthening the State’s Economy Pioneer Institute paper reports on growing partnerships to meet the skills shortage BOSTON – Massachusetts manufacturers and small businesses are offsetting an acute skilled labor shortage through collaborations with the state’s vocational-technical high schools,...

Online or virtual learning is growing rapidly across the United States, but those interested in starting an online school should first define their mission and target audience, because the size and nature of the student body will dictate subsequent decisions, according to a new study published by Pioneer Institute.

New Pioneer study finds that greater autonomy is a key to low vocational-technical high school dropout rates

NEW STUDY EXPLORES POLICY CHALLENGES POSED BY VIRTUAL SCHOOLS Existing regulatory protocol is insufficient for full-time online education BOSTON, MA – Massachusetts is well behind the curve when it comes to full-time online learning, but pending state legislation could change that, according...