Across the United States, a movement to create a new kind of public school--"autonomous district schools"--is giving districts the freedoms charter schools receive. Like charter schools, autonomous district schools are freed from innovation-inhibiting state and district policies, allowing talented educators to make academic and…

From the founding of Harvard College in 1636 as a mission for training young clergy to the landmark 1968 Supreme Court decision in "Epperson v. Arkansas," which struck down the state's ban on teaching evolution in schools, religion and education in the United States have been inextricably linked. Still today new fights emerge over the…

At a time when many states are adopting controversial measures to launch or expand private school vouchers, Republicans in Michigan are taking a different direction, moving ahead with a plan that would greatly expand the menu of public school choices for students and parents. GOP lawmakers, who control both state legislative chambers, have…

Examines religious freedom, schools, and the First Amendment issue, and discusses the "Three Rs Project," which is designed to help teachers, parents, and community leaders of different faiths set policies on religion in schools, protect students' religious speech, and reform secularized curricula. A consensus of the current law…

The main federal support for school modernization comes via the Qualified Zone Academy Board (QZAB) program, which helps districts raise funds and offers low-income schools freedom from bond and loan interest. The Better Classroom Act of 2003 proposes to extend the QZAB program by promoting new school construction. Two other bills currently before…

This paper focuses on how charter schools offer new opportunities for student achievement, parent participation in school governance, and teacher empowerment and freedom. Public charter schools are independent public schools that ensure accountability, offer choices, involve parents, and encourage innovation. The paper describes myths about…