Vicki Alger

Vicki Alger, Ph.D. (heartlander@vickialger.com) is a senior fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum... (read full bio)

Task Force to Tackle Kansas School Efficiency

Vicki Alger

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December 04, 2012

Sam Brownback is the latest Kansas governor to establish a schools efficiency task force. He may be the only one to have prompted a dueling task force from offended school board members.
Future Uncertain for New Hampshire Charter Schools

Vicki Alger

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November 30, 2012

New Hampshire’s board of education said it will not approve new charter schools until the legislature sends them more money, and the results of November’s elections mean that may be difficult in th
By Wide Margins, Voters Dump Three Idaho Education Laws

Vicki Alger

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November 13, 2012

Idaho voters overturned three education reform laws in November’s elections, sending Republican lawmakers back to the drawing board over online learning, teacher evaluations, and merit pay.
Idaho Grandparents Challenge Fees for 'Free' Public Schools

Vicki Alger

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October 23, 2012

A group of grandparents is suing Idaho and all its school districts over a fees these charge their grandchildren to attend “free, common schools.” Leading the charge is Russ Joki, an Idaho superint
Idahoans Challenge Fees for ‘Free’ Public Schools [short]

Vicki Alger

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October 21, 2012

More than 280,000 students and their guardians are suing Idaho and all its school districts for charging kids fees to attend “free, common schools.” Former Idaho superintendent Russ Joki is leading
Reform Referendum Heats Up in Idaho

Vicki Alger

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October 16, 2012

Idaho voters will decide on November 6 whether three education reform laws will stay on the books.
70 Percent of U.S. Voters Support Parent Trigger Laws

Vicki Alger

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September 11, 2012

Two national polls both found 70 percent of U.S. voters support Parent Trigger laws, which give a majority of parents the power to require improvements at their children’s failing schools.
Unions Block Evaluations as Fewer NYC Teachers Receive Tenure

Vicki Alger

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August 28, 2012

Just 55 percent of New York City teachers completing their three-year probationary periods earned tenure in 2012, compared with 97 percent in 2007.
Chicago to Hire More Teachers During Budget Crisis

Vicki Alger

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August 17, 2012

Removing a major obstacle during contentious contract talks, Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union reached an agreement to lengthen students’ school day without lengthening most tea
Illinois Teacher Pensions Broke, Favor Wealthy Schools

Vicki Alger

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August 03, 2012

If Illinois school districts and teachers paid a share of their own pension contributions, scarce taxpayer dollars could go to the schools that need them most, according to a new report from the Il
Unexpected Surge in Louisiana Voucher Applicants

Vicki Alger

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July 25, 2012

More than 10,000 students applied to attend private schools this fall under Louisiana’s statewide voucher program, five times more than State Superintendent John White anticipated.
Missouri Passes Law Allowing More Charter Schools

Vicki Alger

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July 16, 2012

Gov.
Supreme Court Healthcare Ruling Affects Education

Vicki Alger

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July 16, 2012

Because it limits how the federal government can require states to do its bidding in exchange for taxpayer dollars, the Supreme Court’s recent healthcare ruling could have consequences for educatio
Officials Plan Dramatic Restructure of Philadelphia Schools [SHORT]

Vicki Alger

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July 08, 2012

Local officials have released a plan to rebuild the long-ailing Philadelphia School District from the ground up.
Report Identifies Higher Education Leaders and Laggards

Vicki Alger

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June 30, 2012

Public colleges and universities are remarkably poor at providing students and taxpayers transparent, objective measures of their worth even as tuition has grown three times the rate of inflation i
Maine Enacts Competency-based High School Diplomas

Vicki Alger

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June 06, 2012

Maine has passed a new law that will base high school graduation on student proficiency rather than seat time.
Missouri Legislature Passes a Bill Allowing More Charter Schools

Vicki Alger

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June 05, 2012

The Missouri legislature has passed its first major piece of charter school legislation since its first in 1998: Senate Bill 576 would allow charter schools to open statewide and make it easier to
Report: Expand G.I. Bill to Veterans’ K-12 Children

Vicki Alger

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May 25, 2012

States could save more than $92 million annually and expand education options by letting veterans direct their education benefits to their children using Military Education Savings Accounts, accord
Officials Release Plan to Dramatically Restructure Philadelphia School District

Vicki Alger

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May 09, 2012

Local officials have released a plan to eliminate the long-ailing Philadelphia School District and rebuild from the ground up.
Illinois Subcommittee Stalls on Ending Legislative ‘Scholarship Abuse’

Vicki Alger

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May 01, 2012

Illinois Democrats in control of a legislative subcommittee appear to be stalling on bills that would end the controversial practice of allowing state legislators to award in-state public universit

Vicki Alger

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