The Issues

Education Freedom

Callais is a Great Decision for Freedom — Including Education Freedom

Key Takeaways: 7/9/2026 — The 2025-26 Supreme Court term is now over, which means we are now witnessing the usual handwringing that passes for analysis of the decisions the Court handed down. The...

Todd Hester
July 9, 2026

Three Founders. One Day. One Destiny.

Key Takeaways: 7/3/2026 — On July 4, 1826, Americans gathered across a still‑young republic to celebrate a milestone some believed we’d never reach: the fiftieth anniversary of independence. Church bells rang....

David Botkins
July 3, 2026

Virginia Board of Education Heeds Demands to Move Forward on Increase in Standards

6/26/2026 — Yesterday, the Virginia Board of Education voted by a near majority to reject a proposal to delay the implementation of more rigorous Standard of Learning cut scores. I was honored to testify before...

Derrick A. Max
June 26, 2026

Virginia Should Tell Parents the Truth About Student Performance 

(Note to readers, the Virginia Board of Education needs to hear from you before Thursday’s meeting. Tell them not to delay implementing the already approved higher accountability standards. Email Secretary of Ed,...

Derrick A. Max
June 22, 2026

Governor Spanberger: Don’t Make Principals Jump Through Hoops to Keep Students and Teachers Safe  

By Ali Ahmad and Derrick A. Max  Conservatives across the country are salivating at the idea that Virginia’s new governor may sign a bill that opens her to the charge that she...

Derrick A. Max
March 19, 2026

The Schoolhouse as Clinic: The Dangerous Mission Creep of Public School Mental Health Screenings 

Summary – Virginia’s HB 355 replaces academic education with clinical surveillance by mandating annual mental health screenings for students in grades 6–12. By using a passive “opt-out” system, the bill...

Derrick A. Max
March 17, 2026

In Today’s Richmond Times-Dispatch: Students Can’t Afford the Learning Loss that Will Come from Paid Leave Bill

The Richmond Times-Dispatch ran my guest column this morning that warns of the significant learning loss that will likely occur from the Paid Family and Medical Leave bill (SB2) that is quickly...

Derrick A. Max
March 3, 2026

The Virginian-Pilot: Federal Scholarship Tax Credits Should be a No-Brainer for Virginia

In today’s The Virginian-Pilot, Thomas Jefferson Institute Senior Advisor and Former President Chris Braunlich discusses Virginia’s participation in the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC) for K-12 students which, starting...

Christian Braunlich
February 6, 2026

Spanberger’s Position on the new Federal Scholarship Remains Unclear: Will She Choose Kids or Union Bosses?  

As early voting in the gubernatorial race in Virginia is about to begin, students in the Commonwealth hang in the balance.  While Governor Youngkin was able to implement a landmark...

Derrick A. Max
September 18, 2025

Jefferson Forum concentrates on policies that affect everyday life in Virginia

Economic Freedom

Lower taxes and fewer regulations

Education Freedom

More choices for Virginia families

Energy Freedom

Reliable, affordable energy

Worker Freedom

Protecting Virginia’s right-to-work tradition

These are the building blocks of a more competitive and prosperous Virginia.