The Issues

Education Freedom

Failing Richmond Schools Doubling Down on Failing Policies

The Richmond Public School System is in crisis, roiled by two independent audits and the publication of new state data showing that the administration is hobbled by rampant inefficiency, there...

Jefferson Forum
October 3, 2018

Are Academic Course Requirements Out-of-Date?

Do we take calculus in high school because we need this skill in our future career, or is it what we historically needed to get into prestigious colleges?...
Jefferson Forum
July 11, 2018

Want to Honor Barbara Bush? Read to a Child

“So there’s a reading circle and all the kids have a book and they’re passing the book kid to kid and they passed it to me and I couldn’t read.”...

Christian Braunlich
May 2, 2018

Best College Majors for Fewer College Loan Defaults

Colleges and universities offering programs that lead to careers in occupations that are relatively high-paying and have low unemployment tend to have lower student loan default rates. Some of the...

Jefferson Forum
May 2, 2018

The Jefferson Journal: Want to Honor Barbara Bush? Read to a Child.

“So there’s a reading circle and all the kids have a book and they’re passing the book kid to kid and they passed it to me and I couldn’t read.”...

Christian Braunlich
April 25, 2018

Scientific Knowledge vs Social Constructionism

C.E. Larson is a professor of mathematics and applied mathematics at Virginia Commonwealth University, and he’s a big believer in the scientific method as a way of thinking and accumulating...

Jefferson Forum
March 21, 2018

Meet Isaac …

Today, more than 3,300 at-risk Virginia children receive more than $10.6 million in scholarships from the Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credit to attend a better school. Want to know how...

Jefferson Forum
February 14, 2018

Need “Consensus”? Try Pre-K for At-Risk Students

If Governor Ralph Northam is looking for a place to build legislative consensus, here’s one place to start: Support for pre-k programs aimed at better preparing at-risk four-year-olds for kindergarten...

Christian Braunlich
February 7, 2018

The Case for Performance-Based Funding in Higher Ed

The following position paper was published by Partners for College Affordability and Public Trust, a sponsor of the Bacon’s Rebellion blog. ISSUE: Performance-based (also known as outcomes-based) Funding for Virginia’s...

Jefferson Forum
January 24, 2018

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.