The Issues

Education Freedom

Most States Outperform Virginia Over Past Decade

As measured by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), Virginia’s economic outlook has continued its precipitous drop and now barely ranks in the top half among the American states, 24th...

Stephen D. Haner
April 18, 2022

Overwhelming Support Shown for Virginia’s Sole Education Choice Program: Highest Backing Among Black Voters

As National School Choice Week 2022 concludes, the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy today released results of a polling question demonstrating the overwhelming popularity of Virginia’s sole education choice...

Christian Braunlich
January 28, 2022

A Bold Reform for Education Funding

(Author’s Note: Eight years ago, we suggested incoming Governor Terry McAuliffe pursue a bold education funding reform that would modernize and supercharge Virginia’s education infrastructure.  He chose not to.  We...

Christian Braunlich
January 7, 2022

Collective bargaining would give parents less control over Virginia schools

Allowing collective bargaining will put yet another special interest ahead of the parents who simply want a say in what is best for their children. Virginia parents soon could lose even more control over their children’s education. Parents frustrated with...

F. Vincent Vernuccio
October 18, 2021

What Works: Helping Students Complete Their College Degrees

In Virginia, nearly 30% of students who enroll in community college or four-year college fail to complete their degrees within six years. There is widespread agreement across the political spectrum...

Jim Bacon
November 18, 2020

The War on Asians, the Death of Meritocracy, and the Assault on STEM

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — This past weekend (this article originally published October 20), about 100 families, students, alumni and community members Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology stood...

Asra Q. Nomani
November 5, 2020

Richmond to Parents: “You’re on Your Own”

A week after party-line votes killed Republican initiatives to assist parents of school-aged children financially with federal COVID-19 dollars, Governor Ralph Northam proposed sending another $223 million of those dollars...

Christian Braunlich
October 21, 2020

Free Speech Guaranteed — Except When You Disagree with Us

The Loudoun County School Board expects public school employees to conduct themselves in a professional manner. A draft policy for professional conduct contains all the usual things one would expect....

Jim Bacon
October 7, 2020

A College Student’s Bill of Rights

College students should be reimbursed if they don’t receive the full benefits they pay for in tuition, fees, room, and board, declares the Partners for College Affordability and Public Trust....

Jim Bacon
September 9, 2020

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.