In his 2016 book, The End of Average, Todd Rose recounts a story from the 1950’s when the U.S. Air Force faced a major challenge. Pilots were struggling to control their planes leading to serious accidents and fatalities. Initial suspicions were that the jets were too advanced or that pilot training was insufficient, but the…
Research Reports
Key Points: Since 2012, the court’s opinions generally have become clearer and the rate of discarding its own case precedents has decreased. However, the court still uses unclear opinions, and the justices frequently disregard their own rules. This is particularly noticeable in how the justices waive standing requirements for favored plaintiffs, how they review…
On June 6, 2023, Education Week published an article titled, “Charter Schools are Outperforming Traditional Public Schools: 6 Takeaways from a New Study.” Reporter Libby Stanford writes, A new study shows that charter school students are now outpacing their peers in traditional public schools in math and reading achievement, cementing a long-term trend of positive…
In 2019, a survey of 800+ Montana employers revealed that the number one obstacle to expanding employment is a lack of skilled workers. An overwhelming number of employers observed that: (a) schools are not adequately preparing students for the workforce; (b) schools are not adequately teaching students interpersonal skills; and (c) a majority of new…
Key points: The 13 agencies under Governor Gianforte’s jurisdiction have repealed or amended a total of 1,866 regulations, representing 16% of the 11,753 regulations originally on the books as of January 1, 2021. Montana saw a total reduction of 1,114 regulatory restrictions since 2021. From 2021 to 2023, agencies that participated in the Governor’s Red…
Fall 2023 proved to be a windfall for the Montana University System. According to the latest headcount, enrollment hit its highest point since the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching 42,010 students. The University of Montana alone enrolled 10,327 students at its main campus. Missoula College had its largest freshman class since 2016. As the graph illustrates, over…
In October, an unprecedented event took place. Twenty-six charter school applications were submitted to the Montana Board of Public Education (BPE) for consideration. These 26 applications represent a remarkable statewide initiative to introduce charter schools to the Treasure State, something the education establishment has resisted for 31 years. During that time, 45 other states have…
Declining 8th Grade NAEP Scores Spell Trouble for Montana
Montana Education Ranks 6th of 8 Rocky Mountain states, according to U.S. News & World Report