In a recent article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, education researcher Josh Cowen is quoted several times making claims about programs that allow families to choose private schools for their children. His claims would almost be convincing, if they weren’t so easily refuted.
Cowen claims, for instance, that recent evaluations of some choice programs, such as the evaluation of the Louisiana Scholarship Program, found negative effects on student learning. But he ignores terrible program implementation and/or lower quality research designs. For example, the Center for Education Reform rated Louisiana’s voucher program poorly because it imposed “significant regulatory intrusion on private school autonomy.” One peer-reviewed study concluded that these regulations led lower-quality schools to participate in voucher programs in Washington, D.C., Indiana and Louisiana.
This result doesn’t indicate that vouchers are ineffective. It would be more reasonable to conclude that regulatory burdens undermine the benefits of school choice programs for students and their families.
Policymakers would do better to rely on experimental studies that compare voucher recipients and non-recipients who are randomly selected by lottery, ensuring that treatment and control groups are balanced on all characteristics. Indeed, the weight of evidence from such “gold standard” evaluations find that private school choice programs produce positive effects on student achievement. Cowen ignores the vast majority of the evidence—and he ignores the highest quality evidence, because that evidence contradicts his point.
What else did Cowen get wrong or ignore?
This week’s commentary from Matthew H. Lee, a clinical assistant professor of economics at Kennesaw State University, looks at these misleading claims as school choice options expand in Georgia and around the country. We also have the latest stories from the past week, including:
- Georgia August tax revenues rose
- A “like-use” restriction in South Fulton barred a hair-braiding business from opening
- Secretary of State says Georgia is prepared for smooth elections
- Gwinnett County launches microtransit pilot in Norcross
Have a great weekend,
– Kyle Wingfield
Check It Out
On October 2, we will host our next luncheon with author Noah Rothman, along with our partners at National Review Institute. A senior writer at National Review, he is also the author of “The Rise of the New Puritans: Fighting Back Against Progressives’ War on Fun.” Get your tickets now!
Want to help parents with their education options? We are currently seeking ambassadors to inform eligible families about the benefits of the Promise Scholarship. You could become a liaison between eligible communities, schools and the Foundation. Get more information here.
Friday’s Freshest
How well do colleges in Georgia protect free speech?
How strongly do America’s colleges protect speech? That’s exactly what the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has done with its 2025 College Free Speech Rankings. FIRE surveyed 58,807 students spanning 257 colleges earlier this year, asking about their experiences and perceptions regarding free expression. The news isn’t great.
“Our federal government simply tries to do too much and does most of it poorly.” This critique was given by former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey at the State Policy Network’s recent Annual Meeting. With this direct criticism, Ducey set the stage for a discussion on the importance of federalism — the distribution of power between the federal government and the states.
We should address areas where the state makes it more difficult for men and women to contribute to society. One of the biggest barriers in Georgia, and every other state for that matter, is the landscape of occupational regulations. At a time when most employers are looking for workers, the requirement of a government-issued license to do certain jobs is often overly burdensome and sometimes nonsensical.
How is road building evolving in Georgia?
The new lanes on Ga. 400 – two in each direction most of the way, with one in each direction at the northernmost end – will not only add capacity (although that’s good), toll revenues will repay almost all of the project’s costs. Best of all is that taxpayers needn’t even front the money for the project.
How do Georgia regulations hurt businesses and consumers?
According to a report from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, the growth in federal regulations between 1997 and 2015 is associated with the following effects on the Georgia economy: 261,162 additional people living in poverty, 3,594 lost jobs annually and 7.35% higher prices.
The Latest
Economy
Georgia August net tax revenues up 2.4%
The State of Georgia’s net tax collections during the month of August totaled nearly $2.34 billion, an increase of $54.3 million or 2.4% compared to August 2023 (FY 2024), when net tax collections totaled $2.28 billion. Year to date, net tax revenue collections totaled $4.90 billion, for an increase of $120.6 million or 2.5% compared to FY 2024.
UPS is laying off more employees amid effort to boost profitability
Sandy Springs-based UPS is laying off more of its employees, after earlier this year announcing it was cutting 12,000 jobs in its management ranks. The company did not specify how many employees are losing their jobs in the latest round of cuts, but said Monday night that the layoffs are part of ongoing efforts since the January announcement of reductions. It was not clear which departments were affected and how many of the cuts might be in the Atlanta area.
Hyundai says it will need 4 million gallons of water per day at site near Savannah
Hyundai Motor Company expects to use about 60% of permitted water withdrawals from four proposed wells to supply its $7.6 billion electric vehicle and battery manufacturing complex near Savannah, the automaker said this week. Bulloch County and Bryan County are seeking Georgia Environmental Protection Division approval to pump up to 6.65 million gallons daily from the Floridan Aquifer.
Education
Cellphones in schools are a complicated issue, new poll finds
While 66% of parents feel that students should be allowed to have cellphones in school, only 30% of parents say cell phones should be allowed in the classroom. This large gap in support for the use of cellphones in school versus the classroom has existed since EdChoice began asking this question in the fall of 2023.
One state’s budget dispels big lie about school choice
To halt the advancement of school choice across the country, opponents of school choice have settled on a message intended to give conservatives pause: that school choice supposedly is a budget buster. Yet, ESA programs typically save taxpayers hundreds—if not thousands—of dollars per child than the public school system. As students shift from public schools to ESAs, the state saves money.
SAVE plan is another student loan forgiveness boondoggle
The Biden-Harris administration’s Saving on a Valuable Education Repayment Plan, or SAVE, sounds honorable until you scrutinize the details. The program, styled as a loan repayment, is really loan forgiveness. Eighteen states are suing to stop this election-year giveaway, and a federal appeals court has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Education Department from administering it.
Government accountability
Hair-braiding business denied permission to operate over fears of competition
South Fulton, a city of more than 100,000 people that was incorporated in 2017, has a “like-use” restriction in its ordinances that bars new businesses from opening within one mile of similar businesses—at least its officials claim it does. It’s an inherently anticompetitive rule that puts the fate of entrepreneurs and the choices available to consumers in the hands of city officials.
Fulton County’s largest water treatment plant unveils upgraded systems, new facilities
Fulton County’s Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility unveiled upgrades to the plant and treatment systems ahead of an eventual ribbon-cutting ceremony. The changes to the facility, located in Roswell, include expanded water treatment to increase capacity from 24 million to 32 million gallons of wastewater per day.
Georgia House committee exploring the impact of credit card fees
A Georgia House study committee is looking into the impact credit card fees have on Georgia merchants and consumers. The House Study Committee on Credit Card Fees on State Sales and Excise Tax and Their Impact on Georgia Merchants and Consumers comes as consumers increasingly pay with credit cards. The committee will also explore whether merchant discount fees should be imposed on the state tax portion of a transaction.
Transportation
Georgia accelerates past 100,000 electric-vehicle registrations
More than 100,000 Georgia drivers are choosing to plug in rather than fill up. Today, there were 100,042 registered electric vehicles in the state, according to data from the Georgia Department of Revenue. More than 60% of all EVs are registered in four counties: Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett.
Could climate hawks dream of hybrid vehicles?
The initial market for EVs was also overwhelmingly composed of upper-income liberals. A CalMatters analysis from 2023 found that EV registrations in California are overwhelmingly concentrated in the wealthiest zip codes in the state. A UC Berkeley study from the same year found that close to half the EVs registered nationally over the last decade were clustered in the top 10% of most Democratic counties nationally.
Gwinnett County launches microtransit pilot in Norcross
Ride Gwinnett’s new microtransit pilot program in Norcross started this week, giving residents of that area access to an on-demand, shared-ride service that officials said is “aimed at improving mobility for residents and businesses.” The program is a collaboration between Gwinnett County, the Gateway85 Community Improvement District and the city of Norcross.
Bonus
‘We haven’t forgotten’: Atlanta Braves honor 23rd anniversary of 9/11 attacks
Hundreds of firefighters, law enforcement and civilians honored the lives of first responders and individuals impacted by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks during the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. More than 400 firefighters and civilians climbed the 2,200 steps at Truist Park, symbolizing the 110 flights of stairs the New York City Fire Department firefighters took to ascend the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
Raffensperger: Georgia is prepared for smooth elections
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger predicted smooth elections in the Peach State this year despite rules changes being imposed by a State Election Board. Raffensperger told members of the Atlanta Rotary Club that reforms his office and the General Assembly have made since the last presidential election should give voters confidence that the voting process is fair and honest.
Starbucks debuts new US plan to keep you in stores longer
Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol is focused on fixing the company’s U.S. business and will begin the early steps, laying the groundwork in his first 100 days on the job, which includes making stores more comfortable for customers and improving workforce morale. In early August, Starbucks ousted CEO Laxman Narasimhan after the company faced a slumping stock price and sales drop.
Quotes of Note
“Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.” – President George W. Bush
“I personally remain optimistic that over the long term, fully electric vehicles will win the day. But that seems unlikely to happen on the timeframe that the Biden Administration and a lot of climate advocates are betting on. As both the auto industry and policy-makers face up to the shorter term challenges of electrifying the transportation sector, a pivot toward hybrid vehicles seems like an obvious win for all involved.” – Ted Nordhaus
“We asked parents if they are concerned about social media’s effects on their child’s mental health. Interestingly, only 39% of parents of high school students said they are ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ worried about the effect of social media use on their child’s mental health.” – Colyn Ritter