Foundations
Here's a look at documents from U.S. foundations
Featured Stories
Southeastern Legal Foundation Files Brief Urging Supreme Court to Stop California's Gender Transition Policies
ROSWELL, Georgia, Jan. 23 -- The Southeastern Legal Foundation issued the following news release:
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Southeastern Legal Foundation files brief urging Supreme Court to stop California's gender transition policies
Southeastern Legal Foundation (SLF), recently filed a Supreme Court amicus brief with other organizations supporting families and teachers standing up to California's unconstitutional and outrageous gender transition policies. The state requires schools to hide children's gender transitions from their parents. In one instance, the concealment went so far that one family did not know
... Show Full Article
ROSWELL, Georgia, Jan. 23 -- The Southeastern Legal Foundation issued the following news release:
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Southeastern Legal Foundation files brief urging Supreme Court to stop California's gender transition policies
Southeastern Legal Foundation (SLF), recently filed a Supreme Court amicus brief with other organizations supporting families and teachers standing up to California's unconstitutional and outrageous gender transition policies. The state requires schools to hide children's gender transitions from their parents. In one instance, the concealment went so far that one family did not knowtheir daughter was undergoing a gender transition until she attempted to commit suicide. Together with 64 organizations, SLF is supporting parents and teachers asking the Supreme Court for an emergency order stopping California from imposing its dangerous policies any longer.
The group of parents and teachers, represented by Thomas More Society, have asked California and their school districts for religious exemptions from being forced to comply with the state's gender policies. Some parents even expressly requested that their children' schools notify them about their children's requests to change genders. But their requests have gone ignored, forcing them to turn to the Supreme Court for help.
SLF argues in its brief that parents are in charge of their children's upbringing, not schools. And just this past year, the Supreme Court affirmed in Mahmoud v. Taylor that parents have the fundamental right to raise their children as they see fit. Yet schools across America continue to hide children's gender transitions from their parents, with courts divided on the issue.
SLF writes, "Time and again parents, teachers, and even school districts themselves have brought challenges to school gender transition policies. Now, the Supreme Court has a duty to grant certiorari and rule on the merits for parental rights."
SLF President Kimberly Hermann states, "Parents are sick and tired of states and school districts insisting that they know how to raise their children better than their own parents do. Too many families are being torn apart by radical and unconstitutional gender policies like California's, and it's time the Supreme Court intervene."
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View brief here: https://slfliberty.org/case/mirabelli-v-bonta/
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Original text here: https://slfliberty.org/southeastern-legal-foundation-files-brief-urging-supreme-court-to-stop-californias-gender-transition-policies/
Debunking myths about HPV in the Black community
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Jan. 23 -- The Prevent Cancer Foundation posted the following news:
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Debunking myths about HPV in the Black community
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This article was originally published on Successful Black Parenting as a partnership with the Prevent Cancer Foundation.
Parents hear a lot of mixed messages about the HPV vaccine. But the science is clear: this vaccine helps prevent several types of cancer. The Prevent Cancer Foundation (r) shares that increasing HPV vaccination rates can protect against at least six types of cancer, saving thousands of lives each year. Knowing the facts helps
... Show Full Article
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Jan. 23 -- The Prevent Cancer Foundation posted the following news:
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Debunking myths about HPV in the Black community
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This article was originally published on Successful Black Parenting as a partnership with the Prevent Cancer Foundation.
Parents hear a lot of mixed messages about the HPV vaccine. But the science is clear: this vaccine helps prevent several types of cancer. The Prevent Cancer Foundation (r) shares that increasing HPV vaccination rates can protect against at least six types of cancer, saving thousands of lives each year. Knowing the facts helpsparents make informed choices that protect our children today and in the future.
Below are the most common myths about HPV and the truths every parent needs to know.
Myth 1: "HPV affects only girls."
Reality: HPV can affect anyone. Boys can carry the virus and are also at risk for cancers linked to HPV, including throat and penile cancer. Protecting our sons is just as important as protecting our daughters. The vaccine isn't just for girls; it's for everyone's protection.
Myth 2: "The vaccine causes health problems."
Reality: That rumor simply isn't true. The HPV vaccine went through years of testing before it ever reached the public, and doctors continue to study its safety today. Millions of people worldwide receive it safely every year. People may feel soreness in the arm or be a little tired afterward. HPV is the real danger because it can cause several types of cancer if left untreated.
Myth 3: "My child is too young for this conversation."
Reality: The HPV vaccine works best before children are ever exposed to the virus. Doctors recommend giving it between the ages of nine and 12, when kids build the strongest protection. This isn't a sex talk, it's a safety talk. It's just like teaching a child to look both ways before crossing the street-it's about prevention and protecting them early.
"The vaccine is well studied, monitored, and continues to demonstrate both safety and efficacy with no links to increased risky behavior or fertility problems or health issues," said Dr. Hawa Forkpa, a board-certified pediatrician at the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group/Kaiser Permanente. "The HPV vaccine is most effective when given early; that's why we recommend starting at age nine and above for a strong immune response in just two doses."
Myth 4: "Vaccines aren't for us."
Reality: This idea harms our community. Black families face higher rates of HPV-related cancers, not because of biology, but because of lower vaccination rates and limited access to preventive care. Choosing vaccination changes that story. When parents take action, they help close health gaps and build stronger, healthier communities for the next generation.
Some parents still wonder whether the HPV vaccine is too new or if long-term effects exist. This vaccine has more than 18 years of safety data behind it and continues to show strong protection against cancer. Leading health organizations, including the Prevent Cancer Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the World Health Organization, suggest it as a standard part of childhood preventive care.
If doubts remain, talk with your child's doctor. A good healthcare partnership includes asking questions and receiving clear, factual answers without pressure.
Building Confidence in Prevention
Every parent wants their child to grow up healthy and confident. Prevention is a key part of that journey. The HPV vaccine helps stop certain cancers before they ever start. Making informed choices means parents are not just protecting their own families; they are helping protect friends, classmates, and the wider community.
Taking this step sends the message that our children deserve every chance to live long, healthy lives. Prevention should not be fear-based; it should be future-based.
Trusted Messengers and Next Steps
Parents do not have to make these decisions alone. Talk to your pediatrician or family doctor about the HPV vaccine and the schedule that works best for your child. Visit trusted sources such as the Prevent Cancer Foundation's Guide to Children's Vaccinations and the CDC's HPV Resource Center for up-to-date information and answers to common questions.
Protecting our children's health is one of the best things we can do as parents. When we focus on prevention, share the truth, and look out for one another, we build a stronger, healthier community for the next generation.
Be sure to talk with your child's doctor about the HPV vaccine. Ask if your child is due for it and get the facts straight from a trusted source. Their future health starts with one honest conversation.
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Original text here: https://preventcancer.org/article/debunking-myths-about-hpv-in-the-black-community/
TPPF Unveils Tax, Spending and Local Government Policy Priorities for 90th Legislative Session
AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 22 -- The Texas Public Policy Foundation issued the following news release:
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TPPF Unveils Tax, Spending and Local Government Policy Priorities for 90th Legislative Session
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The Texas Public Policy Foundation's Taxpayer Protection Project released its full agenda for the 2027 90 th Session of the Texas Legislature. This campaign will advocate for fiscal policies to empower taxpayers and rein in the out-of-control spending and taxation habits of local governments throughout Texas.
"Despite record property tax cuts by the state over the last two legislative sessions,
... Show Full Article
AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 22 -- The Texas Public Policy Foundation issued the following news release:
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TPPF Unveils Tax, Spending and Local Government Policy Priorities for 90th Legislative Session
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The Texas Public Policy Foundation's Taxpayer Protection Project released its full agenda for the 2027 90 th Session of the Texas Legislature. This campaign will advocate for fiscal policies to empower taxpayers and rein in the out-of-control spending and taxation habits of local governments throughout Texas.
"Despite record property tax cuts by the state over the last two legislative sessions,Texans are not feeling relief because local governments continue to raise their property tax rate, take on large amounts of debt, and recklessly spend. Texans deserve a system that produces the best results at the most cost-effective price for taxpayers," said TPPF's James Quintero.
"Massive spending increases and mounting debt are driving Texans to lose trust in their local governments and it's time for the state to limit their ability to punish Texans. Taxpayers need to be empowered to hold their local governments accountable after years of being taxed out of house and home," said TPPF's Jose Melendez.
The Taxpayer Protection Project's full Liberty Action Agenda for the 90 th regular session includes:
Uniform VATRE Threshold : Proposes setting a uniform voter-approval tax rate election (VATRE) threshold of 2.5% for all political subdivisions to align with school district limits.
Reining in Local Spending : Caps city and county spending growth to population plus inflation to control local government expansion.
Property Tax Relief and Pathway to Elimination : Continues buying down school M&O property taxes to move Texas toward eliminating property taxes.
Public Money for Public Purposes : Require local governments to spend or direct public money to public purposes only. Tighten the current constitutional and statutory definition of public use and provide for enforcement mechanisms.
Local Government Balanced Budget Requirement : Require local governments to adopt balanced budgets to prevent spending beyond their means.
Local Government Debt Limitation : Impose statutory or constitutional limits on the amount of debt local governments can accrue to encourage fiscal discipline.
Require a November Uniform Election Date for ALL elections: Mandates elections occur during high-turnout November elections to increase accountability.
Allow Local Taxing Units Unlimited Authority to Determine Amount of Homestead Exemption: Proposes removal of the 20% cap on local homestead property tax exemptions to allow greater local discretion and competition.
Revise the 3.5%/2.5% Local Government Revenue Trigger to Include All Sources of Revenue: Closes loopholes in tax revenue caps by including fees and grants in the calculation of local revenue growth triggers.
Strengthening the Voter Information Document (VID). Amend existing law to improve the usefulness and accuracy of the VID. Address methodological gaming and require political subdivisions to fully disclose all underlying assumptions and methodology.
Core Function Municipal Efficiency Act: Requires municipalities to adhere to core service areas and subjects any spending beyond those to annual audits and public review.
Eliminate State Business Margins Tax / Franchise Tax: Abolishes the gross revenue-based franchise tax to ease burdens on businesses and stimulate investment.
Raise Bond Approval Thresholds and Limit Bond Elections: Raises bond approval thresholds and limits bond elections to even-year general elections to reduce frivolous local spending.
Stop Issuing Long-Term Debt for Depreciated Property: Prohibits local governments from issuing long-term debt for property that depreciates before the bond matures.
Cash Reserve Limit for Political Subdivisions: Would cap the amount of cash reserves local governments may hold to prevent circumvention of spending limits.
Reform Property Insurance to Ensure Access to Coverage: Calls for reforms to address rising home insurance premiums and limited availability, particularly along the Texas coast.
Expand Texas DOGE: Calls for expanding Texas' newly created DOGE office to review the public expenditures of state agencies, universities, and local governments and recommend legislative reforms. Require governmental entities to comply with any audit and provide the documentation and detail necessary to understand how public funds are being collected and spent
Audit Homelessness Programs and Services: Homelessness is a complex issue that requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach and unlimited funding. To ensure the effectiveness of state and local programs as well as community services that receive public funding, policymakers should evaluate the efficacy of these efforts based on performance measures and audited data.
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Original text here: https://www.texaspolicy.com/press/tppf-unveils-tax-spending-and-local-government-policy-priorities-for-90th-legislative-session
Space Foundation Announces International Teacher Liaisons for 2026
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, Jan. 22 -- Space Foundation issued the following news release on Jan. 21, 2026:
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Space Foundation Announces International Teacher Liaisons for 2026
* Program globally promotes space-related STEM education in schools
* 'Flight 26' includes six international teachers from six nations outside the U.S.
* Selectees will take part in the Space Symposium in April
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Space Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1983 to advance the global space community, today announced 38 educators have been selected to join the International Teacher Liaison Program, including
... Show Full Article
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, Jan. 22 -- Space Foundation issued the following news release on Jan. 21, 2026:
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Space Foundation Announces International Teacher Liaisons for 2026
* Program globally promotes space-related STEM education in schools
* 'Flight 26' includes six international teachers from six nations outside the U.S.
* Selectees will take part in the Space Symposium in April
*
Space Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1983 to advance the global space community, today announced 38 educators have been selected to join the International Teacher Liaison Program, includingsix international applicants from Australia, Brazil, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria. These elite educators were chosen for their active promotion of space and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the classroom.
Space Foundation International Teacher Liaisons are a community of more than 400 educators in 25 countries and 40 states who work to inspire the next generation of explorers and innovators. Established in 2004, this internationally recognized program provides benefits that improve teaching skills, provide an encouraging community for educators, and influence space and science education at a global level.
Remarking on the new Teacher Liaisons, Senior Director of Space Foundation Discovery Center Heidi Vasiloff said, "Flight 26 represents some of the most dedicated and innovative STEM educators from around the world. By bringing the wonder and rigor of space-based learning into classrooms, they are shaping the next generation of explorers and advancing global space education. We are excited to welcome these amazing educators into this elite group and to support their efforts to inspire the young people who will lead us back to the Moon, onward to Mars and further into the cosmos."
Each selected class of Teacher Liaisons is referred to as a "flight" in reference to the teachers' mission as premier space/STEM educators. Every year, following a rigorous application process, a new flight of Teacher Liaisons is selected. This global program is open to public, private and homeschool teachers, in both informal and formal education, as well as school administrators, principals, specialists, curriculum and instruction developers, and others who deliver educational programs to students. A panel comprised of experienced Teacher Liaisons and representatives from the space industry and the military selected the newest flight.
Space Foundation supports Teacher Liaisons by providing them with curriculum resources and various professional development opportunities. Teacher Liaisons also get the opportunity to design hands-on learning activities in a collaborative setting and engage with top educators and space industry experts.
"Being part of the Teacher Liaison Program allows me to bring real-world aerospace experiences directly into the classroom, empowering students, especially those who may not yet see themselves in STEM, to imagine bold futures in New Mexico and beyond. This opportunity strengthens the bridge between education, innovation and global possibility for our school, our community and our state, as my colleagues and I work toward developing future programs that are still to come," said Liza Ortiz, International Teacher Liaison from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The 2026 flight of Teacher Liaisons will be recognized at Space Foundation's annual Space Symposium, to be held April 13-16 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. In addition to the recognition activities, Teacher Liaisons will participate in special programming at Symposium that includes keynote speakers, networking opportunities, and breakout sessions.
Introducing Space Foundation's Teacher Liaison Flight 26
United States
Arizona
* Lauren James, Arizona Astrobiology Center, Tucson
California
* Nicole Watts, San Francisco State University, San Francisco
Colorado
* Caleb Ulliman, Colorado Springs School of Science and Technology, Colorado Springs
* Crystal Everingham, Sand Creek International, Colorado Springs
* David Dillard, Columbia Elementary School, Colorado Springs
* Jayme Sneider, Innovation Center, Longmont
* Jennifer Jones, Arapahoe Community College, Littleton
* Kristi Hensley, Summit Elementary, Divide
* Mitchell Smith, Space Foundation Discovery Center, Colorado Springs
* Paolo Calvadores, Julesburg School District RE-1, Julesburg
* Shirly Davis, Windsor Charter Academy, Windsor
* Stacey Mishler, Mesa Ridge High School, Colorado Springs
* Tracie Skoglund, Skyview Middle School, Pueblo County District 70, Pueblo
Maryland
* Monique Wilson, James E. Richmond Science Center, Waldorf
Minnesota
* Russell Strachan, Pequot Lakes High School, Pequot Lakes
Montana
* Florence Gold, NASA HUNCH, Billings
New Jersey
* Rachel DiVanno, Edgar Middle School, Metuchen
* Samantha Selikoff, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Rockaway Borough
New Mexico
* Lisa Ortiz, Explore Academy, Albuquerque
Ohio
* Jaime Chanter, Lakewood High School, Lakewood
Tennessee
* Kimberly Elbakidze, Red Bank Middle School, Chattanooga
Texas
* Allison Westover, NASA HUNCH, Webster
* Lauren Kelly, Oakmont Elementary, Burleson
* Lucero Martinez, J. T. Canales, Brownsville
Utah
* Sarah Merrill, Douglas Space and Science Foundation, Layton
Virginia
* Darrell Barnard, Jolliff Middle School, Chesapeake
* Emily Zarybnisky Brookfield Elementary School, Chantilly
International
Australia
* Kenneth Silburn, Mamare Anglican School, Kemps Creek
Brazil
* Leticia Puziski Rossato, Fractal Educacao, Brasilia
* Lucas Teixeira Picanco, Senator Joao Bosco State School - Parintins, Parintins
India
* Manjula M, Edutech4Space, Bengaluru
* Raghu Siddappa, 10X International School, Mysuru
Kenya
* Isacc Gathu, Mars Society Kenya, Thika
Malaysia
* Muhammad Hafez bin Ahmat Murtza, Apadilangit / Universe Awareness Malaysia, Kajang
Nigeria
* Abraham Ngobiri, Federal Government College Enugu, Enugu
* Rashidat Ademosu, Eva Adelaja Girls Secondary Grammar school, Bariga, Lagos
* Wahab Ishola Abubakar, Sango Senior Secondary School Kulende Ilorin-Kwara State, Ilorin South
* Zainab Gambo, Queen's College, Yaba
To learn more about Teacher Liaisons and other Space Foundation education programs, please visit www.discoverspace.org/education.
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About Space Foundation
Space Foundation advances the global space community through education, collaboration and information. Founded in 1983, the nonprofit brings together space professionals, educators and leaders from around the world to highlight how space benefits life on Earth and beyond. As a charitable organization, Space Foundation is supported by members, sponsors, individuals and grants. Learn more at www.SpaceFoundation.org, and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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Original text here: https://www.spacefoundation.org/2026/01/21/space-foundation-announces-international-teacher-liaisons-for-2026/
San Diego Foundation Grants $350,000 to Help 1,000 San Diego County Students Access Financial Aid for College
SAN DIEGO, California, Jan. 22 -- The San Diego Foundation posted the following news release:
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San Diego Foundation Grants $350,000 to Help 1,000 San Diego County Students Access Financial Aid for College
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January 22, 2026 - San Diego, CA -With many San Diego County students missing out on college financial aid each year due to incomplete FAFSA applications, San Diego Foundation (SDF) today announced a $350,000 investment to help 1,000 more students complete their applications with one-on-one help.
According to the California Student Aid Commission's Race to Submit Dashboard, more than
... Show Full Article
SAN DIEGO, California, Jan. 22 -- The San Diego Foundation posted the following news release:
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San Diego Foundation Grants $350,000 to Help 1,000 San Diego County Students Access Financial Aid for College
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January 22, 2026 - San Diego, CA -With many San Diego County students missing out on college financial aid each year due to incomplete FAFSA applications, San Diego Foundation (SDF) today announced a $350,000 investment to help 1,000 more students complete their applications with one-on-one help.
According to the California Student Aid Commission's Race to Submit Dashboard, more thanhalf of San Diego County high school seniors completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in 2025. That means many students are still missing out on critical financial support, including first-generation students and those furthest from opportunity. For students who receive help completing their application, the impact can be life-changing.
"College used to feel like just a dream," said Jaely, a student at California State University San Marcos. "When I filled out my FAFSA and learned I could go, it felt like my eyes were opened to a whole new future."
This SDF investment focuses on building capacity where it's needed most: 48 high schools across San Diego County with the lowest FAFSA completion rates. Funding also supports 10 community organizations providing hands-on guidance to students and families, walking them through every step from initial submission to final processing.
An initial trial phase by SDF showed what's possible when students receive the support they need: FAFSA completions -applications that were fully processed and error-free -increased by 11%, and submissions -the number of forms sent -rose by 8%.
"When nearly half of our students aren't completing a FAFSA, we're not looking at a paperwork problem, we're looking at thousands of young people who can't access the financial aid that could change their life trajectory," said Mark Stuart, CEO and Executive Director of San Diego Foundation.
2026
* San Dieguito Union District: 100
* Project Next: $75,000
* UC San Diego TRiO: $75,000
* Cal-SOAP: $90,000
* Early Academic Outreach Program: $32,000
* BASIC: $10,000
* International Rescue Committee: $15,000
* SDCOE's Juvenile Court & Community Schools: $6,600
* Casa Amistad: $10,000
* Students without Limits: $15,000
As part of this effort, California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP)'s Financial Aid Blitz -a countywide day of action on January 24 where students can visit 14 participating sites to receive free, in-person help with their FAFSA or California Dream Act applications.
Students seeking help completing their financial aid applications can visit a Financial Aid Blitz workshop on January 24, contact their school counseling center, or visit www.calsoapsandiego.org/workshops to find support.
About San Diego Foundation
San Diego Foundation believes in just, equitable and resilient communities where every San Diegan can prosper, thrive and feel like they belong. We partner with donors, nonprofits and regional leaders to co-create solutions that respond to community needs and strengthen San Diego. Since our founding in 1975, our community foundation has granted $1.8 billion to nonprofits to improve quality of life in San Diego County and beyond. Learn more at SDFoundation.org.
Contact
Nancy Ives Schroeder
nancy@intesacom.com
619-540-3751
***
Original text here: https://www.sdfoundation.org/news-events/sdf-news/san-diego-foundation-grants-350000-to-help-1000-san-diego-county-students-access-financial-aid-for-college/
Foundation for Economic Education: These Schools Are Seeing a January Enrollment Surge
DETROIT, Michigan, Jan. 22 -- The Foundation for Economic Education posted the following commentary:
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These Schools Are Seeing a January Enrollment Surge
Microschools and other new learning models make it easier for dissatisfied students and families to shift to a new school midyear.
By Kerry McDonald
Kara Fox did not want to wait. A mom of two, she was frustrated by the fall semester at her children's traditional private school near Omaha, Nebraska-particularly for her 12-year-old son, Gavin. "He just felt so hopeless already in the second quarter, before the end of the first semester,"
... Show Full Article
DETROIT, Michigan, Jan. 22 -- The Foundation for Economic Education posted the following commentary:
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These Schools Are Seeing a January Enrollment Surge
Microschools and other new learning models make it easier for dissatisfied students and families to shift to a new school midyear.
By Kerry McDonald
Kara Fox did not want to wait. A mom of two, she was frustrated by the fall semester at her children's traditional private school near Omaha, Nebraska-particularly for her 12-year-old son, Gavin. "He just felt so hopeless already in the second quarter, before the end of the first semester,"said Fox, explaining that the rigidity of a conventional classroom and curriculum weren't working well for her son who has ADHD and is on the autism spectrum.
Fox tried to communicate with the school, urging changes and more personalization, but she found the teachers and administrators to be unresponsive. "They were unbendingly focused on their programs and agenda for fifth graders that they weren't willing to accommodate for meeting him where he was mentally," said Fox, who has a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and served for over 20 years in the US Air Force and Air Force Reserve.
She began to look for other educational options for Gavin, and his younger brother Gabriel, a second-grader. When she discovered Masterpiece Academy, a K-12 microschool launched in 2022 by former public school teacher Hannah Holguin, Fox knew it was the perfect place for her children. "When I walked in, the environment-the spirit-was just so peaceful and happy," she recalled. Fox pulled her children out of their private school in December, and immediately enrolled them in Masterpiece Academy, where they are technically considered homeschoolers but attend the onsite, half-day program five days a week, surrounded by peers and taught by experienced educators.
Fox is among a growing number of parents who decide to switch their children's school midyear, something that is becoming easier to do as microschools and related learning models become more widespread. Unlike many traditional private schools-which typically have set admissions and enrollment cycles, lengthy application processes and hefty tuition price tags-today's emerging schooling models are usually low-cost, flexible and highly personalized. They often have rolling admissions, with students able to enroll throughout the year-which I write about extensively in my latest book.
In states with generous school-choice policies that allow a portion of state-allocated education funding to follow families to their preferred learning environments, students can attend these innovative schools for free or with reduced tuition. That's the case for most of the students enrolled at Creative Minds, a K-12 microschool in Wendell, North Carolina. It was founded in 2024 by Lisa Swinson, a longtime public school teacher who was working at the state Department of Public Instruction when she decided to become an education entrepreneur. "As I was helping people across the state, I knew that I needed to come back home to help local families because I was starting to hear a lot of conversations about people just needing something different," said Swinson.
She was accepted into the Drexel Fund Founder Program, a one-year paid fellowship to support promising founders launching new schools, with a commitment to serving low-income students. Swinson's school has grown from 10 students last year to 34 students today, along with three full-time teachers and an instructional assistant.
Creative Minds is a licensed private school with a full-time tuition of $7,600. Ninety percent of Swinson's families attend with free or reduced tuition using the state's Opportunity Scholarships, a school-choice program that became universal in 2023, enabling all North Carolina K-12 students to be eligible for private school vouchers. The remaining 10% of Creative Minds students are homeschoolers who attend the microschool three days a week at an annual tuition of $4,900, or full-time students whose parents pay full tuition out of pocket.
Swinson says that more families in her area are looking for alternatives to conventional schooling-both public and private. She welcomed seven new students to Creative Minds this month. "What I hear from parents is that we provide individualized instruction to their students. We individualize everything, from choosing electives, to how they go about learning, to what curriculum to use. Everything is very personalized," said Swinson, who uses nationally-normed standardized tests to determine a student's skill level upon enrollment, and then customizes a learning plan based on the child's needs and interests.
Microschool founders across the US are reporting midyear enrollment boosts, as families switch from conventional schools toward smaller, more personalized learning environments. At Curious and Kind Education in Sarasota, Florida, founder Justine Wilson enrolled five new students this month, bringing her total K-12 enrollment to 70 students. She says that 97% of her students attend her program tuition-free using Florida's school-choice programs, which became universal in 2023.
Even in states without robust private school choice programs, microschool founders are reporting midyear enrollment boosts. At the Nevada School of Inquiry, a middle school microschool in Las Vegas, co-founder Christina Threeton welcomed several new students this January, as did Amanda Lucas, founder of Lucas Literacy Lab in New Jersey.
Tom Arnett, a senior fellow at the Christensen Institute, has documented why families are attracted to microschools or similar learning models. "Our research shows that many families who switch schools are driven by the reality that school has become a persistently negative experience for their child," said Arnett, citing a variety of reasons from bullying to boredom. "We also see many families who haven't switched yet but are actively considering it. Microschools often resonate with these families because they offer a more human-scale environment that reduces friction rather than asking children to endure it."
If parents and caregivers are dissatisfied with their child's current school, they don't need to wait until next year to make a change. The growth of microschooling, alongside the expansion of school-choice policies in many states, makes creative schooling options more abundant and accessible-enabling families to find the learning environment that is the best fit for their kids.
For Kara Fox in Nebraska, the midyear school-switch has been positive for her boys. "It's much better because they have been able to just relax and be themselves," she said. Fox encourages more families to consider changing schools sooner than later if they aren't happy. "I wouldn't wait. I would just do it. It's so worth it because it's your kids," she said.
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This article was originally published by The74.
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Kerry McDonald is a Senior Fellow at FEE, where she leads the Education Entrepreneurship Lab and hosts the LiberatED podcast. She is also the Velinda Jonson Family Education Fellow at State Policy Network, an adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute, and a regular contributor at Forbes.com and The 74. Kerry is the bestselling author of Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom (Chicago Review Press, 2019), and the author of the forthcoming book, Joyful Learning: How To Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling (Hachette/PublicAffairs, 2025).
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Original text here: https://fee.org/articles/these-schools-are-seeing-a-january-enrollment-surge/
Congress Needs to End the Stopgap Cycle on CISA 2015, Says ITIF
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 [Category: Computer Technology]-- The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation posted the following news release:
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Congress Needs to End the Stopgap Cycle on CISA 2015, Says ITIF
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WASHINGTON-In response to Congress announcing funding legislation that extends the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (CISA 2015) through the end of Fiscal Year 2026, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the leading think tank for science and technology policy, issued the following statement from Research Assistant David Kertai:
Congress' extension
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 [Category: Computer Technology]-- The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation posted the following news release:
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Congress Needs to End the Stopgap Cycle on CISA 2015, Says ITIF
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WASHINGTON-In response to Congress announcing funding legislation that extends the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (CISA 2015) through the end of Fiscal Year 2026, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the leading think tank for science and technology policy, issued the following statement from Research Assistant David Kertai:
Congress' extensionof CISA 2015 is a positive step toward sustaining public-private coordination on cybersecurity.
However, because it runs only through the end of Fiscal Year 2026, it offers only temporary relief, creating recurring uncertainty for government agencies and private companies as cyber threats grow in volume and complexity.
To ensure effective, long-term collaboration with the private sector, Congress should adopt a multi-year extension that maintains liability protections for information sharing and supports sharing threat information, incidents, and best practices. Lawmakers should also shield CISA 2015 from disruptions caused by future federal shutdowns, which undermine the law's effectiveness and create vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit.
Protecting the nation's digital infrastructure requires continuity, not temporary fixes, and strengthening the longevity of CISA 2015 is essential to achieving that goal.
Contact: Nicole Hinojosa, press@itif.org
***
Original text here: https://itif.org/publications/publications/2026/01/22/congress-needs-to-end-the-stopgap-cycle-on-cisa-2015-says-itif/
