Opinion
Why Our Test Scores Are Worthless
As Mike Easley and Patrick Ballantine prepare to debate education issues, new disclosures reveal why past debates on North Carolina schools have been based on invalid data.
Opinion
The Mad, Mad World of Textbook Adoption
When the state mandates textbooks, it consistently produces second-rate textbooks that replicate the same flaws and failings over and over again. Adoption states perform poorly on national tests, and the market incentives caused by the adoption process are so skewed that lively writing and top-flight scholarship are discouraged.
Opinion
Two Men Enter, Two Men Leave
President Bush and Senator Kerry offered the voters a candid, informed, and revealing debate on national security Thursday night. But the dynamics of the race are unchanged.
Opinion
Master of the Domain
The Supreme Court will hear a case on just how and when local government can use the power of eminent domain. Some states say it can be used any time there is money to be made of taking some private property from one owner and giving to another.
Opinion
No. 787: Why Can’t Government be Operated Like a Business?
Government should take advantage of opportunities to operate efficiently like a business.
Opinion
Facts on Teacher Pay, Once Again
Since the early 1990s, politicians have promised to raise NC teacher pay to the national average. And since the early 1990s, teacher pay has already been at or above the average.
Opinion
No. 786: Democrats, Not Bush, Likely to Bring Back the Draft
Democratic administrations, history shows, are more likely than Republican administrations to reinstate a military draft.
Opinion
Six Simple Tools for Improving Politics
Never mind the conventional wisdom about negative politics and campaign finance. Real improvement in our political dialogue will require shifting attention elsewhere.
Opinion
No. 154: You Can’t Say That: First Amendment Under Assault
Author David Bernstein uncovers numerous ways government attacks the First Amendment using "antidiscrimination" laws.
Opinion
Bowles & Burr at Center Stage
After political distractions, compelling news, and a series of destructive storms, the U.S. Senate race between Erskine Bowles and Richard Burr may finally getting some attention.
Opinion
So What Is a Partisan Issue?
Exhibiting a familiar and annoying political tic, John Edwards said Sunday that how best to respond to the 9/11 attacks is not a partisan issue. That's nonsense.
Opinion
No. 785: What Do Students Have to Learn to Graduate From College?
Colleges today market their degrees and package education as a product for easy consumption.
