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School Choice

The Bluegrass Institute has fought for higher-quality education through public charter schools and other policies like tax-credit scholarships


Kentucky kids have a chance if Kentucky families have a choice

Thirty-three states have nonpublic school choice programs ... Kentucky has none.
Washington, D.C., has nonpublic school choice programs ... Louisville, Kentucky, has none. Puerto Rico has nonpublic school choice programs ... Kentucky has none.
Forty-four states have charter schools ... Kentucky has none.
Guam has charter schools ... Kentucky has none.
Puerto Rico has charter schools ... Kentucky has none.
Washington, D.C., has charter schools ... Louisville, Kentucky, has none.

True improvement in public education is happening in other states where families can select the best fit for their children, driving innovation and accountability across the system.

It can happen in Kentucky, too. It must happen in Kentucky, too.

The Bluegrass Institute is Kentucky's leading voice for education freedom


... at the statehouse

We provide data to assist policymakers in crafting effective policies that enhance Kentucky’s public education system, provide long-awaited alternatives for parents and prepare an educated workforce to boost Kentucky's competitiveness.

Our analysts are at the table, assisting lawmakers in writing the best school-choice policy. By engaging with experts nationwide through the State Policy Network, we offer legislators the best education freedom and reform policies based on best practices of states whose families have enjoyed choices for decades. Kentucky students deserve the same opportunities.

… and the courthouse

We’ve partnered with free-market-minded attorneys to ensure politicians don’t violate Kentucky’s nationally recognized open records and meetings policies. We also support lawmakers when they do the right thing, including filing amicus briefs defending the constitutionality of school-choice legislation they pass.

... in the media

By packaging our research and policy ideas into media-friendly releases, we’re reaching more Kentuckians than ever with the need for – and the truth about – school choice while exposing the public-education establishment’s failure and fearmongering.

Op-ed published by newspapers statewide. Debates on KET’s statewide television network. Quotes on the evening news. Educational segments on talk radio. …We're the media’s go-to source for advancing true education reform for Kentucky’s schools and more opportunities for our commonwealth’s students.

We’ve shifted the narrative. When we opened our doors in 2003, Kentucky’s media coverage of education was dominated by the establishment’s push for increased taxpayer funding for a failing system. Today, the conversation centers on outcomes, spending, and choice – fueled by the Bluegrass Institute’s intellectual ammunition.

…in the marketplace

We don’t draft dense white papers containing important data nobody knows about because they sit unread. Instead, we’re empowering Kentucky families, policymakers and stakeholders with the tools and information to choose the best educational paths for their children.

Our School District Performance Tracker makes district spending, academic results and teachers’ compensation transparent, policy briefs and one-pagers inform policymakers about the latest academic outcomes in states with school choice options, collaborative events help us build a strong coalition of school-choice partners and allies and speaking engagements to civic organizations help raise the Bluegrass Institute’s profile.

Additionally, we’re growing our presence on social media to share these resources, connect with families across the commonwealth and amplify our mission. Join us online to stay informed and help expand our influence as Kentucky’s education policy leader.