Kids can’t read. I’m not kidding, the latest viral story from The New York Times proves this. The possible cause of the national literacy decline: Is it No Child Left Behind? How about increased classroom screen time? Maybe pandemic-era school closures? Ultimately, the article declined to say that there is a “single reason for the...
It’s happened again. There has been another attempt on the life of President Donald Trump. Was the alleged shooter politically motivated? It appears absolutely so. The “friendly federal assassin” is just the latest who seeks to fuse ideology and absurdity into their murderous fantasy. It was Saturday night when political pundits, members of Congress, cabinet...
Justice Clarence Thomas, currently the longest serving member of the Supreme Court of the United States, took to the University of Texas at Austin stage this week to hail the principles that founded the U.S. and provide a stark warning about what must be done “if this nation is to endure.” “I think if we don’t stand...
The highly publicized “Mississippi Miracle” — the implementation of teacher training, literacy coaches, and grade retention for struggling students that skyrocketed the state’s ranking from 49th in 2013 to nineth in 2024 — has created a well-earned outpouring of praise. Here at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, we have taken notice. In fact, the Lone...
There is still a lot we don’t know about America’s bombing of Iran. What does a “preemptive” strike really mean? Is it a “regime change” war or the bombing just happened to cause a change in regime? What role did allied and regional governments, including Israel and the Gulf states, play in encouraging, shaping, or...
The virality of “looksmaxxing” by Kick-streamer Clavicular has escaped into mainstream culture. And with it, the vitalist-aesthetic has infected our world. You can be “healthmaxxing” by choosing a whole foods diet. The Department of War wants its soldiers to be “lethalitymaxxing.” Did you make a popular side dish for the Super Bowl Party? That’s called...
Empty phrases routinely populate our politics. But ever so often, there are irrefutable moments where rhetoric is wielded as a weapon to be used in animating hostility. “The day the Latino, African American, Asian and other communities realize that they share the same oppressor is the day we start winning because we are the majority...
There are wars in the Middle East. Future battles with China. Covert missions in Latin America. And Elon Musk wants to build a Mars colony. All of these require one, simple biological necessity: human beings. Unfortunately, Americans are fat. And the obesity problem with our children has only ballooned. To protect our sovereignty, secure our...
The “national shutdown” to get “ICE out of everywhere!” descended on major metropolitan cities last week. In all 50 states, more than 1,000 organizations joined together to engage in 300 “actions” — “this was just the beginning,” the website warns. These are not new. “No Kings” rallies, Ukraine war supporters, and pro-Palestine protestors have become...
The inaugural Austin Union event, back in March 2024, featured a debate on the question: Is the United States Constitution broken? Later that evening, University of Austin (UATX) hosted A Conversation on Free Speech, Civil Discourse & Debate in a Healthy Democracy, featuring former ACLU president Nadine Strossen and then-presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr....
For lawmakers, parents, and students across the Lone Star State, the direction of public education remains a fraught issue. Many continue to voice concerns about administrative bloat, curriculum choices, palatial facilities, and misspending of every type. In this vein, a new controversy may be on the verge of erupting involving Independent School Districts (ISDs) and...
Islamist influence in Texas remains a real and ongoing concern. For more than a decade, money has continued to flow through the state from non-profits, non-governmental organizations (NGO), disaster relief groups, and even from the state agencies, to push a Muslim-centric ideology. It was just last year that Gov. Greg Abbott issued the proclamation to...