#Publicschools

Students across Bangkok rush from regular classes to evening tutorial centers, their backpacks heavy with textbooks and dreams of university admission. This familiar scene may soon face disruption as Thailand watches America dismantle the very public education system that once inspired educational reformers worldwide. New research reveals that recent U.S. policy shifts toward privatization and budget cuts could herald a global retreat from universal education—with potentially devastating consequences for developing democracies like Thailand.

A quiet student dawns into Bangkok classrooms, then in the evening heads to a tutoring center, chasing university dreams. This scene speaks to a global concern: could shifts in the United States away from universal public schooling reshape how nations—including Thailand—think about education as a public good and a driver of democracy?

Researchers from leading U.S. universities warn that reductions in federal education workforces and proposed budget cuts could threaten decades of progress toward inclusive schooling. The warning notes that public funding moving toward private alternatives risks eroding equity, particularly for students with disabilities, minority groups, and families with fewer resources. For Thailand, where education has long been a pillar of social mobility, these findings carry practical implications as policymakers weigh reforms.

A recent analysis argues that public schools remain essential for democracy and the economy. (The authors warn that policy shifts could harm civic life and widen inequality.) (The Conversation)

The study links historical public investment to broad social gains. (The authors cite Horace Mann and the GI Bill as pivotal examples.) (The Conversation)

The authors say that public education builds a skilled workforce. (They say this workforce fueled U.S. innovation and prosperity over 150 years.) (The Conversation)

Comprehensive new research examining academic performance across public and private educational institutions reveals a nuanced landscape that challenges conventional assumptions about school choice effectiveness, with findings that carry significant implications for Thailand’s ongoing education reform debates. This groundbreaking analysis of standardized test results demonstrates that private school advantages vary dramatically based on the quality and resources of surrounding public education systems, suggesting that simplistic comparisons between school types may mislead policymakers and families making crucial educational decisions.

A newly released investigation analyzing standardized test scores from Ohio’s schools reveals sharp contrasts between public and private institutions—findings that may influence similar policy discussions and education choices in Thailand. Amid a massive expansion of Ohio’s school voucher program, the study presents key insights on how private schools perform compared to their public counterparts, prompting questions about the value of “school choice” and its implications for educational equity.

Recent changes by Ohio lawmakers have dramatically broadened the eligibility of families to receive publicly funded vouchers, enabling more students to enroll in private schools at the state’s expense. This legislative shift has driven voucher spending to nearly $1 billion annually according to Dayton Daily News. The effect is twofold: families now enjoy greater school choice, but clear, comparative data guiding these pivotal decisions remains limited.

A new, comprehensive study analyzes academic performance across public and private schools and finds that the benefits of private education are not universal. Instead, advantages shift based on the quality of surrounding public schools. For Thai readers, the findings offer important lessons for ongoing education reform and policy design.

Researchers collected data from diverse regions to compare performance in core subjects like English and mathematics. The work aims to give families solid, objective information amid growing voucher programs and school-choice discussions. Using careful statistical controls, the study accounts for variables such as demographics, resources, and school selection effects that often complicate comparisons.

A town hall in Idaho has intensified debate over a new school voucher program, signaling broader concerns about public funding for private education. Held at Idaho State University and attended by about 200 residents, the event mirrors global worries about public schools’ sustainability and offers lessons for Thailand as policymakers consider similar reforms.

Organized by a local education advocacy group, the gathering discussed Idaho’s HB 93, signed into law in early 2025. The measure allocates state funds—about 50 million dollars—as a parental tax credit to help families cover private school tuition. The program provides up to 5,000 dollars per student, with enhanced support for students with disabilities. Panelists described the funds as refundable tax credits that reduce state revenue before other public services are funded.

A recent town hall in Pocatello, Idaho has brought national attention to the intensifying debate over the state’s new school voucher program, with local educators and administrators warning of “severe” economic, social, and academic repercussions if public funding is diverted to private education. The event, held at Idaho State University and attended by roughly 200 community members, highlights a growing unease about the sustainability of public schools not only in Idaho but across the United States—and raises parallel questions for Thailand as policymakers here consider similar reforms.