Insights & Takeaways is Sutherland Institute’s official blog that informs the public and policymakers alike. The blog addresses important issues through the two distinct yet complementary lenses of the seasoned policy professional and the engaged citizen.
Insights: analysis, research, and informed commentary from Sutherland experts. For elected officials and public policy professionals.
Takeaways: the most important things voters need to know. For civically engaged citizens.
InsightsJudges’ allegiance is to the law, not personalities or causes
When they do their job right, their decisions will reflect existing law rather than partisanship.
InsightsWorking paper on history of parent-driven education points toward reforms
Parents and policymakers alike may find the paper useful in understanding education policy, where we are likely headed, and what we should do next.
InsightsMassachusetts case raises concerns about government cutting parents out of children’s decisions
When parents pose a threat to children’s safety, the state should act. But ideological disagreements are not a reason to cut parents out of a child’s life.
InsightsHow Utah Fits All is helping students with special needs and other learning challenges
Education choice programs can change the course of a child’s life, expanding their knowledge and increasing their confidence, especially after a season of struggle with profound challenges. Utah should expand its education choice programs and offerings so more families have these experiences and more children can thrive.
InsightsKeeping the government in its lane to protect religious freedom
The principle of church autonomy is critical to preserving space for religious organizations to do their work and to preventing government from taking on the role of arbiter of religious truth.
InsightsUtah Fits All Scholarship freed parents from financial constraints, enabling an “unparalleled educational experience”
The Utah Fits All Scholarship allowed a Utah parent to move past financial questions to educational ones and treat her children as individuals in their education.
CommentaryBig Tech can protect kids online — now it needs to do more
These platform protections will be much more meaningful if they extend to all of the relevant apps children are using. And given the praise Meta is receiving, it should be common sense that YouTube and TikTok join their peers with these changes.
InsightsUtah religious freedom ranking points to better protection for conscience
Utah did well compared to most states, though its total score is likely to improve next year.
InsightsParents share their experiences with Utah Fits All Scholarship
Two families share their experiences with the Utah Fits All Scholarship program.
Judges’ allegiance is to the law, not personalities or causes
When they do their job right, their decisions will reflect existing law rather than partisanship.
Working paper on history of parent-driven education points toward reforms
Parents and policymakers alike may find the paper useful in understanding education policy, where we are likely headed, and what we should do next.
Massachusetts case raises concerns about government cutting parents out of children’s decisions
When parents pose a threat to children’s safety, the state should act. But ideological disagreements are not a reason to cut parents out of a child’s life.
How Utah Fits All is helping students with special needs and other learning challenges
Education choice programs can change the course of a child’s life, expanding their knowledge and increasing their confidence, especially after a season of struggle with profound challenges. Utah should expand its education choice programs and offerings so more families have these experiences and more children can thrive.
Keeping the government in its lane to protect religious freedom
The principle of church autonomy is critical to preserving space for religious organizations to do their work and to preventing government from taking on the role of arbiter of religious truth.
Utah Fits All Scholarship freed parents from financial constraints, enabling an “unparalleled educational experience”
The Utah Fits All Scholarship allowed a Utah parent to move past financial questions to educational ones and treat her children as individuals in their education.
Utah religious freedom ranking points to better protection for conscience
Utah did well compared to most states, though its total score is likely to improve next year.
Parents share their experiences with Utah Fits All Scholarship
Two families share their experiences with the Utah Fits All Scholarship program.
Federalism can provide solutions to pressing concerns like caring for individuals with disabilities
Federalism ensures that these critical decisions can be made by representatives closest to the people who will be affected by them.
