Aaron Garth Smith
Director of Education Reform, Reason Foundation
Aaron Garth Smith is the director of education reform at Reason Foundation, a nonprofit think tank advancing free minds and free markets.
Smith works extensively on education finance policy and his writing has appeared in numerous publications including Education Week, The Hill, Orange County Register, and Los Angeles Daily News.
Prior to joining Reason, Smith was senior director of analytics at YES Prep Public Charter Schools, a nationally-renowned charter management organization.
Aaron graduated from the University of Maine with a bachelor's degree in business administration and earned a Master of Business Administration from Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. He is based in Houston, Texas.
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Three Things Policymakers Can Do to Improve School Finance Systems Right Now
There are practical and prudent steps policymakers can take to help schools support kids in the coming school year.
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Infographic — Idaho School Finance: How It Works and How to Improve the System
Idaho should streamline its education funding system into a weighted-student formula that allocates dollars based on local students' needs.
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Education Newsletter: School Finance During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Plus: Families considering homeschooling have a variety of options and curriculum choices, targeting education funding to disadvantaged students, and more.
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Education Newsletter: SCOTUS Delivers a Huge Win For Kids, California’s Funding Plan Shortchanges Charter Schools, and More
Plus: How states can improve virtual education policies and adapt during the coronavirus pandemic, school funding models that promote equity, and more.
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As Schools and Families Deal With COVID-19, California Needs to Let Education Funding Follow Kids to Their Schools
California is generously funding schools that lost students, while short-changing schools that are better serving families during the coronavirus pandemic.
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It Is Time to Fix Systemic Inequities in Education Funding
States and school systems must do away with the relationship between school funding and zip codes.
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Education Newsletter: COVID-19 Increases Need for School Finance Reform, Identifying Student Poverty, and More
Plus: How education dollars are allocated, Vermont’s school funding model promotes equity, National School Lunch Program eligibility, and more.
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How Michigan Can Avoid K-12 Budget Cuts Hurting the Highest-Need Students
Disadvantaged students — who are already the most vulnerable to economic uncertainty — shouldn’t also have to shoulder the most severe losses.
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Education Newsletter: School Systems Adapt During Coronavirus Pandemic, Education Stimulus Money and More
Plus: When and how the U.S. should reopen schools, ensuring K-12 budget cuts don't hurt highest-need students, previewing the COVID-19 impact on state pension plans and more.