Albert Cheng

Dr. Cheng conducts empirical research to answer questions about character formation. He also teaches courses in education policy and philosophy for his department’s doctoral program. Dr. Cheng a Senior Fellow at Cardus and serves on the governing board of Anthem Classical Academy in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

SESSION:

Wisdom from the Wonks: How School Leaders can Participate in the Public Policymaking Process

This workshop is designed to equip heads of school, board members, and other executive leaders for participating in the public policymaking process and generating political support for classical schooling in their respective states.

Dr. Albert Cheng will begin the workshop by presenting the findings from a new study about the growth in demand for classical charter schooling in Texas from 2010-2020. Over 700 parents who currently enroll a child in a classical charter school, including Great Hearts, Valor, and Founders schools, responded to a survey or participated in focus groups. These parents provided their perspectives about the value of classical education, why they send their children to classical charter schools, and what they hope their children will gain from a classical education.

Afterwards, Dr. Cheng will moderate a discussion among a group of panelists with experience in education policy. The group will discuss how such a study can be used to engage policymakers and how school leaders can participate in the policymaking process to promote classical schooling and educational choice in their respective states. Individuals who have currently indicated their availability and willingness to be a panelist include: (1) Jonathan Butcher, the Will Skillman Fellow in Education at The Heritage Foundation and Senior Fellow at the Goldwater Institute, (2) Erin Valdez, a policy director for Next Generation Texas at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, and (3) Mandy Drogin, a campaign director for Next Generation Texas at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. The workshop will conclude with a question-and-answer time between the panelists and the audience.