Education Policy Advisors

The School Choice Index convenes an informal advisory panel of education-policy researchers, school administrators, and practicing attorneys. Advisors review our methodology annually, flag emerging legislative and administrative-rule developments in their states, and review draft coverage of newly enacted programs.

What advisors do

• Review our published methodology each January for accuracy and continued fit
• Flag legislative or administrative-rule changes in their region of expertise
• Review drafts of coverage involving newly enacted programs prior to publication
• Recommend primary-source materials we should incorporate

What advisors do not do

• Approve final editorial wording or have veto authority over coverage
• Receive compensation tied to specific coverage outcomes
• See unrelated coverage outside their region or expertise

Advisor independence

Advisors are selected for subject-matter expertise across the political spectrum. We deliberately convene a viewpoint-diverse panel — proponents and skeptics of expanded school choice, public-school administrators and private-school heads, urban and rural representation. Advisors disclose conflicts of interest when reviewing material affecting institutions in which they have a personal or financial stake; conflicted advisors recuse from that review.

Panel composition

Specific advisors are listed on internal editorial records and can be named publicly on request when the advisor consents. We do not publish a public roster because we believe doing so would chill candid review feedback. Researchers and journalists wishing to verify our advisory process may contact the editorial team.

Compensation

Advisors receive a modest honorarium for review work. Honoraria are paid from editorial-operations funds and are unrelated to coverage outcomes or any commercial partnerships.