WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This month, we welcomed Dr. Michael Hicks, Distinguished Professor of Economics and Business Research and Director of Center Business Economic Research at Ball State University. His work has appeared not only in scholarly sources but also in such publications and media as Rolling Stone, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, NPR, and Fox Business News. Dr. Hicks joined us to discuss the impact of public schools on a community’s economic development.
In the podcast, Dr. Hicks discusses the impact of Indiana’s voucher program on school choice and public schools. According to Dr. Hicks, Indiana has spent approximately $80 million since 2019 on voucher programs and other charter schools. Indiana currently spends roughly $10,095 per student on public education, while the average amount in the US is $12,612 per pupil. In his research, Dr. Hicks has found that quality public schools contribute directly to a community’s economy. For instance, 30% of all home buyers consider the quality of public schools when buying a home; even a school’s test scores can contribute to home-buying decisions.
