Esther Wickham

Esther Wickham is an education reporter for The Center Square.

Government
Arkansas OKs $32 million for Education Freedom Accounts

(The Center Square) – Arkansas lawmakers have approved an additional $32 million in funding for Education Freedom Accounts for the fiscal year after a request was sent by the Arkansas… Read More

January 14, 2026
Public Education
Parents back teaching civil debate in high schools

(The Center Square) – A majority of parents say it is important for high school students to learn civil debate skills, according to a new survey from EdChoice. The survey examined… Read More

January 1, 2026
Public Education
Record school spending fails to reverse decline in test scores

(The Center Square) – As national education spending per pupil rises, student enrollment is dropping and test scores across the United States are falling, which raises concern over how effectively… Read More

December 26, 2025
Public Education
Report: Declining enrollment converts schools to apartments

(The Center Square) – Amid a steady decline in K-12 enrollment, nearly 2,000 apartments were created from former school buildings across the U.S. in 2024, according to a new report… Read More

December 9, 2025
Public Education
Freedom advocates push for Ten Commandments in schools

(The Center Square) – Legal battles over the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools continue with a new brief filed this week, backed by 46 members of Congress. Read More

December 4, 2025