A research study from an economics professor at Ball State University recently made headlines because it pointed out a unique trend happening between states with and without right-to-work laws. Especially right on the border between states that have recently adopted right-to-work laws and states that still deny workers' choices. It turns out that giving workers choices is good for a town’s economic development. 

Consider the situation along the Indiana-Ohio state line. Several years ago, Indiana became a right-to-work state. Indiana workers who go to work at a unionized plant can join the workplace union if they wish, but they don’t have to. Ohio employees must pay dues to the union whether they want to or not. And what a difference Indiana’s employee choice rules make! Jobs are streaming from Ohio towns where workers have no choice about union representation across the line to Indiana towns where workers have the right to choose for themselves.

The fact that giving employees more choice helps to spark economic development on Indiana’s side of the line won’t come as a surprise to regular readers of this blog. Our research points to similar findings in places where families have choices about education - places where children are not required to attend an assigned school, but where parents can choose which schools their children attend. Places with school choice attract families and spark greater economic activity. 

For example, in 2011 East Haven, Vermont school enrollment was down to fewer than a dozen students when voters decided to close the public school and become a school choice town. After years of student enrollment decline, the school-age population began to rise immediately one year after the town voted to switch to allowing families to choose where their children attended school. Two years later, Donna Loynd, school board chair, described board meetings as places “where there once were no residents attending... and at last week's meeting there were not enough chairs.” Describing her community when interviewed, she exclaimed, “People are moving in, and they’re moving because we have school choice.” 

Since 2011, families with young children have chosen to stay in East Haven, and several young families have moved in too. They have bought and renovated homes, many of which were built during the mid-20th century. 

Town resident and former board member Kelly Deth described the community changes in this way, 

In my opinion, for so long East Haven was not viewed as a desired town, in part due to its geographical location and due to the internal town turmoil. With the school choice option and Burke (ski resort) developing as it has, things are looking very different for our small town. It is great to see the neighborhood fill up with children and give new life to an aging town population.

In a place lacking hope, losing economic stability, and behind in quality education, allowing people freedom in their education options became a way to keep young people in their rural area. The absolute number of children is not very big due to the small size of the town, but in the last six years, the number of school children in East Haven has more than tripled! East Haven residents are happy to have options, and their words certainly speak volumes. Of course, actions speak even louder than words, and East Haven is telling us something that we need to hear. 

What researchers are seeing in Indiana looks a lot like what was seen in East Haven and other places as well. Another recent example was mentioned in Allan Jacob’s piece, “Why Orthodox Jews are Leaving Brooklyn for Florida.” Allan’s conclusion, they are moving for the schools. People will move for the freedom to make their choices. 

Interested in bringing jobs and opportunities to your community or neighborhood? Consider how giving families more educational freedom can attract families who value education. Choice isn’t just about creating better schools. Choice creates better communities and better job opportunities. 

Resources:

The Impact of Right to Work Laws: https://www.mackinac.org/archives/2022/s2022-03.pdf

Welcome to Indiana, a Right-to-Work State: https://www.wsj.com/articles/indiana-right-to-work-state-private-employment-labor-unions-workers-unionized-manufacturing-construction-utility-information-sector-unemployment-11649968126

Why Orthodox Jews Are Leaving Brooklyn for Florida: https://www.wsj.com/articles/orthodox-jews-leaving-brooklyn-florida-taxes-lockdowns-school-choice-11628265034