Historically, private education has been an option mostly for families who could afford the cost or received financial help. Years of research have shown that many families would choose private schools and other educational resources for their children if they did not face insurmountable financial or geographical limitations. Private educational…

Our corporate society has produced an educational marketplace that forces public schools to compete merely to survive. Brevard County Schools (Florida) have allowed their constituents freedom of choice for over 20 years. The payoff: only 4.7 percent of Brevard County students attend private schools, compared with a national figure of 10.5 percent.…

Using the pooled 1998-2000 GSS data, this study examines what kinds of parents tend to select non-public schools for their children, a question that is fundamental but lacks direct, adequate answers in the literature. The results of logistic regression analysis show that religion, socio-economic status, age, nativity, number of children and region…

Some proponents of Michigan education reform have suggested that private schools could be used to reduce student overcrowding in public schools without the need for new taxes to construct additional schools. Another proposal includes using vouchers and tax credits to enhance parental school-choice options. Both proposals depend upon the ability…

The three principal choices in primary and secondary education include home schooling, attendance at private schools, and attendance at public schools nearest the home. However, parents feel that more options are necessary, due to the inadequacy of particular public schools or the need for educational programs not offered in public schools. Thus,…

This article focuses on Ontario, Canada, which has had two separate, publicly supported school districts since the early 1980s. After summarizing history and constitutional issues, this article develops nine propositions leading to harsh conclusions: providing choice in public education is not easy and may result in diversity without choice.…

This study examines the unionization rates of teachers in traditional government, charter, and private schools to determine how school choice might affect school employee labor unions, including the Michigan Education Association and the Michigan Federation of Teachers. The findings of this study reveal that unions have powerful financial…

Discusses a study of why 3,183 secondary school students and their families chose either single-sex or coeducational independent schools. Considers the personal, demographic, and educational characteristics of the students and their families and the students' gender. Reports that family traditions for private schooling and religious orientation…

This review of current research on parents' opinions about public schools provides information of interest to school boards, administrators, and parent leaders who wish to develop parent-community-school partnerships. This article discusses research done by organizations like the Public Agenda Foundation, the Gallup Poll, Phi Delta Kappa, and the…

This handbook includes general information about factors to consider when selecting a trade and technical school and detailed information about the program offerings of all of the private technical schools that were accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the National Association of Trade and Technical Schools as of September 1, 1987.…

Designed for those interested in the possible effects of the tuition tax credit plan espoused by the Reagan administration, the document presents two polar views on the subject. Glazer's article, "The Future under Tuition Tax Credits: The Case for Homogeneity in Schools," is presented from the perspective of one who favors such tax…

A case study explores the attitudes, opinions, and concerns of the parents of a cerebral palsied adolescent (as well as the views of the affected public and private school administrators) concerning the decision to allow their son to move from a private to a public high school environment. (JW)

Presents a listing of ERIC documents and journal articles on public school choice as an area of education reform. Includes reports, policy arguments, and surveys of state laws and initiatives and national trends. Provides information for obtaining the listed documents. (DK)

There are parents and students who are to be won or lost depending on which sector--public or private--answers their calls for programs to match their learning styles and desire for rigor, vitality, and variety. This report examines where choice has evolved from, what it offers parents and students, and how its disappearance could affect this…

This report presents the results of one of the first empirical investigations of how a tax subsidy for tuition costs actually influences parents' school choices. It provides data about subsidy costs, utilization, and effects in Minnesota, the first state to have a tuition subsidy pass judicial review at all levels of the court system. The study…