This book reveals that, far from being the result of a groundswell of support for parental choice in American education, the origins of school vouchers are seated in identity politics, religious schooling, and educational entrepreneurship. As the most radical form of "school choice," vouchers remain controversial in education today. The U.S.…

This paper presents a proposal for a modified school choice program that may serve as a public policy compromise to the current politicized and entrenched choice or no-choice positions. The Three Year-Three Step Performance Guarantee involves both choice and vouchers. The use of vouchers, however, is not directed at reforming schools, but at…

This paper examines arguments in favor of and against the use of educational vouchers as an alternative educational system. A review of literature concludes that some problems to be addressed include religion, ethnic equity, finance allocation, and transportation. It is argued that the free market creates competition, but not equal opportunity.…

A key public policy question regarding educational vouchers is: Who has the right to spend the huge sums of money involved--those who provide public education, or the students who "consume" it? Describes the Milwaukee and the Cleveland programs, the legal challenges in which they are involved, and the supporters and opponents of voucher plans. A…

Educational vouchers are the most controversial of numerous school-choice alternatives. This ERIC Digest in Spanish provides some background on the topic and discusses the support educational vouchers has received, as well as arguments for and against vouchers. The digest supplies information concerning the degree of success for voucher programs…

Educational vouchers are the most controversial of numerous school-choice alternatives. This ERIC Digest provides some background on the topic and discusses the support that educational vouchers has received, as well as arguments for and against vouchers. The digest supplies information concerning the degree of success for voucher programs and…

Presents details of the Zelman argument in Zelman v. Simmons-Harris, which challenged the Cleveland school voucher program. Argues that Cleveland's intent was not to assist private schools or advance religion, but rather to help students who were enrolled in a failing public school system. (NB)

This handbook summarizes the probable effects of California's school-voucher initiative on public spending for K-12 education. The Parental Choice in Education Initiative (Proposition 174) was rejected by voters in the November 2, 1993, election. It sought to establish a system of annual vouchers, funded by public tax dollars, that elementary and…

American schools are failing because they are organized according to a bureaucratic, monopolistic model. A school voucher of $3,000 per student per year would give more families the option of sending their children to nongovernment schools. However, many people believe that such a small amount could not possibly cover tuition at a private school;…

This book looks at the privatization of education as an ideological construct. In exploring and assessing the concept of privatized education, it focuses on the debate over private choice and school vouchers. It also looks at the development of private curriculums and educational materials created by corporations, various scholarship-funding…

This paper explores issues surrounding parental choice of schools. The administration of President George Bush has presented parental choice as a cornerstone of its proposed "America 2000 Excellence in Education Act." Educational advocates are concerned that emphasis on choice as a key moving force for school reform falls short of the…

In these times of reforming public education, considerable debate is being given to alternative schooling options. Many policymakers view school choice as a means of increasing parental influence of educational services and of reducing the control of government, professional administrators, and educators. These alternative schooling options have…