Examines the debate over private versus public education, both sides of which claim that their position either preserves or creates opportunities for choice. Uses a historical perspective to reflect on what actually constitutes an opportunity in education. Suggests that apparent opportunities often have hidden costs or unintended consequences. (SV)

This article features the author's reply to John Coons's "Dodging Democracy: The Educator's Flight from the Specter of Choice." First, he wants to thank Coons for his thoughtful and thought-provoking reply to "Public Funding for 'Private' Education: The Equity Challenge of Enhanced Choice." So thought provoking, in fact, did the author find…

As of the 2006-2007 school year, 19,733 students attended charter schools in the District of Columbia, representing over a quarter of the District's total public school student population and one of the largest charter school markets in the country. It is under such circumstances, some suggest, that choice will spur competition, ultimately…

Colorado charter schools are public schools operated by a group of parents, teachers, and/or community members as a semiautonomous school of choice within a district. They have increased competition and spurred districts to develop more attractive alternatives. Colorado's Standards Based Education Act requires charter and other schools to adopt…

Asserts that market strategies and competition as pathways to higher urban student achievement threaten the moral purposes of education, and if policymakers continue this emphasis, schooling as fundamental to the common good and democracy may suffer. The paper discusses teaching as a moral imperative and a professional activity; public policy…

The U.S. educational system's strengths are inclusiveness, superior postsecondary education programs, improved content standards and measurements, local flexibility, and socialization and the common school. The system's weaknesses are failure to educate its non-college-bound students, understand shifting family structures, improve teacher training…

Argues that U.S. schools are failing because they systematically suppress children's interests, values, diversity, individuality, and idiosyncratic potentials. The paper suggests that a system of educational choice and vouchers has many advantages, including a competitive environment which responds to families. Also discusses and responds to…

Low-income scholarships facilitate an immediate, cost-effective way for students to go to much better schools, providing leverage for public schools to undertake needed reforms to benefit disadvantaged students. The United States is one of the few countries that does not have a significant voucher or choice system, though support for choice…

Examines the efficacy of a market approach to school reform (charter schools and choice options), noting that public education should serve the public good. Discusses the move from democratic to market theory, describing losers and winners in market-driven schools. Suggests that most disadvantaged students will be forgotten if market-based policy…

In this era of educational choice, school accountability, research-based practices, and commercial competition--illustrated by but not exclusive to No Child Left Behind--some schools, public and private, make claims that resemble false advertising and that some parents rely on, to their disappointment and even detriment. Moreover, the laudable…

Explores the consequences of integrated choice/accountability policies for school organization and governance, examining the constitutional context of school authority, identifying historical trends in the exercise of authority by various stakeholders, presenting a model for understanding governance today, describing school choice and performance…

School choice is increasingly promulgated as a promising education reform policy for failing urban schools, but no solid evidence has yet shown the promise fulfilled. The authors argue that choice based on market theory without a moral center is insufficient. Without a moral foundation, such market-driven choice programs may actually disadvantage…

Disgusted by what he and his staff considered to be poorly written, poorly stapled, and generally disorganized mandatory citywide exams sent to Fritsche Middle School by the Milwaukee Public Schools central office in the fall of 1999, Principal Bill Andrekopoulos committed an act of ownership theretofore unheard of in the 100,000-student school…

In August 2004 the first ever federally funded school voucher program began in Washington, D.C. Eligible students could attend a private school of their choice in the District of Columbia. Each participant received up to $7,500 for school tuition, fees, and transportation. In addition, the D.C. Public School System (DCPS) and D.C. charter school…

Regardless of roles in society, people will be affected by what happens in the field of education in the coming decades. The impact may be personal and direct as a child or grandchild moves through the schooling process. Or, it may well relate to the quality of employees and, thus, chances for business success. Certainly, the impact the…