School Choice

[Photo from: aclpo.wordpress.com/core-issues/school-choice]

          The idea of giving parents a choice in their child’s education is not a new idea. In 1955, Milton Friedman, and economist, was promoting the idea that parents should be given chits or vouchers that would allow the parent to help pay for their child’s education at any school. His basic argument was through competition the educational system would have to improve. Supporters of school choice feel that schools will be forced to improve and the quality of education would increase. With this view, bad schools would close and only the good schools would survive and could flourish. As Americans are becoming more aware of the inconsistencies that occur in educational settings, will the continuation or development of two educational options (vouchers and charter schools) be beneficial to the American education system?

 

          Many upper and middle class parents already practice school choice. If money allows, they might move to a different school district or send their child to a charter, private, magnet, or career school. The poor and the lower middle class should have the same privileges. Parents that cannot move are forced to remain with failing or poor school districts. School choice has three basic forms. The first is the intradistrict choice, which allows a parent to move their child within the district to a school that can meet the needs of the student. The second is open enrollment, which allows parents to enroll their students in schools outside of their home district. The third type of school choice is extending this choice to outside limits of public schools which is often done through the use of a voucher. Public choice allows parents to choose the school that they want their child to attend. Choices can include charter, magnet, or private school, on-line or home education. Parents should have the ability to select where their child is going to school as they are the first and most important teacher to their child, and the government should be able to trust them with the most basic decision regarding their child’s education.

[Photo from: www.schoolchoiceweek.com/nola_reception]

                                                                       

References

Bennett, W. J., Finn, C. E., & Cribb, J. T. E. (1999). The educated child: A parent’s guide. New York: Free Press.

Fiske, E. B. (1991). Smart schools, smart kids: Why do some schools work? New York: Simon & Schuster.

Leinwand, G. (1992). Public education. New York: PhilipLief.

Price, H. B. (2002). Achievement matters: Getting your child the best education possible. New York: Kensington.

Weil, D. (2002). School vouchers and privatization. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CILO.