Education: Choosing or Losing? The School Choice Controversy

The Issue
Over the last two hundred years, the common school and its one-size-fits-all curriculum have evolved into a larger union school with wide course offerings. As schools grow and assume more responsibilities, some parents are dissatisfied with the public education offered in their community.

Stakeholders sometimes believe they should be able to exercise choice over which school their children attend. In some cases, these advocates have created choice systems within a public school district. In other cases, choice has extended beyond the district. In several cases, choice includes government or privately sponsored vouchers to attend private schools. A few of the questions underlying all these types of choice programs are: Will offering students a choice improve their learning achievement and the quality of schools in general? What is the best way to allocate public dollars for education?
The Debate
Supporters of school choice believe that free market competition will improve student and school performance. If public (and, in some cases, private) schools have to compete for the same funding, then schools will be motivated to improve. Some people view vouchers as a “life-boat” for low-income students currently trapped in ineffective and mismanaged schools.

Opponents of choice, however, fear that choice programs will drain much-needed support away from the schools that are in most need of public funds. Some believe that low-income families will not be able to use vouchers because they cover only a fraction of the tuition costs. Choice will be exercised by a limited number of parents, leaving “under-chosen” schools under-funded and charged with the tasks of educating needy students. Most of all, say opponents, tax-funded vouchers for religious schools violate the First Amendment separation of church and state.

Learn more at PBS History of American Public Education... add your comments below.