The Impact of Limited School Choice on Public School Districts

Case studies of how school districts in Michigan's largest county are responding to competition from charter schools and public "schools-of-choice"

Contents

• Executive Summary
• Introduction
• Methodology
• Why Competition in Education?
  • Increased Regulation Has Not Improved Education
  • Additional Resources Have Not Improved Education
  • Incentives Can Enhance Educational Quality and Reduce Costs
• Previous Studies Detect Public Schools' Competitive Response to Charter Schools and Public "Schools-of-Choice"
• The Impact of Competition on School Districts of the Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency
  • The Nature and Extent of Public-School Competition in Wayne County
  • Responses to Competition among Public School Districts in Wayne County
    • The Impact of Charter Schools in Wayne County
      • Dearborn: A Traditional Public School District Accepts the Charter School Challenge
      • Flat Rock: A Small District Hosting a Large Charter School
    • The Impact of Public "Schools-of-Choice" in Wayne County
• Competition May Put Some Schools "Out of Business"
  • Inkster: Victim of Competition?
  • Will Children Benefit?
• Conclusion: Competition Is Improving Public Schools for Michigan Children
• Recommendations: Increase Choice and Competition in Education
• Appendix I: Student Enrollment in Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency Public School Districts, 1995-1999
• Appendix II: Dearborn Theme Schools and Academies
• Endnotes
• Acknowledgments and About the Authors