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The Case for Choice in Schooling:
Restoring Parental Control of Education
By
Mr. Matthew J. Brouillette
/ Posted: Jan. 29, 2001
After 40 years of struggle, school choice is now at the center of the debate over school reform in America, and it is of primary importance that the public understand the facts-and avoid the myths-surrounding this issue. This three-part primer is designed to educate and inform citizens about all aspects of school choice and equip them to participate in the debate as fully informed members of their communities. The report contains a historical overview of tax-funded schooling, demonstrates the failure of many popular reforms of the past and present, explains the various types of school choice, identifies the barriers to education reform, dispels myths surrounding school choice, and outlines strategic plans parents and other concerned citizens can follow to advance the cause of greater school choice.
Contents
Executive Summary
Introduction
Part I: Government Schooling Comes to America
The Origins of Government Education in the United States
Early Colonial Period to the American Revolution
Revolution to the 1830s
The 1830s and 40s
The 1850s and Beyond
Part II: The Crisis in Government Schooling and the School Choice Solution
The Effects of Monopoly in Schooling
Consolidation of School Districts
Ballooning Costs
Plummeting Student Achievement
Expensive New Obligations
Unprepared Graduates
Lack of Basic Academic Skills
Violence and Drugs in Schools
Three Types of Education Reform
Rules
Resources
Incentives
How School Choice Works
Types of School Choice Programs
Limited Educational Choice (Intra-District Choice, Inter-District Choice, and Charter Schools)
Full Educational Choice (Vouchers, Private Scholarships, Tax Credits, and Universal Tuition Tax Credits)
Part III: Barriers to Education Reform
Constitutional and Statutory Barriers to School Choice
Political Barriers to School Choice
Knowledge Barriers to School Choice
Myth #1: School choice will lead to the social, racial, and economic stratification of students in American schools
Myth #2: School choice violates the separation of church and state
Myth #3: Private schools are unaccountable to the public
Myth #4: School choice allows only private schools to do the choosing, not parents
Myth #5: Parents will use the wrong criteria to choose schools or they will make bad decisions for their children
Myth #6: School choice will encourage the creation of radical or fraudulent schools
Myth #7: School choice will bankrupt the already underfunded government schools
Myth #8: School choice does not improve education
Myth #9: School choice is just a tax break for the rich
Myth #10: School choice is unnecessary-government education is doing well and improving
Myth #11: School choice is just an anti-teacher ploy
Myth #12: School choice reforms do not address the needs of some families for transportation or special education
Myth #13: Private schools will not be able to accommodate the gifts of new students under a school choice plan
Part IV: Sustaining School Choice Victories
Five Strategies to Preserve and Advance School Choice
Conclusion: Restoring a Free Market in Education
Appendix A: Glossary of Education-Related Terms
Appendix B: School Choice Resources
Endnotes (1 of 2)
Endnotes (2 of 2)
Acknowledgments
About the Author
ISBN: 1-890624-24-1
SKU: S2001-01
Category:
Education
Publication:
Study
Next page:
Executive Summary
Download PDF of the entire publication
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