There are many factors involved in creating a good learning environment for children. There is little evidence that decentralization as the first (or only) element of an educational program of school restructuring is a successful strategy. Changes in governance may be critical to restructuring when they occur along with other activities that are designed to enhance student learning, and when they function to support this goal (Conley, 1993). Recent problems in commercially managed schools in Baltimore and Hartford may be indicative of combinatorial effects of complex factors that can render seemingly well thought out plans ineffectual in satisfying the communities they serve.
In this paper I will detail the reasons for my support of school choice, because its success does not necessarily rely on a change in all of the educational institutions involved. Rather, school choice allows a fundamental shift in how we participate in the education of our children. It involves the act of volition, and constitutes a practice that had generally been reserved for most other aspects of American society: free choice.
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… and what they will produce will continue to rise. Heightened expectations will perpetuate the continual cycle of change; change that will produce schools that are constantly striving for better learning environments for their students.
Works Cited
Conley, David T. (1993). A Roadmap to Restructuring, ERIC clearinghouse on Educational Management
Finn, C. E., and Ravitch, D. (1995) Magna Charter? A Report Card on School Reform in 1995, http://www.heritage.org/heritage/p_review/fall95/thfinn.html
Martin, M. (1991). Trading the Known for the Unknown, Warning Signs in the Debate over School Choice. Education and Urban Society, 23, 2.
McClaughry, John, (1995). Educational Choice: It really works in Vermont.
http://www.heartland.org/worksVT.htm
School District Profiles–What the Details Mean Parent Information Center,
Free Essays on Possibilities Offered by Vouchers and School Choice
The Exciting Possibilities Offered by School Choice We are in the midst of an unprecedented attack on public schools in the United States. What is causing this attack? Since schools are public institutions, they are by their nature subject to close scrutiny in a democratic society such as ours. All would agree that public schools must be willing to change to meet the changing needs of the greater society. It just seems that in the past decade, the mudslinging has gotten out of hand. Only now is evidence emerging testifying to the fact that much of the criticism leveled at public schools is exaggerated and misplaced. It is easy to forget that schools reflect what is happening in society, not cause it. Schools of today have recently shown that they are performing better than ever. Unfortunately, the traditional challenges confronting schools have increased dramatically and broadly as the world and students have changed. Now schools are facing drastic change — necessary change that must take place quickly so students are able to cope in a dramatically changing world of the future. All of the criticism creates fear in teachers and administrators rather than a desire to embrace change. There is now a great push towards choice. Choice sounds innocent enough and very positive in a democratic society such as ours. Choice is fundamental to ours roots of democracy — it produces competition, creativity, and high-quality results. Shouldn’t people be free to choose where their children go to school and with whom? Those who propose choice systems of schooling argue that the public school system is a “failed monopoly” that would improve if it were subjected to the forces of the marketplace (Houston, 1993). They also argue that it will save public school money, that it will increase the sense of community and pride of ownership in schools — either public or private, and that it will bring about sweeping changes in education. Supporters contend that it will make the school system much more responsive to community needs, improve accountability, standards and curriculum. School choice has its critics as well. A voucher system means that public money would be made available to parents to use in any educational setting — public or private. Just about anyone could open their own “school” and there would be little control. Most public schools are already underfunded, if resources are drained and given to private schools, would discrimination result for those who remain?