School Choice in Michigan

School Choice in Michigan
Author: Matthew Joseph Brouillette
Publisher:
Total Pages: 88
Release: 1999
Genre: Education
ISBN:

This primer explains school choice, historically reviewing the origins and growth of tax-funded schools nationwide and how they became synonymous with public education. It examines the rise of government-funded and operated schools in Michigan through the efforts of Isaac Crary and John Pierce and describes the negative effects of a 1970 state constitutional amendment that severely restricts parents' ability to exercise school choice. The primer demonstrates the failure of many past and present education reforms, including ever-increasing funding, to significantly improve the quality of government education, and it explains different types of school choice (including intra- and inter-district choice, charter schools, tuition vouchers, and tax credits). Finally, it evaluates the progress of school choice programs available nationwide; identifies individuals and organizations who support, oppose, or are ambivalent to greater school choice in Michigan; and outlines strategic plans that parents and other concerned citizens can follow to get involved in efforts to improve education through greater school choice. Appendixes include a glossary, a sample illustration of how to advocate for school choice with letters to the editor of local newspapers, and a list of where to go for more information on this and other education issues. (Contains 175 endnotes.) (SM)

The Impact of Limited School Choice on Public School Districts

The Impact of Limited School Choice on Public School Districts
Author: Matthew Ladner
Publisher:
Total Pages: 28
Release: 2000
Genre: Education
ISBN: 9781890624224

This study sought to determine whether increased competition among Michigan public schools, resulting from charter schools and the state's "schools-of-choice" program, has improved educational opportunities for children and whether competition encourages or discourages schools to respond to the needs and demands of students and parents. The research relies on information from the Wayne County Regional Service Agency, which contains 34 urban and suburban school districts, and data from state-generated publications. Anecdotal data were gathered through interviews with district superintendents and charter school principals. The evidence suggests that those who seek to improve education for Michigan children should embrace competition among schools rather than fear it. Competition has provided a powerful incentive for improvement while expanding the ability of parents to choose the school that best meets the needs of their children. There is very little evidence to suggest that competition has harmed the cause of better education in Michigan, and there is clear evidence that school choice and competition put pressure on low-performing school districts to improve. Recommendations are made for expanding parental choice in education. Appendixes contain a chart of student enrollment in Wayne County and a description of theme schools and academies in Dearborn, Michigan. (Contains 42 footnotes.) (SLD)

Schools of Choice

Schools of Choice
Author: Terry Bergstrom
Publisher:
Total Pages: 28
Release: 1994
Genre: Educational law and legislation
ISBN:

Magnet, intradistrict choice, interdistrict choice, controlled choice, postsecondary plans, second-chance programs.

School Choice at the Crossroads

School Choice at the Crossroads
Author: Mark Berends
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 260
Release: 2018-10-04
Genre: Education
ISBN: 135121330X

School Choice at the Crossroads compiles exemplary, policy-relevant research on school choice options—voucher, private, charter, and traditional public schools—as they have been implemented across the nation. Renowned contributors highlight the latest rigorous research findings and implications on school vouchers, tuition tax credits, and charter schools in states and local areas at the forefront of school choice policy. Examining national and state-level perspectives, each chapter discusses the effects of choice and vouchers on student outcomes, the processes of choice, supportive conditions of school choice programs, comparative features of school choice, and future research. This timely volume addresses whether school choice works, under what conditions, and for whom—further informing educational research, policy, and practice.

Exploring the School Choice Universe

Exploring the School Choice Universe
Author: Kevin G. Welner
Publisher: IAP
Total Pages: 366
Release: 2013-02-01
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1623960452

Exploring the School Choice Universe: Evidence and Recommendations gives readers a comprehensive, complete picture of choice policies and issues. In doing so, it offers cross-cutting insights that are obscured when one looks only at single issue or a single approach to choice. The book examines choice in its various forms: charter schools, home schooling, online schooling, voucher plans that allow students to use taxpayer funds to attend private schools, tuition tax credit plans that provide a public subsidy for private school tuition, and magnet schools and other forms of public school intra- and interdistrict choice. It brings together some of the top researchers in the field, presenting a comprehensive overview of the best current knowledge of these important policies. The questions addressed in Exploring the School Choice Universe are of most importance to researchers and policy makers. What do choice programs actually do? What forms do they take? Who participates, and why? What are the funding implications? What are the results of different forms of school choice on outcomes that matter, like student performance, segregation, and competition effects? Do they affect teachers’ working conditions? Do they drive innovation? The contents of this book offer reason to believe that choice policies can further some educational goals. But they also suggest many reasons for caution. If choice policies are to be evidence-based, a re-examination is in order. The information, insights and recommendations facilitate a more nuanced understanding of school choice and provide the basis for designing sensible school choice reforms that can pursue a range of desirable outcomes.

The School Choice Roadmap

The School Choice Roadmap
Author: Andrew Campanella
Publisher: Beaufort Books
Total Pages: 179
Release: 2020-01-21
Genre: Education
ISBN: 0825308151

WINNER OF THE 2020 FOREWORD INDIES GOLD AWARD IN EDUCATION WINNER OF THE SILVER IPPY AWARD FOR BEST EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES You want your children to benefit from a great education. But every student is unique. One type of school might be a great fit for your neighbor's child, but it might not work for your son or daughter. Across the country, many parents today have more choices for their children's education than ever before. If you are starting the process of finding your child's first school—or if you want to choose a new learning environment—The School Choice Roadmap is for you. This first-of-its-kind book offers a practical, jargon-free overview of school choice policies, from public school open enrollment to private school scholarships and more. It breaks down the similarities and differences between traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, online public schools, private schools, and homeschooling. Most importantly, The School Choice Roadmap offers a seven-step process that will help you harness the power of your own intuition—and your own expertise about your child's uniqueness—to help you find a school that reflects your family's goals, values, and priorities. Filled with sage advice from dozens of other parents who have pursued the school search process, and interviews with school leaders and teachers, The School Choice Roadmap is an optimistic, empowering book that cuts through the confusion in K-12 education—so that you can give your children every opportunity to succeed in school and in life.