Competition and Education PolicyCompetition and Education Policy

The Role of Vouchers and the No Child Left

Behind Act

The Role of Vouchers and the No Child Left

Behind Act

Importance of EducationImportance of Education

“There is a place in America to take a stand: it is public education. It is the underpinning of our

culture and political system. It is the great common ground. Public education after all is the engine that moves us as a society toward a common destiny…It is in public education

that the American dream begins to take shape”

-Tom Brokaw

“There is a place in America to take a stand: it is public education. It is the underpinning of our

culture and political system. It is the great common ground. Public education after all is the engine that moves us as a society toward a common destiny…It is in public education

that the American dream begins to take shape”

-Tom Brokaw

Two Functions of EducationTwo Functions of Education

Helps to socialize the young into becoming “good citizens”

Prepares people for employment and to be generally productive citizens

Helps to socialize the young into becoming “good citizens”

Prepares people for employment and to be generally productive citizens

Problems of Public EducationProblems of Public Education

Schools are failing to provide a quality education

37% of all high school seniors can read at their grade level

Achievement gap between black and white students

Schools are failing to provide a quality education

37% of all high school seniors can read at their grade level

Achievement gap between black and white students

Significant Reform EffortsSignificant Reform Efforts

Outcomes-Based Education

Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994

Goals 2000 Educate America Act

Outcomes-Based Education

Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994

Goals 2000 Educate America Act

4 Categories of Education Reforms

4 Categories of Education Reforms

Tinkering with countless gears and levers

Reforming the entire system including academic standards, curriculum, & teacher training

Concentrating on individual schools

Competition or School Choice

Tinkering with countless gears and levers

Reforming the entire system including academic standards, curriculum, & teacher training

Concentrating on individual schools

Competition or School Choice

History of CompetitionHistory of Competition

Thomas Paine Pierce v. Society of Sisters Milton Friedman John Coons & Stephen Sugarman James Coleman John Chubb & Terry Moe

Thomas Paine Pierce v. Society of Sisters Milton Friedman John Coons & Stephen Sugarman James Coleman John Chubb & Terry Moe

Two Generations of CompetitionTwo Generations of Competition

Market Model-->Economic Efficiency

Opportunity Model-->Social Justice

Market Model-->Economic Efficiency

Opportunity Model-->Social Justice

Types of Voucher ProgramsTypes of Voucher Programs

Universal

Targeted

Universal

Targeted

5 Basic Categories of Arguments:

5 Basic Categories of Arguments:

Social Justice/Injustice Improving Failing Schools &Test Scores

Religious Economical

Tax Money and Control

Social Justice/Injustice Improving Failing Schools &Test Scores

Religious Economical

Tax Money and Control

Social Justice/InjusticeSocial Justice/Injustice

For:

*All parents want their right to choose

*Encourages responsible parenthood

*Will promote racial & ethnic integration

For:

*All parents want their right to choose

*Encourages responsible parenthood

*Will promote racial & ethnic integration

Against:

*Some parents not capable of making good decisions

*Will promote segregation

Against:

*Some parents not capable of making good decisions

*Will promote segregation

Failing Schools & Test ScoresFailing Schools & Test Scores

For:

*Competition will force schools to be accountable & improve test scores

For:

*Competition will force schools to be accountable & improve test scores

Against:

*Public schools cannot compete with private schools

*Public schools will be left with disadvantaged students

Against:

*Public schools cannot compete with private schools

*Public schools will be left with disadvantaged students

ReligiousReligious

For:

*Program without religious schools is no choice at all

For:

*Program without religious schools is no choice at all

Against:

*Establishment Clause*Not the original purpose of

education*Undermines a religious

education

Against:

*Establishment Clause*Not the original purpose of

education*Undermines a religious

education

EconomicalEconomical

For:

*Increase funding for private schools

For:

*Increase funding for private schools

Against:

*Drain funds from public school

Against:

*Drain funds from public school

Tax Money & ControlTax Money & Control

Tax payers lose the right to dictate how public funds should be spent

Tax payers lose the right to dictate how public funds should be spent

“The issue is not going to disappear because a few developments in the near term happen to go badly. And it isn’t guaranteed total triumph because a few developments go well. This is a long-term issue, and understanding it requires a long-term perspective.”

-Paul E. Peterson

“The issue is not going to disappear because a few developments in the near term happen to go badly. And it isn’t guaranteed total triumph because a few developments go well. This is a long-term issue, and understanding it requires a long-term perspective.”

-Paul E. Peterson

Milwaukee Voucher ProgramMilwaukee Voucher Program

Initial program: targeted voucher program Initial requirements:

Live in Milwaukee Incomes equal to 175% of poverty level or less Admissions to private schools could not be based on

gender, religion, race, or prior school records Capped at 1% of the enrollment in Milwaukee Public

Schools

Initial program: targeted voucher program Initial requirements:

Live in Milwaukee Incomes equal to 175% of poverty level or less Admissions to private schools could not be based on

gender, religion, race, or prior school records Capped at 1% of the enrollment in Milwaukee Public

Schools

Evaluation of Milwaukee Voucher Program

Evaluation of Milwaukee Voucher Program

Program too small to have discernible effects on the public school system

Private schools became more financially secure Four private schools were shut down due to bankruptcy Only increased the participation of parents that were

already highly involved No academic advantage for students who attended

private schools

Program too small to have discernible effects on the public school system

Private schools became more financially secure Four private schools were shut down due to bankruptcy Only increased the participation of parents that were

already highly involved No academic advantage for students who attended

private schools

Provisions of No Child Left Behind Act

Provisions of No Child Left Behind Act

States must implement a set of standards Testing plan to ensure standards are reached All students in grades 3-8 must be tested in

reading & math each year An additional test given to students at some

point during grades 10-12 Test results must be released to public each

year

States must implement a set of standards Testing plan to ensure standards are reached All students in grades 3-8 must be tested in

reading & math each year An additional test given to students at some

point during grades 10-12 Test results must be released to public each

year

Provisions continued…Provisions continued…

Schools not making adequate progress are identified as “in need of improvement”parents then have the option to send their children to another public school

No progress for 3 yearssupplemental services

No progress for 5 yearsschool is restructured & new personnel is hired

Schools not making adequate progress are identified as “in need of improvement”parents then have the option to send their children to another public school

No progress for 3 yearssupplemental services

No progress for 5 yearsschool is restructured & new personnel is hired

Problems of NCLB ActProblems of NCLB Act

1. Very few students in failing schools are transferring to other schools

2. Lack of funds for transportation3. Talented teachers steer away from

low-performing schools

1. Very few students in failing schools are transferring to other schools

2. Lack of funds for transportation3. Talented teachers steer away from

low-performing schools

“Yet for all that may be wrong with American public education, it remains the greatest achievement in American history. The United States is the only

country to have committed to educating all of its citizens at the public expense.”

-Alan Wolfe

“Yet for all that may be wrong with American public education, it remains the greatest achievement in American history. The United States is the only

country to have committed to educating all of its citizens at the public expense.”

-Alan Wolfe