Privatizing Education and Educational Choice

SIMON HAKIM is Professor of Economics at Temple University in Philadelphia.PAUL SEIDENSTAT is Associate Professor of Economics at Temple University in Philadelphia.GARY W. BOWMAN is Associate Professor of Economics at Temple University in Philadelphia.Together all three have edited two other books on privatization--Privatizing Correctional Institutions (1993) and Privatizing the United States Justice System (1992).

Eighteen experts, including Albert Shanker, Ernest L. Boyer, Thomas Kean, and John Menge, examine the issues surrounding educational choice in public school systems and the voucher system for private schools. They discuss when choice should be considered, methods of implementation, and the extent to which government should be involved. Descriptions and evaluations of choice programs that have been implemented are presented. The book includes contributions from both supporters and opponents of choice presented within an academic framework to enhance examination, debate, and analysis. Since 37 states have adopted legislation that provides some kind of choice in the public education system, the issues involved will be important to school boards, educational administrators, public policy makers, parents, and taxpayers.

A panel of experts explains when and how educational choice should be implemented, and the extent to which government should be involved.

Introduction by Simon Hakim, Paul Seidenstat, and Gary BowmanConceptsAn Economic View of the Effectiveness of Public and Private Schools by David Beers and Jerry ElligWhy Educational Choice: The Florida Experience by Tom FeeneyPrivate School Choice: An Ineffective Path to Educational Reform by Albert Shanker and Bella RosenbergPublic Schools by Contract: An Alternative to Privatization by Paul HillAlternative PlansThree Privatization Models for Public Schools by Tom KeanRedesigning the Financing of American Education to Raise Productivity: The Case for a Just Voucher by Peter CooksonA "GI Bill" for Educating All Children by Pierre duPontBlending the Neighborhood School Tradition with "Choice Within Schools" by Ernest BoyerPrivatizing Higher Education by Kevin SontheimerExperiencesThe Evaluation of the New Hampshire Plan: An Early Voucher System by John MengeThe Milwaukee Choice Program by Thomas HetlandA Public-Private Partnership: South Pointe Elementary School of Dade County, Florida by Thomas Peeler and Patricia ParhamMaking Choice an Option for All Parents, East Harlem, New York by William UbinasPublic Choice in Minnesota by Michael Rubenstein and Nancy AdelmanBibliographyIndex