Education by Choice

Education by Choice: The Case for Family Control presents a compelling analysis of educational reform through family choice, exploring the concept of educational vouchers and entitlements as alternatives to traditional, locality-based public schooling. This approach centers on granting parents and children direct authority over school selection, shifting control from state-appointed officials to families themselves. This model allows families to choose from a diverse array of educational institutions, including private schools, to better match individual needs and preferences. Advocates argue that increased family choice fosters greater educational equity and innovation, as schools must respond to parental preferences, potentially elevating the quality and accessibility of education across socioeconomic backgrounds. The authors, Coons and Sugarman, build upon their foundational work in Private Wealth and Public Education, applying principles of financial equity to educational choice. They propose that a voucher system, which would provide equal educational resources regardless of residential or economic factors, addresses disparities more effectively than centralized funding alone. By enabling "family power equalizing," vouchers support diverse and inclusive educational environments, bridging economic gaps and offering a viable alternative to rigid, locality-based systems. Through this detailed examination, "Education by Choice" addresses philosophical, structural, and practical dimensions of educational vouchers, laying the groundwork for an approach that respects family agency while aiming to enhance educational access and quality across all communities.

This title was originally published in 1978.

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