A Primer: School Choice

“As Patrick Hefferman, president of the Miami – based Floridians for School Choice, told the Tribune in 1998, ‘School choice is a well-established policy in Florida. You just don’t get it until you’re 18.” (1)

This tongue and cheek remark strikes at the heart of the dilemma; between public regulation and private choice. We already have choice in education students just have to wait. Unfortunately, in a free-market system individuals are accustomed to having choices, which will be a cost-benefit ratio. The educational system needs to understand that people want choices. This does not mean that public education is wrong or bad; even though many will debate such a claim. However, the notion of choice, control and power are quite attractive to parents. This attractiveness will not dissipate, unless there is a compromise.

Freedom of choice is instilled in the democratic process and public education is also ingrained in our society. Yet, these two forces are not mutually exclusive. They can work together to develop a system of choices and controls, which better serve the student population. Even, Milton Friedman reveals the need for “approval” which translates into regulation. Moreover, Adam Smith firmly believed checks within the free market. These principles also apply to the educational system. For a monopoly by its very nature will not create optimum output. In the case of education it is imperative to civic, business and international relations that choices are made available to parents, thus an optimum output. Only when this occurs can we truly start talking about ‘educational reform’.

(1) “Private Colleges and School Vouchers.” Tampa Tribune 22 March 2000