What Is School Choice?

… and what do I think of it?

In my state of Minnesota, there is [full] school choice within school districts and between school districts. Parents can also receive vouchers for private and religious schools. Keep in mind, though, that the student funding follows the student. Schools have little incentive to notify parents of their options. The topic of school choice is not my specialty area because I focus on giftedness in children and adults; I don’t focus on what all the schools and laws provide so that I can make great recommendations no matter where you live.

From what I understand, though, even when laws exist in a state or even at the national level, access to both public and private schools depends on their openings, what they are looking for in their students (private schools), and perhaps a lottery for those applying. And, of course, parents need to know they exist and that you may not be stuck with a school that isn’t working for your child.

If it makes you feel any better, many countries are so top-down that families have absolutely no say in where — and sometimes “if” — their children will go to school. Gifted programming or opportunities for the brightest students are not routinely available anywhere.

I am a proponent of both school choice and competition in the marketplace. Educational systems work for the…