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School choice does not equal education reform
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Denver Post has published a piece Are Democrats of two minds on education reform by Peter Huidekoper Jr. Of course, they are, and more are joining the pro-reform, and not-so-pro-union wing of the party. It is a good thing in general, if only the pro-reform did not mean so much emphasis on school choice.
Is choice always good? Let’s see, our largest banks had a choice of which government agencies could regulate them, and which rating companies can rate their financial products. Of course, they all chose the weakest and the most agreeable ones, while playing agencies and rating companies against each other. The result is the mess we are in today. Choice maybe a n important philosophical value, but it would be extremely stupid to assume that any kind of choice is always good.
Let’s apply this to education. School choice is great for the most dynamic half of families with access to good information, and with additional resources required to chose a different school (private or charter) for their kids. But what happens to the other half of parents who are unable or unwilling, or too tired to choose a better school for their kids? This lingering question was never properly answered, and proponents of school choice would like it to go away. The answer is, usually, that public schools will become better under the threat of closing down. While there is some anecdotal evidence to it, there is no solid research data confirming such improvements are taking place.
Moreover, under certain economic conditions, kids and parents will chose the least demanding school, which requires the least amount of effort. If you think such a choice would be irrational, you do not understand economics or the rational choice.
If you are not planning on going to college, or do not believe you have reasonable chance of getting there, the value of the high school diploma is immeasurably higher than the value of whatever education you might get out of it. Your rational choice would be to get into a school that requires the least effort, but still promise some kind of diploma. See more on economic value of education
Charter schools and vouchers work just great as long as only a minority of families chose to exercise their choice. If we make all schools charter schools, or make vouchers truly available, it will further split our educational system into two unequal parts. These parts will be even further apart from each other, but this time the segregation by class will be done with parents’ consent.
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