Customer Reviews

School Choice: The Findings

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This small publication brings a lot to the debate on school choice. Herb Walberg of the libertarian think tank, The Cato Institute, pulls together dozens of studies to show the impact of school choice. There are stats showing that in areas like Milwaukee and DC that school choice works. Public schools are failing because they have no competition. They have a monopoly on the education of middle-class and poor children. Moreover, this publication provides data and research that shows that public schools improve when they have to compete with private schools. School choice is overwhelmingly popular in poor minority communities. Test scores, reading and math levels and overall satisfaction improve greatly when parents are allowed to choose where their children attend school. Federal and state governments continue to pour billions of dollars into failing schools; meanwhile, a great solution is right in front of them, school choice. School Choice, The Findings, leaves the emotions out of the debate and gives ample evidence to support its position. It is well worth your time, if you have school-age children or are interested in this debate.

Walberg distorts the facts and overlooks the harmful strategies so called "successful" charter schools use to raise test scores. Charter schools base their success on standardized tests. Consequently, they sacrifice a rich curriculum consisting of science, social studies, arts, music, language, and physical education. Instead they focus on test taking skills. Charter school graduates are good test takers.

Walberg also ignores the fact that the charter school movement is the brain child of corporations that would like to control the huge sum of money spent on education each year. They've realized that the only way they can accomplish a thorough takeover is to eliminate the democratic process by which citizens elect representatives to oversee schools. The CATO Institute that Walberg works for is a front for big money. I don't trust Walberg or the CATO Institute. Do a little research, and you'll understand why.

I recommend the following book by Diane Ravitch. It is objective, factual, and will soon be a best seller.

The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education