
Unproductive School Choice Debates
All Sides Assert Much That Is Wrong, Misleading, or Irrelevant
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Published on 2. June 2023
Book
Hardback
266 pages
978-1-4758-7091-6 (ISBN)
Description
The book explains why we desperately need an "Open Education Industry." It clearly defines the term, and the confusion about what can/should be done to improve schooling outcomes, and why over 30 years of efforts to improve schooling outcomes has left all 51 US school systems far short of what is needed to engage all schoolchildren in high value instruction. Because of past education failures, especially poor basic literacy in economic systems, many influential academics and activists have asserted the presence of adequate market forces where key elements of high-performing markets are absent, and have become pre-occupied with discussion of, and development of, devastating inappropriate generalizations about findings from studies of narrowly-targeted, restriction-laden expansions of access to alternatives to traditional public schools. The book compares those to transformational school choice expansions, and describes key steps towards the inertia that threatens the future or America as a prosperous and free republic.
Reviews / Votes
Unproductive School Choice Debates is an important and well-timed analysis of how to create an educational system in the United States that leads to optimal education for all children. It's discussion of the confusion regarding educational choice terminology and interpretation of research findings provide a road map for those who engage in the debate over how to move from a largely failed educational system to one that is truly transformational in improving our children's education. -- Gary Wolfram, William Simon Professor of Economics and Public Policy, Hillsdale College Merrifield and Gray provide a real service to the school policy debates. They extensively document the way political forces shape the language of school choice -- and by implication the way school decisions are made. In the post-COVID world, issues of parental options and richer arrays of schools assume a sudden relevance. This is an opportunity that should not be missed. This book helps to guide clearer thinking about options and potential improvements. -- Eric Hanushek, senior fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University John Merrifield's ability and willingness to identify and challenge what he calls weak, perhaps heroic assumptions; to go against the supposed conventional wisdom is incredible. -- Kent Grusendorf, Former State Legislator and Education Committee Chair The world desperately needs a school system reform movement, and Merrifield's work leads the way on that. His unique perspectives provide a basis to escape unproductive reform strategies, and generate evidence to support new approaches. -- James Tooley, The University of Buckingham Merrifield and Gray offer a disruptive solution to the failures of US K-12 education. Traditional Public Schools and School Choice options, alike, have proven to be ineffective in addressing educational ills - especially for underserved poor and minority students. They demonstrate how an "Open Education Industry" transcends school choice options such as public charter, vouchers, and private schools by creating a niche for decentralized planning. It is the authors' thesis that an "Open Education Industry" - based on economic principles - has the greatest potential to positively impact education inequity, academic under achievement, and social acrimony. For those of us looking for real debate about school choice and true options for education reform, Unproductive School Choice Debates, is a must read! -- Alexandra Penn, Author, Senior Consultant, GoldenPair & Company John Merrifield knows more about school choice than anyone else. -- Neal P. McCluskey, Cato InstituteMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
590 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4758-7091-6 (9781475870916)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

John Merrifield | Nathan Gray
Unproductive School Choice Debates
All Sides Assert Much That is Wrong, Misleading, or Irrelevant
E-Book
05/2023
1st Edition
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
€30.49
Available for download

John Merrifield | Nathan Gray
Unproductive School Choice Debates
All Sides Assert Much That Is Wrong, Misleading, or Irrelevant
E-Book
05/2023
1st Edition
Bloomsbury eBooks US
€30.49
Available for download
Persons
John Merrifield, Professor of Economics (35 years), Emeritus now heads the new think tank, the Institute for Objective Policy Assessment. He published 55 journal articles, and several books including the critically acclaimed The School Choice Wars (2001).
Content
Foreword by Terry Moe
Preface: Still a 'Nation at Risk'
Memorial to Seymour Sarason
Part I: Key Underlying Factors
Introduction
Elements of an Open Education Industry Hyped Experiments in Near IrrelevanceChartered Public Schools - Mostly Chance, Not ChoicePart II: Issues in the Debate Over Parental Choice Expansion
Fallacies About School ChoiceGovernment Regulation IssuesThe Neglect of Costs Fund Children or Institutions?Federal, State, and Local Roles and Perspectives Equity and Equality Diversity IssuesPart III. Strategic and Tactical IssuesImportant Policy Choices Strategic and Tactical Mistakes13. Teachers
14. Outlook and Political Strategy
Bibliography
Index
Preface: Still a 'Nation at Risk'
Memorial to Seymour Sarason
Part I: Key Underlying Factors
Introduction
Elements of an Open Education Industry Hyped Experiments in Near IrrelevanceChartered Public Schools - Mostly Chance, Not ChoicePart II: Issues in the Debate Over Parental Choice Expansion
Fallacies About School ChoiceGovernment Regulation IssuesThe Neglect of Costs Fund Children or Institutions?Federal, State, and Local Roles and Perspectives Equity and Equality Diversity IssuesPart III. Strategic and Tactical IssuesImportant Policy Choices Strategic and Tactical Mistakes13. Teachers
14. Outlook and Political Strategy
Bibliography
Index