Michael Apple and Julie MeadMichael Apple and Julie Mead are education professors at the University of Wisconsin and they say there is no evidence to support vouchers. In fact, they argue, "research has clearly demonstrated that children in voucher programs do no better, and often worse, than their peers educated in the public system. It is false to assert that competition between schools will improve outcomes.”
They might want to brush up on the research as there are a 11 random assignment studies showing student achievement improves, none showing harm, and another 22 studies showing similar modest, yet positive, findings for public schools that face new competition. This isn’t the entire body of research on the subject but, at worst, you can only conclude that voucher students score as well as, and for some subgroups slightly better, than their peers in public schools.
University of Wisconsin
The worst part of Apple and Mead’s thought, however, is their understanding of education. They write, “Wisconsin has kept alive a belief that critical intelligence and seeking answers to society’s most difficult questions are to be defended at all costs. Education, specifically the state’s commitment to quality public education, is the embodiment of that belief." How would this not continue to happen if parents have more power to choose where their children are educated?
Eastpointe, MI
I always wondered when a teachers union would protest in favor of school choice, and it happened this week. East Detroit Public School Board reversed a vote to limit public school choice in the district after 200 teachers protested against cancelling the program.
Have they seen the light? Opportunity for all? No more limiting educational options based on zip codes? Well, not quite. The newfound support came because of money, $850,000 to be exact. According to district officials, without the public school choice program the East Detroit Public Schools was slated to lose revenue if students could not transfer into the schools from other districts.
So the union might not be all-in to support school choice, but it is a start.
