In almost any conversation about accountability for private schools, accountability for public schools is assumed. This is a dangerous myth. By assuming that the edifice that states and the federal government have created over the past several decades actually holds schools accountable, school choice advocates immediately find themselves in an…

A new report by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), "Differences by Design?," compares differences in approaches and demographics between and among charter school models and local "traditional public schools." Using three national data sets, the report effectively captures the national universe of charter schools. It…

No sooner has the Net Price Calculator (NPC) wave crashed ashore, the next wave of college-choice transparency in the form of third-party data aggregators is threatening to engulf American colleges and universities. Since last October, NPCs have become a fact of life for American colleges and universities. Some are doing the bare minimum to comply…

In this article, the authors comment on Andrew Coulson's "Comparing Public, Private, and Market Schools: The International Evidence." The authors believe that Coulson's paper is a very interesting review of the literature on the ability of market-produced education to outperform government-produced education. Coulson's response on this commentary…

Children's rights in education in Great Britain and the United States were compared. Issues concerning control of educational choices, appeal against disciplinary decisions, access to student records, and the disclosure of school records in juvenile courts are analyzed. (AM)

This article compares Reagan's and Thatcher's redirection in school policy. Devices of "privatization" include the effective schools movement, devolution of authority, and magnet schools, and the new buzz words are "choice" and "competition." The challenge in school reform is to decentralize, deregulate, and even…

Summarizes a set of social and psychological factors thought to be responsible for the occupational and educational choices of women and men. Key features of a theoretical model are reviewed, and the implications of this model for understanding the link between gender roles and gendered educational and occupational decisions are discussed. (GR)

Discusses policies of choice and diversity in school provision in the United Kingdom and the United States. Outlines common elements of the context within which these policies have emerged. Highlights points of contrast between policy developments in the two countries. Interprets contrasts in terms of differences in systems of governance and…

This discussion on the utility of educational vouchers to equalize educational opportunity focuses on the differences between public and private schools and whether vouchers address those differences. Data on public and private school student achievement are presented and examined in this context. It is suggested that American students have no…

Compares parental behavior in two pairs of school districts to analyze the effects of choice on the formation of social capital in inner-city and suburban school districts: one with considerable choice and one without much choice. Findings indicate school choice stimulates parental involvement and can do this in both suburban and urban settings.…

In England, vast amounts of energy are being spent on changing organizational structures and school financing systems to produce a market accountability on the schools. Raises a series of questions that should be considered in restructuring efforts in the United States. (MLF)

Reviews the implications of James Coleman's report, "Public and Private High Schools" for education reform and Catholic schools, focusing on issues related to free choice between public and private schools, school organization, parent involvement, and values. (DMM)

This collection of short articles--summaries of materials presented at an October 1981 seminar--focuses on the probable impact of tuition tax credits. An introductory article summarizes arguments for and against. The second pair of articles present highlights of a debate between Chester Finn and Albert Shanker. In addition, 15 brief articles look…

The following papers dealing with education in Ireland are presented: "The Fortunes of Education as a Subject of Study and of Research in Ireland" (John Coolahan); "The Irish Charter Schools: The Grand Design in Principle and Practice" (Kenneth Milne); "Quaker Education in 18th and 19th Century Ireland" (Cyril G.…