Discusses church and state relations in education and court decisions regarding these issues. Includes an appendix of major U.S. Supreme Court decisions related to public finance of nonpublic schools. (JOW)

The choice that a voucher proposition offers is between weakening the public schools still further by encouraging flight from them and strengthening the public schools by recalling them to their historic purpose of promoting the ideals of the democratic civic community. (Author)

Explores issues about the fairness of the present arrangement barring public support for private religious schools, showing that the arrangement is based on a consensus formed during the 1920s that established a strong conceptual separation between public and private, where religious schooling is relegated to the private sector, and cautioning…

The author discusses recent trends in education that are making the public call for education reform. The author recommends the articulation of a new public philosophy for public education. He feels the threat of tuition tax credits may hasten this articulation. (CT)

Argues that U.S. schools are failing because they systematically suppress children's interests, values, diversity, individuality, and idiosyncratic potentials. The paper suggests that a system of educational choice and vouchers has many advantages, including a competitive environment which responds to families. Also discusses and responds to…

Recent changes in the age and race composition of the population and in educational governance indicate that the public will be more receptive to educational vouchers. These changes, points of agreement and disagreement, and the history of educational vouchers are described. (CJ)

From the perspective of a Catholic educator, the author examines the education planks of the 1980 Democratic and Republican Party platforms, particularly those planks relating to private education and tuition tax credits. (SJL)

Despite substantial government investment in education in developing countries over the past 4 decades, progress has been uneven and large groups still have very limited access. Since the public sector is unlikely to ameliorate this situation, many countries see an increasing role for the private sector. This paper summarizes current knowledge…

This essay reviews religion and education in the context of church-state relations and several decades of judicial interpretations based on the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. (Author/MLF)

Examines the debate over privatizing public education through educational vouchers, summarizing practical issues raised when the ideals of choice and freedom are translated into real public policy. Addresses two important questions: "How much, and for whom?" and "Do markets produce quality?" Suggests that public educators must show that choice and…

This paper is part of a research project into parental choice, social class and market forces carried out by a team in Zaragoza (Spain). The main objective was to evaluate parents' choice of school and the consequences this may produce in terms of social exclusion and inequality. Additionally, our aim was to determine whether certain populations,…

Reviewing public education versus private education concerns, the author outlines the dangers of privatization and presents a strong argument for strengthening public education. (MD)

Provides a historical overview of public education, advocates freedom of choice as the best method for distributing education, describes some of the benefits of parental choice, and answers objections to tuition tax credits. (SK)

Both proponents and opponents of public support for private education argue that their own proposals for funding education offer the only means for achieving diversity, efficiency, and equity in education. Proponents of public support for private schools claim that diversity of educational options can only be guaranteed through government support…

Reports on a study that examined the effect of a tuition tax credit for parents who send their children to private schools on public school enrollment. Indicates that a substantial number of students would leave the public schools with the passage of tuition tax credit legislation. (SRT)