I agree with what you say about choice. However, I can't think about the idea of giving parents a choice in schools outside of its current context: Vast, persistent inequity in the lives of students and their families and in the resources of schools. No amount of choice of schools will mediate the effects of inequity. In addition one of the drivers of school choice is the perceived need to give some kids "a leg up" in the competition for the resources needed for a decent life. Those resources are scarce by choice. Also, I don't want the option for "choice" to meet any unique needs of a child to limit them experiencing engagement with other children across differences. In other words choice of schools should never undermine the necessity for integrated schools in a democracy.
I agree with what you say about choice. However, I can't think about the idea of giving parents a choice in schools outside of its current context: Vast, persistent inequity in the lives of students and their families and in the resources of schools. No amount of choice of schools will mediate the effects of inequity. In addition one of the drivers of school choice is the perceived need to give some kids "a leg up" in the competition for the resources needed for a decent life. Those resources are scarce by choice. Also, I don't want the option for "choice" to meet any unique needs of a child to limit them experiencing engagement with other children across differences. In other words choice of schools should never undermine the necessity for integrated schools in a democracy.