Introductory overview followed by presentation of 2 alternatives and reform.

Community A offers Private School Vouchers.

• Vouchers use money that would have gone to the public school system to help families send their children to private schools.
• Vouchers can be used for religious or non-religious private schools.

Those who like this approach often say:

• Students should not have to stay in public schools that are failing.
• Competition with private schools is the only thing likely to spur real public school reform.

Community B established Public Charter Schools. A charter is an authorization granted by the district or the state to create a public school free of many regulations.

• Space permitting, they must accept any student in the district
• They hire their own teachers and sometimes express a distinctive educational approach. They cannot be religious schools.
• They can be closed if they do not perform up to standards.

Those who like this approach often say:

• Charter schools give families more options, which is important because no school system operating under a central administration and a single set of policies can offer what is best for all students.
• Competition encourages all public schools to improve

Community C is making the system work through public school reform. This community believes that the problems of the public schools can and should be fixed.

• With smart policies, strong leadership, adequate resources, and community involvement, school reform can succeed.

Those who like this approach often say:

• In a country as diverse as America, it is crucial that different kinds of children go to school together.
• Rather than creating healthy competition, charters and vouchers drain away needed funds, as well as the best students, from the public school system.