The Illusion of School Choice by Antony Davies and R. Harrigan

In private schools, as in private enterprise in general, poor performance drives funding away by driving paying customers away. Yet in public schools, poor performance is used as an excuse for increased funding. With incentives like these, is it any wonder that public schools are failing our children so badly? Isn’t it time to inject some competition into the system?

Education for all is a worthy wish. So is food for all. But we don’t force poor people to eat state-produced food. Even food stamp recipients get to choose where to shop. Why shouldn’t beneficiaries of public education spending get to choose where to send their kids?

Two economically inquiring minds want to know…

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Articles

White, wealthy communities are forming their own school districts | www.pbs.org

Public High Schools Are Not Doing Their Jobs

Just the teacher facts | triblive.com

Data

Education Spending Per Student by State | www.governing.com

NAEP – 2015 Mathematics & Reading Assessments | www.nationsreportcard.gov

Average Private School Tuition Cost (2016-2017) | PrivateSchoolReview.com

Fast Facts | nces.ed.gov

Antony Davies

Antony Davies is associate professor of economics at Duquesne University and Chief Academic Officer at FreedomTrust.

He is a member of the FEE Faculty Network.

James R. Harrigan

James R. Harrigan is CEO of FreedomTrust.

RELATED VIDEO: Are Charter Schools Better Than Public Schools?

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