Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 5 · column 3 of 5 · from the scan, no model involved
commitment to their child’s education. In order for parents to be involved, they must be informed. Studies show that economically and educationally disadvantaged parents are often unable to participate in choice programs in an informed way.
Another limiting factor is transportation. If children are not provided transportation to their preferred school, many of them, for economic or logistical reasons, will not be able to exercise choice.
Like other education reform efforts, school choice does not come free of charge. To be successful, additional administrative and financial support is required. In every state, including Virginia, local school resources differ from one division to another. While resources alone do. not ensure excellence in education, the need for resources cannot be dismissed. The “supply and demand” theory used by choice proponents ignores critical issues. Good schools create choice, not vice versa.
The difference in resources potentially creates an uneven playing field between school districts. Experiences with the Massachusetts and Minnesota programs show that students who choose to attend another school or school division tend to select a more affluent school division or school with better equipped labs, more resources, more extracurricular programs. Few students choose less affluent or less wellequipped schools. Also, small school divisions have a high percentage of their total budget dedicated to fixed costs. Therefore, the loss of funds resulting from a students choosing to leave a division would have a greater fiscal impact on a small division than on a more affluent one.
Additionally, school choice programs should not be arbitrarily imposed. Choice programs that have been developed slowly, locally, and voluntarily are the ones that have been most successful.
Regardless of the option chosen, school choice alone does not appear to be the solution to the problems facing public education today. Having a few attractive, innovative schools or magnet schools that serve a small number of students successfully, but neglect the majority of students, is not equitable.
95.3%