Chapter 1: Introduction

The allure of school choice is, in part, ideological. But this allure is also linked to a very real problem: there exists tremendous variation among neighborhood schools in terms of quality and resources, and access to those neighborhood schools depends on wealth. Lower wealth families are less able to purchase a residence in the catchment (enrollment) area of a high-resourced, high-quality neighborhood school. Breaking the link between residence and school assignment would seem a logical way of addressing this problem.¹

This choice-as-equity goal exists alongside the ideological attraction of choice, since Americans tend to place a high value on individual liberty. For those advocating school choice based on this liberty interest, an increase in individual liberty is an inherent good. Moreover, these advocates tend to believe that as parents’ choices are increased, and as a marketplace of schooling options is further developed, the invisible hand of the market will drive greater efficiencies and higher overall quality.