Liberty Dr. Len Elovitz Chapter 15 in Guthrie 1 Peabody College Series. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

LibertyLibertyDr. Len Elovitz

Chapter 15 in Guthrie

1

Peabody College Series. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

2


Purpose of the ChapterPurpose of the Chapter

To understand how the manner in which educational choice might affect the lived reality of parents

Who has liberty to do what at whose expense?

3


LibertyLiberty

Liberty is at the heart of the American experience. The associated freedom to choose includes personal choice in political, philosophical, and economic alternatives.

The “rub” arises when applied to schooling. The tension lies between benefiting the individual or society.

Is the student a creature of the family, the state, or the individual?

4


Cathy’s ChoiceCathy’s Choice

Refer to the case in your text pages 327 7 328 The idea of a common school system benefiting

all students is an American model. Yet, Americans are uncomfortable with uniformity as well as policy that directly affects their situation.

“Of course we should diversify my daughter’s school, but if we are adversely affected by rezoning, we will go private (or sue all the way to the Supreme Court!).”

5


Differing View of LibertyDiffering View of Liberty

The debate centers on the assumption that government is best when at its least and if asked to govern, does so closest to the people.– Negative liberty

Seeks to free an agent Much of education focuses breaking down barriers within

the system to make education possible for all impossible

– Positive liberty Seeks barriers necessary to protect choice of a greater

number of people– Speed limit is an example

6


Liberty Argument with Three Agents: Liberty Argument with Three Agents: state, local district, and individual state, local district, and individual familiesfamilies Public provision of education increases bureaucracy and

restricts choice Teacher assignment done by the bureaucracy without

parental input Parents not included in curricular or instructional

decisions. Attendance compulsory without regard to family need School year calendar imposes vacation times on the

family Students bound to the system through ages 16 or 18

irregardless of system’s capacity to deliver the core technology

7


The Liberty Argument & The The Liberty Argument & The Administration of SchoolsAdministration of SchoolsSome feel the level above them cause the

negative liberty, hampering the ability of providing choice for students and their families

All levels use the argument in an attempt to implement personal or collective preferences contending that they will lead to an improved educational experience

8


State Liberty and the Federal RoleState Liberty and the Federal Role

Article 10 of the Bill of Rights allocates the responsibility of education to states, implicitly

Until the 1954 Brown V. Board of Education Supreme Court case, the federal government stayed silent on matter of public education

Using the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, the federal government’s role in the governance of public education has grown

9


District-Level and the State RoleDistrict-Level and the State Role

Ultimate responsibility for public education rests on the state

State educational agencies dictate a range of issues– Curriculum– Facilities– Financial management– Allocation of resources

10


Family-Level Liberty: School Family-Level Liberty: School ChoiceChoiceHousehold is the closest available unit of

governanceMost invested in student outcomesGreatest empowerment of educational

choices for students

11


SubsidiaritySubsidiarity

This is the idea that the lowest decision unit that is closest to the client: individual, family, school, district, county, state, or nation that has the primary decision authority

The family is a unit of governance Decisions should be made at this level unless

there is a compelling reason– National defense

There is a tension between family wants and educators’ knowledge and skill sets as to deciding what is best for the student

12


Incremental Means for Enhancing Incremental Means for Enhancing School ChoiceSchool ChoiceMagnet Schools

– 1970’s schools of specialization– Open enrollment or lottery systems– Receive additional funding– Appeals to parents– No transportation provided– At times, used to racially integrate systems

13


Incremental Means for Enhancing Incremental Means for Enhancing School Choice School Choice (cont’d)(cont’d) Intradistrict Choice

– Market within a district

– Parents free to choose any public school within zone or district

– Desegregation method under unitary status

– Tradeoffs Resegregation Benefits dependent on demographic of the district Increased transportation costs Decreases efficiency of the school district and their budgets

14


Enhancing School ChoiceEnhancing School Choice

Charter Schools– Charter laws vary from state to state determining

liberty of school governance, resources, instruction, and operation

– While the model varies greatly, several common elements have emerged:

A governance structure independent of the district Reduced or eliminated state regulations Direct parental control A mandate to succeed with sanctions for failure

15


Charter SchoolsCharter Schools

A national survey of charter school parents revealed in the following characteristics were important drivers in choice of a charter– Small school and class size– Safe environment– Quality academic programs– High standards– Specialized curricular focus

16


Charter SchoolsCharter Schools

The impact of the charter school model on student achievement is mixed. Some of the charters have been revoked by their state. Many non-renewals are blamed on lack of business savvy versus concerns over curriculum or instruction.

Charter research still lacks a depth needed for real evaluation of the program, but some innovation taken place in the charters is finding its way to the traditional public schools.

17



Vouchers– Milton Friedman’s concept of liberty and public

education– Family is an economic unit subject to free markets for

goods and services– Education funds travel with the student– Model of horizontal equity– Household has ultimate control over schooling– Supreme Court ruled vouchers constitutional in

Zelman v. Simmons-Harris

18


VouchersVouchers

Challenges– Communitarian concerns– Ethnic and socioeconomic balkanization– Elites will out price certain students– Private concerns - tensions profit v.

educational interests– Violation of church and state - Zelman v.

Simmons-Harris

19



Tuition Tax Credits– Enfranchises households as decision maker– Less governmental regulation– Parents get a tax credit for attendance at

nonpublic schools– Tax credits can be graduated in terms of

schooling level or by taxpayer income bracket– Effect seems less attractive than state

provision of transportation

20



Other Market Mechanisms– Added efficiency from use of market

mechanisms– Contract providers for cafeteria services– Decentralize budget for staff development and

curriculum assistance to school sites– Increase accountability and control at school

sites

21


Liberty as Aspiration and Policy:Liberty as Aspiration and Policy:NCLB and the Future of School ChoiceNCLB and the Future of School Choice Historically, liberty has been seen as an outcome,

now paradigm shift to view it as an input in the schooling process

NCLB gives “teeth” to Florida’s use of vouchers making this the first time a viable choice option has been tied to a greater education policy on a national scale

Implications– Replaces bureaucratic “government schools”– May harm political will to fund community schools– Choice options brought into sharpen and supplement

failing public education schools

22


SummarySummary Choice replicates the policy improvements of the

past in its untried and dangerous setting The introduction of choice has prompted a

groundswell of empirical research all aimed at finding out what makes an effective school….effective

Educators, policymakers, and parents are learning of the costs and benefits associated with a move toward greater liberty in public schools

The issue of choice provides substantial material for debate in conversations surrounding the future of the American education system

Documents

Liberty Dr. Len Elovitz Chapter 15 in Guthrie 1 Peabody College Series. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009