Are public charter schools more effective than traditional public schools? This book provides quantitative evidence to answer this question and considers a better way to undertake a policy of school choice.
School Choice: A Balanced Approach is the most comprehensive examination of traditional public schools, public charter schools, and faith-based schools that has ever been undertaken. By considering and comparing the overall data on these three types of educational systems, it provides insight on likely outcomes of school choice programs. The author’s objective is not to advance any particular agenda, but rather to provide readers with an unbiased analysis of research that has been embraced by both the G.W. Bush and Obama administrations that will allow for fresh thinking and the betterment of American education as a whole.
Author William H. Jeynes, PhD, asks vital questions regarding the school choice issue that are often overlooked: Which specific programs of school choice are likely to work, and which would likely fail? Is school choice really a boon for the private sector? How might the implementation of school choice programs increase or decrease the financial burden on government budget deficits? This book carefully addresses a relevant topic that ultimately affects every American, making it essential reading for everyone from government officials and educators to students and the general public.
Features
- Supplies a unique evaluation of the school choice issue that is based, in part, on meta-analysis, an approach that allows social scientists to conclude which school choice policy would be the most productive and enables readers to easily grasp what the overall body of research indicates
- Fairly presents and considers the points raised both by advocates and opponents of school choice
- Examines the complex issue of school choice from a number of different perspectives, including a historical view, from the aspect of policymaking, and in terms of data analysis
- Considers the popular theory among social scientists that allowing private schools to become more involved in education could relieve the federal government of some of its financial burden from education
William H. Jeynes, PhD, is professor of education at California State University, Long Beach, and senior fellow at the Witherspoon Institute in Princeton, NJ. He graduated first in his class from Harvard University and also graduated from the University of Chicago, where he received the Rosenberger Award for most outstanding student. Jeynes has spoken and written for the White House, various U.S. government departments, and for both the G.W. Bush and Obama administrations. Arising from the the Asian Economic Crisis of 1997–1998, Jeynes gave his four-point proposal to the acting president of Korea, which was passed and became the foundation for their economic and education policy. He has 135 publications to his credit, including 11 books and many articles in major newspapers.
Reviews
"William Jeynes has reviewed almost a hundred studies on school types and student outcomes, and concludes that religious private schools compare favorably with public schools and charter schools. Religious private schools reduce the achievement gap for minority and low-income youth, and make other positive contributions. In other words, religious private schools work, a finding of no small importance for education reform. At a time when many inner-city religious private schools are closing for lack of finances, Jeynes believes choice plans should include them, but without imposing bureaucratic controls that would stifle the qualities that make them successful." —Jack Klenk, Former Director, Office of Non-Public Education–U.S. Department of Education
"School choice is here to stay. And this important book by William Jeynes defines education choice for both rich and poor parents, wherever they may reside. Jeynes helps to explain those who seek and actually get educational opportunities, or do not, in public, private, religious, and nonsectarian K–12 schools. Importantly, this analysis makes it possible for us to understand—based on availability and resources—what effects these options have on everyone: children, families, schools, communities, and nation. Thus, make a choice to read this important book."—Bruce S. Cooper, PhD, Professor, Fordham University
"William Jeynes has written a critically important book for anyone concerned about public, private, and charter school education. After controlling for variables such as social class, race, and gender, Jeynes found that students who attended faith-based schools surpassed their public and charter school counterparts in educational achievement. Black and Hispanic students showed the greatest gains in closing the achievement gap. Jeynes’ book challenges us to place the needs of children and the preferences of parents above the fray of partisan politics."—Dr. Carol M. Swain, Professor of Political Science & Law, Vanderbilt University
