Market Approaches to Education

Cathy Wylie, New Zealand Council for Educational Research This volume of 21 papers contains some essential reading for researchers into New Zealand's education reforms, policymakers, politicians, and lobbyists. Mainly written by economists and political scientists, the papers address some of the core issues and premises of policies which aim to improve educational achievement and quality through choice and competition. New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies G. Johnes, Lancaster University, UK The international perspective provided by the papers is impressive. Various chapters concern school-choice schemes which have operated in Britain, Columbia, France, Japan, The Netherlands, Tanzania, Thailand and the US... it is a book which provides a fine and balanced overview of both conceptual and empirical work on a topic which, because standard methods of analysis are still lacking and because subjective opinions differ, is difficult. Given the nature of the problem and the state-of-the-art, it would be difficult to confer higher praise upon the contributors and the editor. Education Economics A.M. Nalla Gounden The authors of the papers are high priests in economics of education...it is a book that must be read and reflected by those in educational planning and management; these articles are useful to researchers also who plan for doing research. As India is accepting a free market approach to economic and social development, the book should be read by more people... the book is a fine collection of first rate articles. Journal of Educational Planning & Administration Cecilia Elena Rouse, Princeton University ... As states are debating and adopting voucher programs it is critical that we understand what we "know" about school choice and what we do not "know." This edited volume, therefore, is a welcome addition to the literature. It provides an excellent overview of the issues surrounding school choice and vouchers. The breadth of issues covered is comprehensive and the views represented wide-ranging... Unlike many edited volumes, the quality of these papers is generally above average, and they complement one another nicely... The goal of the volume is to provide a handy reference on some of the best work regarding school choice and school vouchers. The volume certainly meets this goal and will be a welcome addition to the libraries of all interested in the economics of education, in general, and in school choice, in particular. Economics of Education Review

• Preface. Introduction. Theory and Practice of Choice in Education. Are Private Schools Superior to Public Schools? Empirical Studies of School Choice and Vouchers.