John Merrifield, Professor of Economics (35 years), Emeritus now heads the new think tank, the Institute for Objective Policy Assessment. He published 55 journal articles, and several books including the critically acclaimed The School Choice Wars (2001).

Unproductive School Choice Debates is an important and well-timed analysis of how to create an educational system in the United States that leads to optimal education for all children. It’s discussion of the confusion regarding educational choice terminology and interpretation of research findings provide a road map for those who engage in the debate over how to move from a largely failed educational system to one that is truly transformational in improving our children’s education.

• Foreword by Terry MoePreface: Still a ‘Nation at Risk’Memorial to Seymour SarasonPart I: Key Underlying FactorsIntroductionElements of an Open Education Industry Hyped Experiments in Near IrrelevanceChartered Public Schools – Mostly Chance, Not ChoicePart II: Issues in the Debate Over Parental Choice ExpansionFallacies About School ChoiceGovernment Regulation IssuesThe Neglect of Costs Fund Children or Institutions?Federal, State, and Local Roles and Perspectives Equity and Equality Diversity IssuesPart III. Strategic and Tactical IssuesImportant Policy Choices Strategic and Tactical Mistakes13. Teachers14. Outlook and Political StrategyBibliographyIndex

John Merrifield, Professor of Economics (35 years), Emeritus now heads the new think tank, the Institute for Objective Policy Assessment. He published 55 journal articles, and several books including the critically acclaimed The School Choice Wars (2001).

Unproductive School Choice Debates is an important and well-timed analysis of how to create an educational system in the United States that leads to optimal education for all children. It’s discussion of the confusion regarding educational choice terminology and interpretation of research findings provide a road map for those who engage in the debate over how to move from a largely failed educational system to one that is truly transformational in improving our children’s education.

• Foreword by Terry MoePreface: Still a ‘Nation at Risk’Memorial to Seymour SarasonPart I: Key Underlying FactorsIntroductionElements of an Open Education Industry Hyped Experiments in Near IrrelevanceChartered Public Schools – Mostly Chance, Not ChoicePart II: Issues in the Debate Over Parental Choice ExpansionFallacies About School ChoiceGovernment Regulation IssuesThe Neglect of Costs Fund Children or Institutions?Federal, State, and Local Roles and Perspectives Equity and Equality Diversity IssuesPart III. Strategic and Tactical IssuesImportant Policy Choices Strategic and Tactical Mistakes13. Teachers14. Outlook and Political StrategyBibliographyIndex

John Merrifield, Professor of Economics (35 years), Emeritus now heads the new think tank, the Institute for Objective Policy Assessment. He published 55 journal articles, and several books including the critically acclaimed The School Choice Wars (2001).

Unproductive School Choice Debates is an important and well-timed analysis of how to create an educational system in the United States that leads to optimal education for all children. It’s discussion of the confusion regarding educational choice terminology and interpretation of research findings provide a road map for those who engage in the debate over how to move from a largely failed educational system to one that is truly transformational in improving our children’s education.

• Foreword by Terry MoePreface: Still a ‘Nation at Risk’Memorial to Seymour SarasonPart I: Key Underlying FactorsIntroductionElements of an Open Education Industry Hyped Experiments in Near IrrelevanceChartered Public Schools – Mostly Chance, Not ChoicePart II: Issues in the Debate Over Parental Choice ExpansionFallacies About School ChoiceGovernment Regulation IssuesThe Neglect of Costs Fund Children or Institutions?Federal, State, and Local Roles and Perspectives Equity and Equality Diversity IssuesPart III. Strategic and Tactical IssuesImportant Policy Choices Strategic and Tactical Mistakes13. Teachers14. Outlook and Political StrategyBibliographyIndex