The Impact of Emerging Market-Based Public Policy on Urban Schools and a Democratic Society

Abstract

Education is being transformed at a rapid pace because of a variety of political and social forces. One of those forces is an increased emphasis on market-based policy and practice. School reform advocates in general and political conservatives in particular see the market approach as one that can and will positively affect educational practices. Ridenour, Lasley, and Bainbridge examine the efficacy of the market approach as it has been evidenced in the development of charter schools and choice options. The authors conclude that the rate of change needs to be managed to protect students and that strategic partnerships must be created to ensure more collaboration between those with conflicting views. Whereas business benefits from competition, education requires a type of “coop-petition” to ensure that all students are provided an adequate education.

A Historical and Political Look at the Modern School Choice Movement

“…Fueled by frustrations with the public school system, these early innovative schools featured internships and apprenticeships, site-based management, and family involvement. Considered to be a way to reform public schools while keeping them public, charter schools were to have no admission requirements, to be open to a variety of students, and were to be operated with the same per-pupil expenditure as the traditional schools (Nathan, 1996;Ridenour, Lasley, & Bainbridge, 2001). However, charter schools typically operate with less per-pupil funding than traditional public schools (Batdorff, Maloney, May, Doyle, & Hassel, 2010).…”

From globalist to cosmopolitan learning: on the reflexive modernization of teacher education

“…Education is usually held to be a public concern or a collective good. 6 However, it is not surprising, in times of increasing individualization, marketization, and promises of freedom of choice, that a number of people think that there is something wrong with this public view of education. Many people claim their parental rights to decide over their children's education.…”

The Charter School Allure

“…Still others searching for effective school reform efforts believe charter schools are a way to more effectively service students considered at risk, who have realized the least growth in urban public schools (Fusarelli, 2002). Ridenour, Lasley, and Bainbridge (2001) argued that widespread proliferation of the market-based ideology will indeed harm the students most in need, noting that conceptually competition implies that "some will be left behind" (p. 78).…”