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School choice is one of the most debated topics in American education policy, and you're being tested on more than just definitions. The AP exam wants you to understand the underlying tensions: public vs. private funding, local control vs. standardization, equity vs. individual freedom, and accountability vs. autonomy. These options represent fundamentally different philosophies about who should control education, who should pay for it, and what purposes schools should serve in a democratic society.
When you encounter school choice on the exam, think about the trade-offs each option represents. Every choice involves balancing competing values—a charter school gains flexibility but may sacrifice oversight; a voucher program expands family options but diverts public funds. Don't just memorize what each school type is—know what educational philosophy it represents and what critics on both sides would say about it.
These options represent the traditional American commitment to universal, taxpayer-funded education controlled by elected officials. The core principle: education as a public good that government has a responsibility to provide equally to all children.
Compare: Public schools vs. Magnet schools—both publicly funded and operated, but magnet schools can select students while traditional public schools cannot. If an FRQ asks about equity in school choice, this distinction matters: magnets may cream the most motivated students.
These options use public money but operate outside traditional district control. The core tension: accountability to taxpayers vs. freedom to innovate.
Compare: Charter schools vs. Voucher programs—both expand choice beyond traditional public schools, but charters remain public institutions while vouchers fund private ones. This distinction is crucial for questions about church-state separation and public accountability.
These schools operate entirely outside the public system, funded by families and donors. The core principle: education as a private good that families should control and pay for.
Compare: Private schools vs. Charter schools—both offer alternatives to traditional public education, but private schools have complete autonomy while charters must meet accountability standards to keep their contracts. This explains why some reformers prefer charters: they combine choice with public oversight.
These options challenge the traditional model of school-based education itself. The core principle: one-size-fits-all schooling doesn't work for every child.
Compare: Homeschooling vs. Virtual schools—both remove students from physical school buildings, but homeschooling puts parents in control while virtual schools maintain institutional structure with professional teachers. An FRQ might ask which better serves students lacking family resources to teach at home.
| Concept | Best Examples |
|---|---|
| Publicly funded & operated | Public schools, Magnet schools |
| Publicly funded, independently run | Charter schools, Voucher programs, Open enrollment |
| Privately funded | Private schools, Most Montessori schools |
| Challenges traditional schooling model | Homeschooling, Virtual schools, Alternative schools |
| Selective admissions allowed | Private schools, Magnet schools |
| Must accept all students | Public schools, Charter schools (via lottery) |
| Promotes market competition | Vouchers, Open enrollment, Charters |
| Maximum family control | Homeschooling, Private schools |
Which two school choice options are publicly funded but can use selective admissions processes, and why does this create equity concerns?
Compare charter schools and voucher programs: What do they share in terms of goals, and how do they differ in terms of accountability to the public?
If a student's family wants maximum control over curriculum and teaching philosophy but cannot afford tuition, which options might they consider, and what trade-offs would each involve?
An FRQ asks you to evaluate whether school choice policies increase or decrease educational equity. Which two options would you contrast to make the strongest argument for each side?
What distinguishes alternative schools from other choice options in terms of the student populations they typically serve, and why might this affect how we evaluate their outcomes?