Ariz. So mother and son turned to Arizona's school choice law, which allows students to enroll in any public school with openings. As the debate unfolds in Washington over tuition vouchers for students to attend private schools, public school choice is sweeping the country without controversy. From Delaware to Arizona, parents and students are no longer tethered to their neighborhood schools, whether they're failing or not.
Parents can choose from charter schools, magnet schools and even public schools in other districts.
Gifted students can take college courses, and students with behavior problems can enroll in alternative schools. There's tons of public school choice going on now. Notwithstanding their dispute on vouchers, both political parties say choice within the public school system has empowered parents, promoted accountability and forced low-performing schools to improve. President Bush wants to create a fund to develop and promote innovative approaches to school choice. Both plans also would increase funding for charter schools, privately run schools that are open to all students at no cost.