Supporters claim that virtually all the models show an increased draw on state treasuries in the early years of the program. Over a longer period of time, however, they show the state budget accruing significant savings if there is a sufficiently increased number of students who transfer from the public schools to other schools. These funds, then, could be used for the most needy public schools. For Discussion 1. Join in the discussion.
Some observers view the present public school system in economic terms.
They think the system should be understood as a virtual monopoly. In a given school district, they point out, public schools provide the only schooling that all students are required to have by law and that is affordable to most. As long as there are a sufficient number of students in their district, public schools will have students, no matter how poorly they educate. One line of argument for educational choice builds on this economic analysis. The reason why public education is mediocre or worse is due to the near monopoly status of public schools.