INDEPENDENCE ISSUE | aN Rae Issue Paper 17-1988 August, 1988 CONSUMER SOVEREIGNTY IN THE SCHOOLS Will Colorado Opt for School Choice as Minnesota Did? By John K. Andrews, Jr. INDEPENDENCE INSTITUTE 14142 DENVER WEST PARKWAY, SUITE 185 GOLDEN, COLORADO 80401 (303) 279-6536 FAX (303) 279-4176 Note: The Independence Issue Papers are published for educational purposes only, and the authors speak for themselves. Nothing written here is to be construed as necessarily representing the views of the Independence Institute, or as an attempt to influence any election or legislative action,SJ00HD2 AHT 4 YTMOIaRavOe AaM SiG? Rinearhiil ee eolsn 2 101 gO opsiolnGt Ae webb h BakAugust 5, 1988 CONSUMER SOVEREIGNTY IN THE SCHOOLS Will Colorado Opt for School Choice as Minnesota Did? By John K, Andrews, Jr. "Better Schools through Wider Choice" was the topic when 100 conferees from 13 states gathered for the Western States Education Summit in Golden, Colorado, on dune 17, 1988, This issue paper summarizes the proceedings. Empowering parents to shop for their children's needs in an open educational marketplace, and empowering teachers to respond flexibly in meeting those needs, were the main themes of the day. The feasibility of this approach was emphasized by Minnesota's adoption of the Enrollment Options Act, removing all attendance boundaries between public schools, only a few weeks before. It seemed apparent at the summit that Colorado is the likeliest laboratory in the region, perhaps in the country, for the next major experiment with educa~ tional choice. Discussion centered around two proposals already on the table: a legislative bill providing for public schools of choice (PSOC), and a petition to amend the state constitution so parents could receive vouchers good at any public or nonsectarian nonpublic school. By day's end, preferences had been clarified, coalition possibilities tar- geted, and implementation plans sketched out. The PSOC acronym, which you will Find used throughout the following report, had becone familiar to all. But there was not unanimity on what those four letters may spell as more states try them. Radical and healthy education reform, said some conferees. A placebo inadequate to cure the schools’ worst ills, said others. Read on and form your own conclusions. SPONTA Rete ea eS ae a ee iivachon cess) Neededsand|HowaltaCaniMOthes lsc ee 6 = ays 2) The Minnesota Experience with Public Schools of Choice. ....++++..++ 3 The Colorado Situation: PSOC Backers Plan ‘89 Bill after '88 Defeat. ..... 6 Vouchers: The V-Word Kas Conceptual Appeal But Lacks Political Pull. ..... 7 StpampPollyor, Summit; Pacticipants; easntes quel sea cial tenens- a7omy-adg- 2 - 10. Policy Implementation, Coalition Building, and State Networking. ....... 11 wee scorecard, tins Figreen, StaLesst ome (li oyesiclend speci cfu activa vatacienct: «12 Issue Papers, Cassettes, and Video from the Western States Summit. ...... 15