The term school choice programs refers to various types of educational experiments under which parents can choose where to send their children.
In the 1970s, school choice took the form of magnet schools, usually centralized public schools that offered special enrichment programs to entice children from their local schools.
At first, they were part of an' attempt to improve racial balance in the schools, but soon they became known primarily as laboratories for experiments in education.
Another form of school choice is the use of school vouchers.
They provide for the transfer of public funds to the public or private school of the parents' choice.
Since the funds follow the child, it was hoped that voucher plans would stimulate the local schools to perform better in order to keep their students.
The most recent school choice development has been the charter school movement.
This nationwide effort allows parents and private educators (or anyone who has an idea for a school) to create and control a school that is chartered by the state and funded by public money.
Staff hiring and curriculum decisions are in the planners' hands, although the schools are often subject to certain state rules and regulations as well.