Another new Koret Task Force volume from Hoover, this one is edited by Paul Hill, runs 222 pages and, in seven chapters, closely examines the issue of children alleged to be "left behind" by school-choice programs. The authors suggest a number of policies and design principles to mitigate social-equity harm from choice programs, while showing that such programs confer the greatest benefit on the neediest youngsters and families-and arguing that they (the choice programs) should be judged in relation to the real world alternatives available to such children, not against idealized standards. After Hill's introduction come a chapter on how to assess choice programs (by Hill and Kacey Guin); one setting forth the evidence from experimental studies in New York, Washington and Dayton (by Paul Peterson, David Campbell and Martin West); one offering a "supply-side view of student selectivity" (John Chubb); one on the "quality of peers" left in traditional public schools (the tireless Eric Hanushek); a detailed review of the evidence of the effects of choice on students in conventional public schools (the prolific Caroline Hoxby); and a concluding essay on "the structure of school choice" by Terry Moe. The ISBN is 0817938923. This volume, too, can be obtained for $15 plus $4 shipping fee by calling 800-935-2882 or visiting http://www-hoover.stanford.edu/homepage/books/choice.html.
