Two examples this week of why injecting competition into the system works. In Minneapolis, word comes that the local district has lost almost 5,500 students in the past five years, mostly to charter schools and suburban schools through open enrollment plans. In response, district leaders say they are looking into making their schools more responsive to the needs and wants of parents. "In determining the district's future, school leaders will try to figure out what's driving parents' choices," reports the Star Tribune. "'What is it that parents, collectively, want? What part of it are we willing to compete for, and what part of it aren't we willing to compete for?'" asked [Superintendent David] Jennings. All good questions that every district should ask without waiting for enrollment loss. Also this week, Florida Governor Jeb Bush came to Washington to explain why vouchers for kids in failing schools are a small but nonetheless crucial part of his education plans. Without the threat of competition, he explained, schools have no incentive to improve, and even the small number of vouchers received by Florida students (less than 1,000 out of 2.5 million students) have "brought about remarkable focus" on the part of affected district schools.
"Public schools lose 5,500 students in Minneapolis," by Allie Shah, Minneapolis Star Tribune, November 4, 2003
"Florida's experience may aid argument for vouchers," by Alan Murray, Wall Street Journal, November 4, 2003 (subscription required)