The Choice Controversy

by Peter W. Cookson Jr. (Editor)

Parents and teachers across America are taking sides on the `choice′ controversy. With this plan, parents recieve tuition `vouchers′ from local governments allowing them to send their children to the state or private school of their choice. The Choice Controversy addresses the critical questions in this hotly contested what does choice mean in a democratic society? Will choice lead to higher student achievement and better schools? In addition, new data from experiments with choice plans in other countries are brought to the debate in the US.

240 pages, Hardcover

First published August 10, 1992

About the author

Peter W. Cookson, Jr. is the author or co-author of over fifteen books about social inequality, education and the American upper class. Currently, he is managing director of Education Sector in Washington, D.C., and teaches at Teachers College, Columbia University and Georgetown University. He is also president of Ideas without Borders, an educational consulting firm specializing in 21st century education, technology and human rights.

Peter's book "Preparing for Power: America’s Elite Boarding Schools" is widely recognized as a sociological classic. His recent book "Sacred Trust: A Children’s Education Bill of Rights" captures his commitment to social equality. His latest book "Class Rules: Exposing Inequality in American High Schools" examines the powerful effects of social class on education.

"The Red Cadillac" is his memoir of the pain and humor of growing up in the topsy-turvy world of show business, poverty and old money.

He holds a Ph.D. in the sociology of education from New York University, a Certificate of Advanced Study from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Masters Degree in ethics and world religions from the Yale Divinity School.

He writes and blogs regularly, most frequently at http://www.quickanded.com.