School Choice, Competition, and Social Policy

Practice vocabulary flashcards reviewing school choice, voucher programs, key political figures, and differing ideological perspectives on social policy.

School-choice reforms

Educational policies that allow parents and guardians to choose their students' schools, with the aim of encouraging competition between schools to attract students.

School vouchers

Programs that use taxpayer money to pay for student tuition in private and religious schools.

Establishment Clause (in school voucher debates)

A provision of the First Amendment cited by opponents who argue that directing public tax dollars to support religious schools is unconstitutional.

Fannie M. Lewis

A Democratic councilwoman from one of Cleveland's poorest wards and a devout Christian who became a prominent advocate for the school voucher program.

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)

A major health care reform supported by Democrats that included a requirement for most individuals to purchase health insurance or pay a fine.

Republican perspective on the Affordable Care Act

Opposition based on the belief that the policy redistributes wealth and interferes with the free market.

Market incentives (in public education)

Competitive pressures introduced by school-choice programs to motivate traditional public schools to improve educational standards to retain students and funding.