Arizona State University. Education Policy Research Unit.

This policy brief explores the intersection of school choice and accountability. Based on a review of research since 1970, we first develop a typology of four distinct models of accountability: bureaucratic, performance, market and professional. We both define these and demonstrate how they are embedded in the school choice movement. Second, we examine several school choice options--vouchers and tax credits, charter schools, virtual/cyber schools,...

Research findings suggest choice schools and programs are as segregated, and in some instances, more segregated by race and socioeconomic status (SES) than the other schools in their local community. Moreover, many forms of choice also segregate students by ability and achievement levels. The ways that school choice options are designed and implemented result in very little desegregation. The exceptions to this generalization are intradistrict full...