Innovation in Education Markets: Theory and Evidence on the Impact of Competition and Choice in Charter Schools Author(s): Christopher Lubienski Reviewed work(s): Source:American Educational Research Journal,Vol. 40, No. 2 (Summer, 2003), pp. 395-443 Published by:American Educational Research Association Stable URL:. Accessed: 07/11/2012 16:00 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . . JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. . American Educational Research Associationis collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access toAmerican Educational Research Journal.
American Educational Research Journal Summer 2003, Vol. 40, No.2, pp. 395-443 Innovation in Education Markets: Theoryand Evidence on theImpact of Competition and Choice in Charter Schools Christopher Lubienski Iowa State University Charter schools elevate choice andcompetitiontofoster educational innova- tions.Indeed, thesemarket-stylemechanisms are intended to challenge standardizedpractices associated with district administration of schools. However, acomprehensivereviewof practices in charter schools indicates that, althoughsomeorganizational innovations areevident, classroom strate- giestend toward thefamiliar. Drawingonorganizational and economic theory, this article considersthe forces shaping educational innovation in market-orientedreforms. Although reformersassume that competition and choicenecessarilylead to innovations withinschools, a more complex exam- inationof competitiveinstitutional environmentssuggests that mechanisms employed by reformers may actuallyundercut their intendedpurposes. The discussionhighlightsthepotential for choice andcompetition to constrain opportunities foreducational innovation and toimpose pedagogical and curricular conformity. KEYWORDs:charterschools, competition, educationpolicy, school choice. "It'sjust like Pepsi-Cola!"--Georgianpresident Eduard Shevardnadze, aftersamplingCoca-Colaat theopeningof a new Coke bottling plant in Tiblisi Few ideas are moreclosely associated with charter schools than the notion of innovation. Much of thethinkingon school choice proceeds from the premisethat state-administered schools arenecessarilyboundby bureau- CHRISTOPHERLUBIENSKIis an Assistant Professorof Historical and Comparative Studiesin Educationat Iowa StateUniversity,E155A Lagomarcino Hall, Ames, IA50011; e-mail [email protected]. He is also a Fellow at Brown University's Advanced Studies Fellowship Program.
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