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A Think Twice Review of:

Manhattan Institute Report Fails to Muster Solid Evidence to Support Vouchers

Think Twice - Oct 22, 2019

Publisher/Think Tank - Manhattan Institute

Author(s) - Ashley Rogers Berner, Johns Hopkins University

A recent Manhattan Institute report argues that the idea of what constitutes a "public" school should be expanded to include private schools that receive public funding. The report also contends that public funding for education should in fact be divided between traditional district public schools, charter schools, and private schools, with funding decisions based on student enrollment. Expansion of funding, it concludes, will result in greater choice for all students and will improve the quality of education.


Reviewer(s) - Joel Westheimer, University of Ottawa

Joel Westheimer of the University of Ottawa reviewed The Case for Educational Pluralism in the U.S., and found several serious problems. The report, he explained, is plagued by a lack of evidence, flawed logic, and a failure to consider differences in economic, social, political, and regulatory contexts. He also noted that the report's central argument originates primarily from "conceptual perspectives" rather than empirical research.