school choice

noun

US : a program or policy in which students are given the choice to use public funds to attend a school other than their district's public school (as at a charter school, private school, home school, or at a public school in a different district)

Voucher plans were adopted largely as a last resort, an effort to guarantee a semblance of school choice for low-income minority students in failing inner-city schools.

—Jeffrey Rosen

To be sure, even their most enthusiastic defenders acknowledge that many public schools, especially in big cities are riven with serious problems. The debate over "school choice" and tax vouchers for private schools illustrates the widespread discontent with public schools.

—Dirk Johnson

Examples of school choice in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, cyber charters increased their revenue by $425 million and reserves to cover unexpected expenses by 144% between 2020 and 2023, with support from school choice advocates such as cyber charter leaders and advocacy organizations. —Julia McWilliams, The Conversation, 4 June 2026

Kamoutsas has also championed school choice initiatives and crackdowns on diversity, equity and inclusion principles in schools. —Austin Horn june 4, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026

While supporters of school choice and education reform like myself are grateful for his clashes with the teachers unions at the time, that was also what effectively killed his subsequent efforts at the governorship in 2018 and now 2026. —Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 31 May 2026

Mattammal also wants to expand school choice options throughout the state, including through federal or state school vouchers that would give California families public dollars to attend private school. —Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 25 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1988, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for school choice

• rejoice
• voice