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

The bill also bars supporters of terrorist groups from receiving any state funding, including institutions receiving school choice scholarship money — a response to reports of Islamic schools receiving vouchers. —Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026

Last year, campaign spending topped $13 million, according to an analysis by Chalkbeat, with top contributors including CTU and pro-school choice groups like the Illinois Network of Charter Schools. —Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026

And the reason why their populations are decreasing is because of universal school choice. —March 8, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026

Questions about how this program would serve students with special needs have emerged as a key source of tension in the school choice debate. —Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1988, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for school choice

• rejoice
• voice