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

Florida’s education outcomes have improved from worst to first in the nation as the state has expanded school choice. —Jordan Bruneau, Oc Register, 17 June 2025

The influence of the CTU over district decisions — especially on limiting school choice — can’t be overstated. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025

Worse, school choice can become an excuse for policymakers to skirt hard and immediately needed conversations about an ineffective public-school curriculum, classrooms that have morphed into screen zombies, or unaccountable teacher and student performance. —Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 18 June 2025

More states are considering school choice and voucher programs as the Trump administration advocates for widespread adoption. —Kendall Deas, The Conversation, 9 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1988, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for school choice

• rejoice
• voice