Author Description

This publication tracks U.S. school choice efforts, examining research on their results. It includes: current public school data on expenditures, schools, and teachers for 2000-01 from a report by the National Education Association; a link to the states' own report cards on how their schools are performing; current private school information from a 2001 report by the National Center for Education Statistics; state rankings on the new Education Freedom Index by the Manhattan Institute in 2000; current National Assessment of Educational Progress test results released in 2001; and updates on legislative activity through mid-July 2001. After discussing ways to increase opportunities for children to succeed, research on school choice, and public opinion, a set of maps and tables offer a snapshot of choice in the states. The bulk of the book contains a state-by-state analysis that examines school choice status; K-12 public schools and students; K-12 public school teachers; K-12 public and private school student academic performance; background and developments; position of the governor/composition of the state legislature; and state contacts. An appendix presents national organizations that promote school choice. (Contains approximately 690 endnotes.) (SM)