Choice and Competition Lead to Better Outcomes
The Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) recently released a report confirming what free-market advocates like Milton Friedman and many of us at the Show-Me Institute have argued for years: choice and competition lift all boats. According to PPI’s findings, cities where at least 33% of students attend charter schools experience significant academic improvements not just for charter school students, but for traditional public school students as well. This conclusion aligns perfectly with Friedman’s vision, where empowering parents with educational choice benefits everyone.
Friedman, one of the foremost proponents of free-market principles, advocated for school choice as a means to improve education for all. His idea was simple: by giving parents the ability to choose, schools would be forced to compete for students, thus driving innovation and improvement across the board. The PPI report supports this theory, demonstrating that competition doesn’t just help the students in charter schools but raises the overall standard of education in a city.
The report highlights that when a critical mass of students attend charter schools, the pressure on traditional public schools to improve becomes undeniable. This pressure results in better outcomes for students of all socioeconomic backgrounds, particularly those from low-income families. It’s a compelling validation of the core free-market belief that competition drives quality.
Critics often argue that school choice drains resources from public schools, but the data in PPI’s report suggest otherwise. Instead of diminishing public schools, competition enhances them, as they are compelled to adapt, innovate, and meet higher standards.
As we continue to debate education reform in Missouri, this report serves as an important reminder: competition and choice, far from being threats to public education, are key drivers of improvement. By expanding options, we give all students a chance to succeed, fulfilling Milton Friedman’s long-standing belief in the power of choice.
