Who is afraid of school choice?

Arbeitspapier

This study uses survey data to investigate attitudes among Swiss voters to different models offering more freedom of choice in the educational system. The findings indicate clear opposition to the use of taxpayer money to fund private schools, while free choice between public schools seems to appeal to a majority. The analyses show that the approval-opposition heterogeneity is mainly based on an explicable, rational calculation of personal utility. Approval rates are much higher among groups or individuals who see a personal advantage in more school choice, such as parents of school-age children, urban/metropolitan area residents and those on a low income. In contrast, residents of small to medium-sized centers of population, high-income groups, and individuals with a teaching qualification oppose more school choice. The analyses also indicate differences between the country's language regions, attributable to intercultural differences in what people consider the state's role to be.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: CESifo Working Paper ; No. 3385

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior ; Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies; includes inheritance and gift taxes ; National Government Expenditures and Education ; Educational Finance; Financial Aid
• Subject: school choice ; survey ; private schools ; education vouchers ; Schulauswahl ; Allgemeinbildende Schule ; Privatschule ; Meinung ; Voucher ; Schweiz

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Diem, Andrea ; Wolter, Stefan C.
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo)
• (where): Munich
• (when): 2011

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/46429
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET