Democratic presidential candidates are moving left on charter schools, with several campaigning to limit or control school choice. This development should concern families living in America's largest cities, where charters are helping minority students close the achievement gap. To get a sense of what's at stake for urban communities if the school-choice movement weakens, consider how low-income communities in Canada have fared without such options.
A recent case study published by a nonprofit that I help lead, Road Home Research & Analysis, found that in Canadian provinces without charter schools, community groups have limited tools with which to overcome student-achievement gaps. The study, authored by Bryan Ekeh and Chinweizu Okeke, shows why school choice is needed in Canada—and why it must be protected in the United States.
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