A Cost Benefit Analysis of Market Based School Reform

American public schools have failed to substantially increase their production from the 1970s despite a substantial increase in dollars spent. One proposed remedy for America?s failing public schools is to subject schools to the pressures of a competitive market. The current educational market is practically a monopoly, as only a few private schools compete with public schools. This paper will attempt to analyze various market based methods of school reform and recommend a policy for improving schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District. It analyzes school vouchers, merit pay, and accountability systems in respect to their effectiveness, effects on equity, and cost with special attention given to the unique features of the Los Angeles Unified School District. In the end this paper proposes a means tested school voucher program and stronger accountability measures for in the LAUSD, as well as ending the push to pass assembly bill 1381, due to the considerable evidence in favor of such policies