Diverse Families, Desirable Schools: Public Montessori in the Era of School Choice

Diverse Families, Desirable Schools, by Mira Debs, examines public Montessori schools as a microcosm of conflicts around public school choice, exploring the forces that pull them toward elitism and the notion of fit between parents and schools.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2019
Publisher: Harvard Educational Publishing Group

Diverse Families, Desirable Schools, by Mira Debs, delves into a comprehensive study of public Montessori schools, which constitute the largest segment of progressive educational institutions in the public sector. As these public Montessori schools rapidly emerge as alternatives to traditional public schools, Debs argues that their story serves as a microcosm of the broader debates surrounding public school choice.

Through a blend of historical research, in-depth interviews with public Montessori educators, and ethnographic case studies, Debs uncovers the forces that propel intentionally diverse and progressive schools towards elitism. At the core of Debs' book lies a thoughtful exploration of the concept of "fit" between parents and schools, a notion that is fundamental to school choice, often marketed as a means for parents to find the ideal match for their children. By delving into the diverse motivations behind parents' choices of these schools and examining how families navigate or struggle to find a good fit after selecting a particular school, Debs makes a pioneering contribution to the literature on school choice, shedding light on the complexities involved in sustaining diversity within progressive charter and magnet schools.

ISBN-13: 9781682533079