The Economist Surveys Private Education in Britain and America
The Economist (July 2, 2009) features Staying on board: in both America and Britain recession has so far done little to dent the demand for private education- a picture of private secondary education in the current downturn. For private school people, it’s good quick read, but it comes off as too general, and not overly informative in the end.
While making some sound points and observations, the picture is just too broad. The Economist’s sources- school professional associations- of course, provide the “everything is all right” view and the magazine’s purview seems limited to, what I term, the high end, what he sees as the most expensive, competitive situations ignoring the plurality of private schooling and colleges- at least in America- as though this top is most important and matter most.
Some of research a bit loose and conclusions too sweeping. The linkages and supporting evidence aren’t always clear enough and the magazine doesn’t seem to understand just how plural and public American education is. Americans just aren’t as class conscious as our forbearers and our major state universities drive much scholarship and research.
I appreciate the “Veblen good” in describing high tuition and fees- connecting Thorstein Veblen‘s work explicating the notion of leisure and high priced conspicuous consumption to high tuition. Contrary to The Economist’s perspective, I think a certain elasticity, in terms of boarding school tuition in America, has been reached- especially by those schools not on the top of the heap. As well, the connections, insight, and ability of the high powered private school college admission counselors might be overweighed- that American pluralism again.
The section addressing the difficulty of starting a new/competing school is interesting.
I recommend it as good general read- too much Britain for American readers- and, bring your healthy dose of skepticism.
Photo credit: quinn.anya
