School Choice with Education Vouchers: An Empirical Case Study from Hong Kong

Lee, N.Y.A.; Bagley, C.

Abstract

This paper seeks to question what impact education vouchers have on the process of school choice. The context examined in the paper is the Pre-primary Education Voucher Scheme (‘Voucher Scheme’) introduced in 2007 in Hong Kong. Using a Straussian grounded theory method, data collected from 40 parent interviews are coded, analysed and developed into categories. The paper analytically situates the findings within a model, derived from the data, which is based on two properties: orientation and time. Orientation differentiates and emphasises the significance of choice factors in relation to the school versus the family, and time is related to focus on the present versus the future. The paper subsequently presents the data related to these properties and reflects on the intricate dynamic of parents’ school choice decisions under the Voucher Scheme.

Citation

Lee, N., & Bagley, C. (2017). School Choice with Education Vouchers: An Empirical Case Study from Hong Kong. International Studies in Sociology of Education, 26(1), 3-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/09620214.2016.1158121

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 22, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Aug 17, 2016
• Publication Date: Jan 2, 2017
• Deposit Date: Feb 29, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 17, 2018
• Journal: International Studies in Sociology of Education
• Print ISSN: 0962-0214
• Electronic ISSN: 1747-5066
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 3-18
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09620214.2016.1158121
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1390615