ScholarOne - Equity and Liberty in Educational Policy: A Case Study of
Specialized Schools in Israel (1985-2022)
Abstract
The rise of neoliberalism intensified the process of marketization in
education. One of its main manifestations is the ‘quasi-market’ that, in
turn, led to the rise of new and diverse school prototypes (e.g., magnet
and charter schools, academies, and specialized schools (SPES), in the
US, England, and Israel, respectively). We analyze educational policy
regarding SPES in Israel from 1985 to 2022. SPES are authorized to
charge tuition, conduct student screening, and enroll students from open
catchment areas. Using a composite model of value critical policy
analysis, and Brighouse’s model (Brighouse et al., 2018; Schmidt, 2006)
policy documents were analyzed qualitatively alongside semi-structured,
interviews with policymakers. Findings revealed a discordance between
the de-jure policy aspiration of equity and the de-facto policy
emphasizing choice. Furthermore, the expansion of SPES, which proved a
particularly successful education model, affords a distinct (and
discriminatory) advantage to students from affluent backgrounds.