The trend towards marketization of schools is the focus of this book. It aims to outline the varied economic and political arguements both for and against increased parental choice. The book also describes how the choice actually takes place, including when the choice takes place, who has the final say, how many schools are considered, and which choice criteria are reported. One of the basic premises of the book is that the full effect of reforms in education policy cannot be seen for at least a generation. In order to understand some of the longer term implications of competition between schools, the work includes a number of fee-paying schools which are competing in a very volatile localized market.