The mirage of 'school choice' masks the hard work sorely needed in education Randall Balmer, Another View contributor Supreme Court hears school choice, religious freedom case Replay Video UP NEXT As a graduate of Iowa public schools, I was saddened to read about the governor’s “school choice” proposal. Public education is one of our nation’s best ideas, and the persistent attempts on the part of politicians to undermine it with the misleading rhetoric of “choice” represents a real threat to the future of democracy. Known as “common schools” in the 19th century, public schools were devised as a way for those on the margins of society to better themselves and become upwardly mobile. The also became the most logical place — perhaps the only place — where future generations, especially within a pluralistic context, could coexist with at least a measure of comity and learn the rudiments of democracy.