Choice to some degree. Even within public there is some degree of “choice”. But if you want to go from regular public school to regular public school - say 4 miles separates and you are assigned for school A, but really want school B because the B school scores higher nationally. A zone variance may or may not work (I had them all through school (except 6th) because my parents met with the faculty and especially principal and vice principal …
Basically, every student is worth X dollars in a state … and that’s the “cost” of regular school. School choice enables you to take X and apply it to … home schooling (gaining steam), private schools or any other school that costs above X.
So what the fight has been is any kid to any school in the district. Period. You don’t like Eldorado High School, cool, you can go to Chap, Valley, Foothill or wherever you want for 0 dollars. If you want Gorman, here’s X dollars to apply towards tuition.