This review of research in school choice adapts Sen's theory of Capability developing a more complex theoretical framework for understanding education markets. This gives those most affected by the perceived failure of public education a better explication of the tension between the rhetoric of public good and the reality of everyday disadvantage.

ANTHONY KELLY is Professor in the School of Education, University of Southampton, UK, and is editor of Education, Knowledge and Economy. He specialises in developing theory in the areas of school improvement, effectiveness, leadership and policy analysis. His most recent books are Benchmarking for School Improvement, Decision Making Using Game Theory and The Intellectual Capital of Schools.