Planning for Choice: The Educational Sociotechnological Challenge of the Future

Abstract

The purpose of this discussion is to show through an examination of five trends -socioeducational demands, local political empowerment, technological options, economic trends, and nonlinear planning-how the theme of choice is emphasized. The common denominator of these trends is the weakening of the authoritative status of the school and the strengthening of the notion of choice. Planning for choice becomes an attribute of future educational policy-making and planning. Because planning is a structuring process and choice is a loosening one, the idea of planning for choice contains inherent dialectic tension. The discussion offers a conceptual framework for educational policy-making and planning strategies that will respond to these trends and tensions.