As much as parents can freely express opinions to public schools without fear of having their children expelled, they also cannot take their tuition money and their child, and go to an institution that better aligns with their values (moral, philosophical, educational or other).
Exactly, it's downside management, not upside optimization.
Actually, various "School Choice" programs DO provide an opportunity for parents to take their tuition money and their child, and go to an institution that better aligns with their values.
There are many ways in which families can choose the best educational setting for their kids. Check out our Types of School Choice page to learn more about how different educational choice options are funded and how they work for families.
That said, a family taking their tuition money and their child to another institution is dependent upon being able to find a school which better aligns with their values... which in turn depends upon the existence of a variety of distinguishable differences among schools.
Meanwhile, it is my understanding that several private / independent schools are beginning to move toward
grading policies which provide "equal outcomes." If private school families, out of
fear of
dismissal, do not successfully advocate to maintain schools which provide academic challenge at each pupil's zone of proximal development, as well as intellectual peers, then soon all schools may be indistinguishably similar, in capping the growth of students at the top, in order to eliminate achievement/performance/excellence gaps and provide equal outcomes.
The gathering of parents to discuss their views, as presented in the
OP's
article, is key.
Ultimately, the issue for many / most / all may be downside management, not upside optimization.
