Dr. John Coons

Biography

John Coons is an influential American law professor and advocate for parental choice in K-12 education. Since the late 1960s, he has written extensively on the potential for private school vouchers and forms of school choice that empower low-income parents. Coons is often referred to as the 'voucher left,' distinguishing his views from the conservative and libertarian wings of the choice movement. His best-known work, 'Education Choice: Case for Family Control,' was published in 1978 and co-authored with fellow law faculty member Stephen D. Sugarman. A foreword was written by education authority James Coleman. Coons's support for parental choice evolved in the early 1960s through research and legal efforts to promote efficient funding for both wealthy and poor public school districts, culminating in the landmark California court case, Serrano v. Priest. He believes that providing lower-income parents the power to choose schools, including private options funded by the state, is essential for pursuing equity in the public education system. His work highlights the importance of parental empowerment and equity in education. Coons's advocacy for a moderately regulated choice system contrasts with Milton Friedman’s free market approach. He has authored recent books including 'School Choice: The Human Good' and 'The Case for Parental Choice.' Coons received his bachelor's degree in history from the University of Minnesota, Duluth in 1950 and his law degree from Northwestern University in 1953. He joined Berkeley's law faculty in 1967 and is now Professor Emeritus.

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