Educational vouchers were proposed several times during the early seventies, but received only one limited trial. Because of recent changes, the political climate for vouchers should be more favorable in the next few years. Public schools are facing both increased demands and decreased political support as a result of several trends: the population is aging; minority groups are disproportionately represented among the young; education costs have risen; and federal and state governments have limited local decision-making. Supporters of vouchers believe a regulated market of schools would meet social goals of education, but with less government control than currently. For this system to succeed, there must be wide participation and a variety of competing alternatives. Evidence suggests, however, that social class differences or parents' perceptions of their lack of expertise may limit participation. Competition would be restricted by judicial rulings and the economic and political resources of school constituencies. Further, the government would retain the authority to administer required features of educational programs and to enact regulations that affect market activity. The result may be a relatively free market with many options for some, but for others a public school system remaining virtually unchanged. (Author/JM)