Does buying in bulk work? Not when it comes to schools. National Public Radio took a tour of some high schools in Baltimore, and offers up a report on smaller schools.

By tiny steps, the behemoths of bureaucracy are being attacked, with some benefits. With the changes in place, "Baltimore students will be able to choose their school, 'understanding that they can go to the school that will help them implement their career options and choices.'"

Choose their school ... Sounds like student and family empowerment is better than shoving everyone into a top-down, bureaucrat-driven approach.

Smaller schools within the monopolistic government-run school system are not the end game. But they do show that choice matters.