The article examines the choice architecture in the German education system and how parents and pupils act as welfare clients, citizens, co-producers or consumers. A state-of-the-art literature review depicts the loopholes of choice and the user behavior in the public education system. The empirical study Focuses on the user roles in the private education market. Based on administrative and PISA 2009 data, the article shows did parents act increasingly as consumers and co-producers if Their children are enrolled at a private school. Parents are less inclined to participate as citizens in the school board of private schools. More over, the likelihood to attend at a private school is growing with the cultural and economic capital of the parents. This user behavior leads to social segregation in the education market. The article Concludes to factor in the changed user behavior in future policy Reforms.non-peer-reviewedOtherSOCIAL POLICYEDUCATIONGermany