Equivalence is regarded as a central concept in contemporary Swedish educational policy. Hence, the concept of -equivalence- plays an important role in educational policy-making practice in Sweden. One important aspect in this policy-making is to determine the schools- assignment to bring up democratic citizens. In the 90s equivalence is challenged by another concept, -freedom of choice-. This challenge has consequences for the understanding of what citizen to bring up in the Swedish schools. In this paper I will try out some possible outcomes of a changed conceptual framework in the educational policy practice, when it comes to the political understanding of a democratic citizenship in Sweden.