A new report from the Friedman Foundation summarizes the latest research on school choice.
by Kelly McCutchen
A new report from the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, A Win-Win Solution: The Empirical Evidence on School Choice, summarizes the academic evidence on the impact of school choice programs such as vouchers, tax credit scholarships and education savings accounts. The studies analyzed:
- Academic outcomes of choice participants
- Academic outcomes of public schools
- Fiscal impact on taxpayers
- Racial segregation in school
- Civic values and practice
The results?
Academic outcomes of choice participants
Twelve empirical studies have examined academic outcomes for school choice participants using random assignment, the “gold standard” of social science. Of these, 11 find that choice improves student outcomes—six that all students benefit and five that some benefit and some are not affected. One study finds no visible impact. No empirical study has found a negative impact.
Academic outcomes of public schools
Twenty-three empirical studies (including all methods) have examined school choice’s impact on academic outcomes in public schools. Of these, 22 find that choice improves public schools and one finds no visible impact. No empirical study has found that choice harms public schools.
Fiscal impact on taxpayers
Six empirical studies have examined school choice’s fiscal impact on taxpayers. All six find that school choice saves money for taxpayers. No empirical study has found a negative fiscal impact.
Racial segregation in school
Eight empirical studies have examined school choice and racial segregation in schools. Of these, seven find that school choice moves students from more segregated schools into less segregated schools. One finds no net effect on segregation from school choice. No empirical study has found that choice increases racial segregation.
Civic values and practice
Seven empirical studies have examined school choice’s impact on civic values and practices such as respect for the rights of others and civic knowledge. Of these, five find that school choice improves civic values and practices. Two find no visible impact from school choice. No empirical study has found that school choice has a negative impact on civic values and practices.
You can read the full study for details.
by Kelly McCutchen
A new report from the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, A Win-Win Solution: The Empirical Evidence on School Choice, summarizes the academic evidence on the impact of school choice programs such as vouchers, tax credit scholarships and education savings accounts. The studies analyzed:
- Academic outcomes of choice participants
- Academic outcomes of public schools
- Fiscal impact on taxpayers
- Racial segregation in school
- Civic values and practice
The results?
Academic outcomes of choice participants
Twelve empirical studies have examined academic outcomes for school choice participants using random assignment, the “gold standard” of social science. Of these, 11 find that choice improves student outcomes—six that all students benefit and five that some benefit and some are not affected. One study finds no visible impact. No empirical study has found a negative impact.
Academic outcomes of public schools
Twenty-three empirical studies (including all methods) have examined school choice’s impact on academic outcomes in public schools. Of these, 22 find that choice improves public schools and one finds no visible impact. No empirical study has found that choice harms public schools.
Fiscal impact on taxpayers
Six empirical studies have examined school choice’s fiscal impact on taxpayers. All six find that school choice saves money for taxpayers. No empirical study has found a negative fiscal impact.
Racial segregation in school
Eight empirical studies have examined school choice and racial segregation in schools. Of these, seven find that school choice moves students from more segregated schools into less segregated schools. One finds no net effect on segregation from school choice. No empirical study has found that choice increases racial segregation.
Civic values and practice
Seven empirical studies have examined school choice’s impact on civic values and practices such as respect for the rights of others and civic knowledge. Of these, five find that school choice improves civic values and practices. Two find no visible impact from school choice. No empirical study has found that school choice has a negative impact on civic values and practices.
You can read the full study for details.