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Vouchers in American Education: An Analysis of the Evidence

August Hayes

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Published in Freedom Of Choice: Vouchers In American Education (Praeger On American Political Culture)

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School vouchers are a hot-button issue in American education. Proponents argue that vouchers would give parents more choice and control over their children's education, while opponents worry that vouchers would drain resources from public schools and lead to increased segregation. This paper will analyze the evidence on vouchers in American education, examining their effects on student achievement, school choice, and educational equity.

The Evidence on Student Achievement

The evidence on the effects of vouchers on student achievement is mixed. Some studies have found that vouchers lead to small but statistically significant gains in student test scores, while other studies have found no effect or even negative effects. A recent meta-analysis of 52 studies found that vouchers had a small but positive effect on student achievement, with the largest effects being found in math and reading.

Freedom of Choice: Vouchers in American Education (Praeger on American Political Culture)

Freedom of Choice: Vouchers in American Education (Praeger Series on American Political Culture)

by Jim Carl

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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However, it is important to note that the evidence on vouchers is still limited. Most studies have been conducted in small, urban areas, and it is not clear whether the results would generalize to other settings. Additionally, many of the studies have used non-randomized research designs, which makes it difficult to rule out the possibility that other factors, such as student motivation or family income, are driving the results.

The Evidence on School Choice

Vouchers would give parents more choice and control over their children's education. This could lead to increased school competition, which could in turn lead to improved school quality. However, there is no clear evidence that vouchers actually lead to increased school choice. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that vouchers had no effect on the number of schools that parents applied to or enrolled their children in.

Additionally, vouchers could lead to increased segregation. This is because parents who are unhappy with their local public school may be more likely to use vouchers to send their children to private schools, which are often more segregated than public schools. A study by the Brookings Institution found that vouchers were associated with increased segregation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Evidence on Educational Equity

Vouchers could have a negative impact on educational equity. This is because vouchers could lead to increased competition for resources between public and private schools. Public schools may be forced to cut programs or raise taxes in Free Download to compete with private schools, which could lead to decreased opportunities for students from low-income families. Additionally, vouchers could lead to increased segregation, which could also have a negative impact on educational equity.

The evidence on vouchers in American education is mixed. There is some evidence that vouchers could lead to small gains in student achievement, but there is also evidence that vouchers could have negative effects on school choice and educational equity. More research is needed to determine the long-term effects of vouchers on American education.

Freedom of Choice: Vouchers in American Education (Praeger Series on American Political Culture)

by Jim Carl

5 out of 5