What We Know And What We Need To Know About Vouchers And Charter Schools

Vouchers and charter schools are two popular forms of school choice that have been the subject of much debate in recent years. Proponents of these programs argue that they give parents more options for educating their children and that they can improve student outcomes. Opponents argue that these programs drain resources from traditional public schools and that they can lead to segregation and inequality.

In this article, we will explore the evidence on vouchers and charter schools. We will discuss what we know about their effects on student outcomes, their impact on traditional public schools, and the potential for these programs to promote equity and access. We will also identify some of the key areas where more research is needed.

Rhetoric vs. Reality: What We Know and What We Need To Know About Vouchers and Charter Schools: What We Know and What We Need to Know About School Vouchers

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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Language	:	English
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What Are Vouchers And Charter Schools?

Vouchers are publicly funded grants that parents can use to pay for private school tuition. Charter schools are public schools that are independently operated and typically have more flexibility than traditional public schools in terms of curriculum and staffing. Both vouchers and charter schools are often seen as forms of school choice, which gives parents more options for educating their children.

What Is The Evidence On Vouchers?

The evidence on the effects of vouchers is mixed. Some studies have found that vouchers can lead to small improvements in student test scores, while other studies have found no effects or even negative effects. A recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that students who used vouchers in Milwaukee were more likely to graduate from high school and attend college. However, the study also found that these students were more likely to attend private schools with lower academic standards.

There is also some evidence that vouchers can lead to increased segregation in schools. A study by the Center for American Progress found that voucher programs in Florida and Ohio led to an increase in the number of black students attending private schools. However, the study also found that these students were more likely to attend private schools with lower academic standards.

What Is The Evidence On Charter Schools?

The evidence on the effects of charter schools is also mixed. Some studies have found that charter schools can lead to improvements in student test scores, while other studies have found no effects or even negative effects. A recent study by the Center for Research on Education Outcomes found that students who attended charter schools in North Carolina were more likely to graduate from high school and attend college. However, the study also found that these students were more likely to attend charter schools with lower academic standards.

There is also some evidence that charter schools can lead to increased segregation in schools. A study by the University of California, Berkeley found that charter schools in California were more likely to be located in minority neighborhoods and that they served a higher proportion of minority students than traditional public schools.

What Are The Key Areas Where More Research Is Needed?

There are a number of key areas where more research is needed on vouchers and charter schools. These include:

• The long-term effects of vouchers and charter schools on student outcomes:

Most of the research on vouchers and charter schools has focused on short-term effects. More research is needed to examine the long-term effects of these programs on student outcomes, such as college attendance and earnings.

• The impact of vouchers and charter schools on traditional public schools:

There is some evidence that vouchers and charter schools can lead to decreased enrollment in traditional public schools. More research is needed to examine the impact of these programs on traditional public schools, including their financial health and their ability to provide a high-quality education to all students.

• The potential for vouchers and charter schools to promote equity and access:

Vouchers and charter schools have the potential to give parents more options for educating their children, particularly parents from low-income families and minority communities. However, there is some evidence that these programs can lead to increased segregation in schools. More research is needed to examine the potential for vouchers and charter schools to promote equity and access, and to identify strategies to mitigate the potential for negative effects.

Vouchers and charter schools are two popular forms of school choice that have been the subject of much debate in recent years. The evidence on these programs is mixed, and more research is needed to fully understand their effects. However, it is clear that these programs have the potential to both improve student outcomes and promote equity and access. As policymakers consider these programs, it is important to weigh the potential benefits and risks and to ensure that they are implemented in a way that benefits all students.

Rhetoric vs. Reality: What We Know and What We Need To Know About Vouchers and Charter Schools: What We Know and What We Need to Know About School Vouchers

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1281 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	316 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE