🏫Education Policy and Reform Unit 10 – School Choice and Vouchers in Education Policy

Historical Context

• School choice movement gained momentum in the 1950s and 1960s as a response to desegregation efforts and the perceived decline in public school quality
• Milton Friedman, an economist, proposed the idea of school vouchers in 1955, arguing that competition would improve educational outcomes and efficiency
• The first modern school voucher program was implemented in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1990, providing public funding for low-income students to attend private schools
• Charter schools, which are publicly funded but independently operated, emerged in the early 1990s as an alternative form of school choice
• No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 included provisions for school choice, allowing students in failing schools to transfer to higher-performing public schools
• School choice programs have expanded significantly since the early 2000s, with various states implementing voucher programs, tax-credit scholarships, and education savings accounts

Key Concepts and Definitions

• School choice refers to the ability of parents to choose the educational setting for their children, rather than being assigned to a school based on residence
• Vouchers are public funds provided to parents to pay for tuition at private schools, including religious schools
• Charter schools are publicly funded schools that operate independently from traditional school districts, with increased autonomy in exchange for accountability for student performance
• Magnet schools are public schools that offer specialized curricula or themes to attract students from diverse backgrounds and promote voluntary desegregation
• Open enrollment policies allow students to attend public schools outside their assigned attendance zones or districts
• Tax-credit scholarships provide tax incentives for individuals or corporations to donate to scholarship-granting organizations, which then distribute funds to eligible students for private school tuition
• Education savings accounts (ESAs) are state-funded accounts that parents can use to pay for various educational expenses, including private school tuition, tutoring, and homeschooling materials

Types of School Choice Programs

• Intra-district choice allows students to choose among public schools within their school district (magnet schools, open enrollment)
• Inter-district choice enables students to attend public schools in neighboring districts, often with the sending district paying tuition to the receiving district
• Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, with increased autonomy in exchange for accountability for student performance
• Private school vouchers provide public funds for students to attend private schools, including religious schools (Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, Indiana Choice Scholarship Program)
• Tax-credit scholarships offer tax incentives for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, which then distribute funds to eligible students for private school tuition (Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, Arizona Original Individual Income Tax Credit Scholarship Program)
• Education savings accounts (ESAs) are state-funded accounts that parents can use to pay for various educational expenses (Nevada Education Savings Accounts, Tennessee Individualized Education Account Program)
• Homeschooling is a form of school choice where parents assume primary responsibility for their children's education, often with support from online resources, homeschool cooperatives, and curriculum providers

Arguments For and Against

• Proponents argue that school choice promotes competition, leading to improved educational quality and innovation as schools strive to attract and retain students
• Supporters believe that school choice empowers parents, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to select the best educational options for their children
• Choice advocates contend that increased school autonomy and flexibility can lead to more diverse and specialized educational programs that cater to individual student needs and interests
• Critics argue that school choice programs can exacerbate socioeconomic and racial segregation, as advantaged families are more likely to exercise choice and leave underperforming schools
• Opponents express concerns about the diversion of public funds to private and religious schools, which may not be subject to the same accountability and non-discrimination requirements as public schools
• Some critics worry that school choice may undermine the public education system by draining resources and concentrating disadvantaged students in the remaining public schools
• Detractors argue that the evidence on the academic benefits of school choice programs is mixed and that any gains may be modest or limited to specific subgroups of students

Implementation and Case Studies

• Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, established in 1990, is the oldest modern school voucher program in the United States, serving low-income students in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, launched in 2001, provides tax credits for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, which then fund private school tuition for eligible students
• District of Columbia Opportunity Scholarship Program, created in 2004, is a federally funded voucher program for low-income students in Washington, D.C.
• Indiana Choice Scholarship Program, implemented in 2011, is one of the largest and most expansive voucher programs in the country, serving both low- and middle-income families
• New Orleans, Louisiana, has a high concentration of charter schools following the rebuilding of the school system after Hurricane Katrina in 2005
• Arizona has a diverse array of school choice programs, including tax-credit scholarships, education savings accounts, and a robust charter school sector
• Sweden implemented a nationwide voucher program in 1992, allowing students to attend both public and private schools, including for-profit schools, with government funding following the student

Impact on Students and Communities

• Research on the academic effects of school choice programs has yielded mixed results, with some studies showing modest gains in student achievement and others finding no significant differences
• Some studies suggest that school choice programs can lead to increased segregation by race and socioeconomic status, as advantaged families are more likely to participate in choice programs
• School choice may have positive effects on parent satisfaction and student motivation, as families are able to select schools that align with their values and preferences
• The competitive pressures introduced by school choice may incentivize public schools to improve their performance and responsiveness to student and family needs
• School choice programs can provide options for students who are poorly served by their assigned public schools, particularly in areas with low-performing schools or limited educational opportunities
• The expansion of school choice may have unintended consequences, such as the closure of traditional public schools due to declining enrollment and funding
• Critics argue that school choice can undermine the social cohesion and democratic goals of public education by encouraging families to prioritize individual interests over the common good

Policy Challenges and Controversies

• Ensuring equitable access to school choice programs, particularly for disadvantaged families who may face barriers such as lack of information, transportation, or cultural capital
• Balancing the autonomy and flexibility granted to choice schools with the need for accountability and oversight to protect student interests and public investments
• Addressing the potential for school choice to exacerbate segregation and stratification by race, socioeconomic status, and academic ability
• Determining the appropriate level and mechanisms of funding for school choice programs, including the use of public funds for private and religious schools
• Regulating the quality and performance of choice schools, particularly in contexts where market forces may not be sufficient to ensure educational effectiveness
• Mitigating the impact of school choice on traditional public schools, which may face declining enrollment, funding, and public support
• Navigating the legal and constitutional challenges to school choice programs, particularly regarding the use of public funds for religious schools and the implications for church-state separation

Future Trends and Considerations

• The growth of online and virtual education may expand the scope and reach of school choice, allowing students to access educational options beyond their geographic boundaries
• Personalized learning and adaptive technologies may enable choice schools to offer more individualized and flexible educational experiences tailored to student needs and interests
• The increasing emphasis on workforce development and career readiness may shape the focus and curricula of choice schools, particularly in the context of charter schools and vocational programs
• The ongoing debate over the role and funding of private and religious schools in choice programs is likely to continue, with legal and political battles over the use of public funds for sectarian purposes
• The long-term effects of school choice on educational equity, social cohesion, and public support for education will remain important considerations for policymakers and researchers
• The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened interest in alternative educational models, including homeschooling, learning pods, and microschools, which may further diversify the landscape of school choice
• The growing recognition of the importance of socio-emotional learning, mental health, and student well-being may influence the design and evaluation of school choice programs, with increased attention to non-academic outcomes and support services