Latest school choice research shows benefits, dispels common myths about education freedom

EdChoice has released its annual summary of studies about school choice programs, and the research continues to show the positive outcomes of education freedom.

The report includes nearly 200 studies on voucher programs, education savings accounts and tax-credit scholarships dating as far back as 1998.

“Whether you’re curious to study up on the effects of these programs yourself, need to bolster arguments for supporting school choice in your state, or dispel myths about school choice programs, The 123s of School Choice is your go-to resource,” wrote Martin Lueken, director of fiscal policy and analysis at EdChoice.

The report distills eight potential benefits of school choice in the following categories:

• Program participant test scores, which measure if a student who receives a school choice scholarship scores higher than students who applied for but did not receive a scholarship;

• Participant attainment, or whether a choice student is more likely to graduate high school and/or college; 

• School safety; 

• Parent satisfaction; 

• Public school students’ test scores, which examine if the presence of school choice program changes outcomes for students who remain in public school; 

• Civic values and practices, such as civic knowledge, voter registration, and volunteerism; 

• Racial/ethnic integration; 

• Fiscal effects, such as taxpayer savings or additional costs. 

Though a handful studies have noted neutral or negative effects, the overall body of research confirms education freedom produces benefits for both the individual student and the community. 

However, researchers acknowledge that successful programs are not always one-size-fits-all. 

“What works in one place and time may not work everywhere and for all time. The findings of one study that looks at one program may not apply to a program elsewhere, even if the two programs are similar,” the report reads.  

“Social science should be used as a torch, not a cudgel. It should help us understand how programs work and how they can work better.”  

With so many school choice programs sprouting nationwide, researchers will have plenty of fodder for future studies.