School vouchers are a success

[Fieldmouse]

http://www.heritage.org/Research/Education/wm2297.cfm[/align][/align]D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program: Study Supports Expansion[/align]by Lindsey Burke[/align]WebMemo #2297 [/align][align=center]






With the 111th Congress scheduled to consider its reauthorization, the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program (DCOSP) may be in jeopardy. But a new evaluation highlights how the DCOSP is benefiting families, adding to the reasons why Congress and the Obama Administration should continue this successful program.
Program Background
The DCOSP was passed by Congress in January 2004. The program, which provided more than 1,700 children with scholarships of up to $7,500 in 2008 to attend a private school of their choice, has repeatedly shown improved family satisfaction and increased parental involvement. Since 2004, approximately 7,200 children have applied for spots in the program, or about four applicants for each available scholarship.[1]
The program has served as an alternative for families with children underserved by the D.C. public school system. Although the District spends far above the national per-pupil average ($14,400), D.C. students lag well behind the academic achievement of their peers nationwide, and only slightly more than half of students graduate.[2]
Past Program Evaluations
In 2008, the U.S. Department of Education released the first results of an academic evaluation, comparing the academic achievement of students who were offered scholarships with their non-scholarship peers after 19 months of instruction. The evaluation found that students who received vouchers realized slightly higher academic achievement than students who were not awarded a voucher.[3]
A new academic evaluation is expected in 2009. Past qualitative evaluations have examined the impact that the program has had on participating families. Surveys and interviews of participating families reveal that parents are more satisfied with the safety and quality of their children's school after receiving a scholarship.[4]
The New Program Evaluation
In December, University of Arkansas researchers released the findings of a new evaluation entitled "Family Reflections on the District of Columbia Opportunity Scholarship Program." The project sought to "capture the contextual nuances of what is happening in the lives of the families experiencing the Program"[5] by conducting a qualitative assessment of the DCOSP.
What Families Look for in Private Schools. Families reported a number of reasons for choosing their private schools, such as a religious or values-based environment, small class size, and school safety. After spending several years in the program, families shifted their most important criterion from safety to curriculum quality.
Information Gathering by Program Participants. The report asked parents how they chose their child's private school and found that families sought information from a number of sources, including information from the Washington Scholarship Fund. This suggests that parents are making informed decisions about where to enroll their child in school.
Feelings of Inclusion. Families were also shown to become more comfortable in the DCOSP over time. Prior to enrolling in their chosen school, many parents were concerned about the stigma associated with being a scholarship recipient. After having spent a year in the program, parents reported a "moderate level of stigmatization that ranged from feelings of discomfort at home-school meetings to teachers 'singling out' their child as a scholarship student."[6] By the end of the second year, however, families unanimously said they were comfortable in their schools, as was the case with the third and fourth years.
Parental Assessment of Student Progress. Parents cited improving grades, motivation, enthusiasm, and self-esteem as indicators of academic progress. Furthermore, over time, families' concepts of school success changed. "The high school parents initially emphasized positive school conditions such as safety, and students' attitudes toward learning as indicators of success. As their children approached high school graduation, these parents began to shift their focus to end outcomes such as student grades, graduation, preparation for higher education, and college plans as measures of student and Program success."[7]
Parental Satisfaction. Parents were overwhelmingly satisfied with their children's experience in the program. The survey found that reasons for parents' higher satisfaction included changes in their children's outlook toward learning and improved homework habits. Parents--even those that had withdrawn their children from the DCOSP--repeatedly reported high levels of satisfaction with the program. Common reasons for this higher level of satisfaction included appreciation for the ability to choose their child's school, the success their children are having in new school environments, and the support provided by the Washington Scholarship Fund.[8]
Family Recommendations. The University of Arkansas report asked for parent recommendations for improvements to the Opportunity Scholarship program. Parents recommended an independent evaluation of participating schools and increasing the amount of slots available in middle and high schools.
Families also identified "earn-out" as a potential concern.[9] Fortunately, legislation passed by Congress in 2006 raised the eligibility requirements from 200 to 300 percent of the federal poverty line for parents already enrolled in the program.[10] The result of this legislative change was that approximately 70 low-income children who would have been ineligible to continue in the program were allowed to remain in their private schools.
Summary of Findings. The University of Arkansas study revealed that parents and students are overwhelmingly satisfied with their experiences in the DCOSP. Families feel that their children are safer, have a better attitude toward school, and are excelling academically. The greatest concern among families appears to be that their children are flourishing in the program but may not be permitted to stay due to the limited amount of slots available at the middle and high school levels. The report indicates that DCOSP parents move from the margins of their children's academic lives to the forefront. Perhaps most notably, "it appears that parent satisfaction stems more from the opportunity to make a choice for their child's education and participate in the program, rather than from concrete academic test results or grades or other outcomes."[11]
What Congress Should Do
Congress and the Obama Administration should support the reauthorization and expansion of the DCOSP. Policymakers should learn from the past five years of experience and take steps to improve the program and address parents' concerns. While several thousand children have been the fortunate recipients of an Opportunity Scholarship, thousands more languish in a school system failing to serve their academic and personal safety needs. Members of Congress should give more children the opportunity to attend a school of their parents' choice by expanding the program to offer more scholarships.
Lindsey M. Burke is a Research Assistant in the Domestic Policy Studies Department at The Heritage Foundation.
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[kevin1]

I find the concept of the taxpayer subsidizing someone else's choice to eschew the public school system to be a total rip off, if you want to attend a private school you should pay for it yourself.

[Fieldmouse]

Well kevin, I find stealing money from someone without children and forcing them to pay for your child to go to indoctrination classes at a public school a total rip off. If I had my way, I would end all federal funding for any education and would love to see states stop the funding as well. However, as long as they are going to steal money from you and I, in the name of forced education, the parents should get a choice. Specially when it's been shown time and time again, private schools do better as well as home schooling.

[C. Davis]

Another rip-off is when about two thirds of our countyproperty tax goes to thelocal school district, andat the same time, we werepaying to send our two kids to private school for 3 years. I can understand the county residents paying those taxes,and I think all school fundingshould belocal.I just don't think you should have to pay twice for you kids to go to school....three times if you count thefederal funding.

C. Davis

[stealthycat II]

If I'm paying,through mandatory taxes, for my kids education I better damn be able to choose which school my kids go to shouldn't I ?

If I can't, remove my name from taxes and let me send my kids to private school without having the double whammy of $$$

What are public schools afraid of? Maybe that we, the taxpayers who PAY for the schools, will ship our kids elsewhere for a better, higher quality education?

If thats the case, elevate your public school to the quality of private .... don't punish my kids with a lower quality education because of the almighty $$$ [:@]

[burniegoeasily]

ORIGINAL: Fieldmouse

Well kevin, I find stealing money from someone without children and forcing them to pay for your child to go to indoctrination classes at a public school a total rip off. If I had my way, I would end all federal funding for any education and would love to see states stop the funding as well. However, as long as they are going to steal money from you and I, in the name of forced education, the parents should get a choice. Specially when it's been shown time and time again, private schools do better as well as home schooling.

Kind of like me having to pay for all those roads Ill never use. As well as all the other things my taxes go for that ill never use in my life.


Great plan. Dumbing down society because you do not approve. Guess what quality you will get? You think America is stupid now, just think of what we will be like when more than half dont go to any schoolinig at all. Think you pay a lot now, wait till you are paying for the expanded welfare for these ignorant people society will produce. You will get what you pay for. Also, be ready to homeschool or pay big bucks, that is if you kill public school. Im all for it either way. If we go with your change Fieldmouse, ill make much more money. Add captialisim and competition and ill be making twice my salary.

[Arthur P]

I don't see how people expect public schools to raise their standards while they rip off public school resources with 'vouchers.' Frankly, I think the biggest problem that causes poor performing schools is lazy parenting, not the quality of education the teachers offer.

My kid is out of school. Why should I pay ANY school taxes? BECAUSE, some old retired fart paid school taxes to help educate my boy. Now it's my turn to be the old retired fart paying school taxes to help educate the next generation.

I'm not as ate up with the ME, ME, ME, I, I, I kind of selfishness that some of you are afflicted with. I guess that's the main reason I could never be more than a RINO.

[stealthycat II]

Frankly, I think the biggest problem that causes poor performing schools is lazy parenting, not the quality of education the teachers offer.

so the teachers teaching skills are a result of what happens at home huh?

who can I blame for my work preformance being a bit lower than it should be?

I'm not as ate up with the ME, ME, ME, I, I, I kind of selfishness that some of you are afflicted with.

that's funny ........ I'm paying quite a bit of taxes to my school district and I care about the quality that money buys - the direct OPPOSITE of me, me me, I, I I, ...... this is about my child.



How about this - no taxes/millage for schools at all. Totally disband public schools, go pure private and your money made is what your kids education gets. That would eliminate non-kids people from paying taxes, it would directly refelct the parents dedication to their kids (make more money if you want your kids to go to a "good" school) and that school of choice is limitless directly proportionate to your income.

sound good to you Arthur P ?

[burniegoeasily]

Stealthy, how about a toll booth on every road? You get billed for upgrades on public facilities on a percent used base. When a water tower needs fixed, they send you a bill, broke down on the percent you use the water. You pay to play. Is that not what you are saying?

[burniegoeasily]

Stealthy, how about a toll booth on every road? You get billed for upgrades on public facilities on a percent used base. When a water tower needs fixed, they send you a bill, broke down on the percent you use the water. You pay to play. Is that not what you are saying?