Policy design details are likely critical to the effects of school choice programs¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · review r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2007 · checked against its sources 2026-10-20 (automated, 1 of 1 entry) · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? The authors argue that not all voucher programs and charter laws are alike, and different programs will produce different effects. → Brian Gill 2007

Evidence¶

Brian Gill 2007¶

Brian Gill, P. Mike Timpane, Karen E. Ross, Dominic J. Brewer, Kevin Booker. (2007). Rhetoric Versus Reality: What We Know and What We Need to Know About Vouchers and Charter Schools. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation. https://www.mathematica.org/publications/rhetoric-vs-reality-what-we-know-and-what-we-need-to-know-about-vouchers-and-charter-schools doi:10.7249/mr1118-1

q2 · i? · review · r2

The authors' interpretive conclusion from their synthesis of voucher and charter evidence, presented in the publication's own summary. No effect sizes are printed on the page.

"the details of policy design are likely to be critical to the effects produced by choice programs: not all voucher programs and charter laws are alike, and different programs will produce different effects"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Neither the hopes of voucher and charter supporters nor the fears of skeptics have been realized, per the authors' synthesis — a broader claim this one bears on
• The authors infer the DC voucher program is likely reducing racial segregation in schooling, since 94% of voucher users are African American — related
• After one year, DC's voucher program had no statistically significant effect, positive or negative, on public school test-score gains — related
• Voucher-participating private schools in DC have racial compositions closer to the surrounding metro area than public schools — related
• CMOs with the greatest positive impact on student achievement were most likely to establish consistent schoolwide behavior expectations for students — related
• Far fewer voucher-participating private schools than DC public schools are racially homogeneous (90% or 95%+ one race) — related
• 85.1% of DC public school students attend schools at least 91% non-White, versus 42.8% of voucher private school students — related
• Comprehensive behavioral policies with rewards and sanctions are associated with positive charter-school impacts — related
• Differences among individual charter authorizers are likely greater than differences across authorizer types — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• Interdistrict desegregation choice plans decrease segregation, help close racial achievement gaps, and improve racial attitudes and long-term outcomes — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• Recent studies of large statewide voucher programs found substantial negative effects on achievement for voucher students compared to similar public school students — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• Interdistrict desegregation choice programs show achievement and graduation benefits for disadvantaged students, with stronger outcomes the longer students remain — related
• Recent evidence confirms teacher quality is a critical component of student achievement — related