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Dynamic selection effects in means‐tested, urban school voucher programs
Author(s) -
Howell William G.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of policy analysis and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.898
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1520-6688
pISSN - 0276-8739
DOI - 10.1002/pam.20002
Subject(s) - voucher , school choice , demographic economics , population , ethnic group , sociology , political science , demography , economics , accounting , anthropology , law
Much of the controversy surrounding school vouchers, and privatization schemes generally, stems from concernsabout social stratification. This paper identifies the form and magnitude of selection effects in ameans‐tested New York City voucher program. It compares students who applied for vouchers, with theeligible population of public‐school students; those who initially used vouchers, with those whodeclined them; and those who remained in private schools, with those who eventually returned to publicschools. Differences along the lines of ethnicity, residential mobility, mother's education, and income areobserved. In addition, specific aspects of a child's education—parental satisfaction, school uniformrequirements, and larger class sizes—all increased the length of time voucher students remained in privateschools. Throughout the program's life span, however, the largest and most consistent effects revolved aroundfamilies' religious identity and practices. © 2004 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis andManagement.