While most studies of private school choice programs have focused on academic outcomes as measured by standardized tests, some recent studies have begun to look at other indicators of success.
The Urban Institute, for example, in a study released earlier this month, found that lower-income, mostly minority students using the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship to attend private schools are up to 43 percent more likely to enroll in four-year colleges than like students in public schools.
Those same students, the study found, are up to 20 percent more likely to earn bachelor’s degrees – and the outcomes are even stronger for students who use the scholarship four or more years.
Now, a new study from the University of Arkansas shows that students who participated in a school voucher program showed a reduced rate of criminal activity as well as lower rates of paternity suits by ages 25 to 28.
The study by Corey A. DeAngelis and Patrick J. Wolf, titled “Private School Choice and
Character: More Evidence from Milwaukee,” found that students who were exposed to the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program voucher in grades 8 or 9 experienced an approximately 53 percent reduction in drug convictions, an 86 percent reduction in property damage convictions, and a 38 percent reduction in paternity suits.
A reduced rate of drug convictions and property damage convictions tend to be greater for males than females. Across the board, positive outcomes are greater for students with lower levels of academic achievement.
The Milwaukee Parental Choice Program is a voucher program for low-income students living in Milwaukee. The voucher, worth up to $8,400 for high school students, helped 28,917 students attend 129 private schools this academic year. Wisconsin’s second, statewide voucher program, which serves another 7,140 students, was not covered in the report.
