ATTENDING A PRIVATE VOUCHER SCHOOL DID NOT IMPROVE STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT.
There was no positive impact “on student achievement in general after 1 year.”
“[T]here were no statistically significant impacts of the program on reading or math achievement in the first year.”
“No statistically significant achievement impacts were observed for the high-priority subgroup of students who had attended a SINI [“School in Need of Improvement”] public school under NCLB before applying to the program.”
Source: 2007 U.S. Dep’t of Ed. Report at xviii, xx, 44, 46.
ATTENDING A PRIVATE VOUCHER SCHOOL DID NOT HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON STUDENT SAFETY OR SATISFACTION.
Participating in the voucher program* had a substantial positive impact on parents’ views of school safety but not on students’ actual school experiences with dangerous activities.
Students participating in the voucher program “are no more or less satisfied with their schools” than those not in the program.
Source: 2007 U.S. Dep’t of Ed. Report at xx, 1-4.
THE VOUCHER PROGRAM DECREASED STUDENT ACCESS TO KEY SERVICES.
% of students in the program whose schools have the service as compared to students not in the program:
- ESL Programs - 38% fewer
- Learning Support/Special Needs - 38% fewer
- Counselors - 7% fewer
- Nurse’s Office - 54% fewer
- Cafeteria - 14% fewer
Source: 2007 U.S. Dep’t of Ed. Report at 21.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF STUDENTS IN THE VOUCHER PROGRAM ATTENDED A FAITH-BASED SCHOOL.
In year one, nearly two-thirds of students in the program attended a Roman Catholic school, 17% attended a non-Catholic, faith-based school, and only 18% were enrolled in nonsectarian private schools.
Source: 2007 U.S. Dep’t of Ed. Report at 19.
* In accordance with the report, participation “in the program” includes all students offered a voucher, regardless of whether they used the voucher.