School Choice - POLI 478 Exam Review

Key Features of US K-12 Education (Helen Ladd)

1. Strong bias toward public schools 2. Many middle- and upper-income families have more choice among schools than low-income families 3. School is compulsory 4. Parents judge the quality of schools in part by characteristics of students in schools

Expected Benefits of Vouchers

Option 1: shifting some students from public to private sector will result in gains in student productivity and achievement - U.S. programs have demonstrated some gains for African American students in urban areas who attend Catholic schools on voucher programs Option 3: competition among schools will drive higher productivity and achievement - evidence for this is insufficient (Florida and Milwaukee studies)

Expected Costs of Vouchers

Option 2: greater economic and racial polarization/segregation of students will affect student achievement - disadvantages for lower-income families - insufficient evidence on peer effects (do benefits for students who enroll in better schools outweigh the costs to students left behind?)

Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue (2020)

unconstitutional for educational choice programs to block parents from sending their children to attend religious schools because of religious status

Why do advocates of charter schools believe that charters will outperform existing public schools?

1. Facilitate School Choice (investing more in charter schools could lessen the reliance on lotteries, allowing more students to attend the school of their choice; gives opportunities to low-income students to experience an alternative to public schools that they would not otherwise have access to) 2. Smaller Class Sizes (investing more in charter schools will allow smaller class sizes for both charter schools and public schools --> more manageable) 3. Student Performance (charter schools could improve student performance with the right level of state oversight) 4. Faster Acting (because charter schools are independently-run and do not depend on local school boards, charter schools can make decisions more quickly as needed)

Name two expected benefits of vouchers discussed by Ladd.

1. Might Benefit Low-Income Families (a carefully designed school voucher program that targets low-income families could provide them with the freedom of choice that is currently reserved for higher-income families). 2. Might reduce residential segregation by income (less likely to separate residences by income if school funding is not as dependent on property taxes and there is more freedom for people to choose private schools - however, this model does not account for role of racism in housing decisions and would be an indirect method of decreasing segregation relative to more direct zoning and housing policies) 3. Productivity/Achievement (shifting some students from public to private sector might result in gains in productivity/achievement) 4. Competition (competition between schools might also drive higher achievement and productivity; but studies on this are inconclusive, possible that changing achievement levels depend less on voucher program and more on threat of being labeled "failing school" or changing mix of students cycling in and out of particular school)

Identify three concerns about charter schools discussed by Diane Ravitch.

1. Poor Oversight of Public Resources --> corruption ("publicly funded, but do not like public accountability") 2. Privatizes Public Education (less money for public schools, leads to vouchers for private schools, including controversial religious schools) 3. Concerns about the SPONSORS of increased charter schools (billionaires, conservative donors, evangelicals) 4. Cherry-Picking (charter school "effectiveness" often disguises charter school selectivity; requirements for entering lottery tend to bias the eligible population towards those families with greater access to information and fewer cost barriers like showing up for lottery, buying uniforms, covering transportation costs, etc.) 5. Fail to Close Achievement Gap (charter schools do not succeed at closing either the racial or income achievement gaps, which was the original promise of charter schools) 6. No Evidence that can Fix Poverty (charter schools have existed for over 30 years and there is no evidence that they have improved poverty situation) 7. Brain Drain (draining the public school system of well-performing students and their parents can lead to negative outcomes for students in public schools; students left behind are often students with disabilities who are more expensive to educate, yet less money is left behind with which to educate these students) 8. Closures (charter school closures are common; while it is perhaps okay that poorly-performing schools are closing, it indicates that money and time are being wasted) 9. Discipline (charter schools that serve urban Black student populations tend to be highly disciplinary, so improved test scores are overshadowed by psychological detriments and contributions to school-to-prison pipeline)

Name two expected costs of vouchers discussed by Ladd.

1. Reduce Church-State Separation (a universal voucher program could reduce church-state separation by allowing public funding to be indirectly used to attend religious schools) 2. Disadvantages for Low-Income Families (schools nay charge additional fees/tuition, require expensive transportation, of have other unexpected costs that will not be covered by voucher; families with greater access to information are more likely to benefit from a voucher program, meaning that they would likely only exacerbate existing stratifications) 3. Negative Peer Effects/Brain Drain (while there may be some benefits for the students who enroll in better schools, the costs to the students left behind when more motivated/high-achieving students leave the classroom are very likely to outweigh these benefits)

Identify two reasons for governments to allow private and selective schools.

1. SCHOOL CHOICE AS FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT. Parents have a right to invest in their children's education; we can't level down education just to achieve equality; school choice allows families to send children to schools that align with values 2. HIGH POTENTIAL AND SOCIAL BENEFIT/POSITIVE EXTERNALITIES. Allowing private schools may lead to better performance for the highest-ability students, who are allowed to reach their maximum potential and create innovations that benefit overall social good; limiting the highest performing/most motivated students from reaching their fullest potential will limit overall productivity and social welfare 3. SERVING SPECIALIZED NEEDS Private schools can also serve groups beyond just high-achieving wealthy students, including students with special needs, students whose values align closer with alternative teaching methods/religious education, students not performing well in public schools, etc.

Under what circumstances does Swift believe that parents should be morally permitted to send their children to private and selective schools?

1. SPECIAL NEEDS are not being met by school; if student with disabilities or mental illness is not being supported in local public school, it is moral choice to enroll in private school that better serves that student 2. Public schools are REALLY bad; to ensure one avoids a life of poverty, psychological harm /bullying in a school, to get a fair chance at life

Identify two reasons for governments to ban private and selective schools.

1. Selection Harms the Students Left Behind - because of negative peer effects (learning from and being inspired by more motivated/high-achieving students) - because of negative self-image for students left behind - harder work for teachers responsible for educating lower-performing students (teacher shortage) - because of higher resources and better testing - because of losing the most involved parents who are more active in advocating for the students 2. Selections Harms the Community - contributes to racial and income segregation - comprehensive schools can lead to solidarity and motivate investments in public goods and services

What does Gintis mean by school choice or regulated competitive delivery?

A system that allows private providers of education and school choice for private and charter schools but is carefully regulated by the government. Includes competition between private firms, public institutions, associations of teachers, and local community groups

School Choice Many education reformers argue that parents and children should have more choice about where they go to school. The former Secretary of Education, Betsy de Vos, for example, argued in favor of expanding vouchers, charter schools, and other forms of school choice. Other education reformers like Diane Ravitch are skeptical about school choice. Who do you agree with and why? (Make sure to consider the strongest argument from the other side.)

Arguments AGAINST school choice using voucher system: - There aren't enough students using vouchers --> we should not spend too much money on a limited number of students - Many of the people that should be helped will not be able to benefit - It would be better to spend the money to improve the public schools - Depends on where the line is drawn; if too much money goes here, middle class students will be left behind; if not enough, poor students will be left behind - Vouchers are not the best way to invest in helping low-income families - Too many students in private schools may lower benefits of these schools (smaller class sizes, more individually tailored learning, etc.)

What are charter schools?

Charter schools are schools operated with public funds by private community groups under a charter from public school districts or other granter agencies. This independent operation means that charter schools have more freedom to design classrooms that meet student needs. Because they are publicly funded, though, charter schools may not explicitly exclude students (often use lottery system), charge tuition, or restrict geographically.

What are education vouchers?

Education vouchers are public funds given to families to be used at private schools of their choice (religious or non-religious). They are controversial because they would permit parents to use public funds to secure education not only at public schools, but also at private schools. There is disagreement about the effects on student achievement, social/racial segregation, and disadvantaged students. Opinions also differ on the importance of maintaining separation of religious private schools and the state (Establishment Clause).

Universal Voucher System

Large-scale; available to all families regardless of income Arguments FOR: - Simplicity: everyone receives a voucher - You still get an even playing field because everyone has money to choose schools - There are benefits in terms of matching the values (religious and otherwise) of families better - Can make it easier for everyone to make decisions (e.g. better information) - Might remove the stigma of using vouchers/scholarships to get into private schools - Might reduce segregation in neighborhoods (because families are not necessarily choosing where to reside based on public school district)

Means-Tested Vouchers

Means-Tested Voucher Programs are limited to low-income families Arguments FOR: - large-scale is more difficult to implement; private schools can be exclusive and expensive and can lead to inefficiencies - Large-scale will be worse for lowest-income students than means-tested - Large-scale gives rich parents more money that they don't need --> exacerbates the problem - Means-tested is better for evening the playing field - Means-tested --> less vouchers (and voucher programs aren't great because market systems won't work as well in education) - Giving low-income students this opportunity to attend a better school can open up long-term success for them - These investments would be especially welcome at the earliest levels of education - There should be extra funding in order to cover more than just tuition (e.g. transportation) - It would reduce the strain on public schools - Competition incentivizes the schools to perform better for both public and private

Zelman v. Simmons-Harris (2002)

Ohio program that used school vouchers did not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment even if the vouchers could be used for private, religious schools

What is the difference between means-tested vouchers and a universal voucher system?

Universal voucher systems are large-scale programs that give funds to all families regardless of income. Ladd claims that universal voucher programs would not generate substantial gains in overall student achievement and could be detrimental to many disadvantaged students. Means-tested voucher systems are more narrowly targeted, with voucher funds being allocated to specific low-income families. Ladd argues that means-tested voucher programs are more likely to have positive outcomes, but they must be one part of a larger strategy to improve and expand education options for disadvantaged students.

Individual Tax Credits and Deductions

allow parents to receive state income tax relief for approved educational expenses, which can include private school tuition, books, supplies, computers, tutors, and transportation

Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)

allow parents to withdraw their children public district or charter schools and receive a deposit of public funds into government-authorized savings accounts with restricted uses (e.g. private school tuition, online courses, tutoring, college courses, home schooling)

Tax Credit Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)

allow taxpayers to receive full or partial tax credits when they donate to nonprofits that provide private school scholarships; eligible taxpayers can include both individuals and businesses

Carson v. Markin (Ongoing for 2021-2022 Session)

legal challenge to Maine's exclusion of religious options from the state's school choice program