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Howell, W.G., (2004)
‘Dynamic selection effects in means-tested, urban school voucher programs.’
Journal of Policy Analysis and Management 23:2, pp. 225-250
- Uses data from a New York City vouchers scheme to examine how voucher
applicants and non-applicants, and takers and decliners (those who received
vouchers but returned to public schools) systematically differ from one
another. The author asks 4 key questions about the voucher program:
- Who applies for vouchers?
- The applicant population was more likely to be African American when
compared to the eligible population, and mothers who applied for vouchers
were considerably more likely to have attended college.
- Who initially takes vouchers?
- Income is positively correlated with the likelihood that families use
vouchers - unsurprisingly, given that the vouchers do not cover the full cost
of the average private school.
- More religiously observant families are more likely to use vouchers.
- Who remains in private school?
- Religiously observant families were also more likely to stay in private
schools for longer periods of time.
- Students’ academic profiles did not, for the most part, have an appreciable
effect on the hazard of leaving.
- Cumulative selection effects
- Voucher recipients who remained in private schools after 3 years look
quite different from the overall population who qualified for a voucher, once
all the selection effects discussed above have taken effect.
- Mothers who remained in the voucher program were twice as likely to have
been employed as the eligible population, three times as likely to have attended
college, and five times more likely to have graduated from college.
- The average income levels of families who applied for, took and continued
to use vouchers is 10% higher than the eligible population of New York City
residents.
- This paper helps make the important point that the beneficiaries of a
voucher program will not necessarily be the same people policy-makers seek
to target.
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