Working Paper: NBER ID: w26758
Authors: David N. Figlio; Cassandra MD Hart; Krzysztof Karbownik
Abstract: Using a rich dataset that merges student-level school records with birth records, and a student fixed effect design, we explore how the massive scale-up of a Florida private school choice program affected public school students’ outcomes. Expansion of the program produced modestly larger benefits for students attending public schools that had a larger initial degree of private school options, measured prior to the introduction of the voucher program. These benefits include higher standardized test scores and lower absenteeism and suspension rates. Effects are particularly pronounced for lower-income students, but results are positive for more affluent students as well.
Keywords: private school choice; public school students; Florida voucher program; educational outcomes
JEL Codes: H75; I21; I22; I28
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| increased exposure to private school choice (I24) | improvements in educational outcomes for public school students (I21) |
| expansion of the Florida private school choice program (H52) | larger benefits for public school students (I28) |
| increased private school options (I28) | higher standardized test scores among public school students (I24) |
| increased private school options (I28) | lower absenteeism rates among public school students (I21) |
| increased private school options (I28) | lower suspension rates among public school students (I21) |
| increase in competitive pressure from the voucher program (H52) | observed gains in academic performance and behavior among public school students (I21) |