School Choice and Vouchers Summary
Researchers have conducted dozens of evaluations of school voucher programs and charter schools in the U.S. These studies examine programs with different policy designs, charter communities with different types of schools, and use various methodologies. At the School Choice Demonstration Project we use “Gold Standard” experimental methods of evaluation whenever possible and otherwise employ sophisticated observational methods that, under some circumstances, are nearly as rigorous as experiments. We think it is primarily from such rigorous scientific studies that we learn the truth about the effects of parental school choice programs.
Summary of Research Findings Regarding the Effects of Private School Choice Programs
Patrick J. Wolf. Summary of research findings regarding the effects of private school choice programs. School Choice Demonstration Project, 2023.
The academic effects of private school choice: Summary of final year results from experimental studies
Patrick J. Wolf. The academic effects of private school choice: Summary of final year results from experimental studies.
The participant effects of private school vouchers around the globe: a meta-analytic and systematic review
Shakeel, M.D., Anderson, Kaitlin P., & Wolf, Patrick J. "The participant effects of private school vouchers around the globe: a meta-analytic and systemic review." School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 2021, Online First.
Education Freedom and Student Achievement: Is More School Choice Associated with Higher State-Level Performance on the NAEP?
Wolf, Patrick J., Greene, Jay P., Ladner, M., & Paul, James D. (2021) Education Freedom and Student Achievement: Is More School Choice Associated with Higher State-Level Performance on the NAEP? School Choice Demonstration Project, University of Arkansas...
School vouchers: Friend or foe?
Opening Statement of Dr. Patrick J. Wolf, University of Arkansas. “School Vouchers: Friend or Foe?” Askwith Debate, Harvard University Graduate School of Education. Cambridge, MA, May 1, 2017.
The participant effects of private school vouchers across the globe: A meta-analytic and systematic review
Shakeel, M. D., Anderson, K. P., & Wolf, P. J. (2016). EDRE Working Paper 2016-07.