This week, the Urban Institute—a national think tank—released a study that examines the college outcomes of EdChoice scholarship students. The analysis includes students who participated in EdChoice during its early years of implementation (2008–14). It relies on statistical methods that ensure apples-to-apples comparisons of private- and public-school students from similar backgrounds.
Key results include:
- EdChoice boosted college enrollment. Among scholarship recipients, 64 percent enrolled in any college—two- or four-year—versus 48 percent of their closely matched public school peers. When focusing on four-year colleges only, a greater proportion of EdChoice users enrolled in such institutions compared to their public school peers (45 versus 30 percent).
- EdChoice increased college completion. 23 percent of scholarship participants earned a bachelor’s degree within six years of high school graduation versus 15 percent of their closely matched public school peers.
In addition to directly benefitting scholarship students, the study also uncovers positive impacts of EdChoice on public school students’ college outcomes via increased competition. Mirroring prior Fordham research, this finding indicates that—contrary to critics’ claims—expanding school choice does not hurt students attending traditional school districts.
“Thanks to the EdChoice scholarship, thousands of Ohio students received an education that opens doors to college,” said Aaron Churchill, Ohio Research Director for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute. “As state policymakers continue to discuss school-choice initiatives, they should pay attention to rigorous research that demonstrate the benefits of choice programs for Ohio families and students.”
The full Urban Institute report can be found online: https://www.urban.org/research/publication/effects-ohios-edchoice-voucher-program-college-enrollment-and-graduation
