Posted on 09/26/2002 3:24:49 PM PDT by Jean S
WASHINGTON (AP) - Privately funded voucher programs are no guarantee that students who leave public school for private will do better than classmates they leave behind, although parents of voucher students think the new schools are safer, a congressional report says.
The General Accounting Office examined voucher programs in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Dayton, Ohio, that were funded with private contributions rather than taxpayer funds like those in Cleveland, Milwaukee and Florida.
Black students participating in the New York program generally did better in math and reading, but Hispanic students with the same vouchers did no better, according to the report, which was released Thursday.
Some 1,500 vouchers went to students in grades 1-5, 44 percent of whom were black; 47 percent were Hispanic, 5 percent were white and 4 percent were from another ethnic group. The average family income of the students was about $10,000.
In the Washington study, black voucher students tracked over three years initially scored higher in math but lower in reading, then better in both subjects. By the third year, there was no difference when the combined scores were compared to those of public school students. Most of the Washington students were black.
In Dayton, black voucher students had slightly higher reading scores, but the differences weren't statistically significant.
"We're pleased to see that the General Accounting Office has found what we think most researchers and analysts have found when taking a look at the data from private voucher programs," said Nancy Van Meter, a policy analyst for the American Federation of Teachers. "Essentially, they too have discovered that there is not any significant achievement gain for students who are using vouchers versus the comparison group, outside of a very small number of African-American students in New York City."
The study said parents of voucher students, regardless of race or ethnicity, were more satisfied with their children's education and the safety of their school.
"What is really important to focus on is parental satisfaction," said Christina Culver, spokeswoman for Children First America, an Arkansas-based organization that funds 46 private voucher programs across the nation. "When parents are more satisfied, they are more likely to be involved in their child's education and pursue academic excellence for their children, and that's very important for all schools to improve."
Critics allege that such programs are designed to build public support for taxpayer-funded vouchers. While the 78 private programs around the country are distinct and separate from taxpayer-funded programs, most are run by nonprofit organizations that pay no federal income taxes. Donations to these organizations are tax-deductible.
Arizona also gives state tax credits to individuals who donate, while Florida and Pennsylvania offer tax credits to corporations that help fund the vouchers.
In a study released last October, the GAO said more research is needed into whether publicly financed voucher programs in Cleveland and Milwaukee help students' test scores. That study found no proof that giving students state funds to attend private or parochial schools raised test scores.
About 31,000 students attend private or parochial schools using taxpayer funds. Private scholarships totaling nearly $60 million help about 46,000 students attend private school across the country.
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On the Net:
GAO: http://www.gao.gov
Children First America: http://www.childrenfirstamerica.org
AP-ES-09-26-02 1805EDT
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