The Renaissance of School Choice: A New Era in Education

The landscape of school choice has seen remarkable progress post-pandemic, with states rapidly embracing education savings accounts (ESAs) and school vouchers. This shift has evoked a spectrum of reactions, from joy to outrage. Let’s dive deeper into the legislative trends and research insights with the esteemed voice in this arena, Patrick Wolf, the 21st Century Endowed Chair in School Choice at the University of Arkansas. Wolf, known for his extensive work on school choice, sheds light on the current scenario.

–Rick Hess

Rick Hess: Reflecting on your three-decade journey studying school choice, what’s your take on the recent legislative developments?

Patrick Wolf: The rapid and far-reaching expansion of school choice post-2020 has taken me by surprise. The dissatisfaction among parents with prolonged school closures and subpar remote learning during the pandemic seems to have spurred this wave of private school choice initiatives. Notably, EdChoice revealed that over 1 million students are now part of private school choice programs, a number that has doubled in less than four years. Truly astounding!

Hess: Do you view the current educational landscape as an incremental evolution or a fundamental shift?

Wolf: It’s a blend of both. While some states like Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin have steadily expanded school choice over the past decade, others have swiftly transitioned from no private school choice to extensive programs. For instance, West Virginia swiftly adopted a universal education savings account program in 2021, while Arkansas progressed from targeted programs to a universal ESA setup in 2023, offering parents vast customization opportunities for their child’s education.

Hess: Considering the surge in demand for choice programs due to pandemic disruptions, do you anticipate this demand to endure post-pandemic?

Wolf: The repercussions of the pandemic-era schooling experiences have left a lasting impact on parents. Many witnessed uninspiring content or objectionable material during remote learning, leading them to opt for alternative schooling methods such as private schools or homeschooling. Despite assumptions that students would return to public schools post-pandemic, the numbers suggest otherwise. Public schools continue to be short of over a million students compared to pre-pandemic levels, indicating a sustained demand for alternative education options.

Hess: Delving into the insights gained over the years, how has our understanding of school choice evolved in the past decade?

Wolf: The research now reveals that school choice programs primarily impact students’ educational attainment rather than academic achievement. This signifies that choice programs influence students’ educational trajectories more than their academic knowledge. The responsive nature of choice schools to parental preferences and the emphasis on character-building in these settings explain the positive effects observed, including reduced criminal behavior and improved student mental health. Additionally, the competitive pressure from choice programs has demonstrated an improvement in public school performance.

Hess: While some skeptics contest the positive effects of school choice on public schools, what does the extensive research indicate?

Wolf: Contrary to skepticism, research from renowned institutions like Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and others indicates that private school choice programs introduce positive competitive effects on public schools. In fact, out of 31 studies conducted by various scholars, 27 conclude a positive influence, underscoring the benefits of competition in improving overall school performance. A recent meta-analysis further solidifies these findings, affirming the positive impact of private school choice on public school dynamics.

Hess: Amidst the ongoing debates on school choice, what key research findings stand out in shaping the discourse?

Wolf: The research findings corroborating the positive response of public schools to choice-based competition are crucial in informing the ongoing debates around school choice. Despite the expansion of private choice programs, the majority of students remain in public schools, necessitating a nuanced understanding of public school dynamics under competitive pressures. The significance of aligning regulations with the needs of schools and maintaining a light-touch approach to regulation emerges as a key takeaway from the research.

Hess: In light of concerns regarding the impact of choice programs on democratic values within schools, what does your research reveal?

Wolf: Numerous claims suggesting private schooling as detrimental to democratic values prompted our research team to conduct a meta-analysis. The findings showcase that private schooling fosters higher levels of political tolerance, knowledge, and community engagement, akin to public schooling outcomes. This emphasizes the positive role of private schooling in enhancing democratic virtues, underlining its contribution to a vibrant democratic republic.

Hess: Considering the evolving landscape of school choice research, how would you summarize the current trajectory?

Wolf: With a shift towards a broader research scope encompassing various aspects of school choice, the field has seen an expansion in the depth and breadth of research inquiries. While traditional field studies faced challenges in the current universal choice scenario, researchers are exploring a diverse set of questions regarding choice program participation, impact on public schools, and regulatory frameworks. Despite variations in research designs, the trajectory indicates a growing emphasis on comprehensively understanding the complexities of school choice.

Hess: As a researcher supportive of school choice, how do you navigate the reception of negative research findings in a polarized environment?

Wolf: Balancing positive, neutral, and negative findings in my research endeavors, I advocate for rigorous evaluation and data-driven insights. The complexity of real-world scenarios often yields mixed results, with occasional negative outcomes like the Louisiana Scholarship Program evaluation. While negative findings are scrutinized, it’s essential to acknowledge and learn from such instances to advance the discourse on school choice.

Hess: Reflecting on your reception within the research community, how has the environment evolved over time?

Wolf: While I have encountered skepticism regarding my research on school choice, I remain committed to upholding rigorous standards in my studies. The politicization of education debates has led to biased interpretations of research findings, prolonging the review process. Nonetheless, a steadfast commitment to scholarship and data integrity guides my research approach, fostering robust discourse in the field.

Hess: In engaging with educators and stakeholders, what key message do you consider essential for navigating the school choice landscape?

Wolf: Encouraging a proactive and inclusive approach towards school choice, educators can foster collaborative partnerships with parents and policymakers. Embracing the evolving educational landscape, public schools that prioritize responsiveness to parental needs and preferences are better poised to serve their communities effectively. Ultimately, the educational system, whether public or private, should focus on delivering quality education tailored to the diverse needs of students.

Frederick Hess is director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute and an executive editor of Education Next.

This post originally appeared on Rick Hess Straight Up.