School Choice

Analyses of the strengths and weaknesses of school-choice systems

Report

Early Returns: First Results from the New Wave of Public Funding of Private Schooling

Authored byLiz Cohen, Bella DiMarco

Table of Contents Introduction Which Children Do These Programs Serve? How Do Universal Programs Impact State and Local Budgets? How is the Money Spent?

Explainer

The New Wave of Public Funding of Private Schooling, Explained

Authored byBella DiMarco, Liz Cohen

An analysis of fast-expanding state initiatives to allow families to pay private educational expenses with public monies

Commentary

The Hidden Provision Driving Tax Breaks for Private School Tuition

Authored byThomas Toch, Brooke LePage

A federal tax provision allowing families to devote money tax free to private school tuition

Explainer

Legislative Tracker: 2024 State Private-School Choice Bills

Authored byBella DiMarco

Tracking 2024 state legislation on vouchers, education savings accounts, and other education scholarships

Report

Common Lotteries and the Future of Urban Public Education

Authored byThomas Toch

How D.C.’s school lottery makes public school choice work better for both students and schools

From the Field

The Impact of Charter Schools on Special Ed & ELL Students

Research showing the positive impact of charter schools on reducing achievement gaps for special education and ELL students

Explainer

The Supreme Court Supports Aid to Religious Schools

Authored byBrooke LePage

A recent Supreme Court ruling opens the door for public funding of private schooling

Parental Satisfaction

39%

Traditional public school parents who are very satisfied with their child’s school
70%

Religious school parents who are very satisfied with their child’s school

Source: 50CAN

Arizona ESA Cost

$587 million

Estimated total cost of Arizona's universal ESA program, 2022-23
$189 million

Total cost of the targeted ESA program prior to universal expansion, 2021-22

Source: Learning Policy Institute

Charter School Demographics 20-21

35%

Public charter school students that are Hispanic
24%

Public charter school students that are Black

Source: National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

Charter School Laws

45

States, plus DC, that have passed laws allowing public charter schools as of Dec. 2022
3.7 million

Public charter school students in the U.S., 2020-21

Source: National Alliance for Public Charter Schools