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Fiscal Effects Of School Choice: The Costs and Savings of Private School Choice Programs in America Through FY 2022.

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Title: Fiscal Effects Of School Choice: The Costs and Savings of Private School Choice Programs in America Through FY 2022.
Authors: Weber, Mark1
Source: Education Review (10945296). 2025, Vol. 32, p1-14. 14p.
Subject Terms: *School choice, *Educational vouchers, *School budgets, *Research methodology, *Education policy, Economic impact, Cost analysis
Abstract: The expansion of school "choice" (i.e., voucher) programs, which provide taxpayer-financed subsidies for families enrolling students in private schools, has prompted a debate about their fiscal impact. A recent EdChoice report argues that these subsidies of private school costs save taxpayers money when--as is typically the case--the per-pupil cost of the subsidies is less than the average per-pupil spending of public schools. However, the report's estimation of the number of students likely incentivized by vouchers to switch from public to private--as opposed to students who use the vouchers to subsidize a private-school education that they would avail themselves of even without the voucher--is wholly invalid. The report also fails to apprehend that private and public schools serve different students, with public schools enrolling more students with specific educational needs that drive up costs. In addition, the report's methodological assumptions are fatally flawed; consequently, it almost certainly underestimates the true costs of "choice" programs. Ultimately, the report's lack of empirical evidence, reliance on poorly formed theories, and slapdash methods render it useless to policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Education Review (10945296) is the property of Educational Policy Analysis Archives & Education Review and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+choice%22">School choice</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+vouchers%22">Educational vouchers</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+budgets%22">School budgets</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research+methodology%22">Research methodology</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Education+policy%22">Education policy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Economic+impact%22">Economic impact</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cost+analysis%22">Cost analysis</searchLink>
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  Data: The expansion of school "choice" (i.e., voucher) programs, which provide taxpayer-financed subsidies for families enrolling students in private schools, has prompted a debate about their fiscal impact. A recent EdChoice report argues that these subsidies of private school costs save taxpayers money when--as is typically the case--the per-pupil cost of the subsidies is less than the average per-pupil spending of public schools. However, the report's estimation of the number of students likely incentivized by vouchers to switch from public to private--as opposed to students who use the vouchers to subsidize a private-school education that they would avail themselves of even without the voucher--is wholly invalid. The report also fails to apprehend that private and public schools serve different students, with public schools enrolling more students with specific educational needs that drive up costs. In addition, the report's methodological assumptions are fatally flawed; consequently, it almost certainly underestimates the true costs of "choice" programs. Ultimately, the report's lack of empirical evidence, reliance on poorly formed theories, and slapdash methods render it useless to policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Education Review (10945296) is the property of Educational Policy Analysis Archives & Education Review and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 14
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      – SubjectFull: School choice
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational vouchers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School budgets
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Research methodology
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      – SubjectFull: Education policy
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      – SubjectFull: Economic impact
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      – SubjectFull: Cost analysis
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      – TitleFull: Fiscal Effects Of School Choice: The Costs and Savings of Private School Choice Programs in America Through FY 2022.
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              Text: 2025
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