A Descriptive Analysis of Cream Skimming and Pushout in Choice versus Traditional Public Schools
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| Title: | A Descriptive Analysis of Cream Skimming and Pushout in Choice versus Traditional Public Schools |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Kho, Adam, Zimmer, Ron, McEachin, Andrew |
| Source: | Education Finance and Policy. Win 2022 17(1):160-187. |
| Availability: | MIT Press. 55 Hayward Street, Cambridge, MA 02142. Tel: 617-253-2889; Fax: 617-253-1709; e-mail: journals-rights@mit.edu; Web site: http://www.mitpressjournals.org/loi/edfp |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 28 |
| Publication Date: | 2022 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Charter Schools, Traditional Schools, Low Achievement, High Achievement, School Choice, Magnet Schools, Discipline, Student Characteristics, Behavior Problems, Public Schools |
| Geographic Terms: | Tennessee, North Carolina |
| DOI: | 10.1162/edfp_a_00333 |
| ISSN: | 1557-3060 |
| Abstract: | One of the controversies surrounding charter schools is whether these schools may either "cream skim" high-performing students from traditional public schools or "pushout" low-achieving students or students with discipline histories, leaving traditional public schools to educate the most challenging students. In this study, we use longitudinal statewide data from Tennessee and North Carolina and linear probability models to examine whether there is evidence consistent with these selective enrollment practices. Because school choice programs managed by districts (magnet and open enrollment programs) have a similar ability to cream skim and pushout students, we also examine these outcomes for these programs. Across the various school choice programs, magnet schools have the most evidence of cream skimming, but this might be expected as they often have selective admissions. For charter schools, we do not find patterns in the data consistent with cream skimming, but we do find evidence consistent with pushout behaviors based on discipline records. Finally, some have raised concerns that students may be pushed out near accountability test dates, but our results suggest no evidence consistent with this claim. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2022 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1330463 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | One of the controversies surrounding charter schools is whether these schools may either "cream skim" high-performing students from traditional public schools or "pushout" low-achieving students or students with discipline histories, leaving traditional public schools to educate the most challenging students. In this study, we use longitudinal statewide data from Tennessee and North Carolina and linear probability models to examine whether there is evidence consistent with these selective enrollment practices. Because school choice programs managed by districts (magnet and open enrollment programs) have a similar ability to cream skim and pushout students, we also examine these outcomes for these programs. Across the various school choice programs, magnet schools have the most evidence of cream skimming, but this might be expected as they often have selective admissions. For charter schools, we do not find patterns in the data consistent with cream skimming, but we do find evidence consistent with pushout behaviors based on discipline records. Finally, some have raised concerns that students may be pushed out near accountability test dates, but our results suggest no evidence consistent with this claim. |
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| ISSN: | 1557-3060 |
| DOI: | 10.1162/edfp_a_00333 |
