Study shows gains for voucher students

A study by a new political scientist at the university, William Howell, has found that test-score performance went up among black students who switched from public to private schools under voucher programs in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Dayton, Ohio.

Test scores averaged 3.3 National Percentile Ranking points higher after two years and 6.3 NPR points higher after two years, compared to control groups in public schools.

The voucher system, which provides money to help parents pay for private schooling, has become a key issue in the presidential election.

Researchers found that between 1997 and 1999, black children on vouchers raised their percentile rankings on standardized math and reading tests on average by 6.3 points. Their scores were compared with a control group of students who were not awarded vouchers by lottery and remained in public schools.