Impact of School Choice on Low-Income Student Performance

Significant Reduction in Achievement Gap

A recent report has shown that school choice has significantly reduced the academic performance gap between low-income students and their wealthier counterparts. The Progressive Policy Institute’s (PPI’s) October report highlights the positive impact of public charter schools in driving academic improvements across entire school districts, not just for students attending charter schools.

Case Study: Camden, New Jersey

The report reveals that in Camden, New Jersey, where 68 percent of students were enrolled in charter schools by 2023, the achievement gap between low-income students and their peers was reduced by 42 percent between the 2010–2011 and 2022–2023 school years. The proportion of students attending charter schools in Camden increased from 2011 to 2023, resulting in an increase of more than 20 percent in low-income student performance.

Other Cities Show Similar Trends

The report also found that the gap in Washington closed by 38 percent during the same period, with 45 percent of students enrolled in charter schools. In Indianapolis, the gap narrowed by 23 percent, with 58 percent of students attending charter schools.

Benefits for Nonwhite Students

The report indicates that nonwhite students are among the most significant beneficiaries of school choice, accounting for 70 percent of charter school students in the cities surveyed, despite only making up approximately half of the district.

Operational Flexibility of Charter Schools

Charter schools are publicly funded and tuition-free, and are accessible to all students. They differ from traditional public schools in their operational flexibility and governance. Charter schools are subject to the same federal laws regarding nondiscrimination and admission, but they have a greater degree of autonomy over their curriculum, personnel, and scheduling.

Accountability Standards

The report indicates that a key factor driving this progress is the higher accountability standards to which charter schools are held. Unlike traditional district schools, which are rarely closed for poor performance, charter schools must meet specific educational objectives outlined in their charter agreements.

Spillover Effect

The PPI report also recognizes a “spillover effect” in cities that have robust educational choice programs. In a city that has a combination of traditional and charter schools, the competition among schools fosters improvement throughout the entire system, which is advantageous to all students.

Homeschooling on the Rise

In addition to attention on charter schools, the option of homeschooling is growing in popularity with parents across the nation. New data from the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy’s homeschool research lab show that 90 percent of states reporting data saw an increase in homeschooling in the 2023–2024 school year.

Bottom Line

This report provides compelling evidence that school choice, particularly the introduction of charter schools, can significantly improve the academic performance of low-income students and reduce the achievement gap. It also highlights the benefits of competition and accountability in the education system. What are your thoughts on these findings? Do you think school choice can be a viable solution to address educational disparities? Share this article with your friends and let's continue the conversation. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.