A choice that gives students and parents a chance

In North Carolina, the achievement gap between economically disadvantaged students and their wealthier peers is about 30 percentage points,[1] and the graduation gap between these two groups is more than 11 percentage points.[2] Before I was a lawyer or a legislator, I fought this reality firsthand as a Teach For America teacher.

My experience working with low-income students shaped a core belief that I have carried with me since—parents and students, especially in high poverty areas plagued by low test scores and graduation rates, need more opportunities to select a school that serves their families’ educational needs well.

While there are many causes for the gaps North Carolina’s underprivileged students face, Opportunity Scholarships are an important step in bridging the disparity. Without this program, children from low-income families who struggle at their public school have no other options. Opportunity Scholarships allow those families to take advantage of the same options as families who can afford private school tuition. Moreover, school choice benefits both participating students and public schools, while saving the state money which can be reinvested in the public schools.

Opportunity Scholarships provide up to $4,200 to some of North Carolina’s most needy students—those who qualify for the Federal Free and Reduced Price Lunch Program—to attend a private school of their choice. Additionally, the student must have been enrolled in an NC public school during the preceding semester.[3]

The State Education Assistance Authority (SEAA) will administer the program and help monitor its success by requiring that private schools collect certain data on the outcomes (through required, nationally normed tests) for participating students and by requiring financial audits of certain participating schools.

The $4,200 maximum award amount ensures that families will be able to choose from many of the private schools in the state. More than two-thirds (68 percent) of the state’s private schools’ tuitions are less than $6,000 per year, and 41 percent are less than $4,000.[4] As significantly, many schools with slightly higher (and sometimes much higher) tuitions are able to provide matching scholarships and expand their service to lower-income families. I have spoken with several heads of school at outstanding private schools with higher tuitions, and many are eager to participate in the program by offering scholarships or matching grants to choice students. This means qualifying students can choose a school that meets their unique needs at minimal or no cost to their parents.[5]

By using a lottery to select roughly 2,000 eligible students,[6] the SEAA will ensure that all qualifying students have an equal chance to obtain a scholarship. It’s important to note, though, that most students who are doing well at their public school will not want to change schools. Studies show that students using similar programs in other states are the most academically behind and economically disadvantaged before changing schools.[7] They highlight that the move to a private school of choice substantially benefits these students at every step of their academic career.

Of the 12 gold-standard, empirical studies on the impact of school choice, 11 have shown that it improves academic achievement for participating students. One found no impact. Despite the negative claims by opponents, not one gold-standard study has ever suggested that school choice harms participating students. [8] Many of the opponents of school choice questioning the academic achievement of these programs (such as the one in Milwaukee[9]) depict an inaccurate and unfair picture.

When comparing school choice students to other qualifying students who did not participate in the program, studies show that the scholarship students outperform their peers in reading and math.[10]

Moreover, school choice participants graduate high school and enroll in college at higher rates. In the Washington Program, participants have a 91 percent graduation rate, 30 percent higher than the D.C. average.[11] In Milwaukee, students in the program enroll in college at a rate 18 percent higher than their public school peers, and are more likely to stay a second year.[12]

Beyond the benefits for participating students, school choice has an advantageous effect on public schools. Many of the students expected to use Opportunity Scholarships are those who are struggling the most in their current schools. Their transition to private school alleviates pressure on the resources required of public schools. Of the 23 independent empirical studies evaluating school choice’s impact on public schools, 22 found that public schools were significantly improved. The remaining study found no impact,[13] and there have been no studies showing negative effects on public schools. These studies also reveal that school choice fosters healthy competition that encourages public schools to improve, by making sure they are serving their students well and giving them a reason to remain at their home school.[14]

Finally, many opponents inaccurately claim that Opportunity Scholarships will take money away from public schools when, in reality, the program helps them financially. No money is taken from public schools to fund Opportunity Scholarships. The program is projected to result in net savings to the state and localities that can then be reinvested in the public schools to make them stronger – this year’s state budget reflects a net savings of $2 million this year from Opportunity Scholarships. Florida’s choice program is estimated to save the state $60 million this year and, in Indiana, the expected 2012-2013 savings were almost $5 million in only their second year. These states, just as North Carolina is expected to do, will then redistribute the savings to the public schools.[15]

School choice is not a silver bullet that can cure all ills, but I strongly believe it is an important piece of the educational puzzle that will give low-income students access to equal educational opportunities. Low-income families deserve similar options to those of families with more financial security. Empowering parents to make decisions about the unique educational needs of their children is the best way to ensure that all North Carolina students succeed.

Robert P. Bryan is a Charlotte lawyer who represents District 88 in the N.C. General Assembly. Opinions here are the writer’s, not necessarily those of the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute or the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

[1] Race To The Top, North Carolina Student Outcomes Data: Closing Achievement Gaps; https://www.rtt-apr.us/state/north-carolina/2010-2011/sod_3

[2] 2013 State Four Year Cohort Graduation Rate