ERIC Number: ED504535
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2004-Feb-16
Pages: 10
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Standardized Tests Taken by Nine out of Ten Voucher Schools; Reporting Results Would Increase Accountability. Research Brief. Volume 92, Number 1
Public Policy Forum
One criticism of Milwaukee's Parental Choice Program (MPCP) made by parents and policy makers focuses on the lack of information regarding student performance across participating schools. Schools participating in the MPCP are not required to either administer standardized exams or report their scores. The Public Policy Forum's annual census of schools in the MPCP has found that many voucher schools are taking standardized exams and most have standardized information on student performance. The report suggests that policy makers and school administrators may want to develop an acceptable method for publicly reporting this information, and that doing so would enhance parental school choice. Selected reported program highlights of the 2003-2004 school year include: (1) Total program enrollment increased 14.5 percent, the greatest growth since 2000-2001; (2) Choice participation increased at all grade levels; (3) Five schools joined the program for the first time, and one dropped out; (4) Seventy-eight of the 111 participating schools are religious schools; (5) In the last six years, 20 schools have changed locations, and five have changed locations more than once; and (6) Forty-three percent of the students in the program are in schools that are 90 to 100% minority. (Contains 4 charts and 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Standardized Tests, Accountability, Educational Vouchers, School Choice, Urban Schools, Academic Achievement, Enrollment Trends, Racial Integration, Private Schools, School Location, Student Mobility
Public Policy Forum. 633 West Wisconsin Avenue Suite 406, Milwaukee, WI 53203. Tel: 414-276-8240; Fax: 414-276-9962; e-mail: forum@publicpolicyforum.org; Web site: http://www.publicpolicyforum.org
Publication Type: Collected Works - Serial; Numerical/Quantitative Data; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Public Policy Forum
Identifiers - Location: Wisconsin
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Iowa Tests of Basic Skills; TerraNova Multiple Assessments; Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examinations
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A