An Evaluation of the Effects of D.C.’s Voucher Program on Public School Achievement and Racial Integration After One Year
January 01, 2006

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This study finds that private schools participating in the D.C. voucher program are less segregated than D.C. public schools. In public schools the percentage of students who are white differs from the percent white of the metro area by an average of 40 points, compared to 34 points for private schools participating in the voucher program. It also finds that 85 percent of public school students attend racially homogeneous schools (more than 90 percent white or 90 percent minority), compared to 47 percent of students in participating private schools. When the definition of “racially homogeneous” is made stricter, such that schools need to be 95 percent white or 95 percent minority to qualify, the gap widens to 84 percent versus 43 percent. The study also finds that the D.C. program, which insulates the public school system from competitive incentives through large federal subsidies, has no impact on academic achievement in public schools.

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