Date of Award
2013
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Education
Abstract
The Indiana School Choice Scholarship Program is the largest-reaching first year voucher program in the country. Non-public schools throughout the state reported a dramatic increase in enrollment as a result of this program. The purpose of this qualitative research case study was to discover the changes that occurred at non-public schools that have experienced a significant increase in enrollment as a result of Indiana‘s School Choice Scholarship Program. The interventions created at the school level to handle the learning needs of students on the voucher program were explored in an attempt to help schools understand how to adapt to the rapidly increasing number of program participants. This qualitative study included interviews with nonpublic school administrators and focus groups of teachers at non-public schools that have experienced significant growth in enrollment through the voucher program. Although the schools differed in terms of demographics, grade levels, and experiences with the voucher program, five themes developed that linked the schools‘ experiences together. These themes included 1. Non-public schools‘ prior experiences with students from poverty drive the degree of change they experience through the voucher program, 2. Promotion and marketing of schools attracts students that are eligible for vouchers, 3. The predominant voucher program participants are low-income and minority students from urban school corporations, 4. Staffing and academic changes are influenced by the voucher program, and 5. Non-public schools and students benefit from voucher programs.
Recommended Citation
Dickel, Timothy A., "The Impact Of An Influx Of Student Participants In Indiana'S School Choice Scholarship Program On Non-Public Schools" (2013). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1483.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/1483