Date of Award
2017
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Education
Abstract
Indiana has developed the most expansive, statewide voucher program in the nation, and the only one not limited to low-income students or targeted communities. The Indiana Choice Scholarship, or voucher program, has grown from 3,911 students in 2011 to almost 30,000 in the first four years (IDOE, 2015a). This rapid growth warrants a thorough and objective evaluation of whether the program is effectively expanding access to at-risk populations, and whether that expanded access is translating into improved academic outcomes in the private schools they select. The design of this study is a two-phase, sequential, mixed-methods analysis to assess whether Indianas Choice Scholarship program is effectively reaching and improving outcomes for at-risk students, specifically low-income and minority students. The first quantitative phase addressed both equitable access and achievement among at-risk populations. The second phase was a qualitative case study of a voucher school that has expanded access to at-risk populations through the voucher program, as was determined by the phase one. Finally, policy implications were explored related to the public Education budget, selective enrollment and consequences for racial balance in local school systems. Relatedly, the political intent of the program was examined and whether the programs outcomes coincide with the political rhetoric surrounding the passage of voucher legislation in Indiana.
Recommended Citation
Garwood, Jamie L., "Evaluating The Equity Of Access And Achievement Within The Indiana Voucher Program" (2017). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1609.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/1609