How has the Louisiana Scholarship Program Affected Students? A Comprehensive Summary of Effects After Two Years

Authors

Jonathan N. Mills, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Anna J. Egalite, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Patrick J. Wolf, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow

Document Type

Policy Brief

Publication Date

2-19-2016

Keywords

School vouchers, school choice, student achievement, randomized control trial

Abstract

Louisiana, a state whose educational performance has lagged behind national averages for decades, began its experiment with publicly financed scholarships for students to attend private schools in 2008. The pilot version of the Louisiana Scholarship Program (LSP) was expanded statewide with the passage of Act 2 of the 2012 Louisiana state legislative session. Nearly 10,000 students applied to the expanded program in 2012-13, with roughly 5,000 applicants receiving scholarships. The program has continued its rapid expansion every year since then, with nearly 7,500 scholarships awarded in the 2014-15 school year.

Citation

Mills, J. N., Egalite, A. J., & Wolf, P. J. (2016). How has the Louisiana Scholarship Program Affected Students? A Comprehensive Summary of Effects After Two Years. School Choice Demonstration Project. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/scdp/15