School Choice Saved My Life

School choice advocate Denisha Merriweather on the experience of being in a “warehouse” style school, filled with apathetic students and teachers: “I remember being puzzled and angry because I didn’t understand the lessons being taught. I remember wanting to ask my teacher to repeat herself, but I got the sense that she didn’t want to help me understand.”

Harvard’s Paul E. Peterson on his research findings on school choice: “[W]e find that the low-income families who participated in our studies tell us that the discipline is much better. There's less fighting. There's less cheating. There's less racial conflict. There's more tolerance for children from other backgrounds.”

WATCH: Denisha Merriweather on the impact of school choice.

Related Reading: “The Education Gap: Vouchers and Urban Schools” – William G. Howell, Paul E. Peterson

Public schools have become increasingly more dangerous in recent years. Non-fatal incidents of crime are on the rise in America’s public schools, with many schools adding cameras and armed security guards, turning what should be an educational environment into what feels like a penitentiary.

The 2010-2011 school year saw 31 violent deaths, and that number increased to 48 school-associated deaths in 2013-2014.

Drugs are also rampant. 90% of students in a recent survey reported knowing classmates who consumed drugs, alcohol, or tobacco during school hours.

10 percent of public school teachers were threatened with violence in the 2011-2012 school year, and that percentage has been on the rise since 2003-2004.

Related Reading: “Learning from School Choice” – Paul E. Peterson

In Washington D.C., students who used a school voucher program were 21 percent more likely to graduate high school.

In 2003, there were only 22 charter schools in New York City. In 2004, a school choice program was started and by 2012, there were over 150 charter schools. Graduation rates improved 18%, a growth rate nearly twice other large districts in New York State.

A recent study found that students in Milwaukee’s school choice program—the oldest one in the country—scored on average 2.8 points higher on the ACT than public school students.

In Florida, the voucher program and the competition it created for student participation led to a 9.3-point improvement on FCAT math scores and 10.1-point improvement on FCAT reading scores.

40% of all high school students in America are “chronically disengaged.” The recommendation of the National Research Council? Break up large schools into smaller ones that foster personal relationships between teachers and students—in other words, try to imitate private schools.

More school choice means parents can send their kids to schools that match their values and their child’s personal situation.

Personalized attention and mentors have proven to be able to change students’ trajectories and help them succeed.

Related reading: “Why America Needs School Choice” – Jay P Greene

More school choice means parents can send their kids to schools that match their values and their child’s personal situation. When schools are chosen and not forced on parents, it increases buy-in and creates a better learning environment.

When students are customers, the school has a vested interest in the student’s progress and well-being, often resulting in more personalized attention and emphasis on mentorship, which can help students succeed.

Related Reading: “Learning from School Choice” – Paul E. Peterson

Alternatives to public education are already doing far better at combating discipline problems. Charter school teachers report significantly less violence than their public school counterparts.

Private schools are likewise less violent than public schools. During the 2011-2012 school year, 10 percent of public schools teachers reported being threatened with violence, compared to 3 percent of private school teachers.

Harvard’s Paul E. Peterson on his research findings on school choice: “[W]e find that the low-income families who participated in our studies tell us that the discipline is much better. There's less fighting. There's less cheating. There's less racial conflict. There's more tolerance for children from other backgrounds.”

Related Reading: “The Education Gap: Vouchers and Urban Schools” – William G. Howell, Paul E. Peterson

The 2010-2011 school year saw 31 violent deaths, and that number increased to 48 school-associated deaths in 2013-2014.

Non-fatal incidents of crime are on the rise in America’s public schools, with many schools adding cameras and armed security guards, turning what should be an educational environment into what feels likes a penitentiary.

Drugs are also rampant. 90% of students in a recent survey reported knowing classmates who consumed drugs, alcohol, or tobacco during school hours.

10 percent of public school teachers were threatened with violence in the 2011-2012 school year, and that percentage has been on the rise since 2003-2004.

Research by the Center for Research on Education Outcomes found that charter schools in urban areas provide the equivalent of 40 additional days of math instruction to their students, and 28 additional days of reading instruction.

School choice reform can have a particularly strong and positive effect on students living in poverty.

Washington D.C. spends $29,409 per student. This is approximately three times more money than the voucher program costs per student—yet voucher students have better performance records and higher graduation rates.

WATCH: Tax Credits Explained

Related Reading: Learning from School Choice – Paul E. Peterson