Finding that vouchers have little impact on student achievement do not deter advocates

A national education policy center says there was "no clear, positive impact on student academic achievement" for pupils who used money from publicly funded voucher programs to transfer to private schools.

The analysis by Center on Education Policy in Washington, which calls itself an advocate for public education, does not explain why students who used the vouchers made little or no academic improvement compared to their public school counterparts during the 10 years of research.

One of the study's authors, Nancy Kober, said in an interview: "All I can say is that the notion that private schools are better than public schools is not borne out by this data when you weight for socioeconomic factors."

As Pennsylvania legislators debate several voucher proposals, the center's finding is being cited by opponents.

Voucher supporters dispute the conclusion and say other factors, such as school safety and parents' desire for more educational options, justify the proposed laws.

Nationwide, there are seven voucher programs; two cover entire states; the rest, specific counties or cities. A statewide Florida program was struck down by the courts in 2006.

Legislation proposed in Harrisburg would give state money to low-income students, including those already in private schools, to help pay tuition.

Several other voucher proposals have also been put forward. The legislature recessed for the summer without acting on the measures.

In New Jersey, the focus has been on a proposal giving tax credits to businesses donating money to help low-income students in low-achieving schools attend schools outside their districts.

At several recent legislative meetings airing voucher plans, critics mentioned the Center for Education Policy study or similar reports.

At a House Education Committee informational meeting late last month in Philadelphia, for example, Rep. Mark Longietti (D., Mercer) said, "If we're going to spend lots of money . . . we need to see results. . . . Why should we invest in a program when in other states, the data's coming back and saying, 'It's not working?' "

Voucher advocate Matthew Brouillette, head of the conservative Commonwealth Foundation, responded in an interview last week after taking part in a state Senate Democratic Policy Committee school-choice discussion.