Groundbreaking Research on the Nation’s Largest Private School Choice Program Shows Scholarship Recipients Have Better Long-Term Outcomes

Florida’s Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) increased college enrollment for recipients by 15 percent on average compared to public school peers; and up to a 43 percent increase if students are in private schools via the FTC for more than four years

• If a student stays in a private school via the FTC for two years, college enrollment increases by 9-14 percent compared to public school students.
• If a student stays in a private school via the FTC for three years, college enrollment increases by 19-25 percent compared to public school students.
• If a student stays in a private school via the FTC for four years or more, college enrollment increases by 37-43 percent compared to public school students.

– Also, if students received a scholarship from the FTC in grades 3-7, and stayed in the program for four years or more, they saw modest improvements in associate degree attainment rates.
See the full report here: http://bit.ly/2y7wDW4

• The program started in 2001 and 102,000 students are currently enrolled – the largest private school choice program in the country.
• 68 percent of the students are Black or Hispanic, the average family income for students in the program is $25,000, and research shows they were some of the worst-performing students at their previous public school.
• All reports show the program saves the state money. The most definitive study, by the nonpartisan Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, found in 2008 that the state saves $1.49 for every $1 lost in revenue. The Florida Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference projected that the scholarship saved the state $57.9 million in 2012-13.
• Research also shows that the program helps academic performance of the public schools.