What is the impact of school choice on US education?

School choice is a controversial issue in the United States. Proponents of school choice argue that it empowers families by allowing them to select the school that best meets their child's needs. Critics, however, argue that it undermines public education by draining resources from traditional public schools.

Research on the impact of school choice on US education is mixed. Some studies have found that school choice programs can improve academic outcomes, especially for low-income and minority students. Other studies, however, have found no significant difference in academic outcomes between students who participate in school choice programs and those who do not.

One of the most significant impacts of school choice on US education is its effect on the funding of public schools. When students leave traditional public schools to attend charter or private schools, the funding for those public schools decreases. This can lead to a cycle of disinvestment, where the public schools that are left behind become increasingly underfunded and unable to provide a high-quality education.

Another impact of school choice on US education is its effect on equity. School choice programs often rely on lotteries or other random selection processes, which can result in a less diverse student population in some schools. Additionally, some school choice programs, such as private school vouchers, may be inaccessible to low-income families, which can exacerbate existing inequities in the education system.