A Voucher Study: An Investigation of Achievement and Satisfaction at Catholic Elementary Schools

Date of Award

2019

Degree Name

Ph.D. in Educational Leadership

Department

Department of Educational Administration

Advisor/Chair

Advisor: Barbara M. De Luca

Abstract

This study's purpose was, first, to gain a better understanding of the experience and satisfaction levels of both parents and students who have used the Ohio Education Choice Scholarship who move from a public school to a private, Catholic school. Descriptive statistics identified areas that parents and students were most satisfied with in their experience in a private Catholic school. The study's second purpose was to compare voucher student achievement (students who use the Ohio Education Choice Scholarship) to tuition paying student achievement. This analysis determined if a gap existed between voucher and tuition paying students and whether or not the gap is closed over a period of time. The Terra Nova Assessment was used for the school years FY2014-FY2016. An ANOVA showed that a gap between Ohio EdChoice Scholarship students and tuition paying students does exist, but over time the gap closes or is completely erased. The final purpose of this study was to investigate how student achievement was impacted by the use of vouchers by students who move from a public school to a private, Catholic school using the Ohio Education Choice Scholarship. Student achievement was measured using the Terra Nova Assessment for the school years FY2014-FY2016. A repeated ANOVA indicated that there was a positive significant difference in achievement over the course of three years for students who use the Ohio Education Choice Scholarship.

Keywords

Educational Leadership, Voucher, education choice, Ohio EdChoice Scholarship, Catholic schools, scholarships, satisfaction

Rights Statement

Copyright © 2019, author

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS