Ohio School Choice Voucher Program Increases Bachelor's Degrees Among Disadvantaged Boys

Recent research highlights the positive impact of Ohio's EdChoice school voucher program, particularly for male students and Black students, who show increased college enrollment and graduation rates compared to their public school counterparts. The Urban Institute study demonstrates that school choice can help address the educational challenges facing boys, who have seen declining college attendance nationwide. Despite criticisms that school choice programs primarily benefit wealthy families, data shows that most scholarship funds support low- and middle-income families, with income verification issues leading to misinterpretations of participant demographics. The debate over school choice also encompasses broader educational reforms, with growing support for universal education savings accounts that empower parents with more flexible and personalized learning options. Advocates emphasize that the case for school choice should not rely solely on academic outcomes but also consider cultural alignment and parental control as vital components driving the movement’s success. Implementation quality remains crucial, as overly bureaucratic systems risk undermining parental empowerment and policy effectiveness.