School Choice in Milwaukee Increases Graduation Rates

The latest analysis of the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program finds that students receiving scholarships to attend the school of their choice are more likely to graduate from high school.  The series of reports commissioned by the University of Arkansas Department of Education Reform found that students enrolling in a private school with an opportunity scholarship were 4 to 7 percent more likely to graduate high school, attend college and stay in college than public school peers.

As we have noted previously, improving graduation rates benefits us all, as high school dropouts cost our economy billions every year.

The studies also found that students receiving a scholarship had higher growth on reading achievement tests, and that a high proportion of scholarship recipients are students with disabilities, contrary to the myths spread by school choice opponents.