Comparing Public and Charter Schools Using Propensity Score Analysis

• In Event: Achievement and Course Taking From the High School Transcript Study: Engagement, Charter Schools, and the Socioeconomic Status Measure in NAEP

Abstract

The use of propensity score analysis has increased considerably in the social sciences within the last few years Thoemmes and Kim (2011). It is an effective way of comparing two conditions when randomization is either not possible or when working with archival data. This paper examines the differences between charter and public school students in grades 4 and 8 in math and reading using the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) study. Propensity scores are estimated using stratification, matching, and multilevel PSA. For grade 8 reading results suggest there is a small effect in favor of charter schools (effect sizes < .20) whereas there is little or no difference in math and reading in grade 4 and grade 8 math.

Author

• Jason Bryer, University at Albany - SUNY