Charter School Prevalence and Local Support for Public School Funding Ballot Measures

• In Event: 42.084 - Poster Session 8
  In Poster Session: 42.084-1 - Division L Politics and Policy Poster Session

Abstract

Charter school prevalence could weaken the connection between home values and neighborhood schools, decreasing the desire to invest in public schools. Alternatively, charter schools may attract students from private schools or engage parents to vote for school bonds. We ask: (1) To what extent are changes in the number of charter schools in a district related to school funding measure success? (2) To what extent is the proportion of students in charter schools related to measure success? (3) Does this differ by the type of ballot measure? We find that GO bond measures (with less immediate impact) are more successful when charter school prevalence is high, while property tax measures (with more immediate impact) are less successful.

Authors

• Ngaire Honey, Vanderbilt University

• Richard Blissett, Vanderbilt University - Peabody College

• David S Woo, Vanderbilt University - Peabody College