Parents' Perceptions of Change in Catholic Schools as a Result of Indiana's Voucher Program

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Fifteen
  In Roundtable Session: Families, Parents, and Youth Navigating School Choice and Educational Reforms (Table 3)

Abstract

The Indiana voucher program opened the door for families to attend private schools which would otherwise be financially unattainable. The program has many implications for the enrollment patterns in Catholic schools in Indiana, bringing in a new population of students. Such enrollment changes may produce different dynamics within school communities. This study uses parent interview data to understand whether parents identify and associate changes in their schools with the voucher program. My findings indicate that parents identify changes to the academic quality of their schools, associating voucher students as having greater academic needs. These findings have implications for our understanding of how racial, religious, and class threat and contact play out in Catholic schools.

Author

• Bridget M. Curry, University of Notre Dame
  Presenting Author