Opting Out? An Analysis of Participation in the Alabama Educational Scholarship Program

• In Event: School Choice: Investigating the Experiences of Who Chooses to Participate

Abstract

Private school participation is key to creating a competitive choice marketplace; however, private school choice programs often fail to garner even 50% participation from private schools. Research has shown that regulations can deter participation, while desires to expand a school’s mission or help current students motivate participation. In this paper, I propose that school participation decisions might also be motivated by their preferences for diversity, especially if the program they are participating in serves a diverse student population. I investigate this hypothesis using data from the state of Alabama. Ultimately, my results show that racially exclusive private schools are less likely than more diverse schools to participate in the Alabama Educational Scholarship Program (AESP).

Author

• Annah Rogers, University of West Alabama
  Presenting Author