The Distribution of Charter School Effects on College Enrollment and Degree Attainment

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 13
  In Roundtable Session: COVID-19 and Alternative Learning Environments

Abstract

Are charter schools more effective at getting their graduates to and through college? Prior research identifies substantial positive causal effects in a small number of charters, but has not considered the full distribution of school effects. Using multilevel models of Wisconsin data, I analyze the distribution of estimated school effects among charters relative to the distribution of effects in the traditional public school system. I find that, while some charter schools are very highly effective, the median charter school is equivalent to just the 32nd percentile TPS in effectiveness at promoting college matriculation and completion. Virtual charters account for a large share of ineffective schools.

Author

• Jacob Wertz, University of Wisconsin - Madison