New Study Finds Public High School Students on Par with Private High School Students
October 11, 2007
Background
A comprehensive study conducted by Harold Wenglinsky for the Center on Education Policy examined a nationally representative sample of low-income students attending urban high schools using federal longitudinal data from 1988 – 2000. It compared student achievement in reading, math, science and history, and other related outcomes, and controlled for students’ previous achievement, family socioeconomic status (SES) and parental involvement factors. It compared traditional public schools with magnet schools, public schools of choice, independent private schools, non-Catholic religious schools, Catholic parish schools, Catholic diocesan schools (the most common Catholic school), and Catholic holy order schools that are run by a religious order (e.g. the Jesuits). It is worth noting that only 3 percent of all students in the sample attend holy order schools.
Overall Conclusion
Low-income students attending urban public high schools generally performed at the same academic level as similar private school students, and were as likely to attend college, and to be satisfied in their jobs and be as civic-minded in their mid-20s.
Specific Key Findings
1. In reading, 12th-graders’ test scores were affected by family SES, parental discussion of school, parental expectations, parental involvement and students’ 8th grade test scores. The type of school had no impact on achievement, with the exception of the Catholic holy order schools of which there are very few.
2. In math, 12th-graders’ test scores were affected by family SES, parental expectations and students’ 8th grade test scores. The type of school had no impact on achievement, with the exception of the holy order schools.
3. In science, 12th-graders’ test scores were affected by family SES and students’ 8th grade test scores. No school type showed any impact on achievement.
4. In history, 12th-graders’ test scores were affected by family SES, parental expectations and discussions, and students’ 8th grade test scores. The type of school had no impact on achievement, with the exception of the holy order schools.
5. Taken as a whole, the study found no general private school advantage across subjects. “Only one of the seven types of school organizations showed a discernible effect, and the effect was quite small,” the report states, referring to the holy order schools.
Growing Trend
This is the 3rd consecutive year in which a national study has debunked conventional wisdom regarding the superiority of private schools over public schools.
In 2005, researchers from the University of Illinois found that public school students significantly outperformed private school students in 4th-grade and 8th-grade math (2000 NAEP) after controlling for demographic and socioeconomic status. Read NSBA’s summary of that study.
In 2006, a report from the U.S. Department of Education found that public school students performed about evenly with private school students on math and reading (2003 NAEP) after controlling for demographic and socioeconomic status. Read a BoardBuzz summary of that study, or view the study itself.
Links to the CEP Study
For more information view the CEP study in its entirety or their press release.