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Private Schools and Student Achievement

Author

Listed:
  • Ebrahim Azimi

    (Department of Environmental Health and Engineering Bloomberg School of Public Health Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD 21231)

  • Jane Friesen

    (Department of Economics Simon Fraser University Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6 Canada)

  • Simon Woodcock

    (Department of Economics Simon Fraser University Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6 Canada)

Abstract

We investigate the effects of private schools on reading and numeracy scores using rich population data. Conditional on lagged test scores and narrowly defined neighborhood indicators, Catholic and non-Christian faith private schools on average raise test scores by 0.18 standard deviation or more relative to the average public school, while non-Catholic Christian private schools have negligible effects. The effects of secular private “prep†schools are similar to those of Catholic schools, but selection bias is a greater concern in this case. We use school-specific estimates of effectiveness to investigate private school choice decisions and the determinants of private school effectiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Ebrahim Azimi & Jane Friesen & Simon Woodcock, 2023. "Private Schools and Student Achievement," Education Finance and Policy, MIT Press, vol. 18(4), pages 623-653, Fall.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:edfpol:v:18:y:2023:i:4:p:623-653
    DOI: 10.1162/edfp_a_00405
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