NEPC Review: The Effects of the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program on College Enrollment and Graduation: An Update (Urban Institute, February 2019)

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Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/defaults/3x816n60b

Abstract

This Urban Institute research report is aimed at assessing the impact of the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) scholarship program on college enrollment and graduation. Through matched comparisons, the study finds consistently positive effects of the program for both two-year and four-year colleges, with relatively stronger effects for four-year private college enrollment and for students who stayed in the program longer. This review acknowledges the study’s contributions, using expanded data tracking to inform school voucher policy debates, but the review also raises three critical questions about the validity of some methods, findings and conclusions. These concerns call into question the use and misuse of this study by voucher advocates; proper use of the study begins with an understanding of its limitations and of the need for confirmatory research and future exploration of potential mechanisms driving any increased college attainment.

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