Private School Choice and Educational Outcomes in Metropolitan Hartford Heather Moore ’08 Cities, Suburbs, and Schools research project Trinity College, Hartford CT July 18, 2005

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Eligibility Requirements  Students must reside in Hartford, Bridgeport, or New Haven  Applicants must be within 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for their household size  New Applicants must be in grades K-5; Renewal Applicants must be in grades K-8

Scholarships to Private and Parochial Schools  Eligible applicants receive scholarships that are worth half of their annual tuition, up to a maximum of $1,700 per student  In , 567 students were provided scholarships to 24 Hartford-area schools, 16 Bridgeport-area schools, and 7 New Haven-area schools

Research Questions 1.Who participates in the CEO program?

Research Questions 1.Who participates in the CEO program? 2.What schools do CEO students attend?

Research Questions 1.Who participates in the CEO program? 2.What schools do CEO students attend? 3.What are CEO students’ school grades in comparison to their private and parochial peers?

1. Who participates in the CEO program?

CEO Students Who participates in the CEO program?

2. What schools do CEO students attend?

3. What are CEO students’ school grades in comparison to their private and parochial peers?

Factors and Limitations to Consider:  CEO student grades cannot be easily compared with standardized tests (such as public school CMT scores) 3. What are CEO students’ school grades in comparison to their private and parochial peers?

Factors and Limitations to Consider:  CEO student grades cannot be easily compared with standardized tests (such as public school CMT scores)  Next best option is school report card grades (CEO receives report cards from some students, but not grades of all students in participating schools) 3. What are CEO students’ school grades in comparison to their private and parochial peers?

Factors and Limitations to Consider:  CEO student grades cannot be easily compared with standardized tests (such as public school CMT scores)  Next best option is school report card grades (CEO receives report cards from some students, but not grades of all students in participating schools)  CEO compiles grade summaries for report cards received 3. What are CEO students’ school grades in comparison to their private and parochial peers?

Notes: *Represents only some CEO participants* 3. What are CEO students’ school grades in comparison to their private and parochial peers?

Notes: *Represents only some CEO participants* *Average grades of all students in participating schools unknown * 3. What are CEO students’ school grades in comparison to their private and parochial peers?

Notes: *Represents only some CEO participants* *Average grades of all students in participating schools unknown * *Cause & effect is not known* 3. What are CEO students’ school grades in comparison to their private and parochial peers?

Future Research Ideas  How do participating schools feel about the CEO program and its students?

Future Research Ideas  How do participating schools feel about the CEO program and its students?  “Many parents have the desire to place and keep their children in a private school environment but struggle to do so. The ones who benefit from programs such as this one look forward to the remittance to keep their dream alive of educating their children in a setting that will cater their child/children’s needs consistently. This program has to continue to reach out to such parents. Thanks.”  “This CEO Program is outstanding: It allows families access to schools such as ours, with a solid academic curriculum and good character value modeled and taught. “ * Selected comments from participating schools* *CEO received both positive and negative comments*

Future Research Ideas  How do participating schools feel about the CEO program and its students?  Why are CEO parents motivated to send their children to private and parochial schools?

Future Research Ideas  How do participating schools feel about the CEO program and its students?  Why are CEO parents motivated to send their children to private and parochial schools?  How do students perform before, during, and after their participation in the CEO program?

Future Research Ideas  How do participating schools feel about the CEO program and its students?  Why are CEO parents motivated to send their children to private and parochial schools?  How do students perform before, during, and after their participation in the CEO program?  How will the CEO program connect with Hartford Mayor Perez’s future high school scholarship program (coming July 21st)?

Acknowledgements Lucille Nickerson and Don Wilson from DK Wilson and Associates The entire research team for all their help and support

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