ABSTRACT
This chapter presents some criteria for evaluating school voucher studies. It considers three criteria used to evaluate voucher studies: first, construct validity—;;explication of the constructs underlying the measurements made in voucher studies, second, Internal and statistical conclusion validity—;;the ability to make causal statements about the impact of vouchers on students and families, and third external validity—;;generalizing the findings from specific voucher studies to a broader policy context. The chapter describes different ways to frame the policy question about the impacts of vouchers. It discusses the criteria for evaluating studies of voucher programs. The chapter presents an illustrative report card for two ongoing voucher studies. Voucher studies can include three kinds of constructs: the policy variable—;;vouchers and attending a private school; long-term outcomes; and intermediate outcomes/constructs that help us explain the relationship between vouchers and the outcomes. Most recent studies of voucher programs rely on survey data collected from parents and students and on a single test of students' academic performance.
