School choice, racial segregation, and test‐score gaps: Evidence from North Carolina's charter school program*

TLDR

The study examines how charter schools in North Carolina affect racial segregation and black‑white test‑score gaps. Using panel data that track individual students over time, the authors analyze charter school enrollment and outcomes. The analysis shows that charter schools increase racial isolation for both black and white students, widen the achievement gap, and that the larger negative impact on black students stems from transfers into more isolated schools, a pattern driven by asymmetric racial preferences that limit racially balanced charter schools. © 2006 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.

Abstract

Abstract Using panel data that track individual students from year to year, we examine the effects of charter schools in North Carolina on racial segregation and black‐white test score gaps. We find that North Carolina's system of charter schools has increased the racial isolation of both black and white students, and has widened the achievement gap. Moreover, the relatively large negative effects of charter schools on the achievement of black students is driven by students who transfer into charter schools that are more racially isolated than the schools they have left. Our analysis of charter school choices suggests that asymmetric preferences of black and white charter school students (and their families) for schools of different racial compositions help to explain why there are so few racially balanced charter schools. © 2006 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.