WWC Quick Review: Student Incentives in Charter Schools Study August 2008

PDF: Print Quick Review (75 KB)  |   Back to Section

This study examined whether offering student reward and incentive programs in charter schools affects academic achievement.

The study was based on a survey of 186 charter schools in 17 states. It excluded schools that had been in operation for less than two years, as well as those that did not enroll students in the 4th grade or higher.

Data on incentive programs were drawn from a survey of charter school principals. The study also used data on reading and math test scores from state education agencies covering the school years 2004-05 to 2006-07.

The study measured effects by comparing changes in average grade-level test scores in schools that had incentive programs to changes in schools that did not have incentive programs.

What did the study authors report?

The study found that charters schools that offer student reward and incentive programs had higher gains in reading test scores than charter schools that did not offer these programs. The study found no difference in math test score gains.

The WWC does not consider these results conclusive because there is no evidence that the research groups were initially equivalent. The results may reflect differences in the study schools that are not related to incentive programs.

WWC quick reviews are based on the evidence published in the report cited and rely on effect sizes and significance levels as reported by study authors. WWC does not confirm study authors’ findings or contact authors for additional information about the study. The WWC rating refers only to the results summarized above and not necessarily to all results presented in the study.