Evaluation of the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program: Impacts After Two Years

The DC Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP), established in 2004, is the only federally-funded private school voucher program for low-income parents in the United States. This report examines impacts on achievement and other outcomes two years after eligible children were selected or not selected to receive scholarships using a lottery process in 2012, 2013, and 2014. The report found negative impacts on math achievement but positive impacts on parent and student perceptions of school safety, for those participating in the program. There were no statistically significant effects on parents' or students' general satisfaction with their schools or parent involvement in education.