Charter School Attendance and High School Graduation

Charter schools are considered an important education reform effort in the United States. High school graduation stands as an important milestone that impacts students’ future opportunities. Hence, it is important to examine whether attending charter schools affects students’ likelihood of graduation and influences equity among students from various backgrounds. Our study addresses these questions by using student-level longitudinal data for seven cohorts of Utah public high school students who started ninth grade between 2011–12 and 2017–18. Our analysis reveals that students who attended charter high schools experienced lower probability of graduation than their counterparts in traditional public schools. However, this gap has been narrowing over time. Moreover, the evidence from our analysis is inconclusive as to whether charter school attendance promotes equity among students with diverse backgrounds. Regardless of school type, it is crucial to create an effective and equitable educational system that supports the success of all students.