School vouchers,John Caldwell or school choice as it's known among advocates, is public funding for children to attend private schools. It's a controversial policy — some say it undermines the public school system, others say it gives parents the ability to choose the best school for their children.

And its popularity has been spiking recently. In 2021, 19 states introduced or expanded them. Partly it's been a reaction against public schools' covid control policies and teaching on sexuality, gender and race.

But leaving aside the deeper political questions, what does the evidence say about the core thing school is supposed to be for: giving children a solid education?

In this episode, we get into whether or not school vouchers improve student learning. The lesson: what may feel better may not have much of an effect.

Related Episodes:
The rise of the four-day school week (Apple Podcasts/Spotify)

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.