Longitudinal Study of the MPCP
The SCDP study model is designed to measure the academic performance of choice students compared to similar students in MPS, capture the program’s effect on MPS, and gauge the MPCP’s impact on the community. In 2003, Gov. Doyle vetoed AB 126, which directed the Legislative Audit Bureau to conduct an independent, longitudinal study of the MPCP. In March, Gov. Jim Doyle and legislative leaders agreed to raise the enrollment cap on MPCP as part of a package of changes that includes the endorsement of the longitudinal study by the SCDP.
Administrators at participating MPCP schools will play an important role in supporting this study. They will likely be asked to provide basic descriptive information about their school, and may be asked to facilitate the testing of some MPCP students selected to participate in the study. School personnel will be reimbursed for any expenses incurred as a result of assisting the study. No individuals or schools will be mentioned by name or singled out in any way in the reports that will be published from the study.
The SCDP, which is led by Dr. Patrick Wolf, recently won a nationwide competition to study the Washington D.C. voucher program.
SCDP Research Associates
James Rahn is the lead researcher for the Religious Schools Impact study component of the MPCP evaluation. He will provide research support on other components of the evaluation. Mr. Rahn serves as Director of the Center for Urban Teaching at Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC) in Milwaukee, WI. He is also an Assistant Professor of Education at WLC. Contact James at 414-443-8971 if you have questions.
Gerard Robinson, former senior fellow at the Institute for the Transformation of Learning at Marquette University from 2004 to 2006, is a senior research associate for the SCDP. He will provide general advice on various subjects including research protocols and survey preparation, and will conduct focus groups with parents in MPCP schools. Contact Gerard at 414-460-1361 if you have questions.