School Choice Means More Jobs

There is a growing body of evidence showing that school choice improves academic outcomes, but a new study published by the South Carolina Policy Council highlights research showing that a market-based education system also leads to more self-employment among youth. Here is the key section:

South Carolina is in dire need of economic growth, especially in its rural communities. This study shows how, hypothetically, school choice would have increased the number of small businesses created by residents aged 16-25 in five counties in South Carolina. Our findings are based on the research of Russell Sobel and Kerry King, which shows that counties that offer school choice see a significantly higher rate of self-employment among young men and women. According to Sobel and King, voucher-based school choice can increase youth self-employment by as much as 25 percent. In this study we found that a similar program in the counties of Clarendon, Hampton, Lee, Marlboro and Williamsburg could have created 123 small businesses and 379 additional jobs.