Private school enrollment in an Italian region after implementing a change in the voucher policy

This article estimates the effect of an administrative change in a voucher policy implemented by an Italian Regional government. The voucher was initiated in 2000, and is intended to help families that want to enroll their children in private schools. In 2008, the policy was changed, making the administrative procedure required for obtaining the voucher easier, and integrating additional financial aid to it. The effect of this change is estimated by a panel econometric analysis that compares the prechange and postchange proportions of first-year students enrolled in private schools with that of other regions, controlling for some demand and supply– driven factors that affect families’ propensity to choose private schooling. The policy modification was found not to have affected the proportion of students who enroll in private schools, across all the three (primary, junior, and upper secondary) educational levels. The change still may have been beneficial, however, from the standpoint of easing the paperwork burden for existing private school students.