Private School Enrollment in an Italian Region after Implementing a Change in the Voucher Policy

This paper estimates the effect of an administrative change in a voucher policy implemented by an Italian Regional government. The voucher has been installed in 2000, and is intended to help families that want enroll their children in private schools. In 2008/09, the policy has been changed, facilitating the administrative procedure for obtaining the voucher, and integrating additional financial aid. The effect of this change is estimated by a panel econometric analysis that compares the proportion 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 did not affect the proportion of students who enroll to private schools, across all the three (primary, junior and upper secondary) educational levels