New study says school choice reduces crime

Low-income black males admitted by lottery to better schools were more likely to stay in school and less likely to be arrested for crimes compared to similar students who lost the transfer lottery, is the conclusion of a new study by David Deming, an assistant professor of education at Harvard University. From the report:

"In general, high-risk students commit about 50 percent less crime as a result of winning a school choice lottery. Among male high school students at high risk of criminal activity, winning admission to a first-choice school reduced felony arrests from 77 to 43 per 100 students over the study period (2002-2009). The attendant social cost of crimes committed decreased by more than 35 percent."