Relationship in Neighborhood Choice and the Impact on Academic Achievement in Housing Choice Voucher Participants

Abstract

Housing Choice Vouchers have expanded housing opportunities for millions of low-income households throughout the United States. Vouchers provide low-income households the opportunity to move to different neighborhoods. A growing body of research has shown where a households reside has a large impact on both, economic outcomes, and the quality of their children’s education. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect neighborhood choice has on the academic achievement of Housing Choice Voucher participant’s high school aged children. Using survey data, this study explored the relationship neighborhood choice had on passing STAAR reading and mathematics exam in three different socioeconomic settings comprised of low, middle, and high-income neighborhoods. Additionally, it explored if the use of neighborhood resources and perceived neighborhood characteristics correlated to the passing STAAR reading and mathematics exam. Findings were analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-square and frequency distributions. Findings suggest the income level of neighborhoods did not correlate to the passing of the standardized test. However, neighborhood resources of police services did have a relationship to passing STAAR reading exam. Though a statistically significant number of participants did utilize mentoring programs, these programs did not have a relationship to passing STAAR mathematics. Due to low participation in the survey, hesitancy must be used when generalizing the results.