Understanding the Location of For-Profit Educational Management Organization Charter Schools

• In Event: 66.057 - The Importance of Place and Geographic Relationships: Spatial Elements That Affect Charters and School Choice

Abstract

This study is designed to understand the economic behavior of for-profit EMO charter schools, by focusing on their locational decision as a critical factor in making a profit. Using the locations of for-profit EMO charter schools in Michigan, the study examines determinants of the entry decision on charter school markets, with the choice set of potential school districts. This research finds increases of the odds ratio over 10 percent in logged expenditures per pupil, the proportions of African-American populations, populations who experience higher education, and unemployed populations, and the percentage of for-profit EMO charter schools. The findings suggest that the spatial disparity of access to charter schools can raise an issue concerning inequality of educational opportunity.

Author

• Jin Lee, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign