Interdistrict Mobility and Charter Schools in Arizona: Understanding the Dynamics of Public School Choice

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

Abstract

We investigate mobility patterns of elementary students enrolled in Arizona’s traditional public school districts and charter schools. First, we examine interdistrict (“across districts”) and charter school mobility simultaneously. Second, we assess the relationship between mobility rates and district and charter school characteristics. Most student movement is between school districts (interdistrict). For some districts, a substantial percentage of students leave to attend charter schools. However, students leave charter schools to attend traditional public school districts at comparable rates. While the association between demographic descriptors and movement was similar across the two sectors, the relationship to achievement varied. We also document regional differences in mobility patterns, indicating that education markets vary considerably within and across local contexts.

Authors

• Jeanne M. Powers, Arizona State University

• Amelia Marcetti Topper

• Amanda U. Potterton, University of Kentucky