Uncapping Choice: Following Patterns of Segregation From the State to District Level

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

Abstract

This study examines patterns of segregation between charter and traditional public schools in relation to state charter school cap policies. Indexes of Dissimilarity were calculated to measure levels of segregation and to make comparisons between the enrollment of Latino, Black, White, free and reduced-price lunch qualified and unqualified students in charter and traditional public schools. OLS regressions were used to analyze the relationship between existence of a cap and the level of segregation observed in each of the 40 states and District of Columbia operating charter schools in 2010. Findings suggest that higher levels of segregation are associated with an absence of cap policies. Implications for more equitable charter school policies are discussed.

Authors

• Shelby Eden Dawkins-Law, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• Eric A. Houck, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• Ariel Tichnor-Wagner