70.066-15 - Investigating Public School Choice in Connecticut at State, City, and School Levels

• In Event: 70.066 - Roundtable Session 28

Session Type: Roundtable Session

Abstract

With more than 50,000 children participating today, nearly 1 out of every 10 public school students, Connecticut has made a considerable commitment to school choice programs. These three studies focus on Connecticut in the wake of the state’s pioneering regional integration programs following the Sheff vs. O’Neill case. The first paper analyzes enrollment patterns in school choice programs across the state. The second paper reveals how family participation in the application process is linked to student socioeconomic characteristics. The third paper shares findings from an 18-month ethnographic study of parent choice and involvement in two public Montessori magnet schools. Our findings have implications nationally and suggest the benefit of collaboration among qualitative and quantitative researchers.

Sub Unit

• Division L - Educational Policies and Politics / Division L - Section 4: School Choice and Other School and District Reform

Chair

• Erica Frankenberg, The Pennsylvania State University

Papers

• Choice Watch: Diversity and Access in Connecticut's School Choice Programs - Robert Cotto, Trinity College; Kenny Feder

• Who Chooses in Hartford? A Statistical Analysis of School Integration Lottery Applicants and Nonapplicants - Jack Dougherty, Trinity College; Stephen Spirou, Trinity College; Diane Zannoni; Marissa Block

• Untouchable Carrots: Marketing School Choice and Realities in Hartford's Inter-district Magnet Program - Mira C. Debs, Yale University