A Longitudinal Study of Families' Use of a Public School Choice Lottery System

• In Event: 43.078 - MTCC Roundtable Session 16
  In Roundtable Session: 43.078-4 - Research on School Choice: Choosing and Recruiting

Abstract

Using lottery application and school enrollment data over a two-year span, this study examines how families participating in a public school lottery program utilize the application system in consecutive years and investigates what school and student charateristics are related to families' decision of switching schools for a second straight year. Results show that even for students who won the lottery and enrolled in their schools of choice in year 1, more than 25% of them tried to switch schools again in year 2. Moreover, at-risk students are more likely to switch in year 2, raising issues about the equity of the system and the importance of a more supportive environment for those who have more obstacles transitioning.

Authors

• Rui Yang, American Institutes for Research

• Megan Austin, American Institutes for Research

• Kirk Walters, American Institutes for Research