Poster #9 - The Effect of Magnet Schools and Desegregation Districts on Within-School Segregation

• In Event: 43.081 - MTCC Poster Session Nine
  In Poster Session: 43.081-1 - Contemporary Issues in Educational Evaluation 2

Abstract

Magnet schools have been used as a tool to integrate; although recently integration has not been the purpose of these schools. This study examined the effects of magnet schools on within-school segregation by analyzing their effect on Advanced Placement (AP) enrollment, test-taking, and performance. In addition, schools in desegregation districts, including magnet schools in these districts, were analyzed.
All high schools in the US that offer AP classes were analyzed (n=12,406). Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) was used to control for several school-level characteristics. Magnet schools were found to increase the likelihood of within-school segregation. Intentional and/or unintentional bias within these schools eliminated positive effects of integration, and even added a negative effect. Several directions for further research were uncovered.

Author

• Andrew C. Freeburger, Baltimore County Public Schools