Finding a Virtue in Algorithmic Systems: Parent Perspectives on School Enrollment Lotteries

• In Event: Parental Choice, Marketing, and the Challenge of Equity in School Choice Contexts

Abstract

Attending to equity concerns, a growing number of U.S. school districts have implemented unified admission lotteries. These systems aim to level the playing field by centralizing information and enrollment procedures, and by randomly assigning students to schools when demand exceeds capacity. Drawing on an interdisciplinary lens that combines moral philosophy and critical policy analysis, this study explores meaningful variation in parents’ experiences with one such system. It examines the underlying theory of action – that unified enrollment systems are fairer, more transparent, and more efficient than decentralized processes – and considers the implications for advancing a more equitable distribution of educational opportunities.

Authors

• Andrew Kissel, Old Dominion University

• Jason Saltmarsh, Old Dominion University

• Jackie Nikiema, Old Dominion University