How Do Immigrant Parents Participate in Public School Choice? Evidence From the 2016 and 2019 Parent and Family Involvement Survey

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: Centering Marginalized Students and Families in School Choice Research

Abstract

We use the 2016 and 2019 Parent and Family Involvement in Education (PFI) surveys to assess the participation of immigrant parents in public school choice. Few studies document immigrant parents’ participation in public school choice programs in the U.S. and the factors associated with their participation. This is one of the first studies to do so using national samples of parents at multiple points in time. We also use a broader range of variables than those conventionally available in administrative datasets. Given the growing population of immigrants in the U.S. and the expansion of public school choice options, it is important to understand how immigrant parents navigate an increasingly complex public school system.

Authors

• Jeanne M. Powers, Arizona State University

• Margarita Pivovarova, Arizona State University