Moving Schools: Charter School Relocation and Community Demographics in New Orleans

• In Event: School Choice and Questions of Equity

Abstract

There is mixed evidence about the process of charter school location decisions in relation to neighborhood demographics. This also varies according to city. Some evidence has shown an inconclusive relationship between charter school sites and neighborhood poverty levels, while other research has shown that charter schools, particularly for-profit charters have sought to locate nearer to middle and upper class families, perhaps in an effort to avoid educating the neediest students. This study of charter school relocations in New Orleans found that of 49 school moves, 35 were to lower income neighborhoods. There is little evidence of a system-wide shift to higher SES areas.

Authors

• Brian Robert Beabout, The University of New Orleans

• Lynn Walters-Rauenhorst, The University of New Orleans

• Kayla Brigs, The University of New Orleans