What Factors Enable School Choice Among Demographically Similar Parents in Inner Cities?

• In Event: 29.057 - School Choice in Parent and Community Contexts

Abstract

In inner cities with substantial educational needs, low-income African American parents participate in school choice at high rates. Although studies have found that race, class, and family structure predict participation in choice, little is known about the factors accounting for within-group variation in school choice in inner cities. This study interviews single-parent African mothers (n = 30) in charter and public schools in Detroit to understand the factors that enable choice among demographically similar parents. Findings indicate that school proximity to workplace often enables choice. Community and school parent participation also increase choice capacity by increasing parent awareness of official information. Choosers further exhibit high academic commitment, indicating an often unaccounted for within-group attribute of parent-related self-selection in choice processes.

Author

• Daniel Hamlin, University of Oklahoma