The 20th annual Symposium will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2009.

School Choice: Factors Influencing Parental Decision
Norris 102, 2:15 PM

Collin  Miller,   '09 51
   Major: Psychology
   Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI

Sponsor(s): Barbara Keyes
Support:  

Abstract: 
Research on school choice in Michigan reveals that as district family income and home values rise, the probability of open enrollment for school choice declines (Arsen, Plank, Sykes, 1999). Thus, wealthier districts tend to benefit from school choice in terms of increased enrollment, whereas poorer districts experience a decrease in enrollment due to students leaving. This means that school choice in the state is unequal and needs further exploration. The district under investigation for the present study is a poorer district that lost 180 students to school choice in 2000 and 243 students in 2007 (information provided by administration). In order to further understand the factors affecting school choice parents/guardians with school-aged children living within the assigned district were mailed a survey to assess views of the district and factors affecting choice. Both parents/guardians with students attending the assigned district and those choosing to send their students out-of-district responded. Free response questions were used to address the strengths and weaknesses of the district and suggestions for improvement. The primary purpose of the study is to critically evaluate the focal district and unravel the factors affecting parental decision-making in inter-district school choice. Results will be used to make policy recommendations to the administration in hopes of retaining students, ultimately strengthening the district.

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