| Title: |
The Segregation Paradox in School Choice. Policy Brief |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Danielle Sanderson Edwards; Kaitlin P. Anderson; National Center for Research on Education Access and Choice (REACH) |
| Source: |
National Center for Research on Education Access and Choice. 2025. |
| Availability: |
National Center for Research on Education Access and Choice. 1555 Poydras Street Suite 700, New Orleans, LA 70112. Tel: 870-540-6576; e-mail: info@reachcentered.org; Web site: https://reachcentered.org/ |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
7 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: |
Institute of Education Sciences (ED) |
| Contract Number: |
R305C180025 |
| Document Type: |
Reports - Research |
| Education Level: |
Elementary Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: |
School Choice; School Segregation; Educational Policy; Race; Socioeconomic Status; Preferences; Academic Achievement; School Districts; Charter Schools; Enrollment Trends; Economically Disadvantaged; Advantaged; African American Students; Elementary Secondary Education; Racial Segregation; White Students; Asian American Students; Hispanic American Students; Trend Analysis; Educational Trends |
| Geographic Terms: |
Michigan |
| Abstract: |
Residential segregation accounts for most school segregation. School choice policies have the potential to decrease school segregation by allowing students to attend schools outside their neighborhoods. However, some research indicates that these policies can also contribute to increased segregation, likely due to differences in access to choice and preferences for schools by race and socioeconomic status. This study focuses on Michigan's school choice landscape, analyzing student-level data from 2009-2019 to determine the impact of inter-district and charter school choice on segregation patterns. Findings include: (1) increased charter school enrollment is linked with higher within-district racial and economic segregation; (2) inter-district enrollment increases economic segregation in districts without charter schools but, in regions with charter schools it can help reduce racial segregation across districts; and (3) trends in school segregation are partially explained by Black and economically disadvantaged students attending schools with more same race or more historically advantaged students. |
| Abstractor: |
ERIC |
| IES Funded: |
Yes |
| Entry Date: |
2025 |
| Accession Number: |
ED671928 |
| Database: |
ERIC |