This study compared 26 students identified as gifted and talented who transferred to nonresident schools through Minnesota's Open Enrollment program with 60 transfer students not so identified. Academic and educational concerns were the main reasons gifted students chose to transfer. Few members of minority groups chose to transfer. Parental…

Analyzes school choice in terms of inter-school student transfer and explains choice as the result of two factors: organization of student mobility among schools in terms of vacant positions and student body composition; and the influence and position of the school within the educational market. (MJP)

The Education (Scotland) Act of 1980 gives parents the right to choose the schools they wish their children to attend. The article reports on placement requests at the start of primary schooling in Dundee and Edinburgh from 1982 through 1985. Variables of movement are identified. (Author/MT)

This study examined characteristics of students with disabilities who participated in Minnesota's open enrollment, reasons for participation, information sources, and the decision-making process. Surveys of 347 parents revealed 3 primary reasons for transferring their children: special education needs being better met, more personal attention from…

Analyzes the desegration plan of Cambridge, Massachusetts, as an example of a successful attempt at accomodating "freedom of choice" while at the same time meeting existing state and federal desegregation standards. Argues that the Cambridge plan has transfer value for other school systems. (KH)

Participants at an issues clarification working session concerning open enrollment for students with disabilities identified three kinds of issues for districts and students: outcome, implementation, and demographic. Participants expressed concerns in the areas of pupil benefit, parent involvement (or convenience), teacher/administrator job…

Describes an open enrollment program at Ohio County Schools (West Virginia) that allows parents to request transfers for their children. After a decade of experience, the program is judged as minimally disruptive. School choice seems to be based on child care considerations, rather than quality of education concerns. (MLH)

Expanding choice among public schools will improve student achievement and provide creative and decision-making professional opportunities for teachers. Three successful choice plans are discussed. Steps for developing choice plans are listed. (PS)

Arena models developed by T. Mazzoni relating to policy innovation are applied to the passage of open enrollment legislation in Ohio. The macro arena was relatively inactive, but a shift from the subsystem to the leadership arena occurred, partially validating Mazzoni's revised model. (SLD)

Examination of two types of school choice programs in Milwaukee (Wisconsin) reveals that the exercise of choice is a function of the type and design of the choice program. Comparison of the voucher private school and interdistrict public school choice programs (Chapter 220) shows that both are providing additional educational opportunities. (SLD)

Rather than seeing the "self-selection" factor in private school enrollment as a flaw in Coleman's study, the author views this element of private choice and commitment to learning as the key to effective education and discipline. One of three theme articles: "Reflections on the 1981 Coleman study."(SJL)

Surveys school superintendents in Washington State for their views on interdistrict school choice and their perceptions of its advantages and disadvantages. Replies of 98 superintendents generally do not support interdistrict choice, although superintendents in districts with higher dropout rates tend to be more supportive. (SLD)

The experience of St. Louis (Missouri) has shown that desegregation has fueled educational reform, and that it is important for communities to understand its benefits in order to work toward maintaining the components that have benefited all children, regardless of race. The interdistrict transfer program has been largely successful. (SLD)

This article describes a study of enrollment patterns under the Massachusetts open enrollment law as of fall 1992. Results from 33, districts with 20 or more school-choice transfers, show that families generally enroll children in schools with higher indicators of performance and higher socioeconomic status. (SLD)

Racial segregation in housing and racially identifiable schools each contribute to the existence of the other. The case of Milwaukee shows that the Supreme Court's efforts to construe school cases narrowly should fail and that policymakers should take a broad perspective on racial problems. (RLV)