Little research examines the experiences and perspectives of Asian American parents who participate in K-12 desegregation efforts, such as magnet schools. Conceptually framed by research on Asian American racialization, this qualitative case study investigates 10 Asian American parents in metropolitan Hartford, Connecticut; and the motivations…

Background: Magnet schools emerged during the 1960s as part of an effort to desegregate schools across the United States. Their primary purpose is to provide appealing educational settings to induce voluntary desegregation through parental choices (George & Darling-Hammond, 2021). Some of these magnet schools operate at a regional level to…

This manual was written to help guide education stakeholders--including parents, students, school board members, community activists, administrators, policymakers and attorneys--in their efforts to promote racial diversity and avoid racial isolation in suburban school systems. Critical information on the current legal, political and policy issues…

This study analyzes public perceptions of Boston's magnet school program. Typically evaluated in terms of their impact on racial integration, magnet schools also were designed to improve the tarnished image of the Boston school system. While promoting voluntary integration at a handful of schools, the magnet program struggled to change the…

In this article, the author profiles Columbus Magnet School in Norwalk, Connecticut. In 1979, Columbus School was an inner-city neighborhood school with an 87% minority population. In order to comply with federal desegregation guidelines, the school was compelled to either integrate the student body to reflect that of the larger community or close…

This document is a compilation of the presentations made at the Conference on Magnet Schools for Desegregation held in the Fall of 1977. It provides an overview of many types of magnet school programs and their degree of success. Presentations include a paper on the Federal government and magnet schools; some promises and cautions regarding magnet…

Presents a broad overview of magnet schools in New York State. Describes their effectiveness in various cities, and focuses on Rochester's successful publicity campaign to increase enrollment. Asserts that magnet schools, although more expensive per student than regular schools, enhance student achievement and provide a palatable form of…

This study reports the findings of a questionnaire survey developed to gather information on the general characteristics of magnet programs and to determine the use of magnet schools in overall district integration plans. Thirty-eight of 98 districts responding to the survey reported utilizing magnet schools for integration purposes. Forty-one…

A study was conducted to investigate: (1) how successful has the magnet school been in attracting a student body that is representative of the students in the school district? and (2) according to the perceptions of parents of pupils at a senior high magnet school, what are the important program and non-program factors affecting the…

Magnet schools differ from other forms of alternative schools in being specifically intended to assist school systems in their desegregation efforts. Magnet schools have been defined by the federal courts as those having a "distinctive program of study" designed to attract a cross section of students from all racial groups voluntarily. Several…

In general, the seven magnet high schools haven't worked as a way of keeping whites in Philadelphia's schools. Despite the millions spent on new magnet schools, nearly all of them are more segregated today than when they opened. (Author)

Parent and community participation in an exciting magnet program has allowed Tucson (Arizona) to desegregate its school system without an undue amount of disruption. (Author)

Notes that Houston's voluntary approach to desegregation, including the magnet schools, seems to be meeting with both judicial and public approval. (Author/AM)

Reports on teacher, principal, parent, and student reactions to a desegregation plan implemented in Buffalo, New York, which permits teachers to choose the magnet schools in which they desire to teach and parents to select their children's schools. (GC)

Compares the effectiveness of magnet schools in increasing interracial contact in two contexts: (1) districts using magnet schools as the alternative to forced busing; and (2) districts using magnet schools as a component of a mandatory desegregation plan. (Author/BE)