Magnet Schools and Desegregation Debate: Pro

Magnet Schools and Desegregation Debate: ProAnne Roberts and Casey Catron

BACKGROUNDEmerged in 1960s to remedy public segregation (DOE, 2004) Written into law: Section 5301 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Authorization

Modified to address de facto segregation in the 1970s (Ornstein, Levine, & Gutek, 2011)

MAGNET SCHOOLS Four Major Components (Rossell, 2012):Special curricular themeRole in voluntary desegregationChoice of school by student & parentAccess to students beyond a regular attendance zone

OPENING STATEMENTPOSITION: Magnet schools are an efficient practice to desegregate schools. They attract a diverse student population, while furthering their academic achievement. They provide for a happier staff, academically advanced student body and a more involved community.

ADVANTAGESA diverse student bodySpecialized curriculum/ theme-based educationDistinguished faculty/theme-based trainingHigher attendance ratesHigher graduation ratesLower drop-out ratesIncreased achievement scoresIncreased parent and community involvementProvides a feeling of a safer learning environment(Magnet schools of America, 2007)

CONSIDERATIONSMagnet schools attract students of a diverse background as well as students outside of their designated schooling zone. In turn, this helps to diversify a school that would otherwise predominately be minorities. (Chen, 2007)White students typically make up only 32% of the student body. (Meeks, Meeks & Warren , 2002)Desegregation is typically acquired by white students choosing to enroll in the magnet school located in a minority schooling zone. (Crouch, 1999)When students of low socioeconomic status attend a magnet school, they have higher achievement rates than similar students that remain in their zoned public school. (Chen, 2007)80% of magnet schools have an average reading and math proficiency score above their neighboring schools. (Crouch, 1999)

ReferencesCrouch, M. (1999). Magnet Schools and Other Means of Desegregation. Poverty & Prejudice: Our Schools Our Children. Retrieved from http://www.stanford.edu/class/e297c/poverty_prejudice/school_child/hmagnet.htmDepartment of Education. (2004). Elementary & Secondary Education. U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved from: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg65.htmlMagnet Schools of America (2007). What are magnet schools? Retrieved from http://www.magnet.edu/modules/info/what_are_magnet_schools.htmlMeeks, L., Meeks, W., & Warren , C. (2002). Racial Desegregation. Education and Urban Society, 33 (1), 88-101. Retrieved from http://www.sagepub.com/holt/articles/Meeks.pdfOrnstein, A. C., Levine, D. U., Gutek, G. L., & Vocke, D. E. (2011).Foundations of Education. (11 ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Pub Co.Rossell, C. (2012). The Desegregation Efficiency of Magnet Schools. Urban Affairs Review, 38 (5), 697-725.