This paper is designed to specify a set of new opportunities for educators, school administrators, and scholars to realize the practical aims and strategic advantages envisioned in magnet schools. The paper is divided into three distinct sections. In Section I, we examine the extensive research literature on parents' choice patterns and…

This article uses qualitative case study methodology to examine why the racial composition of magnet schools in Nashville, Tennessee, has shifted to predominantly African American in the aftermath of unitary status. The article compares the policy contexts and parents' reasons for choosing magnet schools at two points in time--under court order…

The policies and practices that shape magnet schools are examined, and the meaning and importance of magnet schools are explored. The chapters are: (1) "School Choice in the Public Arena"; (2) "The Context of Magnet Schools: The Policies and Politics of Desegregation in Cincinnati and St. Louis"; (3) "Magnet Schools and the Social Context of…

Notes that magnet schools were established to promote racial diversity, improve scholastic standards, and provide a range of programs to satisfy individual talents and interests. Suggests the need for a better understanding of new policies on race and magnet schools; the social and political context of choice; and the consequences of reform…

Reviews the research on magnet schools and their impact on reducing racial segregation. Presents findings from a 3-year study of magnet schools in two urban districts. Surveys of diverse parents and teachers indicated that both groups generally believed the goal of integration was worth the cost of busing. Discusses the issue of racial balance in…

This paper explores issues related to magnet schools and racial diversity, reviewing research on magnet schools that underscores the importance of analyzing how effective magnets are in reducing racial isolation, how these data differ across districts, and what accounts for these differential effects. The paper also includes findings from a 3-year…

This study uses Pierre Bourdieu's concept of cultural capital to understand varying levels of parent participation in schooling. Bourdieu argues that schools draw unevenly on the social and cultural resources of members of the society by invoking particular linguistic styles, authority patterns, and types of curricula. The cultural properties…