The Education Mobility Assistance Program (EMAP) was created in Ohio in 1979 to provide funds to school districts that volunteered to racially desegregate their schools by transferring students. This report evaluates the impact of EMAP funds in reducing the number of racially isolated schools and in providing equal educational opportunities for all students. Data were collected through interviews with education, legislative, and civil rights personnel, and through 31 interviews with EMAP administrators across several types of school districts. Findings indicate that since the program began, the state has provided an average of only $73 per student transferred, although a maximum of $400 per student is allowed. There have been mixed results in terms of reducing the number of racially isolated schools. Since 1979, the number of racially isolated schools in the 17 EMAP districts has decreased in 11 school districts, stayed the same in 3 districts, and increased in 3 districts. The reduction could also be attributed to other factors--an overall concern about court-ordered desegregation associated with busing, and the availability of federal funds to schools for voluntary desegration. The Legislative Office of Education Oversight (LOEO) also found that districts' self-evaluations of their EMAP programs are limited in scope and do not address the overall impact of the program. Other problems are that EMAP funding is distributed too late in the year for districts to plan effectively for its use; districts have inconsistent interpretations about how the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) determines eligible transfers for funding; and ODE lacks enforcement power to require districts to show reasonable progress. Recommendations are made for actions to be taken by the Ohio General Assembly and ODE. Four exhibits are included. Appendices contain a history of federal school desegregation and a table showing desegregation costs for five Ohio school districts. (Contains 26 references.) (LMI)