As of summer 2012, there are 31 interdistrict magnet schools in the Greater Hartford region of Connecticut, including those at The Learning Corridor (a 14-acre compound with roughly 1,570 students in attendance among an elementary, middle, and two high schools), enrolling about 13,000 students and supported by a mix of state, local, and…

Describes the characteristics of three magnet elementary schools which have successfully attracted nonminority students to locations in minority neighborhoods. (Author/MK)

Central City High School, Kansas City, Missouri, has found its identity in the past. As part of comprehensive desegregation program, this magnet school offers its students classical Greek program that, like ancient Greek civilization, calls for as much attention to body as to mind. The costly Olympic athletic program and classical Greek curriculum…

The public schools in Flint (Michigan) offer a good example of how magnet schools can help desegregate a school system effectively and voluntarily. (Author)

Makes a case for magnet schools, especially as part of desegregation efforts. Briefly describes magnet schools around the country and some of their problems. (JM)

A Florida county, under a federal court order to desegregate its schools, adopted a plan of controlled school choice approved by the federal court. The county was divided into three zones that roughly reflected the school system's racial composition. A computerized lottery, with provisions for keeping siblings together and attractive programs for…

To provide a school choice program for purely political reasons is reprehensible. The St. Louis (Missouri) model, based on a court-approved desegregation settlement, has demonstrated that citizen commitment and adequate funding can create a successful, equitable program. (MLH)

A study was conducted to explore the options and costs of both voluntary and compulsory solutions to metropolitan school desegregation. The study focused on the Saint Louis and Kansas City, Missouri, metropolitan areas which are examples of settings in which desegregation can occur. The demographic characteristics of these central cities and their…

The Buffalo Public Schools have developed magnet schools to aid desegregation plans and to provide for different student needs and learning styles. The Academic Challenge Center is designed to meet concerns about declining reading and math scores. The Buffalo Traditional School emphasizes traditional learning styles and puts a high priority on…

After years of reform and accompanying frustration, public schools of choice have become one of today's most popular school reform strategies. More than 20 states have either passed choice legislation or are considering such action. At the present, plans based on parental influence represent the majority of district choice plans, including magnet…

Discusses background, rationale, and current trends in school choice. Where implemented carefully with parent participation, choice plans have increased public support and student achievement and provided curriculum differentiation, cohesiveness, autonomy, and small size as benefits. However, school choice raises some equity problems, including…

Reviews the development of magnet schools as an alternative to the politics that accompany other desegregation tactics, and discusses arguments for and against magnets. Focuses on the successful magnet schools of Kankakee, Illinois, a city with a small but socioeconomically diverse population, where desegregation was voluntary and parental…

Houston (Texas) public schools have been declared officially desegregated. After trying many desegregation methods with varying degrees of success, the school district has used magnet schools in conjunction with majority-to-minority transfers as its primary desegregation tool. Attention has also focused on equal facilities, staff stability, and…

The 1984-85 Magnet Program of the Fort Worth (Texas) Independent School District is described and evaluated in this report. General data and information on specific sites are included. The major finding was that the Fort Worth magnet schools were highly successful in providing for high academic performance, and moderately successful as an…

Describes a successful plan to reduce the racial isolation of Massachusetts school in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood. Ascribes the school's successful magnet minority enrollment largely to parental involvement. Offers examples of academic improvement among children attending the school. (RDN)