This paper presents a study conducted with two goals in mind: (1) to employ an operational definition of school choice that is more faithful to orthodox choice theory than are extant definitions; and (2) with this definition, to assess possible effects of school choice on students' academic commitment and achievement. Claims for the positive…

Voucher proposals are flourishing nationwide, pushed by the fact that too many children are trapped in failing schools, and there is a great deal of disagreement about educational vouchers. This paper traces the history of voucher programs and describes some voucher programs in different cities (Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Cleveland, Ohio) and in the…

Expanding choice among public schools will improve student achievement and provide creative and decision-making professional opportunities for teachers. Three successful choice plans are discussed. Steps for developing choice plans are listed. (PS)

A study was conducted within the Dade County (Florida) Public Schools to determine why large numbers of Black students were using the racial majority to minority transfer option, and, in particular, transferring from Van E. Blanton Elementary And Horace Mann Junior to Miami Shores Elementary and North Miami Junior schools. From a list of 471…

Initial studies of school choice in Massachusetts have concentrated on the mechanics of the program, but this report examines why parents choose school choice. A survey of Massachusetts families participating in school choice was completed by 826 families (return rate of 41.8%), representing 987 choice students, or about 23.5% of the estimated…

The scores on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills taken by 179 Black and Hispanic students who voluntarily transferred from predominantly minority schools to desegregated schools were examined. They reveal that a desegregated education obtained through voluntary transfer has no significant effect on the reading and mathematics achievement levels of…

REPORTED ARE SOME OF THE ACADEMIC EFFECTS OF THE OPTIONAL TRANSFER PLAN IN NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK, WHERE STUDENTS FROM A NEGRO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WERE BUSED TO OTHER SCHOOLS. METROPOLITAN ACHIEVEMENT TEST SCORES OF TRANSFER STUDENTS IN GRADES ONE THROUGH FIVE SHOWED THAT THE MEAN GRADE EQUIVALENTS WERE CONSISTENT WITH GROWTH SCORES FOR NONTRANSFER…

Explains and analyzes open-enrollment plans, current open-enrollment legislation, and the Omaha (Nebraska) School District's attempt to balance goals of integration and open enrollment. Provides recommendations for educational and legislative reform in the area of public school choice. (198 references) (MLF)

Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) students scoring at the 77%ile and above were exposed to three different treatments: (1) a Magnet Plan involving the reassignment of students and teachers to special schools; (2) a Vanguard Plan for students and teachers within a school; and (3) unspecified instructional enrichment provided in…

An urban-suburban interdistrict program is described in which efforts were made to correct racial imbalance in both districts. In 1965 free transportation was provided for 25 first grade children who were sent voluntarily from a Rochester, N.Y. public school to six schools in the West Irondequoit district. This longitudinal metropolitan approach…

AN EVALUATION OF A FREE CHOICE, OPEN ENROLLMENT PROGRAM, IN WHICH SEVENTH-GRADE MINORITY GROUP CHILDREN HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRANSFER TO RACIALLY BALANCED JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS OUTSIDE THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, RECORDED THE RESPONSES OF THE PUPILS, PARENTS, AND TEACHERS IN THE RECEIVING SCHOOLS. THE COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT,…