This study compared 26 students identified as gifted and talented who transferred to nonresident schools through Minnesota's Open Enrollment program with 60 transfer students not so identified. Academic and educational concerns were the main reasons gifted students chose to transfer. Few members of minority groups chose to transfer. Parental…

Analyzes school choice in terms of inter-school student transfer and explains choice as the result of two factors: organization of student mobility among schools in terms of vacant positions and student body composition; and the influence and position of the school within the educational market. (MJP)

This study examined characteristics of students with disabilities who participated in Minnesota's open enrollment, reasons for participation, information sources, and the decision-making process. Surveys of 347 parents revealed 3 primary reasons for transferring their children: special education needs being better met, more personal attention from…

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)

Argues that the data show that black parents will opt for integration if given the chance, and white parents can be drawn to integrated schools with attractive curricula: Open Enrollment can reasonably be expected to produce significant integration without the political and moral costs of coercion. (Author/JM)

This article describes a study of enrollment patterns under the Massachusetts open enrollment law as of fall 1992. Results from 33, districts with 20 or more school-choice transfers, show that families generally enroll children in schools with higher indicators of performance and higher socioeconomic status. (SLD)

A survey was conducted of Minnesota families of students with disabilities (n=60) and without disabilities (n=60), and responses were compared to identify practices related to public school choice. Results indicated that the media were the primary source of information for families of general education students, while principals and teachers were…

This study compared students with learning disabilities who participated in open enrollment in Minnesota with their nondisabled peers, in terms of reasons for transfer, source of information about open enrollment, parent involvement with the school, and demographics. The study involved a survey of 59 families of students with learning disabilities…

In this book, an overall analysis of the urban crisis is presented and concrete suggestions are made for renewing urban education through a unique design called the "public-schools-of-choice system." Fundamentally a plan in which a range of optional school programs would be offered to diverse student groups in every community, the public schools…

Discusses a recent Wisconsin "school choice" initiative, under which parents may choose public, private, nonsectarian, or religious schools for their children and have state funding directed to the appropriate institutions. Argues that school choice programs empower parents to provide the best education available to their children. (MAB)

Most Southern public schools are still unintegrated despite the 1954 Supreme Court decision. This study sought to determine the causal factors related to the decision of those Negro mothers who did enroll their children in white schools. Samples were 207 Negro mothers with children in grades one through five who were enrolled in a North Carolina…

This report examines the characteristics of students with disabilities who participate in Open Enrollment (one of seven enrollment options available in Minnesota), the reasons they participate, the sources of information, and the decision-making process involved in choosing another district. A survey was conducted of 219 families of students with…

This report examines the development of school choice policies as an element of educational reform, describes open enrollment as one form of school choice, outlines other types of school choice programs, describes Minnesota's various forms of educational choice, explores arguments for and against choice, and discusses issues and concerns for…

Presents the results of surveys and follow-up interviews of parents of children with disabilities who chose to use the "open enrollment" transfer option in Minnesota. Reasons for school transfer included better met special education needs and personal attention for children at chosen schools, and more information on child's progress from…

This paper explores issues surrounding parental choice of schools. The administration of President George Bush has presented parental choice as a cornerstone of its proposed "America 2000 Excellence in Education Act." Educational advocates are concerned that emphasis on choice as a key moving force for school reform falls short of the…