The effectiveness of the magnet school program of the Duval County Public Schools, Florida, was studied. The magnet schools were established at approximately half of the district's 150 schools as part of a desegregation plan. The schools offered a variety of theme programs. In spring 1998, the program was evaluated by four subcommittees of a steering committee, focusing on: (1) the unique and innovative nature of the program; (2) the achievement of desegregation; (3) academic achievement; and (4) parent and community involvement. The committee found that the number of schools with the "magnet" designation should be reduced, and the focus of the remaining magnets be better defined. Academic achievement for magnet school students was found to exceed that of nonmagnet school students at all levels. Thirty-seven of the district's 78 schools with magnet programs met the minimum desegregation requirements of the court's mandate. Forty-two percent of the elementary magnet schools and 39% of the secondary magnet schools had above-average volunteer participation, and similar percentages had an above-average number of business partners. The obvious success of these programs in the areas of academic achievement and community and parent involvement indicate the benefits to students resulting from parent choice in school selection and assignment. (Contains 14 references.) (SLD)