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School Choice, Student Mobility, and School Quality: Evidence from post-Katrina New Orleans

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Listed:
  • Richard O. Welsh

    (Department of Lifelong Education, Administration and Policy University of Georgia Athens, GA)

  • Matthew Duque

    (Baltimore County PublicSchools Towson, MD)

  • Andrew McEachin

    (RAND Corporation Santa Monica, CA)

Abstract

In recent decades, school choice policies predicated on student mobility have gained prominence as urban districts address chronically low-performing schools. However, scholars have highlighted equity concerns related to choice policies. The case of post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans provides an opportunity to examine student mobility patterns in a choice-based district. This paper analyzes student mobility between and within the various sectors and school types using a multinomial framework. We find rates of student mobility in post-Katrina New Orleans to be similar to other traditional urban school districts. Overall, our results indicate that high-achieving students switch to high-quality schools whereas low-achieving students transfer to low-quality schools. It is clear some students are taking advantage of the ability to choose a high-quality educational option, although many students are still not. Policy implications, especially for education policy makers implementing or considering school choice policies, and areas for future research are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard O. Welsh & Matthew Duque & Andrew McEachin, 2016. "School Choice, Student Mobility, and School Quality: Evidence from post-Katrina New Orleans," Education Finance and Policy, MIT Press, vol. 11(2), pages 150-176, Spring.
  • Handle: RePEc:tpr:edfpol:v:11:y:2016:i:2:p:150-176
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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