Magnet Schools

Traditionally, children go to schools that are closest to their primary residence. Magnet schools are public schools that allow students a choice regardless of school zones requirements. Magnet schools usually have special curricula or characteristics that distinguish them from others and make them attractive choices for students who desire an emphasis in arts, math and science, work preparedness, and so on.

Magnet schools are public schools that have to adhere to all guidelines and regulations of public schools, unlike charter schools, which are public schools with a charter that releases them from some of the regulations. School choice represented in magnet, charter, and alternative schools has provided educators, parents, and students with alternative options for the traditional schools that are plagued with low academic performance, high dropout rates, school violence, and lack of preparation for college or for the workforce.

Magnet schools usually have a comprehensive vision, plus educational aims, goals, and objectives that are in accordance with such vision. Magnet schools also have clearly designed curricula, [Page 553]themes, and teaching practices that promote the magnet school's vision. In addition, they have budgets, policies, professional development, and evaluation plans that comply with public schools regulations. Magnet schools have marketing and recruitment plans as well.

Magnet schools took precedence in the 1960s and 1970s as a tool for racial desegregation and academic equality for many schools. Providing special features in magnets was thought to encourage parents to enroll their children in such schools regardless of their zone boundaries, crossing racial lines and integrating schools. However, schools that promoted certain types of curriculum, such as Afrocentric curriculum, were found to increase segregation among races as Stephen Sugarman and Frank Kemerer argued in their book on school choice.

Magnet schools were found to lead neighboring schools to examine their own practices and to improve their schools in order to compete with magnet schools. As a result, magnet schools that started as a desegregation tool became part of the school improvement movement. Lately, magnet schools have become a tool to combat the increasing migration of students to private schools. Over the last 20 years, magnet schools have become a very attractive choice for many parents to the degree that most magnet schools are not able to accept more than 10% to 25% of the students who apply for them. Magnet schools appeal to parents due to the following criteria:

• specialized curriculum with common interests such as arts, math, science, or cultural studies;
• parents' and students' choices in curriculum emphasis;
• strong parental involvement in the curriculum and teaching methods compared to public schools;
• improved attendance as a direct result of the learner-centered approach of the curriculum;
• improved students' motivation, which is a product of student's choice and involvement in the curriculum design;
• increased self-esteem of students as a result of students' empowerment by giving students a voice and ownership of their own learning;
• improved academic achievement compared to traditional public schools indicated by the majority of studies on students' achievement in magnet schools; and specialized preparation for the workforce since magnet schools have specific curriculum areas that better prepare students for employment after graduation.

Magnet schools usually promote progressive, innovative, and effective programs that are characterized by curricular cohesion and parental involvement. Magnet schools have three distinctive features: (1) distinguished, progressive curriculum or instructional features; (2) freedom of choice; and (3) promotion of diversity.

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