Chapter 3: Policy Matters: School Choice and Segregation

This chapter explores the segregative effect of various school choice policies, finding that laissez-faire, unregulated choice plans exacerbate social, racial, and economic stratification between schools. Controlled or managed school choice plans are described as an alternative policy instrument designed to prioritize students from disadvantaged backgrounds while also striving to prevent social stratification and promote integration among peers. Although not foolproof, controlled student assignment plans offer the greatest opportunity to preclude the segregative effects of laissez-faire school choice. Socioeconomic integration policies and nuanced considerations of “place” are also discussed in (re)conceptualizing school integration.