ERIC Number: ED569416
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 206
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-3039-1300-6
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Case Analysis of a Suburban North Carolina Public School System's Elementary School Level Redistricting Outcomes
LoFrese, Christopher Todd
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
This case study explored the socioeconomic integration outcomes of a central North Carolina Public School District's recent elementary level redistricting process. The district's student assignment policy seeks to balance schools in part by the socioeconomic status of students. Previous redistricting efforts used free and reduced price lunch eligibility data to create and implement assignment plans. A recent letter from the United States Department of Agriculture mandated that the use of free and reduced priced lunch eligibility data was not permissible for student assignment purposes. The district used an alternative method by having social workers estimate the number of students eligible for subsidized meals. The researcher used multiple quantitative methods to analyze social worker estimates, neighborhood and school demographics, and other student assignment measurements. Enrollment levels, racial demographics, and free and reduced priced lunch eligibility levels were analyzed prior to redistricting, as predicted in the redistricting plan, and when the plan was implemented. The final redistricting outcomes demonstrate improved socioeconomic integration among the schools. The final outcomes resulted in small decreases in racial integration among the schools, however the schools remained well integrated. The researcher analyzed how well the social workers' "at risk" estimates served as a proxy for free and reduced price lunch eligibility and race. The alternative data source provided by school social workers was highly correlated to free and reduced priced lunch eligibility and race. The final redistricting outcomes were different than expected due to significant levels of student movement. Special programs participation accounted for the majority of the changes between the approved plan and the actual outcomes. Enrollment levels at each school were significantly different than expected, yet free and reduced priced lunch eligibility percentages and racial demographic percentages were not significantly changed by student movement. This suggests that students of all races and socioeconomic status are equally represented and are participants in the movement across the schools. Recommendations were made to increase accuracy and improve future results. Additional research was recommended, including research into academic achievement levels and equal educational opportunities. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Suburban Schools, Public Schools, School District Reorganization, Elementary Schools, Student Placement, School Policy, Lunch Programs, Eligibility, Social Work, Mixed Methods Research, Program Implementation, Socioeconomic Status, Social Integration, At Risk Students, Enrollment, School Desegregation
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: North Carolina
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A