Public and Private School Choice in Greater Hartford: A Brief Overview and Computer Mapping Analysis Jack Dougherty and Naralys Estevez Trinity College, Hartford CT presented at the “Who Chooses Schools and Why?” conference October 11,

School choice over time

1) private & parochial schools

School choice over time 1) private & parochial schools Source: State of Connecticut, Report of the Board of Education to the Governor,

School choice over time 2) residential choice

School choice over time 2) residential choice

School choice over time 2) residential choice

School choice over time 2) residential choice

School choice over time 2) residential choice

School choice over time 2) residential choice Hartford Courant, May 1, 1960

School choice over time 2) residential choice Hartford Courant, May 1, 1960

School choice over time 1) private and parochial schools 2) residential choice

School choice over time 1) private and parochial schools 2) residential choice Both forms of school choice required special access (wealth, racial privilege, religious identity), so “choice” was not freely available to all.

5 new programs expanding school choice

- but designed for different purposes

1) Capitol Region Choice Program

Since 1998, state- sponsored program to reduce racial isolation and promote higher achievement through voluntary transfers between urban and suburban public school districts (K-12); administered by CREC Revision of Project Concern ( ) Approximately 1000 student participants on space-available basis, with lottery To be expanded under Sheff settlement

1) Capitol Region Choice Program Since 1998, state- sponsored program to reduce racial isolation and promote higher achievement through voluntary transfers between urban and suburban public school districts (K-12); administered by CREC Revision of Project Concern ( ) Approximately 1000 student participants on space-available basis, with lottery To be expanded under Sheff settlement

2) Magnet Schools

In response to 1996 Sheff decision, state support for interdistrict magnet schools to reduce racial & economic isolation and promote higher achievement Magnet schools “attract” families with curricular themes

2) Magnet Schools In response to 1996 Sheff decision, state support for interdistrict magnet schools to reduce racial & economic isolation and promote higher achievement Magnet schools “attract” families with curricular themes Currently 19 interdistrict magnets in Hartford region; most managed by CREC or HPS To be expanded under Sheff settlement

2) Magnet Schools Comparison of Learning Corridor magnet schools,

2) Magnet Schools Comparison of Learning Corridor magnet schools,

HMMSMMS GHAMASGHAA Comparison of Learning Corridor magnet schools, Student Participation (by town)

2) Magnet Schools

3) Charter Schools 1997 state law allows independent public schools, accountable to charter-granting agency License to innovate to improve student achievement and make efforts to reduce isolation; enrollment by lottery if necessary Currently 2 charter schools in Hartford area

3) Charter Schools 1997 state law allows independent public schools, accountable to charter-granting agency License to innovate to improve student achievement and make efforts to reduce isolation; enrollment by lottery if necessary Currently 2 charter schools in Hartford area

3) Charter Schools 1997 state law allows independent public schools, accountable to charter-granting agency License to innovate to improve student achievement and make efforts to reduce isolation; enrollment by lottery if necessary Currently 2 charter schools in Hartford area

3) Charter Schools 1997 state law allows independent public schools, accountable to charter-granting agency License to innovate to improve student achievement and make efforts to reduce isolation; enrollment by lottery if necessary Currently 2 charter schools in Hartford area

3) Charter Schools 1997 state law allows independent public schools, accountable to charter-granting agency License to innovate to improve student achievement and make efforts to reduce isolation; enrollment by lottery if necessary Currently 2 charter schools in Hartford area

3) Charter Schools 1997 state law allows independent public schools, accountable to charter-granting agency License to innovate to improve student achievement and make efforts to reduce isolation; enrollment by lottery if necessary Currently 2 charter schools in Hartford area

4) Children’s Educational Opportunity Foundation of Connecticut (CEO)

Operating since 1998 in Hartford, a privately-funded school choice program for low-income families (no more than 200% above federal poverty guidelines)

4) Children’s Educational Opportunity Foundation of Connecticut (CEO) Operating since 1998 in Hartford, a privately-funded school choice program for low-income families (no more than 200% above federal poverty guidelines) Up to $1700 scholarship to subsidize private or parochial school tuition for grades K-5; renewable up to grade 8

4) Children’s Educational Opportunity Foundation of Connecticut (CEO) Operating since 1998 in Hartford, a privately-funded school choice program for low-income families (no more than 200% above federal poverty guidelines) Up to $1700 scholarship to subsidize private or parochial school tuition for grades K-5; renewable up to grade 8 CEO Students

4) Children’s Educational Opportunity Foundation of Connecticut (CEO) CEO Students

4) Children’s Educational Opportunity Foundation of Connecticut (CEO) CEO Students

5) Mayor Perez’s Independent Schools Initiative

Announced July 2005, a privately-funded school choice program designed to increase college attendance rate for Hartford high school students Pledges from 17 independent college prep schools for $11 million in scholarships and financial aid to be phased in over 4 years Approx 200 Hartford students enrolled under partnership --Courant July 22, 2005

5) Mayor Perez’s Independent Schools Initiative Announced July 2005, a privately-funded school choice program designed to increase college attendance rate for Hartford high school students Pledges from 17 independent college prep schools for $11 million in scholarships and financial aid to be phased in over 4 years Approx 200 Hartford students enrolled under partnership --Courant July 22, 2005

Capitol Region Choice Program Magnet Schools Charter Schools CEO Foundation Mayor’s Independent Schools Initiative

What do we currently know about these five choice programs? Capitol Region Choice Program Magnet Schools Charter Schools CEO Foundation Mayor’s Independent Schools Initiative

What do we currently know about these five choice programs? Individual levels of knowledge are high for specific programs, but relatively few studies have been published & shared with the broader community

Question: Who chooses schools and why?

- insights from prospective parent interviews

Question: Who chooses schools and why? - insights from prospective parent interviews Trinity students conducting interviews with prospective parents at magnet school open house, January 2005

Question: Who chooses schools and why? - insights from computer mapping (GIS)

How does computer mapping work?

Choice program agrees to share applicants’ street address data (restricted access to protect individual family confidentiality) How does computer mapping work?

Street map How does computer mapping work?

Geocode street address data as individual points on map How does computer mapping work?

Overlay neighborhood boundary lines (census tracts, elementary school zones, etc) Zone BZone A How does computer mapping work?

Colors represent data groups Zone BZone A How does computer mapping work?

Colors represent data groups Remove dots and address data to maintain individual family confidentiality Zone BZone A How does computer mapping work?

We can ask new questions: -In which zones are choice applicants more likely to reside? -Do choice applicants tend to reside in zones with certain demographic characteristics? -Are choice applicants statistically representative of the eligible population in each zone?...and more Zone BZone A How does computer mapping work?

We can ask new questions: -In which zones are choice applicants more likely to reside? -Do choice applicants tend to reside in zones with certain demographic characteristics? -Are choice applicants statistically representative of the eligible population in each zone?...and more Zone BZone A How does computer mapping work? Note: We appreciate the cooperation of school choice programs that shared data, but our interpretation of the findings does not necessarily reflect their views.

Where do choice applicants/participants reside?

Hartford Public School elementary school attendance zones

Where do choice applicants/participants reside? Capitol Region Choice Applicants 05-06CEO Participants expressed as a percent of HPS elem zone enrollment 03-04

Do choice applicants/participants tend to reside in low-scoring CMT zones? Capitol Region Choice Applicants 05-06CEO Participants expressed as a percent of HPS elem zone enrollment 03-04

Do choice applicants/participants tend to reside in low-scoring CMT zones? No conclusive patterns for average elementary school CMT scores

In its simplest terms, research is the process of posing thoughtful questions and answering them systematically & ethically

In its simplest terms, research is the process of posing thoughtful questions and answering them systematically & ethically We can do better research if you help us frame the most meaningful questions