“A bigger factor than realized”: Parent perceptions of magnets concerning residency, proximity, and transportation

Public magnet programs offer pathways for parents to exercise school choice, students to increase achievement, and districts to increase student diversity and equity. This qualitative study investigates the parent perceptions that shape decisions for magnet application in a metropolitan district with a thriving lottery-based magnet program. Drawing on 23 interviews with parents, we identify several findings about parents’ perceptions of magnet programs. First, parents lacked knowledge about the lottery and assignment process; moreover, parents felt that they lacked choice and that the location of magnets precluded their consideration; and finally, sacrifice was perceived to be required due to the limits of transportation. Those from the district had deeper historical knowledge about how the magnet application worked and the role residency played in the process; whereas those who were newer to the area expressed confusion. We find that concerns about school proximity and available transportation were near ubiquitous factors and the location of magnets precludes their consideration as viable options for those not proximate to them. Our findings suggest that magnet programs benefit from targeted transportation measures, intentional school siting policies, and strategic information campaigns that communicate magnet intentions and processes.