Buying Homes, Buying Schools: School Choice and the Social Construction of School Quality

Abstract

In this article, Jennifer Jellison

Lessons From a School District–University Research Partnership

“…They are typically interested in others insofar as it affects their children but not in the interests of others per se. Second, students and parents tend to make school-related decisions based not on research or school academic or disciplinary profiles but rather on word of mouth and especially the racial and ethnic composition of schools, which is seen as a proxy for school quality (Holme, 2002). As a result, their use of education research is quite limited even though they are the stakeholders most likely to have the students' interests at the top of their priorities.…”

“Doing Time” and “Creating Space”: A Case Study of Outdoor Play and Institutionalized Leisure in an Urban Family

“…Instead, the parents placed greater value on access to a school with a reputation as a welldefined, workable environment (as reflected in effective procedures and sufficient order). In line with other research (Holme 2002), the parents' school preference was based on what they had heard from friends and colleagues at work. Specifically, the mother's best friend is a teacher at the school the children now attend, so it seems likely that her view of the school influenced the parents' choice.…”

“…They may want to retain the urban lifestyle for themselves as well as for their children, to keep close to local social networks or to avoid time-consuming commutes from the suburbs. Another reason may be proximity to what they perceive as good schools (Butler and Robson 2003;Holme 2002;Boterman, Karsten and Musterd 2010). To allow their children to attend a good school, parents move to a home within that school's district or in a location that makes commuting an option.…”

“…In Sweden, free school choice has led to local school markets and an increased commuting among urban children (Gustafson, Pérez Prieto and Löfdahl 2011;Bunar 2010;Kallstenius 2011). Information on which neighborhoods and schools are well regarded is usually gathered (and even constructed) through parents' social networks (Holme 2002). Research focusing on children's perspectives and experiences shows that not only parents but also children's social networks play an important role (Gustafson 2011;van der Burgt 2008;Reay 2007).…”

Escolha, seleção e segregação nas escolas municipais do Rio de Janeiro

“…Críticos a tais políticas argumentam que as políticas de school choice trariam como efeito colateral maior segregação escolar. Do ponto de vista da demanda, pais de diferentes níveis socioeconômicos usufruiriam mais da possibilidade de escolha (BELL, 2005;HOLME, 2002;RAVEAUD;ZANTEN, 2007). Em relação à oferta, frente à competição por alunos, as escolas mais procuradas tenderiam a usar diversos mecanismos para selecionar seu alunado (WEST;HIND;PENNELL, 2004;BERENDS;ZOTTOLA, 2009).…”