Characteristics of Elementary Students as Predictors of Enrollment in Schools of Choice in Texas
Sherri Fetter, EdD; Mei Jiang, PhD and Melissa Arrambide, EdD
Abstract
The school choices programs in Texas allow school-age students across the state to enroll in either public independent school districts, or other enrollment options, such as intra-district/inter-district transfers, and charter schools. This study explored the relationship between the academic and nonacademic characteristics of students and the type of school chosen for their elementary level enrollment. Seven variables were examined on their relationship with elementary enrollment choices (i.e., traditional elementary school assigned by residential address, a public elementary school of choice without admission requirements, and a public elementary magnet school with admission requirements). A multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between the seven variables and the odds of choosing either a traditional elementary school or a public elementary school of choice without admission requirements, relative to magnet schools with admission criteria.