Can Local Schools be Attractive to Everyone?

As funding for schools and enrollment continue to fluctuate, districts all over the country will come to grips with potentially closing or reconstituting schools. District might solve enrollment and underutilization issues by making schools more attractive to middle-class families who are zoned for, but often opt-out of, neighborhood schools.

In a recent study, white middle-class parents expressed interest in neighborhood public schools but were somewhat hesitant because of the perceived lack of school district investment in inner-city schools. Until school districts find a way to increase enrollment among zoned students, it is essential that they work to ensure that minority and low-income students, families, communities and schools do not bear the brunt of redistricting results.