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'A Bigger Factor than Realized': Parent Perceptions of Magnets Concerning Residency, Proximity, and Transportation

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Title: 'A Bigger Factor than Realized': Parent Perceptions of Magnets Concerning Residency, Proximity, and Transportation
Language: English
Authors: Christy Batts (ORCID 0000-0001-5055-2063), Jennifer B. Ayscue (ORCID 0000-0002-2900-5417), Virginia Riel (ORCID 0000-0002-6083-511X)
Source: Education Policy Analysis Archives. 2026 34(13).
Availability: Colleges of Education at Arizona State University and the University of South Florida. c/o Editor, USF EDU162, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620-5650. Tel: 813-974-3400; Fax: 813-974-3826; Web site: https://epaa.asu.edu/ojs/index.php/epaa
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 25
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Magnet Schools, Parent Attitudes, School Choice, Decision Making, School Location, Proximity, Student Transportation, Place of Residence
ISSN: 1068-2341
Abstract: 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.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1500594
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: 'A Bigger Factor than Realized': Parent Perceptions of Magnets Concerning Residency, Proximity, and Transportation
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Christy+Batts%22">Christy Batts</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5055-2063">0000-0001-5055-2063</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jennifer+B%2E+Ayscue%22">Jennifer B. Ayscue</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2900-5417">0000-0002-2900-5417</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Virginia+Riel%22">Virginia Riel</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6083-511X">0000-0002-6083-511X</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Education+Policy+Analysis+Archives%22"><i>Education Policy Analysis Archives</i></searchLink>. 2026 34(13).
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  Data: Colleges of Education at Arizona State University and the University of South Florida. c/o Editor, USF EDU162, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620-5650. Tel: 813-974-3400; Fax: 813-974-3826; Web site: https://epaa.asu.edu/ojs/index.php/epaa
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Magnet+Schools%22">Magnet Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Parent+Attitudes%22">Parent Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Choice%22">School Choice</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Decision+Making%22">Decision Making</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Location%22">School Location</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Proximity%22">Proximity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Transportation%22">Student Transportation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Place+of+Residence%22">Place of Residence</searchLink>
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  Data: 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.
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  Data: EJ1500594
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 25
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Magnet Schools
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Parent Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Choice
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Decision Making
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Location
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Proximity
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Transportation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Place of Residence
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: 'A Bigger Factor than Realized': Parent Perceptions of Magnets Concerning Residency, Proximity, and Transportation
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            NameFull: Christy Batts
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            NameFull: Jennifer B. Ayscue
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            NameFull: Virginia Riel
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              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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              Value: 1068-2341
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              Value: 34
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              Value: 13
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            – TitleFull: Education Policy Analysis Archives
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