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Degree

Master of Arts, Ohio State University, Sociology, 2011.

Abstract

Previous studies of school choice programs have primarily concentrated on individual differences in economic and social capital resources as reasons for variation in accessibility. While individual level factors matter, access to school choice programs like charter schools is established through educational policy, which is determined at the state level. Few studies have explored how political environments influence access to charter schools. Similar to other social programs that are decided at the state level, I propose that variations in social and political arrangements affect access to these educational alternatives. Hence, I predict that legislature characteristics and racial and ethnic divisions will influence how states determine charter school accessibility. To test these hypotheses, I use bivariate probit estimation to analyze how charter access is influenced by political environments. I measure accessibility by examining affirmative action policies in racial and ethnic balance clauses of charter legislation. These outcomes are regressed on variables that measure social and political arrangements across states.

Subject Headings

Sociology

Keywords

charter schools; legislation; politics

Committee / Advisors

David Jacobs, PhD (Advisor)
Douglas Downey, PhD (Committee Member)
Vincent Roscigno, PhD (Committee Member)

Pages

54p.

Document number: osu1292532748
Permalink: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1292532748

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