Magnet Schools: How the Forgotten Choice Has Held i ts Ground

1. Magnet Schools: How the Forgotten Choice Has Held its Ground Dr. Robert Brooks, President, R&J Consulting, Warwick, RI Bill Magnotta, Consultant, Magnet Institute at Goodwin College – East Hartford, CT Doreen Marvin, LEARN Director – Old Lyme, CT Scott Thomas, Executive Director, Magnet Schools of America – D.C.

2. Who & What? • Magnet Schools of America is a 501c(3) membership organization that represents nearly 2000 magnet and theme-based schools nationally • National Institute for Magnet School Leadership • Technical assistance and national conferences • Advocacy, outreach and support for magnet schools • Approximately 3,600 magnet schools in 48 states serving approximately 2.8 million students • Fine & Performing Arts, STEM, International Baccalaureate, and Career magnet schools are most represented. • Definition: Magnet Schools are public schools with a unique curricular or instructional focus that attracts students from outside the traditional attendance area.

3. CRITICAL LEARNING: What Are The Essential Characteristics of Magnet Schools? • A comprehensive: • Magnet school plan includes mission and vision • Statements, educational goals, objectives and strategies for curricular and instructional design and implementation • Marketing and recruitment strategies designed to attract a diverse student body • Community partnerships and family engagement • Assessment and continuous improvement

4. Theory Behind Magnet Schools • All students have interests, talents and passions for learning • By offering a unique “theme” and/or instructional approach to learning will attract a diverse student body • This diverse student body will prevent, eliminate or reduce minority group isolation* • Students and teachers “opt in” to the school because of the shared vision, interest, and environment contained in a magnet schools leading to higher engagement, meaningful student interaction, and higher academic outcomes. * Minority groups are often locally defined and are not limited to racial background.

5. RESEARCH REFERENCES • ACHIEVEMENT AND OPPORTUNITY GAPS • US Department of Education • www.ed.gov/news/speches/closing • John Hopkins University • www.jhu.edu • www.avid.org • Magnet Schools of America • www.magnet.edu • National Center for School Choice • www.vanderbuilt.edu/schoolchoice

6. Perceptions of School Climate • Peer support for academic achievement is stronger in magnets than in non-magnet city schools; • Magnet city students perceive more encouragement and support for college attainment than city students in non-magnets; • Magnet students are less likely to be absent or skip classes than either non-magnet city or non-magnet suburban students; • Overall, magnet schools provide an academic climate similar to that found in a wealthy, suburban non-magnet high school. • Teacher-student relationships (ninth grade) and students’ sense of safety and belonging slightly weaker in magnet schools Source: the High School Student Survey

7. EXEMPLARY SCHOOLS • Hartford, CONNECTICUT—K-8 • Annie Fisher STEM School: 2012 National Blue Ribbon School • www.anniefishermagnet.shutterfly.com • Miami –Dade, FLORIDA—K-8 • Frank C. Martin,International Baccalaueate • (IB PYP/MYP) Florida “A” School • www.fcmartin.dadeschools.net • Dallas, TEXAS—9-12 • Booker T Washington High School for the Visual and Performing Arts • www.dallasisd.org/bookert

8. The Connecticut Story Statewide School Choice Data

9. Science & Technology Magnet High School

10. Connecticut River Academy School is 3 years old

11. Connecticut River Academy .33 White .33 Hispanic .33 Black 90% of Seniors have at least one college course 40% of seniors will have 4 semesters worth of college courses Students from 42 towns

12. Science & Technology Magnet High School

13. RECRUITMENT EFFORTS

14. Comparison of CAPT reading within New London district

15. Comparison of CAPT Math within New London District

16. Comparison of CAPT science within new London district

17. Marine Science Highlights

18. Class of 2014 SAT scores

19. Comparison of Magnet SchoolsCAPT Science

20. Bibliography A Review of the Research on Magnet Schools, Miami Dade County Public SchoolsThe bulk of this report focuses on studies that have compared the academic achievement of magnet school students to those attending traditional public schools. Studies examining the following three issues are also summarized: ethnic and economic composition of schools; high school graduation rates; and students' academic attitudes and behaviors. Magnet Schools Provide Academic and Social Benefits, Study Reports, University of Connecticut Neag School of EducationBoth white and minority children in Connecticut’s magnet schools showed stronger connections to their peers of other races than students in their home districts, and city students made greater academic gains than students in non-magnet city schools, Casey Cobb and a team of colleagues found in this research commissioned by the state of Connecticut. Magnet School Student Outcomes: What the Research Says (Research Brief 6), National Coalition on School DiversityThis research brief outlines six major studies of magnet school student outcomes. The studies are located within a much broader body of research that documents the benefits of attending racially and socioeconomically diverse schools.

21. Bibliography Reviving Magnet Schools: Strengthening a Successful Choice Option, UCLA Civil Rights ProjectThis policy brief refocuses our attention on the longstanding magnet sector. It is issued during a time of complex political and legal circumstances and seeks to understand how a variety of factors—including theParents Involved ruling and the transition to a U.S. Department of Education led by the Obama Administration—have influenced federally-funded magnet programs. Turnaround Schools That Work: Moving Beyond Separate but Equal, The Century FoundationSenior Fellow Richard Kahlenberg details why “turnaround” approaches that focus on changing principals and teachers but fail to address issues related to parents and students, have fallen short of expectations. His report also includes a body of evidence that demonstrates that magnet schools with a socioeconomic mix can raise student achievement. The Forgotten Choice? Rethinking Magnet Schools in a Changing Landscape, UCLA Civil Rights ProjectHistorically, magnet schools have been an important part of school districts' efforts to improve equity and quality in our nation's schools. But as charters have become a central focus of school choice proponents, federal funds for magnet schools have been frozen. This report looks at the policy effects of neglecting magnet schools.

22. Bibliography The Impact of Racially Diverse Schools in a Democratic Society (Research Brief 3), National Coalition on School DiversityThis research brief is the third in a series. It summarizes the findings from the most rigorous research related to racial and socioeconomic diversity in public schools. What We Know About School Integration, College Attendance, and the Reduction of Poverty (Research Brief 4), National Coalition on School DiversityThis research brief details the effects of K-12 school integration on college attendance rates, college graduation, and intergenerational perpetuation of poverty. School Integration and K-12 Educational Outcomes: A Quick Synthesis of Social Science Evidence(Research Brief 5), National Coalition on School DiversityThis research brief outlines the positive effects of racial and socioeconomic diversity on K-12 educational outcomes. How Non-Minority Students Also Benefit from Racially Diverse Schools (Research Brief 8), National Coalition on School DiversityRecognizing that sustained support for school diversity on the part of white families is central to the creation of stable, integrated schools, this research brief outlines the best evidence to date on the benefits of racially diverse K-12 experiences for white students.

23. Discussion