Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Programs for Higher Education
Advisor
Richard Snyder
Committee Member
Steven Binder
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
Black enrollment, consent decree, curriculum revision, desegregation, East Baton Rouge Louisiana Parish School System, elementary schools, Magnet Mania, magnet programs, magnet schools, marketing, middle schools, non-Black enrollment, private schools, recruitment, school choice, school desegregation, staff development, student recruitment, themes, tri-annual newsletters
Abstract
This study presented information which indicated that there was a need to improve the non-Black enrollment in the programs within a school magnet program in East Baton Rouge Louisiana Parish School System. An analysis of data indicated that of the 22 magnet programs studied, only one had achieved the non-Black enrollment stated in the Consent Decree (desegregation plan).
Techniques were identified which were implemented to enhance the programs within a school magnet program to make them more inviting and attract more non-Black students. Techniques identified included: (a) identifying a staff member in each magnet designated as being accountable for recruiting, (b) revising the curriculum for magnet program themes, (c) developing and distributing a tri-annual newsletter presenting descriptive information for each magnet, (d) increasing the time magnet students spend together in classes for the elementary and middle school magnets, (e) conducting staff development training for magnet staff for the purpose of enhancing the implementation of the revised curriculum for magnet themes, (f) developing recruitment activities from the Director of Magnet School’s office aimed at children in private and parochial schools,(g) modifying the centralized recruiting effort called “Magnet Mania,” and (h) redesigning the brochure used for marketing and recruiting. Specific activities were implemented for each of these technique areas for the purpose of improving the quality of the curriculum and special appeal for each magnet with the goal of increasing non-Black enrollment.
The results from implementing techniques to enhance programs within a school magnet program indicated that none of the magnets studied achieved the goal of a 10% increase in non-Black enrollment.