PRX » Series » Matters of Choice

Caption: Central Park School for Children in Durham, NC, is currently the only charter school in the state that holds a weighted lottery that prioritizes low-income families. Last year, 12 of the new 42 kindergarten students entered the school through the economic, Credit: Reema Khrais, WUNC

Image by: Reema Khrais, WUNC

Central Park School for Children in Durham, NC, is currently the only charter school in the state that holds a weighted lottery that prioritizes low-income families. Last year, 12 of the new 42 kindergarten students entered the school through the economic

The Southern Education Desk takes an in-depth look at school choice in a region where major battles for equal access to education have been fought. Today, parents and educators look at options to eliminate achievement gaps and give students the same opportunities to learn, regardless of their zip code, race, ethnicity or station in life. How does does school choice work? Does it benefit students, teachers and school systems? This series explores the issues. It works well during National School Choice Week, which starts January 24-30, or it can be used at anytime.

Across the country, families and advocacy groups will host events to celebrate National School Choice Week, January 24-30. Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and most Southern states allow some form of school choice – magnet schools, vouchers for private schools and charter schools. But how do these options impact learning, school demographics, and student success? The Southern Education Desk explores Matters of Choice with reports from WWNO’s Mallory Falk in New Orleans -- the choice epicenter; Lynn Hatter of WFSU in Tallahassee, Florida; and Reema Khrais of WUNC, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Matters of Choice

4 Pieces

Playlists That Feature This Series: