Magnet Schools
Pros and Cons
Definition
Distinguishing Characteristics of magnet schools
- Distinctive curriculum or instructional approach
- Attract students from outside an assigned neighborhood attendance zone
- Have diversity as an explicit purpose
Pros of Magnet Schools
*Magnet schools have specialized programs emphasizing a consistent theme or method of teaching, facilitating students’ and teachers’ commitment to the school.
*Magnet schools increase the choices available to parents and students in urban school districts, but lets them remain in the public school system.
*progress made in teaching methodologies within Magnet schools is often shared with their neighboring schools so that other schools benefit from the progress made in educational methodology made in Magnet schools.
Cons of Magnet Schools
*Magnet schools draw resources from regular school programs.
*While Magnet schools may open up previous geographic segregations of neighborhoods, they encourage the segregation of students based on ability and talents.
*The selective admission criteria of Magnet schools often acts as a hurdle for students with failing grades or records of bad behavior or truancy who want to attend these schools.
*Magnet schools may not really be open to all students who need them.
*low-income, English-as-a-second language, and special education students can be under-represented in Magnets.
*Even if magnet schools work, they may not work for all public school systems in general.
Bibliography
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