Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

This study aims to determine the impact of a Georgia school district’s intra-district, open enrollment Choice Program on students who participate compared to those who do not at a selected high school. Three research questions were developed: (1) does GPA differ between students who participate in school choice and students who do not (2) do SAT scores differ between students who participate in school choice and students who do not and (3) do AP test scores differ between students who participate in school choice and students who do not. The research questions were assessed through independent measures t-tests, with two groups of participants: those who participated in and those who did not participate in Choice Programs. GPA (p p = .041) were found to be significant among the two groups. When examined, the SAT Math section did not exhibit a significant difference (p = .154), while the SAT Reading and Writing section did exhibit a significant difference (p = .013). Two of the 10 AP tests offered at the selected school were found to have significant effects, AP Psych (p = .015) and AP Calc (p < .001). The results of this study align with previous research which has not clearly demonstrated a positive or negative impact of school choice on student achievement but rather impacts in either direction depending on the question at hand. Further research with a larger, more complete dataset is recommended to gain a more clear picture of the impact of intra-district school choice.

Year manuscript completed

2024

Year degree awarded

2024

Author's Keywords

School Choice, Georgia, Open Enrollment, Intra-district, Choice Program

Dissertation Committee Chair

Randal Wilson

Committee Member

Ben Littlepage

Committee Member

Angie Lewis

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

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