Magnet Schools Utilized for Voluntary Integration: A Descriptive Study.

This study reports the findings of a questionnaire survey developed to gather information on the general characteristics of magnet programs and to determine the use of magnet schools in overall district integration plans. Thirty-eight of 98 districts responding to the survey reported utilizing magnet schools for integration purposes. Forty-one percent of these districts reported having at least 50% minority populations. Most magnet schools were at the elementary level. Ten areas of emphasis addressed in magnet schools were identified: (l) fine arts; (2) career/vocational technical education; (3) academic; (4) basic skills; (5) administrative/structural alteration; (6) gifted and talented; (7) early childhood education; (9) handicapped; and (10) miscellaneous (areas by which their titles defied categorization). Correlation analysis suggested no clear patterns between school district and magnet school characteristics. Tables of data are appended. (Author/MK)